By Louis Sealey

Copyright metro

Arsenal stunned Newcastle United at St James’ Park (Picture: Sky Sports)

Eddie Howe singled out Arsenal substitute Martin Odegaard for praise after the Gunners’ scored two late goals to beat Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The Gunners looked set to suffer another defeat at St James’ Park after Nick Woltemade headed Newcastle in front in the first half.

But Arsenal returned to north London with not only one but all three points after scoring twice late on.

Mikel Merino came off the bench to equalise before Gabriel headed home a dramatic winner from Odegaard’s corner deep into injury-time.

‘Two really late goals here at home hurts,’ said Newcastle boss Howe. ‘We have to reflect and acknowledge that we weren’t at our best.

‘There was not lack of effort but from a footballing side, it wasn’t quite there. That was probably the key thing, the number of corners we allowed them to have.

‘I think Odegaard made a difference to their overall performance. The weight of pressure eventually told. No lack of effort but the little details have cost us.’

Gabriel scored a late winner against Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, said: ‘I think we fully deserved the win. The way we played and performed and competed.

‘The chances we generated, we deserved to win. We did it into a dramatic way but we deserved to win.

‘That is how you get to a different level. By going through those moments and taking the lessons from it.

‘It was a massive opportunity to make a statement and to prove to everybody and ourselves the team that we are.’

Newcastle led through club-record signing Nick Woltemade (Picture: Getty)

Asked if he felt his team made a statement at St James’ Park, Arteta added: ‘For ourselves yes because they are a terrific team and they are so difficult to play against.

‘The level of consistency and quality we showed today was top. I think the way we played, the courage, the determination and the quality we played with today.

‘We want to achieve the next level and to do that you have to come to these places and when there are some results yesterday, we wanted to show that conviction and desire to do it.

‘You have to come to this place and you have to win. You have to find a way to do it and it was tremendous.’

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