Arsenal: Mikel Arteta hails 'different level' as Gunners produce thrilling comeback victory over Newcastle | OneFootball

North Londoners left it late to snatch victory on Tyneside

Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Simon Collings

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Mikel Arteta praised his Arsenal side for performing at a “different level” as they beat Newcastle and closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points.

Gabriel headed home a late winner for the Gunners, who had to come from behind after Nick Woltemade’s first-half goal.

The victory was Arsenal’s first at St James’ Park in just over two years and came off the back of them losing their last three visits there.

It also reduced the gap to league leaders Liverpool to just two points after Arne Slot’s side lost to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

“There are moments in the season, and obviously, with the start that we had already and the difficult fixtures that we had, today we had the opportunity to close that gap - and to do it in a stadium that has a very recent and difficult past for us,” said Areta.

“I think it shows how much the team wants it. I think we discussed to go to the next level, first of all, you have to learn from the past.

“Certainly we take some lessons and very different moments in this ground. Today was an opportunity that the game brings you again in a really important week in the Premier League.

“After all the tough places that we’ve already been very early in the season, to show who we are, who we want to be, our ambition and the way that we want to play. I think the team has done that today in a remarkable way.

“The belief, the conviction of the team that we are and that we can play various types of games and the team still can deliver and win it in a convincing way.

“For me today, it’s one of the most difficult grounds. Again, praise Newcastle, the way they play, compete, how difficult it is to play in this place. But the team really took the game to a different level, and I’m very proud to see that.”

Arteta was especially pleased with his side’s performance because of the way they recreated to a difficult first half.

Arsenal fell behind - but before that they had to deal with having a penalty overturned by VAR.

Viktor Gyokeres went down in the box after a challenge from Nick Pope, but VAR adjudged that the Newcastle goalkeeper got a touch on the ball.

“I watched it live and then I watched it on the screen and for me it was a penalty,” said Arteta.

“We were instructed very clearly again this season that unless it’s a clear and obvious error, the referee is not going to intervene. It’s not. So that’s my opinion.

“[But] we find a way to win the game. The team is still emotionally very, very, very calm and very composed. And that’s a lesson that we took as well, probably from a few years ago.”