(Credit: Imago, Match of the Day)

Edward Bazeley

Mon 29 September 2025 8:15, UK

Arsenal bolstered their Premier League title chances with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday.

The Magpies took the lead through Nick Woltemade’s header, but Gabriel Magalhaes scored a 96th-minute winner after Mikel Merino’s equaliser to seal Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle on 28 September.

Mikel Arteta’s men have moved to within two points of league leaders Liverpool, who were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Thanks to their victory over Arne Slot’s men, Palace are the only remaining unbeaten team in the Premier League.

Declan Rice dazzles as Arsenal beat Newcastle

Arsenal were denied a penalty by VAR against the Magpies, even though referee Jarred Gillett originally handed the Gunners a spot kick after Nick Pope brought down Viktor Gyokeres.

However, the North Londoners went on to seal all three points, with England international Declan Rice assisting Merino’s equaliser.

Speaking about the 26-year-old’s performance on BBC One’s Match of the Day [28 September], former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart said: “Declan Rice was sensational all game. They were 1-0 down, he had various moments where he was chasing back, getting on the ball.”

When discussing the corner that led to Arsenal’s equaliser, Hart added: “The instruction from the side is set up and get that ball into some dangerous areas.

“But Declan Rice has gone, ‘do you know what, I can see Newcastle are napping, they’ve got used to the fact that we’re slinging balls in, they can set up against it.’

“He’s locked eyes with Eberechi Eze, who’s actually not looking, because he thinks we’ve got everyone thinking that it’s more than likely this ball’s going to get slung in, and we’ll get set up.

“But Declan Rice has gone ‘no, I’ve seen something different.’ Merino is picking his nose there, he’s still not even knowing what’s going on. He can’t believe a short corner’s happening, but it’s happened.

“Beautiful, top players react, (Martin) Odegaard reacts. Declan Rice, beautiful ball in and Merino, that is a sensational header.“

Mikel Arteta proves major point with victory over Newcastle

Arsenal’s concern was that they had performed negatively in their previous away games in the Premier League, yielding a somewhat fortuitous 1-0 win at Manchester United, before losing by the same scoreline to Liverpool, ahead of their victory over Newcastle.

However, by fielding Eze in a more central role, Arteta ensured that the Gunners were on the front foot, and their mentality to earn a victory despite trailing 1-0 shows that they could have what it takes to win their Premier League title.

By beating Newcastle after Liverpool’s loss at Palace, Arsenal have shown that they can capitalise if the defending champions drop any more points.

The North London side will back themselves to beat strugglers West Ham United in their next Premier League game, even though the Hammers will be galvanised by new boss Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival.

For now, Arteta’s side are vying to beat Greek giants Olympiacos in their second Champions League outing on Wednesday, 1 October.