3 standout players from Arsenal's dramatic comeback win at Newcastle

Arsenal travelled to Newcastle on Sunday afternoon knowing that victory at St James' park would be enough to lift the Gunners back into second place in the table, just two points behind league leaders Liverpool.

Recent encounters up in the North East against the Magpies haven't gone in Arsenal's favour at all. Newcastle have won the last three at St James' park including two in the Premier League.

Arsenal started brightly and as early as the fifth minute Eberechi Eze saw his left footed effort across goal saved smartly by Newcastle keeper Nick Pope.

After 12 minutes Viktor Gyökeres latched onto Jacob Murphy's weak back-pass and knocked the ball to Pope's right before going down over the keeper's right knee.

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After initially giving a penalty, referee Jarred Gillett changed his decision with considerable help from VAR. The slow motion replay indicated that Pope had made the slightest touch on the ball before making contact with the Arsenal forward.

A brilliant eight pass move took Arsenal from one end of the pitch to another resulting in Trossard smashing the ball against the inside of Pope's near post in the 25th minute. That's some of the best football that Arsenal have played so far this season.

Eze stung Pope's palms again a few moments later with a shot from the edge of the area that came through a croded penalty area at pace. Pope through himself to his right to beat the ball away.

Arsenal stage dramatic comeback after going behind

Nick Woltemade gave the home side the lead in the 34th minute when he headed home Sandro Tonali's cross from close range. Gabriel felt that he had been pushed in the build up to the goal but VAR advised that there had been minimal contact.

The temperature ramped up in the second half and Arsenal equalised via the head of Mikel Merino who had been introduced as a second-half substitute with 20 minutes left to go. Declan Rice sent in an inviting cross after getting a second chance to get the ball in.

Gabriel Magalhães stole all three points deep into stoppage time when Martin Ødegaard's inswinging corner from the right found the head of Gabriel just a yard out from where he made no mistake.

1. Gabriel Magalhães

This was an immense performance from Gabriel in a match where he seemed to be at the centre of all the action.

After being pushed in the back in the build up to Newcastle's opening goal the Brazilian had the bit firmly between his teeth.

His response was to give the goalscorer Nick Woltemade an overly zealous forearm into the face which was not deemed foul play by the referee and went unchecked by VAR.

In a colossal defensive masterclass, Gabriel made nine clearances, three tackles, three interceptions and blocked two shots.

Saving his best for last, he got on the end of Ødegaard's in-swinging corner to win the points for his team.

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