By beating Newcastle United on matchday six, Arsenal overcame a burden that has impacted the club for 39 years.
The Gunners left it incredibly late to turn things around against Newcastle, scoring an 84th-minute equaliser and a 96th-minute winner.
Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes were responsible for the goals, but the performance was one that Mikel Arteta deserves credit for.
Amid criticism of Arsenal’s playing style, the manager fielded a strong, attacking starting XI and only added to the threat as the match went on.
It was a refreshing display from the North Londoners and one that meant so much more than merely three points.
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Arsenal break 39-year curse with win over Newcastle United
Last-minute winners bring a feeling that is incomparable in football, particularly with a title race to tend to.
Gary Neville thinks Arsenal sent a message to Liverpool with their comeback win over Newcastle, but it wasn’t only their title rivals who would’ve taken notice of the victory.
Those at Arsenal will be so delighted to have seen Arteta’s side do what they did, as the Gunners did something that hadn’t been done for 39 years.
As Opta’s Tom Ede reported on X, the win over Newcastle marked the first time that Arsenal had come from behind to win at St James’ Park since 1986.
Heads didn’t drop, which is what was so impressive, as the Gunners went beyond expectation to not only score a late equaliser, but a winner too.
After back-to-back 1-0 defeats at St James’ Park, as the clock edged towards the final five minutes, it looked as though it’d be more of the same for Arteta’s side, but his players had other ideas.
Mikel Arteta knew what made the difference this time at St James’ Park
Newcastle threatened in spells, but the game was Arsenal’s to win one way or another.
Nick Pope was incredibly strong against the Gunners, which made things harder, but the visitors kept pushing, despite a list of testing moments throughout the contest.
The first half had Arsenal wound up, as after Viktor Gyokeres had a penalty overturned and Nick Woltemade scored, Arteta’s side were shaken.
This didn’t, however, become a match-defining factor, leading Arteta to praise how his players have improved their emotional control.
“The team is still emotionally very calm and very composed, and that’s a lesson that we took as well, probably from a few years ago.”
Arsenal kept Newcastle and the St James’ Park crowd at bay, winning the game in the most thrilling of circumstances to rewrite the script of their misfortune in the North East.
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