An Arsenal icon has given a stark warning to boss Mikel Arteta and named one area the team “need to do better in” if they are to win the Premier League title this year.
It seemed a monumental moment when Gabriel towered above the despairing Nick Pope in the Newcastle net on Sunday afternoon to complete a late comeback from the Gunners.
Arteta’s side had found themselves 1-0 down after £69million signing Nick Woltemade rose highest to head home his second goal on Tyneside.
Arsenal defender Gabriel claimed he was pushed in the back by the German giant, an argument quickly refuted by VAR, who deemed the goal legal, just as they had with Pope’s controversial challenge on striker Viktor Gyokeres earlier in the match.
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Both decisions caused controversy. PGMOL chief Howard Webb appeared on Sky Sports to clear up why a penalty was not given to the Swedish star, claiming it was a “good use of VAR” and “not a foul”.
The two hands on the back of Gabriel from the goalscorer Woltemade were deemed insufficient to send the defender to the ground.
Following the controversies, in which both decisions went against the north London club, Arsenal were then unable to get on the scoresheet until six minutes from time, when super-sub Mikel Merino glanced a header in off the post and gave them the platform to ultimately go on and win the game.
Nick Pope's challenge on Viktor Gyokeres in the first half was deemed not a foul, with VAR overturning the on-field decision
| GETTYOn a weekend that saw Liverpool lose their first game of the season - a late 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace - the win was colossal for Arsenal in regaining ground on the reigning champions.
Speaking to GB News via Casino.org, known for helping Brits find great online casinos, former Arsenal star Perry Groves named the area the Gunners “need to do better”, while praising the “statement win”.
Gabriel claimed Nick Woltemade had both hands on his back when he headed the ball home to put Newcastle in the lead
|REUTERS
“It was a massive win for Arsenal. The team were brilliant and showed so much character to win the game.
“The penalty was a tough decision to take, and you could see for a while after the team were frustrated with the decision,” he said.
“Then, to concede a goal before half-time, there is no complaint from me of the goal. We need to do better from the cross to meet the ball.
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Mikel Merino equalised the scoreline for the Gunners with a terrific glancing header
|REUTERS
“So going in at half time, it was a concern that Arsenal would once again not get the result at Newcastle.
“However, [in the] second half Mikel [Arteta] played a blinder with his changes.”
During the second period, Arteta brought on extraordinary firepower from the bench. Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard and Merino all entered the field and made a major impact.
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Groves continued: “You could see once Arsenal equalised there was muted celebrations as they wanted to get back and then look for the winner.
“It’s a big statement by the team, the squad is excellent and each player will have their time to shine throughout the season.
“It was so important, even at this stage of the season for Arsenal to take advantage of Liverpool’s slip-up and will give them big confidence they can push on.”
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Gabriel grabbed a very late winner foe the visitors
|REUTERS
It is well-documented that Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League on three consecutive occasions - the big challenge for Arteta now being to bridge the gargantuan gap between runners-up and winners.
The club spent over £250million on incomings this summer, piling the pressure on the Spanish boss to end their five-year wait for a trophy.
Martin Zubimendi was one of a host of Arsenal signings this summer, joining for a £60million fee and has been an ever-present since
|GETTY
And Groves issued a stern warning to Arteta that he must make use of his full squad, as he did against Newcastle, if he wants any hopes of lifting the elusive Premier League title.
“The squad Arsenal have is very good this season,” he concluded.
“Martinelli, [Leandro] Trossard, and Merino are all such important players for Arsenal this season, as each contribution they are making has seen positive outcomes.
“Martinelli with two goals in two games against Bilbao and Man City.
Trossard assisting against Bilbao and then scoring in the League Cup. Merino with the goal back [against Newcastle] was so important.
“Mikel now has to make sure he selects the right team and then continue to change it up early if it’s not working, like he did [against Newcastle] and against Man City.”