Mikel Arteta names ‘massive threat’ he thought won Arsenal the game v Newcastle – it’s not Gabriel

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Mikel Arteta was full of praise for one Arsenal star in particular as the Gunners produced a shock win to defeat Newcastle United.

Gabriel Magalhaes stunned St James’ Park with a 95th-minute winner as the Gunners came from behind to win 2-1 against Newcastle.

Mikel Merino also got his name on the scoresheet as Mikel Arteta’s side set down a marker for the rest of the Premier League in their quest to win the title.

Speaking after the game, Arteta highlighted the impact of one player, who he claims actually won the game for the Gunners, despite Gabriel’s goal.

Mikel Arteta hails Mikel Merino’s impact vs Newcastle United

Arteta has hailed the impact of Merino off the bench against Newcastle as he scored a key goal in Arsenal’s 2-1 win.

The Spanish manager claims that the 29-year-old’s ability to add goals from the midfield was a key reason why the Gunners were able to win.

Merino got on the end of Declan Rice’s superb cross to head home an equaliser with six minutes left to play.

Arteta told BBC MOTD: “The players that came on, the impact players, they made such a difference. Martin and [Gabriel] Martinelli with the intensity.

“Mikel [Merino] is a massive goal threat coming from midfield, and he wins you the game.”

Arteta made great substitutions against Newcastle, which included Merino coming on to replace Riccardo Calafiori after 70 minutes.

Mikel Merino sets stunning Arsenal stat for 2025

Merino is now Arsenal’s highest scoring player in the Premier League during 2025, with seven goals since the start of the year.

Arteta turned Merino into a striker at the start of 2025, a role in which the Spaniard flourished, but he has since returned to being a midfielder this season.

But that hasn’t stopped him from showing his goalscoring prowess, with the Spanish international scoring his first of the season for the North London club.

During the last international break, Merino scored a hat-trick for Spain playing in midfield, showing just how good he can be at his best.