Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal: Player ratings as Gunners strike late at St James' Park

Arsenal secured a dramatic 2-1 victory against Newcastle as they came from behind to steal all three points with a stoppage time winner.

Mikel Arteta reverted to full strength for this tie, bringing a number of first team players back into the side following a midweek win at Port Vale. Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice were among those to return while Eberechi Eze remained a starter in a midfield position. William Saliba was a notable absentee, dropping to bench and being replaced by Christhian Mosquera.

The game's first chance fell to the Gunners when Eze brought the ball down on the edge of the box before unleashing a strike at goal, only for Nick Pope to keep it out. Newcastle grew into the game with Arsenal doing well to deal with the pressure.

Controversy then struck when Arteta's side thought they had the chance to take the lead from the penalty spot. Gyökeres pounced on a loose back pass and looked to go round Pope, but was taken down. Jarred Gillett hesitated and eventually pointed to the spot, but overturned the decision when the shotstopper was deemed to have got the slightest touch on the ball by VAR.

Arsenal kept the pressure on with Eze and Leandro Trossard enjoying chances, but it was the hosts who opened the scoring. A quick corner routine saw Sandro Tonali cross in for Nick Woltemade to head his side in front, with that lead remaining intact until half-time.

After an offside scare moments after the break, the Gunners continued their hunt for an equaliser while Newcastle remained on the lookout for a second goal.

The leveller so nearly came on the hour mark when Martín Zubimendi played a dinked ball into the box for Jurrien Timber to head toward goal. Pope was Newcastle's hero once again though, getting down to keep the effort out.

As the clock ticked down, it looked as if time was running out for Arsenal, but substitute Mikel Merino pulled them back level with six minutes to play. Declan Rice swung a cross into the box which the Spaniard met to head past Pope.

With the momentum well in their favour and eight minutes added on at the end of the game, the Gunners went in search of a winner and that's exactly what came. Martin Ødegaard played a corner in which Gabriel rose to meet and head in, winning the game for his side.

The dramatic victory sees Arsenal rise to second in the table, just two points off leaders Liverpool. They return to Champions League action in their next game when they host Olympiacos.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their late win at Newcastle.

Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6.5/10 - Not much he could do about Woltemade's goal and looked good otherwise.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - 7/10 - Almost levelled with a header, but denied by a good save. Played his usual role of mixing attack with defence and did both quite well.

Cristhian Mosquera (CB) - 5/10 - Gave away a cheap corner that eventually led to Newcastle's opening goal. Taken off at half-time.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7/10 - Threw himself to the ground in hopes of winning a foul for Woltemade's opener. A poor decision as he could have prevented the German scoring. Made amends with a dramatic headed winner deep in stoppage time.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - 6.5/10 - Looked to get involved in attack and did relatively well coming up against Murphy. Shown a yellow card in the second-half. Replaced after 70 minutes.

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