Newcastle United vs Arsenal Player Ratings: Premier League Drama AS Gabriel Delivers Late Blow! | OneFootball

Football, at its most ruthless, waits until the very end to deliver its most cutting blows. Under the brooding sky of St James’ Park, Newcastle United looked poised to cling to three priceless points courtesy of Nick Woltemade’s towering first-half header. For eighty minutes, Eddie Howe’s reshaped side grafted, scraped, and stood defiant, roared on by the Tyneside faithful. Yet Arsenal, seasoned in the art of persistence under Mikel Arteta, managed a late surge.

First came the leveller – Mikel Merino, scoring against his former club. Then, deep into stoppage time, Gabriel Magalhaes rose above Dan Burn to nod home and complete the North Londoners’ comeback. What unfolded was a match steeped in drama: a rescinded penalty, injury setbacks, VAR debates, and a contest of willpower as much as skill. Here are the player ratings from a Premier League clash that could ripple through the season’s title and European narratives alike.

Newcastle United Player Ratings

Nick Pope – 8.5/10

Heroic in the first half, producing a string of decisive saves to deny Gyökeres and Eze. His presence alone kept Newcastle alive, even if he courted controversy with the early penalty shout.

Dan Burn – 6.5/10

Threw himself into every duel but ultimately lost out in the decisive aerial battle with Gabriel. Old-fashioned defending until that one costly lapse.

Sven Botman – 7/10

A commanding display for much of the contest, snuffing out Arsenal’s early pressure. Beaten to the punch by Merino at the key moment.

Malick Thiaw – 8/10

A wall at the back, his blocks and tackles embodied Newcastle’s resilience. His late intervention to deny Lewis-Skelly summed up a near-faultless outing.

Tino Livramento – 7/10 (Off 77’)

A lively presence on the right flank, balancing defensive duties with thrust forward. His evening ended worryingly after a knee injury.

Sandro Tonali – 8/10

Controlled the midfield when Newcastle needed composure. Supplied the assist for Woltemade with a precise cross and dictated tempo intelligently.

Bruno Guimarães – 6.5/10

His hurried back-pass sparked the early penalty drama. Recovered well but lacked his usual poise in tight spaces.

Joelinton – 8/10 (Off 90+4’)

Set the tone physically from the off and bossed midfield duels. Relentless in pressing and winning second balls.

Anthony Gordon – 6/10 (Off 66’)

Energetic but too erratic in possession. Subdued by Arsenal’s defensive shape.

Jacob Murphy – 6/10 (Off 66’)

Limited involvement as play flowed down the opposite wing. Industrious but lacked cutting edge.

Nick Woltemade – 8.5/10 (Off 67’)

A beacon of promise. His header was executed with precision and presence. Held the ball up smartly and gave Arsenal problems all afternoon.

Substitutes

Anthony Elanga – 7.5 (On 66’) – Injected direct running and danger down the flank.

Kieran Trippier – 6.5 (On 66’) – Solid and composed, but little opportunity to influence.

William Osula – 6 (On 67’) – Worked hard, no real chances.

Jamaal Lascelles – 6.5 (On 77’) – Physical cameo, conceded a soft foul.

Harvey Barnes – N/A (On 90+4’).

Arsenal Player Ratings

David Raya – 7/10

Hesitant for Woltemade’s opener, retreating when caught in no-man’s-land. Settled afterwards and handled routine work reliably.

Riccardo Calafiori – 7/10 (Off 70’)

Dynamic and assertive, offering width and defensive balance.

Cristhian Mosquera – 6/10 (Off HT)

Struggled in aerial duels, withdrawn at the interval.

Gabriel Magalhães – 7.5/10

Hounded by Woltemade early on but redeemed himself emphatically with the match-winning header in stoppage time.

Jurrien Timber – 7/10

A consistent outlet down the flank, kept Newcastle honest defensively.

Martin Zubimendi – 8/10 (Off 82’)

Controlled in possession and assured in challenges. Key to Arsenal’s second-half control.

Declan Rice – 9/10

Outstanding from first whistle to last. Anchored midfield, broke lines, and created Arsenal’s equaliser with a fine delivery.

Eberechi Eze – 8/10

Lively and inventive, denied by Pope multiple times. A constant thorn in Newcastle’s side.

Bukayo Saka – 8/10 (Off 70’)

Tormented defenders with pace and guile. Tracked back diligently too.

Leandro Trossard – 7/10 (Off 88’)

Hit the post and knitted attacks neatly but lacked final product.

Viktor Gyökeres – 7/10

Relentless in his movement, won an early penalty that VAR chalked off.

Substitutes

William Saliba – 6 (On HT) – Composed, but inadvertently blocked Pope on Arsenal’s winner.

Gabriel Martinelli – 6 (On 70’) – Energy without major impact.

Mikel Merino – 7.5 (On 70’) – A storybook equaliser against his former club.

Martin Ødegaard – 7.5 (On 82’) – Delivered the decisive corner for Gabriel’s winner.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – N/A (On 88’).

Man of the Match:

Declan Rice (Arsenal)

Rice embodied everything Arsenal required in a hostile away setting: authority, precision, and leadership. His defensive nous and progressive play ensured the Gunners had the platform to launch their comeback.

Conclusion

This was a contest of margins, moments, and mental resolve. Newcastle, brave and organised, thought Woltemade’s header would prove decisive. But Arsenal, under Arteta, showcased their championship mettle with two late strikes to flip the narrative.

For Howe’s side, a solitary win in their last eight Premier League matches highlights the fragility of form. For Arsenal, the resilience on display will embolden their title pursuit. In a league where every point matters, this was more than just three gained – it was a declaration that Arsenal remain relentless in their pursuit of glory & silverware.