Arsenal pass test of emotional maturity at Newcastle as Mikel Arteta uses £250m summer spend to full effect | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has silenced some of his critics as the Gunners boss made some big calls with his substitutions at St James’ Park

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

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St. James’ Park has so often been an unhappy hunting ground for Arsenal and, before Sunday, they had lost their last three visits there without scoring a goal.

The Gunners ended that run, and the manner in which they did so was hugely encouraging for Arteta.

Instead of unravelling, Arsenal composed themselves and showed a high level of emotional maturity.

Their reward was two late goals – first from Mikel Merino and then Gabriel – with the second coming deep into added time and causing the whole Arsenal bench to charge down the touchline.

It was the first time in the second half that Arteta’s side lost their heads, as they finally let themselves get carried away in the emotion of the moment.

“You really have to be dominant emotionally in these grounds, especially when things start to go against us,” said Arteta.

“When you feel you deserve more and with certain decisions and then you concede a goal – the way the team reacted to that, the way we continued to play, it was, in my opinion, outstanding.”

The whole Arsenal bench charged down the touchline to celebrate Gabriel’s late goal against Newcastle

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal have been accused of being too emotional in previous title races, but this win underlined how they have matured.

The same applies to Arteta, too, who has been prone to losing his cool during previous visits to St. James’ Park.

It was only two years ago that the Arsenal boss let rip after a 1-0 loss here, labelling Newcastle’s goal “embarrassing” and a “disgrace”.

This time, the story was his substitutions.

Arsenal’s £250million summer spend has given Arteta unrivalled depth, and he used it to full effect on Sunday.

His starting XI, which most notably included Declan Rice and Eberechi Eze as two No8s, put Arsenal on the front foot and silenced suggestions of playing with the handbrake on.

It was the bench, however, that got them over the line.

William Saliba’s introduction at half-time steadied the defence. Merino scored the equaliser. Martin Odegaard’s corner created the winner.

Odegaard, in particular, had a transformative impact off the bench – so much so that Eddie Howe claimed he changed the game.

Before the equaliser, the Gunners were effectively playing with a back-three, Rice ahead of them and then six attackers – Eze, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, Merino, Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres – all given licence to roam.

It was uncharted territory for Arteta, who in the past has often preferred like-for-like changes. This time, he threw caution to the wind.

“The impactors, the players coming in made such a difference,” said Arteta. “Bringing energy, bringing in quality.

“I think the consistency and the level that the team is showing, it gave me a really good feeling and hope for the future. We need to continue to go.”

When you feel you deserve more and with certain decisions and then you concede a goal – the way the team reacted to that, the way we continued to play, it was, in my opinion, outstanding

Mikel Arteta

Arteta’s boldness paid off in what felt like a vital weekend in the title race.

The season is only six weeks old, but by May this set of games may well be looked back on as a key moment.

After Premier League leaders Liverpool dropped points, Arsenal had to respond – and did just that, securing a win that felt worth more than three points.

“Unbelievable,” said Bukayo Saka. “There is nothing better than a late winner in football. I’m speechless, I’m so happy.

“We’ve come here in the past and results have gone against us, or decisions and stuff like that. It was starting to feel like that again today - but we have a big character, a big fight to turn it around. We’re really happy.”