Arteta Hails Arsenal’s Win over Newcastle United

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta was full of praise for his players for the hard-fought 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday.

The Gunners produced a stunning performance to seal a comeback victory at St James Park to boost their Premier League title hopes.

Nico Woltemade opened the scoring for Newcastle United in the 34th minute.

Mikel Merino equalised for Arsenal in the 84th minute before Gabriel scored the winner in the 96th minute to hand Arsenal the maximum points.

Arteta was delighted with the team’s performance.

He said: “To win in the manner that we have done it, wow what a feeling! Football is about emotion and going through things and today we had a beautiful one at the end of the match.

“Pride and I think we fully deserved the win. The way we played and performed and competed. The chances we generated, we deserved to win. We did it in a dramatic way but we deserved to win.

“That is how you get to a different level. By going through those moments and taking the lessons from it. It was a massive opportunity to make a statement and to prove to everybody and ourselves the team that we are.

“For ourselves because they are a terrific team and they are so difficult to play against. The level of consistency and quality we showed today was top.

“I think the way we played. The courage, the determination and the quality we played with today. We want to achieve the next level and to do that you have to come to these places and when there are some results yesterday, we wanted to show that conviction and desire to do it.

“You have to come to this place and you have to win. You have to find a way to do it and it was tremendous.”

Goalscorer Mikel Merino described the victory as unbelievable.

He said: “As Buyako [Saka] says it’s unbelievable to win these kinds of games. Late winners are the best. But obviously from my perspective it’s even greater coming back here is always big for me, big memories, amazing place in my life but also being able to score and help the team is incredible. Couldn’t be better to win at the last minute and congrats to all the boys.

“Always coming here is great to see old faces, old friends. I’ve had amazing memories here. I’ve only been here one year but still it’s a big part of my life and my career. To come here to score a winner, a header again in the same goal that I scored for Newcastle, is magical.”

The victory propelled the Gunners to second on the log with 13 points from six matches.

Arsenal will return to action against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday.