MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Gabriel scored a 96th-minute winner as Arsenal came back to secure a dramatic 2-1 win against Newcastle in the Premier League on Sunday and close the gap on leader Liverpool.
The defender rose to head in a stoppage-time corner that moved Mikel Arteta’s team up to second in the standings and two points behind defending champion Liverpool.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described it as a “statement” win.
“There are opportunities, there are moments in the season, you have to find a way to win,” he said.
Even with that, there would still have been the feeling of an opportunity missed for Arsenal after Liverpool’s defeat at Palace. Any sense of frustration, however, turned into pure joy when Gabriel headed in from close range.
“It’s unbelievable man, late winners. There’s nothing better in football. Speechless,” said Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka.”
Gabriel dropped to his knees at the final whistle and, with both fists clenched, roared in celebration. He and his teammates will have known the potential significance of the win, which puts pressure on a Liverpool team that has needed a succession of late goals itself to avoid dropping points this season. One of those came against Newcastle in August when Rio Ngumoha scored in the 10th minute of added time to secure a 3-2 win.
This was a case of history repeating itself for Newcastle, but Arsenal could point to a number of occasions when it was denied by luck, VAR or the brilliance of goalkeeper Nick Pope.
