Mikel Arteta said Arsenal's 2-0 win at Newcastle United on Sunday was a "big statement" of the club's progress, 12 months on from a defeat at St James' Park which dealt a major setback to their Champions League ambitions.
A goal in the first half from captain Martin Odegaard - the Norwegian's 15th of the Premier League season - and an own goal by Fabian Schar in the 71st minute earned Arsenal an impressive victory at third-placed Newcastle to kept their title challenge on track.
The Gunners are one point behind leaders Manchester City, who have played one game fewer.
The result marks a huge improvement from one year ago when Arsenal, then fifth in the table, lost 2-0 to Newcastle. It proved fatal to their top-four hopes as Tottenham pipped their rivals to a place in the Champions League.
“It meant a lot. It was a real test, they hurt our pride last year and in sport, when you have another opportunity you have to make sure you learn from it," Arsenal manager Arteta said.
“We had to remember how we felt a year ago when we were here. Today had to be different. We had to play the game with a different level of implication, intelligence and maturity, and we showed a real fight today and a desire to win.
“They are creating something important here, that atmosphere was rocking. They have a great team, great organisation, great individuals, and we won here. That, in my opinion, is a big statement as well with how far we’ve come.”
Already assured of Champions League football next season, Arsenal came through a potentially tricky week with wins over Chelsea and Newcastle to keep the pressure on City. With three matches left - home games against Brighton and Wolves either side of an away trip to Nottingham Forest - Arteta urged his players to keep going and embrace the final phase of the season.
Newcastle v Arsenal player ratings
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NEWCASTLE RATINGS: Nick Pope 9: Unsighted by defenders for Arsenal’s opener. Two excellent blocks with his legs from Martinelli and Odegaard, also tipped another shot from Norwegian out for corner and blocked Saka’s strike in thrilling first half. Could do nothing as Schar turned cross into his own net. AP -
Kieran Trippier 7: Former Spurs full-back was pumped from start as Newcastle threw eveything at Arsenal, only for Gunners to score with first shot of game. Some trademark dangerous set-pieces. Involved in angry exchange with Jesus in game that simmered at boiling point throughout. AP -
Fabian Schar 7: Swiss defender denied what looked certain goal just after half-time when header from corner was saved superbly by Ramsdale. Disastrous own goal in 71st minute killed off home hopes. Cracked half-volley just over Arsenal bar in last minute. Booked for shoving Nketiah moments later. Reuters -
Sven Botman 6: Unlucky to see Odegaard shot go through his legs before Gunners' opener. Headed free-kick straight at Ramsdale. Turned inside out by Martinelli ahead of Arsenal’s second. AP -
Dan Burn 7: A big test up against the pacey Saka but did well with England attacker’s only chance coming when he drifted on to opposite flank. Earned game’s first booking in 72nd minute, amazingly for such a physical game, after reckless lunge on Saka. PA -
Bruno Guimaraes 6: Thought he had earned early penalty when his shot was blocked for handball only for VAR check to reverse decision. Snapping at Arsenal heels throughout and lucky to escape booking for late challenge on Jorginho. Side-footed weak shot straight at keeper after being teed-up by Joelinton and not as influential as usual overall. AP -
Joe Willock 7: Former Arsenal man supplied cross for Murphy’s early chance. Should have levelled scores in first half but shot too close to Ramsdale who blocked well. Drove forward regularly and caused away side problems. Getty -
Joelinton 7: Had been immense in first half only to then get caught in possession in middle of park that led to Martinelli chance. Tried to lift side in second half but couldn't inspire a goal as Newastle fell to only their second home defeat of season. Reuters -
Jacob Murphy 8: Cracked the foot of post in second minute, had opportunity to go for goal again later in half but passed straight to Arsenal defender. Excellent run and dinked cross to set-up Isak who headed against post just after half-time. Caused Zinchenko so many problems Ukrainian was substituted. EPA -
Callum Wilson 7: April saw him score eight in seven games and was livewire presence as he started alongside Isak in attack. No opportunities to score - bar Ramsdale sliding in at feet to clear before he reached a ball through - but a constant thorn in Arsenal’s side. PA -
Alexander Isak 7: Early shot deflected out for corner. Silky footwork to beat White in sensational fashion as Newcastle launched one first-half attack. Headed against post just after break. PA -
