When Gabriel Magalhães, centre‑back of Arsenal Football Club rose above the pack to head home in the 96th minute, the Gunners snatched a 2‑1 comeback win at St. James' Park on 28 September 2025. The drama unfolded during the Premier League clashSt. James' Park, a fixture that had many pundits predicting a hard‑earned point for the home side.
Match overview and turning points
Newcastle United Football Club opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, when Kieran Trippier delivered a curling free‑kick that found the back of the net. The early lead forced Arsenal into a defensive posture, with Leandro Trossard and Alexandre Martinelli (commonly known as Martinelli) struggling to find space against a well‑organized Newcastle backline.
Half‑time arrived with the score 1‑0 to the Magpies, and Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, urged his side to keep pushing. The Gunners emerged from the break with renewed vigor, pressing high and testing Newcastle’s centre‑backs.
How Arsenal turned the tide
The equaliser came in the 49th minute. Leandro Trossard slipped a clever ball between Trippier’s legs, finding Declan Rice on the left flank. Rice whipped in a swinging delivery from the corner of the box, and Mikel Merino rose majestically to meet the cross, directing a powerful header past Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. The goal mirrored the earlier strike – same side of the pitch, similar arc – prompting the home crowd to groan in disbelief.
Arsenal didn’t settle for a draw. In the 71st minute, Alexandre Martinelli unleashed a thunderous shot that struck the arm of Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães. The referee consulted the VAR, but the decision stood: no penalty, but the ball rebounded out for a corner.
That corner became the set‑piece catalyst. Martin Ødegaard took the ensuing corner and delivered a pinpoint ball into the crowded six‑yard box. It was Gabriel Magalhães who rose highest, meeting the cross with a thunderous header that looped over Pope’s outstretched hand – the winning goal at 90+6 minutes.
Reactions from players and managers
"It felt like we were playing a different game after the break," Magalhães said in the post‑match interview. "The lads kept believing, and that belief turned into a goal."
Arteta praised his side’s mental strength: "The lads showed why we’re title contenders. Being 1‑0 down at St. James’ Park is never easy, but the boys never gave up."
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe conceded his team got caught off‑guard: "We defended well for most of the game, but a few lapses in concentration cost us. Arsenal’s quality shines through in moments like this."
Former England midfielder Gary Lineker, commenting for Sky Sports, noted the rarity of such a late winner: "A goal in the 96th minute puts this match in the Premier League history books. It’s the kind of drama that keeps fans coming back week after week."
What this means for the title race
Arsenal move to 38 points after 16 games, sitting second in the table, just three points behind leaders Manchester City. Their away record improves to five wins, three draws, and two defeats – the best away form among the top five clubs.
Newcastle, meanwhile, remain in seventh place with 30 points, still within striking distance of a European spot but now facing a three‑point gap from Arsenal.
Statistically, Arsenal have created 2.3 chances per game this season, compared with Newcastle’s 1.8. The win also pushes Arsenal’s goal difference to +22, bolstering their credentials.
Analyst Ian Wright of The Athletic argues the comeback illustrates a shift in Arsenal’s psychological edge: "When you can win on the road after being behind, you build a resilience that other teams find hard to match."
Looking ahead: upcoming fixtures
The Gunners now face Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on 5 October, a London derby that could further tighten the title race.
Newcastle travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on 9 October, hoping to bounce back.
Both teams will be keen to keep the momentum. Arsenal’s resilience, highlighted by the late winner, could be the season‑defining factor.
Key facts
- Final score: Arsenal 2 – 1 Newcastle United
- Goals: Mikel Merino (49'), Gabriel Magalhães (90+6')
- Venue: St. James' Park, Newcastle
- Date: 28 September 2025
- Arsenal points after match: 38 (2nd in Premier League)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League?
The three‑point gain lifts Arsenal to 38 points, narrowing the gap to league leaders Manchester City to just three points. Coupled with a superior goal difference (+22), the victory strengthens Arsenal’s title claim and adds valuable momentum heading into the busy October fixtures.
Who scored Arsenal’s goals and how?
Mikel Merino headed home a Declan Rice cross in the 49th minute to level the score. The winner came from Gabriel Magalhães, who surged above the crowd to power a header from a Martin Ødegaard corner in the 96th minute.
What were the key tactical changes made by Arsenal after halftime?
