When Arsenal needed a hero, Gabriel quite literally rose to the occasion.The Brazilian centre-back climbed high into the air to get his forehead onto Martin Odegaard’s corner and power the ball into the net to hand the Gunners a valuable 2-1 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park. Gabriel’s winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time completed a remarkable comeback for the visitors, with Mikel Merino’s equaliser coming just 12 minutes beforehand.The Spaniard, who was brought on in the 70th minute in place of Riccardo Calafiori, also scored with a header that bounced off the post and went in.Merino’s goal cancelled out Nick Woltemade’s first-half strike which, like the two that followed, was also scored via a header.It was the second goal for Newcastle’s record signing in three league games.How Gabriel’s goal sparked Arsenal’s 940-day firstBut it mattered little as Arsenal came back to win a match having trailed at half-time in the Premier League for the first time in 940 days.The last time Mikel Arteta’s side climbed off the canvas in such a fashion was on March 4 in 2023 when they came back to beat Bournemouth 3-2.On that day, Bournemouth were 1-0 up at half-time and extended their lead via Marcos Senesi in the 57th minute.But Reiss Nelson’s staggering winner seven minutes into injury time capped off the most remarkable of comebacks for the Gunners.Arsenal’s win over Newcastle also snapped a five-game streak in which they failed to win having conceded the first goal in a Premier League fixture.The last time the Gunners accomplished the feat was against north London rivals Tottenham in January, where Leandro Trossard and an own goal from Dominic Solanke helped Arteta’s side to a 2-1 win following Heung-Min Son’s opener in the 25th minute.Match StatsShould Newcastle have been awarded a penalty?Thankfully for Arsenal, Gabriel’s header has now snapped the alarming run.It was the dream way to sign off the match for the Brazilian given how close he came to being the villain rather than the hero.In the immediate aftermath of Merino’s goal, Gabriel looked as if he had gifted Newcastle a golden chance to re-take the lead.Toon winger Anthony Elanga crossed the ball in, only for it to smack Gabriel’s hand.Despite the large cries for a penalty from Newcastle’s players and fans, referee Jarred Gillett remained unmoved.But a VAR check soon ensued and replays showed the ball clearly hit Gabriel’s outstretched arm.Gabriel’s handball was checked by VAR, but no action was takenGettyYet the Arsenal centre-back earned a reprieve as the Premier League Match Centre explained the ball had deflected off his shin before flying up into his arm.Where does this leave Arsenal and Newcastle on the table?Arsenal’s win lifted them up to second in the Premier League table on 13 points, two fewer than league leaders Liverpool.For Newcastle, the heartbreaking defeat meant they end the weekend in 15th on six points.The Magpies could and perhaps should be on eight points, if not for the late goals conceded against Arsenal and Liverpool in the second match of the campaign.A ten-man Newcastle looked on course for a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the second match of the campaign, only for Rio Ngumoha to pop up with the winner in the tenth minute of second-half stoppage time.Newcastle will look to get back in the winner’s circle when they travel to Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Arsenal host Olympiacos in the same competition on the same day.