David Raya – 7
Made a few routine saves but it was his dominance from crosses and the way he commanded his box that was most impressive. No chance with the goal.
Best moment:
Commanding punch from one dangerous Newcastle corner was a real confidence booster for his defence. Either that or sprinting the length of the pitch to celebrate Gabriel’s goal at the end. Absolute scenes!
Jurrien Timber – 8
Another fantastic performance. Especially defensively. He’s not the biggest but he more than stood up to Newcastle’s physicality. There was a few of those moments where he just gets his body in the way of the attacker and just basically out fights his opponent for the ball. It looks really scrappy but he does it so often that it’s not luck. Also showing signs of improvement going forward. A couple of times the ball bounced off him when it a good position but I coudln;t tell if it was just an awkward ball that wouldn’t come donw for him or a poor touch. In any case, he made some great runs, some lovely forward passes, couple of nice crosses and even found himself in the centre forward position for his headed chance that Pope did brilliantly to save.
Best moment:
He doesn’t get forward into goal scoring positions from open play very often so it has to be the headed chance where he ghosted into the area to force a world class save from Nick Pope.
Cristhian Mosquera – 6
His least impressive performance in an Arsenal shirt to date but he really wasn’t that bad. Made a big mistake to give away a cheap corner that Newcastle scored from but by and large, he defended quite well and didn’t look over-awed by Newcastle’s physical approach at all. Subbed at the break which may have been tactical in some way.
Best moment:
A few nice headed clearances but nothing that was particularly eye catching.
Gabriel – 8
To say he had an eventful day would be a bit of an understatement!! Defended well for the most part but he had two or three moments where I don’t think he was at his best. I don’t think he can do much about the goal but going down with so little contact was poor and not something I like to see from the big Brazilian. Lashed out at Woltemade shortly after which was a bit silly and again something that we don’t want to see as we don’t need to be giving referees an excuse for sending off our players! However, all was forgiven late on as he headed home a ‘Gabriel’ goal in the 96th minute to spark jubiliant scenes among players, staff and fans. Does not know how to give up!
Best moment:
Think I’ll go for the winning goal!! Brings a smile to my face just writing about it and I think that will last for days as Gabriel won us a massive game in dramatic circumstances.
Riccardo Calafiori – 7
Picked up yet another booking for sything down an opponent when beaten for skill/pace which will lead to a suspension shortly. Aside from that moment, he was solid defensively and offered his usual threat going forward without ever really troubling Newcastle’s goal. Not as many shots today as usual.
Best moment:
Had some nice touches going forward but taking Nick Pope’s towel takes it for me. Absolutely hilarious!
Martin Zubimendi– 7
Just glides around the pitch, opening angles and passing lanes wherever he goes. Another impressive performance from the Spaniard. Sumptuous pass to create a chance for Jurrien Timber which should have lead to a goal and was involved in everything for Arsenal.
Best moment:
Lovely chipped pass to set up the Timber header but I’m going to have to go with beating Dan Burn in the air!! Defied physics that one!!
Declan Rice – 8 PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Much more like it from Rice. A real all action box to box midfield performance, especially in the second half. He wasn’t bad in the first, he just took it up a notch and took on a bit more responsibility going forward in the second half. The driving runs were back, passing was good, corners were excellent and he also made some brilliant blocks in our half, including tracking Jacob Murphy over half the length of the pitch to stop him putting Newcastle 2 up. Also put in an amazing cross for the equaliser after breaking ranks and deciding to play it short. Lovely run in the first half to play in Trossard as well, who really should have put us 1-0 up.
Best moment:
A few stick out for Declan Rice, mainly his beautiful assist for Mikel Merino. However, the way he tracked Jacob Murphy’s run all the way back to prevent a certain second goal gets it for me. If he doesn’t, the game is over and none of the rest would have mattered.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Eberechi Eze – 8
Best match in an Arsenal shirt. Looked the part in the attacking midfield position today. Those little jinking runs where he just beats someone on the spot or makes a bit of space for himself by dropping a shoulder are absolutely invaluable. Some lovely tight, quick combinations on the edge of the Newcastle box as well helped create space and generally troubled the Newcastle defence. Didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet but it wasn’t through lack of trying. He strikes the ball so well and so often it’s on target that the goals will come for him. Odegaard looked really good when he came on but I think the idea if him just walking back into the team when he’s fit is very much up for debate!
Best moment:
Tough one but I’d say the first effort he had on goal which he took down expertly with his right and fired goalwards with his left. I’m not sure if many other Premier League keepers are saving this but the massive Nick Pope made a great save to keep it out.
Bukayo Saka – 7
Started strongly and looked to run at Dan Burn whenever he could, getting the better of the Newcastle more often than not. Seemed to come inside a bit more often than usual which lead to some nice combination play with Eze and helped created a brilliant chance for Leandro Trossard by playing the ball to the onrushing Declan Rice to drive forward with. A few dangerous shots as well but on the most part it wasn’t really his day. Outmuscled on numerous occasions and was asking for free kicks that were never likely to come. Flagged in the second half and was withdrawn around 70 minutes.
Best moment:
Ball inside to set up the Trossard chance was the pass of the move and the reason why it got as far as it did.
Viktor Gyokeres – 7
Hard to mark this one up for me. There were some really positives today, such as his link up play was good, even though some of the balls into him gave him so little to work with, he was lively in attack and got into some great positions to score and did really well to win the penalty that was rescinded. On the flip side, I thought he went down far too easily at times and some of those chances should really have been goals if it wasn’t for taking too long/an extra touch or taking a heavy touch. There was one chance towards the end of the game that was just bad luck as his foot gave way at the crucial moment, so he gets a pass for that. All things considered, I can definitely see an improvement in his game and he was much more of a threat here than at Anfield and Old Trafford so he’s earned a 7.
Best moment:
First rate striker player to anticipate the back pass and intercept before being brought down for the penalty/not penalty.
Leandro Trossard – 6
Another game of moments from the Belgian as he had some really nice touches at times and threaded a few excellent passes through to start attacks but he really should have scored the chance that Declan Rice presented him with and given put us 1-0 up. Games like this are always going to be tight and on another day that could have cost us so he got away with one today.
Best moment:
Exquisite through ball to Declan Rice in the build up to winning the corner from which Merino scored.
Subs:
William Saliba – 7 – Came on at half time for Mosquera and was rock solid, as ever. Played his part in the winning goal by pinning Pope with his huge frame.
Mikel Merino – 8 – I don’t remember him doing a great deal in open play but what a header, what a time to get it, what a substitution! There’s a real top player here if we use him in the right way. So dangerous when crashing the box.
Gabriel Martinelli – 6 – Was lively without really impacting the game. No fireworks today but you have to share the limelight sometimes!
Martin Odegaard – 8 – What a cameo from the Captain. Will have watched Eze light up the midfield from the bench and was determined to make an impact when he came on and he did just that! An unbelievable ball through to Lewis-Skelly split open the Newcastle defence only for the fullback to see his cross blocked out for a corner but Odegaard didn’t have to wait long for his telling moment as his pinpoint corner was headed home by Gabriel for the winner.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6 – Came on after Merino’s equaliser as Arteta reverted back to a back four once we had something to lose and was actually quite involved. Was played in by Martin Odegaard and maybe should have done a little better but won a corner to keep the pressure on ahead of the winning goal.