Arteta switched to a more aggressive pressing system, pushing the back four higher and encouraging full‑backs to overlap. This created overloads on the left flank, allowing Trossard to exploit space and deliver the decisive ball to Rice, whose crossing cemented the comeback.
What does this result mean for Newcastle United’s European ambitions?
The loss leaves Newcastle on 30 points, slipping to seventh place. They remain within reach of a Europa League spot but must win upcoming matches, especially the clash at Old Trafford, to keep the hope alive.
Who were the standout performers for Arsenal besides the goal‑scorers?
Midfielder Martin Ødegaard earned plaudits for his set‑piece precision, delivering the corner that spawned the winner. Additionally, full‑back Kieran Tierney (named earlier in the match) contributed several dangerous overlaps, while the midfield trio of Thomas Partey, Martin Ødegaard, and Granit Xhaka kept the tempo high.
Elizabeth Bennett
September 28, 2025 AT 21:28What a thrilling finish at St. James' Park! The resilience Arsenal showed after going down early really highlights their mental strength. Magalhães' header was a textbook example of timing and positioning. It also underscores Arteta's tactical tweaks at halftime that paid dividends. This win certainly nudges them closer to the title chase while giving Newcastle a lesson in concentration.
linda menuhin
October 1, 2025 AT 10:48i cant help but think about how the beautiful chaos of football mirrors life – unexpected, messy, but ultimately rewarding. the 96th minute goal felt like poetry in motion. seems like every setback is just a set‑up for a bigger comeback, right?
Jeff Abbott
October 4, 2025 AT 00:08Honestly, this match was a masterclass in how not to defend a lead. Newcastle looked comfortable at 1‑0 and then completely fell apart. Magalhães exploiting that lapse was inevitable, and the fans deserved better organization from their side.
Quinton Merrill
October 6, 2025 AT 13:28i mean wow 😲 the pressure in those final minutes was insane! Arsenal’s pressing after the break really stretched the Magpies and opened those lanes for the corner. good thing Ødegaard nailed that delivery, otherwise we’d still be talking about a draw.
Linda Lawton
October 9, 2025 AT 02:48Did anyone else notice that the referee’s decision on the Martinelli handball was suspicious? It’s like the league is protecting its big clubs. Something’s off when a clear penalty is waved away and the game ends the way it did.
Ashley Bradley
October 11, 2025 AT 16:08The narrative of this encounter is a vivid illustration of the profound psychological dynamics that govern elite sport. From the opening whistle, Newcastle asserted themselves, capitalising on a well‑executed free‑kick that seemed to set the tone. Yet, the Gunners displayed a quiet patience, absorbing the early pressure while subtly reorganising their shape during the intermission. Arteta’s adjustments, notably the higher defensive line and increased width from the full‑backs, began to exert a tactile influence on the opposition’s midfield cohesion. As the second half unfolded, Trossard’s finesse in threading the ball under Trippier’s legs exemplified a nuanced understanding of spatial exploitation, delivering the ball to a charging Rice who, in turn, fashioned a dangerous cross. Merino’s aerial supremacy on that occasion was not merely a stroke of luck but the culmination of rehearsed set‑piece routines that have become a hallmark of Arsenal’s recent form. The subsequent 71st‑minute volley from Martinelli, though denied a penalty, underscored the volatile nature of high‑intensity contests where fortunes can pivot on the thinnest of margins. Ødegaard’s corner that precipitated Magalhães’s decisive header was a testament to the precision of modern training methodologies, where the curvature and velocity of the ball are calibrated to a centimetre. Magalhães’s leap embodied the archetype of a centre‑back who blends physical presence with timing, embodying the team’s collective belief that perseverance begets triumph. The emotional crescendo that swelled in the St. James’ Park stands as a microcosm of the broader league narrative, where resilience is rewarded and complacency punished. This victory not only cements Arsenal’s ascent up the table but also augments their psychological arsenal, fostering an invincible mindset that will be pivotal in the forthcoming London derbies. In summation, the match serves as a case study in strategic adaptation, mental fortitude, and the inexorable march of a club reasserting its place among England’s elite.
Joe Delaney
October 14, 2025 AT 05:28What a comeback!
Ruben Vilas Boas
October 16, 2025 AT 18:48Gotta hand it to the boys, they kept their heads and fought till the end. That corner was perfect timing, no doubt.
George Thomas
October 19, 2025 AT 08:08The composure shown after conceding early is commendable. Such discipline is essential for championship aspirations.