Player Ratings: Newcastle 1-2 Arsenal 

Merino and Gabriel clinch last-gasp victory for Arsenal at Newcastle

Gabriel's 96th-minute header ensured a thrilling 2-1 comeback triumph for Arsenal at Newcastle to close the gap on Liverpool to two points.

Substitute Mikel Merino equalised for the Gunners with six minutes to go, cancelling out Magpies' record signing Nick Woltemade's first-half opener.

However, Mikel Arteta's Arsenal refused to settle for a point, after leaders Liverpool were beaten for the first time this season at Crystal Palace - as Gabriel nodded home six minutes into time added on to seal a memorable win for the Gunners. 

Find out who impressed with View from the Armchair's Player Ratings: 

David Raya: 8/10 - returned to the first team for this increasingly huge fixture in the calendar, steady display with excellent distribution throughout

Jurrien Timber: 9/10 - Rampaging, strong at right back, one of Arsenal’s best performers, never gave up - got his just rewards as Arsenel deservedly took all three points with our King of Brazil's late winner

Mosquera: 7/10 - sloppy in possession, lost the ball for the corner that lead to Newcastle’s ridiculously easy opener, paid the price when hooked off at half time by ruthless Arteta

Gabriel: 8/10 - pushed off the ball by the paperweight Woltemade, no foul I can see, as Newcastle unbelievably, from nowhere take the lead, that’s too easy for Newcastle that. Weak from Gabriel - however our King of Brazil redeemed himself with his last-gasp headed winner in injury time. A massive moment in the title race it feels like already

Riccardo Calafiori: 7/10 - increasingly comfortable and powerful at left back, put in a solid shift until replaced in 70 minutes, one of the few Arsenal players who performed to their potential today

Declan Rice: 8/10 - first time as a defensive shield with Martin Zubimendi, provided the assist for Merino, the man is a tank, seconds away from a massive enquiry into Arteta’s Arsenal it seems, could be a huge turning point in the season this game today.

Martin Zubimendi: 8/10 - would have been unbelievable if he had come away on the losing side, thankfully Merino and Gabriel saved our blushes and alllow me to gush about how slick this fella is on the ball.

Bukayo Saka: 7/10 - I’m sick of seeing him go over too easy myself, never mind the Newcastle supporters who have given him a rough time all day, need bigger Kahunas if you are gonna nab all three points in this arena, which we did once he was hooked off. Love him really, but still room for improvement from our Starboy

Eberechie Eze: 8/10 - shot inches wide with his left foot on five mins, caused Newcastle all kinds of problems lurking on the edge of the box picking up the loose ball, linked up beautifully with Martin Odegaard from the corner for the leveller

Leo Trossard: 7/10 - drilled the ball against the post on 25 minutes in a rapid Arsenal counter attack, largely frustrated by the Geordie rough house tactics

Viktor Gyokeres: 7/10 - won a penalty on 13 minutes, wow no he didn't - chalked off somehow in a completely baffling VAR call, toiled and chased down up front, still need to find a way to feed him better because he’s dining off scraps right now

Substitutes: 

William Saliba: 7.5/10 - didn't cover himself in glory with a reckless challenge against Tino Livramento that saw the Geordie stretchered off, probably his most meaningful contribution. 

Gabi Martinelli: 7.5/10 - looked lively and alert when introduced as Arsenal took all the spoils - aren't last minute winners just the sweetest

Mikel Merino: 8/10 - 84th minute heroic glanced header from Rice’s whipped cross pulled Arsenal level, deservedly so. 65% possession, 20 shots on goal, our super sub made all the difference

Martin Odegaard: 8.5/10 - blistering cameo from the skipper to prove if he’s fit, he plays. Sees a through ball only Bergkamp in his prime saw. Provided the assist with the corner with a pinpoint cross - right on the money

Myles Lewis Skelly: 7.5/10 - didn’t get a chance to completely out jump big Dan Burn sadly, but played his part all the same as Arsenal took all three points with a memorable late victory  

View From The Armchair Verdict:

Well that’s a wrap from the view from the Armchair - what a crazy game today, seconds away it feels from a massive enquiry into what Arteta is trying to do - but on the balance of things, with the chalked off penalty, it should have been 3-0.

Need to have a chat about how weakly we gave away the opener, but the history books will show all three points, and a last minute winner - and that is all that matters

Safe travels home Gooners, I know you are gonna be buzzing all the way home after that result.

COYG!!