Arsenal is showing signs of a title contender!

Arsenal is not striving in vain. They earned points thanks to several late goals. The resilient fighting spirit Arsenal displayed against Newcastle once again proves that Mikel Arteta’s team deserves to compete for the Premier League title this season.

Commenting on Sky Sports, former player Gary Neville generously praised Arsenal and coach Arteta after witnessing the London club come from behind to beat Newcastle 2-1 despite being largely stuck and overwhelmed by a committed defense, especially the incredible anticipation and saves by Nick Pope.

Many times during the match, Arsenal fans experienced emotional ups and downs as they thought a goal was almost certain, only for Pope to deny it. But once Pope was beaten, things became easier for Arsenal, although truly, those 3 points were hard-fought by Arteta’s squad.

Seeing how Arsenal secured the 3 points, Neville focused on the positives and emphasized: "Certainly, this is very important for Arsenal and Arteta. A week ago, the glass was half empty; now it’s more than half full. Liverpool lost, Arsenal won impressively. They deserved it; they played better. Arteta made excellent changes, starting with a strong lineup. This result will boost their confidence for upcoming matches.”

Neville also said that the victory at St. James’ Park carries special significance as it shows Arsenal’s resilience to return to the title race despite recent doubts about their stability. When Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace, the pressure on Arteta’s team was immense. At that moment, people wondered if Arsenal could close the gap or miss this great opportunity. But asking that question might underestimate Arsenal, who have the experience of finishing runners-up in the Premier League for three consecutive years.

The North London side finally proved they can seize opportunities, overcome the tough challenge posed by the "Magpies," and most importantly, know how to come from behind in difficult situations. The crucial 3 points at St James’ Park mean a lot to Arsenal.

This match was a chance for the "Gunners" to demonstrate their grit and ability to overcome adversity. Despite facing a VAR-overturned penalty and Newcastle taking the lead, Arsenal remained resilient. Giving up early was not an option for any Arsenal member. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to stay calm from trailing to late goals by Merino and Gabriel. It shows Arsenal is now a team full of courage and never quits.

Coach Mikel Arteta’s effective substitutions also played a key role. Bringing in captain Martin Odegaard in the 82nd minute made a big difference in play style, threat level, and ball control for the "Gunners." Notably, both of the team’s goals came from set pieces, raising their total corner-kick goals to 36 since the start of the 2023/2024 season.

Newcastle probably got exhausted trying to contain Arsenal from kickoff until the final minutes. For most of the game, they did well, including set pieces. But it must be admitted that the trio Odegaard - Martinelli - Merino brought a different attacking dimension and handling compared to previous players.

The 2-1 win over Newcastle lifted Arsenal to second place in the standings, just two points behind leaders Liverpool. This could be a decisive moment for the "Gunners" to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2004. Overall, the North London club finally looks like a team ready to challenge for the Premier League crown.

However, expectations should be tempered because there are still 32 rounds ahead. Clubs face tough stretches at the end of this year and early next year. Who will ultimately celebrate victory remains unknown. After all, Arsenal has not yet reached the top of the table. So the pressure on Arteta remains high, at least until they claim the Premier League summit.

Liverpool has no reason to panic either. Just 2 points. Nothing serious or stressful here. Let’s believe that. Liverpool has the resilience and champion’s demeanor. Once they start winning again, everything will be settled quickly. Now, let’s see how Arsenal will compete with Liverpool.

One thing is certain: Arsenal’s wins have been hard-fought. They should learn to win more comfortably, which would be better. Arsenal is still competing in the Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup. If they keep having to fight until stoppage time like this, they risk facing squad depth issues early. That’s something Arteta needs to plan for.

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