Arsenal strike late to beat Newcastle, close gap on league leaders Liverpool

Arsenal produced a dramatic late fightback to win 2-1 at Newcastle on Sunday and lay down an early marker in the Premier League title race.

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The Gunners were heading for a fourth consecutive defeat at St. James’ Park after falling behind to Nick Woltemade's first-half header.

However, Mikel Merino headed in the equaliser before Gabriel Magalhaes powered in from a 96th-minute corner to lift Arsenal into second and within two points of leaders Liverpool.

Liverpool's first defeat of the season at Crystal Palace on Saturday had handed Arsenal the chance to close in at the top of the table.

For a long time it looked like Mikel Arteta’s men would let that opportunity slip by in a bad-tempered encounter on Tyneside.

But the manner of victory will give the Gunners belief this is their season after finishing second in each of the last three campaigns.

Arteta’s conservative team selection in last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City was much criticised.

There was no sense of the Spaniard holding back as Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze returned to the starting lineup.

Eze nearly made his mark within five minutes as his low drive was brilliantly turned behind by Nick Pope.