In a significant show of resilience, Arsenal secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday, September 28, 2025. 

Here's a breakdown of the match: 

• Falling Behind: Newcastle took the lead in the 34th minute with a goal from Nick Woltemade.
• A Contentious Penalty Decision: Before Newcastle's goal, a penalty initially awarded to Arsenal for a foul on Viktor Gyokeres by Nick Pope was overturned by VAR after Pope was deemed to have touched the ball first.
• Late Comeback: Despite dominating possession and creating chances throughout the game, Arsenal found themselves still trailing with only six minutes of regular time remaining. However, substitute Mikel Merino equalized for Arsenal in the 84th minute with a glancing header from Declan Rice's cross.
• Dramatic Winner: Then, deep into stoppage time (the 96th minute), Gabriel Magalhães rose to powerfully head in a corner kick from Martin Ødegaard, securing the late winner for Arsenal. 

This victory, Arsenal's first at St James' Park in over two years, showcased their improved mentality and ability to come back from a losing position, according to ESPN. Manager Mikel Arteta lauded the win as a "statement" victory, highlighting the team's determination, especially given the historical difficulties Arsenal have faced at St James' Park. The win closed the gap on league leaders Liverpool to just two points.