Arsenal

Alex Howell
Arsenal reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The feeling around Arsenal's win at Newcastle is as important as the three points that the team picked up.

The Gunners have had a tough start to the Premier League with games against Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and now the Magpies.

Mikel Arteta's team selection had been criticised for being too conservative but during the fixture he showed that he is not afraid to take risks.

The Arsenal manager started Eberechi Eze in place of Mikel Merino and having his creativity and goal threat made a difference.

Arteta also played Leandro Trossard at left back when chasing the win and his messages from the sideline were for his players to push for the win.

Arsenal have played well in most of their matches but navigating a tricky start and picking up a win in this manner - at a place where they have struggled in the past - will be so important for this squad.

What is it about Arsenal and set-plays?

For context, since the start of the 2023-24 season, the Gunners have scored 36 goals from corners in the Premier League - 15 more than any other side in this period.

Arsenal's prowess from set-pieces ultimately turned the game against Newcastle on its head.

From the first, in the 84th minute, Arsenal took a short corner before Declan Rice swung the ball into the box.

Mikel Merino got there in front of Sven Botman to glance the ball in off the post.

And the decision to go short certainly did not go unnoticed by Match of the Day pundit Joe Hart.

"Rice was willing to do something off the cuff [for the goal]," the former Manchester City goalkeeper told BBC Sport. "That is someone who is not bothered about the problems Arsenal had faced, that was someone looking for a solution and, at that moment in time, that was the solution.

"When he needs to make the last-ditch tackles, that's what he does and when he needs to do something special, like that kind of blind round the corner ball on to Merino's head, that was a special bit of play that his team needed."

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Newcastle United and Arsenal, which saw Mikel Arteta's side stage a late comeback at St James' Park.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Duncan: Arsenal got what they deserved. We set up to not lose and not to win the game, which is always disappointing. It was such a negative approach, tactically speaking. Up until the 70th minute, Pope was 'man of the match' and then he reverted to type. Thiaw continues to impress at the back and seems to fit in rather well. The midfield was non-existent, much like the forward line. Tonali was doing his best to get the midfield into the game but failed miserably. Bruno was conspicuous by his absence, as was Murphy. Gordon was completely ineffective, only creating two noticeable instances of creative play. If this is Howe's approach to the season then you can keep it.

Dean: Eddie Howe needs to go. There is nothing new here and no skill like Alexander Isak. We were a one-trick pony team and now we just can't hit a barn door. We need new management with new ideas.

Ali: When will Newcastle's coaching team realise that sitting deep and pumping the ball back to the opposition is not working? Sometimes a team has to retain possession, but we are awful in that respect.

Richard: Surely we've got to look at Nick Pope's actions. He had a great first half then sold us out with poor distribution and was nowhere near the following corner.

Arsenal fans

Nigel: After Newcastle's goal I was honestly bewildered about the game plan and the line-up but, as always, Arteta silenced my inner question mark. The referee was awful and VAR was pointless. Overall, it was a hard-fought win which underpins our season aspirations; the Premier League title.

Brian: Arteta took the brake off and it showed.

Sean: We needed that win! I know it is early in the season but we need to keep the pressure on Liverpool. One concern is that Gyokeres doesn't score in big games, but maybe that is down to the way we play. He is a target man that needs crosses into the box.

Karl: We need more up front and chances need to be taken. While the defence does its thing, we need the attack to match. We can't keep relying on corners and free-kicks. A much needed win, but way harder than it needed to be.

Lou: I can feel the boys are determined now. We didn't start the season as great as we could have, but Saka is back and the whole team are together now.

Image source, Daily Star and Mirror Sport

Arsenal have closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points with a late win at Newcastle on Sunday.

We might only be six games into the season, but the notion that the Reds will run away with the league again was hindered somewhat when Gabriel headed Arsenal to victory.

Monday's newspaper back pages feature the Gunners comeback at St James' Park and "how it proves their title fight" as a collective team.

But should Arsenal have had a penalty after striker Viktor Gyokeres was brought down by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope?

"Pope came out and made himself big - albeit with a little extension of the foot - and the ball hits him," said former Premier League goalkeeper David James on the BBC Radio 5 Live Football Daily podcast. "He wasn't trying to tackle Gyokeres, he was trying to block him and there is a fundamental difference there.

"If Pope goes to tackle him and makes contact then there would be a shout but he has gone for a block.

"It was the perfect decision from the referee.

"He is allowed to try and stop the ball from going in and I don't think there was any danger in there. If anything Gyokeres made the contact with Pope."

Pundits Ellen White and Joe Hart join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham

• Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Away days do not come much tougher.