SUBS: Miguel Almiron (On for Murphy 65’) 6: Brought on as Newcastle went hunting for leveller that never came. EPA -
Anthony Gordon (On for Wilson 78') - N/A. Getty -
Allan Saint-Maximin (On for Willock 77’) N/A. Had one curling effort tipped wide by Ramsdale that was probably just off target anyway after returning to squad from injury. Getty -
Elliot Anderson (On for Joelinton 82’) N/A. Reuters Matt Targett (On for Burn 82') N/A. -
ARSENAL RATIINGS: Aaron Ramsdale 8: Beaten all ends up by Murphy’s early shot that hit post. Got his angles correct to block shot from Willock. Stunning stop from Schar header in second half and tipped Saint-Maximin effort round post late on. EPA -
Ben White 7: Vital tackle to divert early Isak strike out for corner. Skinned by beautiful piece of Isak skill in one Newcastle first-half counter-attack but, overall, will be happy with contribution to clean sheet against team that has been scoring for fun of late. Getty -
Gabriel 8: Fit to start, after limping off with ankle injury against Chelsea last time out, and facing a striker on top of his game in Wilson but helped keep the forward quiet, in terms of shots on goal at least. His reaction after final whistle showed the importance of this performance and victory for the Gunners. Getty -
Jakub Kiwior 7: Polish defender, making only fourth Premier League appearance, thought he had conceded penalty within 10 minutes until VAR review decided had struck thigh first. Had to be on toes throughout against an in-form home attack. EPA -
Oleksandr Zinchenko 5: Allowed Murphy time to shoot as Newcastle man hit post in opening two minutes. Defensive weaknesses exposed by same player just after break as he was left on his backside by Newcastle winger who set up chance for Isak. EPA -
Jorginho 8: Starting ahead of Thomas Partey and beaten to first-minute tackle as Newcastle came out of blocks flying. But Italian recovered and helped Arsenal regain foothold in midfield after torrid start to game. Arguably his best game since arriving in January. Reuters -
Granit Xhaka 8: Caught in possession in first few minutes that led to chance for Isak. Threaded nice through-ball for Saka that saw attacker's shot saved. One goal-saving recovery tackle on Willock. Annoyed home fans and players by going down injured in first half with no one near him and involved in running battles with several opponents. Getty -
Martin Odegaard 9: Drove Arsenal into lead totally against run of play with fine strike in 14th minute, then twice denied by Pope – one a fingertip save, one an excellent block. Won battle of midfield playmakers against Guimaraes with captain's performance. Getty -
Bukayo Saka 6: Drilled shot straight at Pope after being put through one-on-one. Went down in agony just before half-time after Guimaraes accidently stood on back of boot but able to carry on. Kept relatively quiet by Burn. Getty -
Gabriel Jesus 7: Moaned his way through game - some justified, some not - and involved in shouting match with Trippier as tempers frayed before break. His first shot on goal came in 70th minute when effort from very tight angle spilled by Pope for corner. Getty -
Gabriel Martinelli 8: Nearly made it 2-0 to Arsenal but denied goal by boot of Pope. Flashed an effort across face of goal that was neither cross nor shot later in first-half. Curled lovely effort off crossbar just after break. Brilliant wingplay and cross turned into own net by Schar. Getty -
SUBS: Kieran Tierney (On for Zinchekno 61’) 8: Man he replaced had been struggling defensively and Scot helped keep things much tighter down Arsenal’s left flank. Gettty -
Leandro Trossard (On for Martinelli 78’) N/A. PA -
Thomas Partey (On for Odegaard 78’) N/A. AFP -
Eddie Nketiah (On for Saka 87’) N/A. Booked in injury-time after shoving match with Schar. Getty -
Reiss Nelson (On for Jesus 87’) N/A. Getty
“It’s been critical because it’s the most important part of the season, the nicest part of the season," he said. "Today we are second, but to play for the championship with three games to go against this team, and win, it doesn’t get better than that.
“If you want to be involved in elite sport, you have to embrace those moments. There’s no giving up. I saw a lot of people after the City game almost turning back. I hate that, I’m not going to accept that from anybody, from the team, any members of staff.
“We have to keep going because you never know. We have to keep digging - we’ve done it for 10 months, now is the moment to do it even harder than before.”
Despite the defeat, Newcastle remain well placed to join Arsenal in the Champions League next season. Eddie Howe's third-placed side hold a three-point lead over Liverpool in fifth with a game in hand.
"Fine margins for us today and we just came out on the wrong side of them," said Newcastle manager Howe. "If Jacob's chance goes in, it's a totally different game. We have four games remaining and need three results."
