Arsenal’s Last-Gasp Victory at St. James’ Park
Arsenal clinched a thrilling last-minute victory against Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, thanks to a powerful late goal from Gabriel Magalhães. This win brings the Gunners within two points of league leaders Liverpool in the early-season title race. During the celebrations, teammate Noni Madueke made a point to salute Gabriel, illustrating how sometimes, the best messages are conveyed directly on the pitch, rather than through text.
A Daring Ascent
Watching Arsenal climb the table felt akin to witnessing a daring cat burglar scale the side of St. James’ Park—exciting, dramatic, and impossible to ignore. Mikel Arteta’s animated antics on the touchline earned him the label of “lunatic” once again. However, he likely prefers that over being called boring. His passion for the game was evident, even as his patience wore thin when VAR overturned Viktor Gyökeres’ first-half penalty. Arteta argued that the review was not a “clear and obvious” error and voiced his frustration in the mixed zone, emphasizing that technology needs to be decisive if it’s to intervene effectively.
VAR Controversy
Bukayo Saka, who was on the bench when Mikel Merino equalized and again as Gabriel scored the winner, was left “speechless” after the match. He highlighted that if VAR is meant to rectify only clear mistakes, the lengthy review of Gyökeres’ penalty hardly held up. “The fact it took the referee that long to decide shows it’s not a clear error,” Saka noted. “These little things always go against us, but today we got what we deserved.” This sentiment underscores how fine the margins can be at this level of competition.
Saka’s Subdued Performance
While the team’s result was ideal, Saka’s individual performance was more subdued than expected. After a quiet 70 minutes, Arteta substituted him for Gabriel Martinelli, aware that Saka is still regaining match fitness following a hamstring setback. Last season, Saka scored 12 goals and contributed 14 assists; this season, he has found the net just once in five starts. His statistics against Newcastle—few key passes and no shots on target—serve as a reminder that reputation doesn’t always equate to form.
Nevertheless, Saka showed glimpses of his potential, winning several take-ons and contributing defensively when needed. Arteta is keen to manage his workload, especially with Arsenal’s busy schedule ahead, including a European clash against Olympiacos. A breather for Saka could be beneficial; protecting an emerging star’s health is as crucial as fostering his confidence. A brief appearance off the bench during the upcoming match could prove more valuable than a full 90 minutes.
Conclusion
Even the best players occasionally need to rest. Perhaps Saka would welcome the chance to swap his studs for slippers, if just for one evening. As Arsenal continues its quest for the title, managing player fitness will be essential in the weeks to come.