Arsenal had lost their previous three fixtures at a raucous St James' Park in all competitions and looked to be heading for a fourth.

They found goalkeeper Nick Pope in inspired form as he twice kept out volleys from Eberechi Eze, got down to low to claw away a header from Jurrien Timber and palmed a cross-shot from Bukayo Saka behind.

On the one occasion Pope looked beaten in the first half, Leandro Trossard saw an effort crash off the bar.

But the last couple of weeks have taught us that Arsenal never know when they are beaten.

Late goals from substitutes Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli secured a Champions League win at Athletic Club, and a dramatic equaliser from the latter earned a draw against Manchester City last week.

This time it was the turn of substitute Mikel Merino to transform the game, as he came back to haunt his former side.

But Arsenal were not content with just a point - they went for all three.

They got their reward from a familiar source - a set-piece - as Gabriel headed home at the near post to spark huge celebrations in the away end.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke to Sky Sports after his side staged a late comeback against Newcastle United: "I feel pride. I think we fully deserved the win after the way we played, performed and competed. With the chances we generated, we deserved to win even if we did it in a dramatic way.

"That's how you get to a different level, by going through those moments and taking lessons from it. It was a massive opportunity to show who we are because they are a terrific team and they are so difficult to play against. The level of consistency and quality we showed was top.

"We want to achieve the next level and to do that you have to come to these places and you have to win. You have to find a way to do it. It was tremendous."

On making a lot of attacking substitutions: "We had to throw everything we had. Nick Pope was exceptional, fair play to him, but we believed and we fully deserved to win it."

On Viktor Gyokeres' penalty being overturned: "If it's not a clear and obvious error, VAR should not intervene."

Goalscorer Mikel Merino also spoke to Sky Sports after scoring against his old club: "It is unbelievable to win these kinds of games, late winners are the best. Obviously from my perspective, it is even greater. Coming back here [St James' Park] is always big for me, I have big memories here and it was an amazing point in my life, but also being able to score and help the team is incredible.

"It is always great to see old faces and old friends when I come here. I was only here for one year but it is still a big part of my life and my career. So to come here and score a winner, a header again, in the same goal that I scored in for Newcastle is magical."

On whether this result will help strengthen their mentality: "Maybe for the fans or for you guys, but not for us. We know how well we have been playing to be putting on the kind of performances we have been. We have been creating as well.

"Winning the way we won here shows the character of the team, how much we trust each other and how confident we are. That doesn't change, no matter the result. We are confident. We have an amazing team, amazing staff and amazing fans, so we are ready for it."

Did you know?

• Arsenal scored their 35th and 36th goals from corners in the Premier League since the start of the 2023-24 season - 15 more than any other side in this period (21 for Chelsea and Tottenham).

• Mikel Merino is Arsenal's top scorer across all competitions (9) and the Premier League (7) in 2025. Four of his nine goals this year have been scored with his head, with no Premier League player netting more headers in this period.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Arsenal's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Record signing Nick Woltemade starts for Newcastle United as the hosts make six changes against Arsenal.

Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali also come back into the starting line-up after head coach Eddie Howe rotated his side in their midweek win against Bradford City in the Carabao Cup.

It looks like Newcastle are going to line up with a back five.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Murphy, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Gordon, Woltemade

Substitutes: Ramsdale, Trippier, Lascelles, Barnes, Krafth, Osula, Elanga, Willock, Miley

Bukayo Saka is fit to make his first league start in a month as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also freshens up his side.

David Raya, Jurrien Timber, Gabriel, Riccardo Calafiori, Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres come in following their midweek Carabao Cup win against Port Vale.

Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Mosquera, Gabriel, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Eze, Saka, Gyokeres, Saka

Substitutes: Kepa, Saliba, Lewis-Skelly, White, Odegaard, Norgaard, Merino, Martinelli, Dowman

There are two games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Fulham (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle United v Arsenal (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Kick-off times BST

Follow Aston Villa v Fulham here

And Newcastle v Arsenal can be found here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Fulham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Arsenal".

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This has become a bit of a grudge match since Newcastle's controversial win at St James' Park in 2023.

Arsenal have lost on their past three visits but even a draw might not help them much this time, because they cannot afford to fall any further behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

So, Mikel Arteta really needs a win, but how will he approach this? Does he regard Newcastle as a top side and, if so, will he play his robust midfield trio again in the middle of the park?

He seems to be quite negative and defensive in games like this, and I think it is a legitimate question to ask if Arsenal can win the Premier League by being that cautious.

Arteta really needs to go for it more. I am finding Newcastle difficult to predict because they do not score many goals, but they are still hard to beat.

