Arsenal pulled off another St James’ Park smash and grab as Gabriel rose highest in the 96th minute to nod home a priceless winner and blow the title race wide open.
The Brazilian defender got on the end of Declan Rice’s corner to silence the Geordie faithful and send Mikel Arteta and his staff charging down the touchline in wild celebration.
It was the ultimate sucker punch for Newcastle who thought they had done enough when former Gunner Mikel Merino ghosted in late on to glance a header off the post and cancel out Nick Woltemade’s opener. Instead the visitors showed the sort of fight that keeps them within two points of leaders Liverpool and leaves Eddie Howe’s men floored.
Newcastle had looked on course for victory thanks to the towering Woltemade. The big striker bullied Gabriel in the air and powered Sandro Tonali’s teasing cross past David Raya to ignite the home crowd. Arsenal fumed as Gabriel went down inside his own box claiming contact but referee Jarred Gillett ignored the protests.
That was not the only time Gillett angered the Londoners. Earlier he pointed to the spot when Viktor Gyokeres appeared to be brought down by Nick Pope. Arsenal celebrated but VAR intervened and after a lengthy check at the monitor the decision was overturned. The stadium announcer confirmed Pope had played the ball and the visitors were left raging.
Arsenal’s frustration grew as Pope produced a string of outstanding saves. He clawed away volleys from Eberechi Eze, dived low to keep out Jurrien Timber’s header and pushed a dangerous cross shot from Bukayo Saka behind. When the keeper was finally beaten Leandro Trossard rattled the bar. It looked set to be another miserable night at a ground where Arsenal had lost their previous three visits.
But this Arsenal side have rediscovered their steel. Recent weeks have brought late drama everywhere they go. Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli came off the bench to turn a Champions League tie in Bilbao and Martinelli struck late again to snatch a draw against Manchester City.
At St James’ Park it was Merino who looked to have written the headline by striking against his old club. Yet Arsenal were not settling for a point. With seconds remaining Rice whipped in another of his deadly deliveries and Gabriel attacked the near post with everything he had. His header flashed beyond Pope and into the net sparking wild celebrations in the away end and a furious silence elsewhere.
This was the night Arsenal proved they will chase Liverpool to the very last minute.