There are a few reasons why I am backing Arsenal - Bukayo Saka is fit again and, if Eze starts as well, they will carry a real threat. They have got Gabriel Martinelli too - but what happens here is really down to Arteta.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United host Arsenal on Sunday in a battle of the two best defensive sides in the Premier League so far this season.

The Gunners have conceded just two goals in five league matches, while Eddie Howe's side have recorded a league-high four clean sheets so far.

BBC Sport examines who is best equipped to breach their opponent's defences before the meeting at St James' Park.

Newcastle's search for goals

The Magpies have the lowest expected goals tally against of any side (Arsenal are in second) in the Premier League this season but while Mikel Arteta's Gunners are also scoring freely, Eddie Howe's men are struggling to find the back of the net in the league.

The overriding factor has been the protracted departure of Alexander Isak, who scored 23 goals and provided six assists in last season's Premier League, meaning he was directly involved in more than 40% of Newcastle's goals in the competition, scoring 33.85% of them.

Isak was replaced with the signings of Brentford forward Yoane Wissa and Stuttgart striker Nick Woltemade, but Wissa was injured on international duty with DR Congo and will not feature for several weeks.

Woltemade scored on debut in the 1-0 win over Wolves, but Anthony Gordon was preferred as a false nine to start the Champions League defeat by Barcelona.

The Magpies did put four past League One leaders Bradford City at St James' Park on Wednesday, courtesy of two goals from young Danish striker William Osula to begin their Carabao Cup defence.

Woltemade started on the bench in midweek but will surely return to the starting XI on Sunday.

Newcastle's tally of three goals after five games is their third fewest at this stage of a Premier League season, behind 2005-06 (one) and 2015-16 (two), while their finishing this season is among the worst in the division.

However, should their attack start to click in the league in conjunction with their defensive solidity, they will prove a stern test for Arsenal.

Arsenal's set-piece threat

The Gunners represent a familiar threat to last season in terms of their own resolute defence and an attack built around scoring from set-plays.

Arsenal have scored 10 Premier League goals this season, ranking them joint second overall, while their expected goals tally of 3.5 from set-pieces is the highest in the competition.

The north Londoners also won in the EFL Cup in midweek, with Eberechi Eze scoring his first goal for the club in the victory at League One Port Vale.

Arteta has had to manage injury issues in this campaign - the loss of Noni Madueke during the 1-1 draw at Manchester City last weekend meant that Arsenal have sustained an injury in every Premier League game so far - although the highest net spend in the league of nearly £250m over the summer means his squad is well equipped to deal with any absences.

Arteta will still prefer as many of his big-hitters to be available as possible to travel to Tyneside given Arsenal's recent record in this fixture.

Newcastle have won their past three home games against his side without conceding a goal - they could win four in a row at home to the Gunners for the first time since the 1960s.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Newcastle v Arsenal at 16:30 BST on Sunday

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle at St James' Park (kick-off 16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Arteta started his news conference by addressing the death of former Arsenal youth player Billy Vigar: "Shocking news. Straight away I was thinking about the family and how difficult it is to go through something like this. Our full support is with the family and our thoughts are with all his loved ones."

• He is hopeful Martin Odegaard will be available for the trip to the North East. Meanwhile, there "is no update" on Noni Madueke.

• He would not confirm William Saliba has signed a new contract, but said: "That is what I'm hoping. It's great to see so many players willing to stay."

• On Saliba and why him extending is so important: "He is very impressive for his age because sometimes we tend to forget [he is only 24 years old]. It's his consistency and the way he has matured as a person. Year after year, he has built a partnership in the backline - with Gabriel especially, and the keeper."

• There is no update on Bukayo Saka's contract, but Arteta said he would "love that" to be sorted soon.

• On only conceding two goals in seven games and whether he has the best defence in the league: "We want to be the best team in the Premier League. It's collective, it's a team sport. In anything we do, everyone has a say."

• He said Newcastle "is going to be another tough test" and they "have to be better" than when they played them last season. He wants his side to be "more efficient to win the game".

• On the atmosphere at St James' Park: "Incredibly beautiful. One of the best atmospheres in this country. They play every single ball with you. It's electric. It's one team in one city. It's a great atmosphere to play in."

Listen to commentary of Newcastle v Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra at 16:30 on Sunday

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Arsenal are hoping to strike a double deal with Real Sociedad worth 75m euros (£65.6m) for Japan winger Takefusa Kubo, 24, and 23-year-old French defender Lucien Agoume. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Liverpool are hoping to tie France defender Ibrahima Konate, 26, down to a new contract amid interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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