Premier League: Arsenal 2 Newcastle 1

A 94th-minute goal from Thomas Vermaelen handed Arsenal a 2-1 triumph over Newcastle on Monday, their fifth Premier League win in succession.

Hatem Ben Arfa opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium with a venomous strike in the 14th minute before Robin van Persie equalised just seconds after the restart.

Just when it looked like the points would be shared, Vermaelen was in the right place at the right time to sweep home Theo Walcott’s cross in the fourth minute of stoppage time to hand Arsenal a crucial win that pulls them to within one point of third-placed Spurs.

After a tight opening, Newcastle took a stunning lead in the 14th minute.

Vermaelen gave the ball away cheaply in midfield to Cheick Tiote, and Ben Arfa cut inside Kieran Gibbs before smashing the ball past Wojciech Szczesny at his near post.

Less than a minute later the Gunners were level. Straight from the kick-off, Tomas Rosicky released Walcott down the right side, and the Englishman crossed for Van Persie who turned onto his left foot and slammed the ball past Tim Krul.

The Dutchman went close with a free-kick soon after but the Arsenal skipper’s effort flew into Krul’s arms.

Newcastle were holding their own with a five-man midfield, and the pace of Ben Arfa, Gabriel Obertan and Jonas Gutierrez was causing problems on the counter-attack.

Gutierrez went close after Mike Williamson nodded down Yohan Cabaye’s deep free-kick but the Argentine’s effort was charged down.

Arsenal had a great chance to take the lead late in the half. A corner from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain fell to Walcott and the England winger’s scuffed effort beat Krul but was hacked off the line by Danny Simpson.

The home side made a good start to the second half and Walcott saw a firm header palmed away by Krul before Oxlade-Chamberlain hit a dipping volley over the bar.

Newcastle were on the ropes as Mikel Arteta’s volley was blocked, before Krul saved smartly from van Persie’s shot.

Arsenal were hammering on the door but were unable to find a goal. Arteta fired a free-kick across the six-yard box which fell to Gervinho but the Ivorian was caught off balance and put his effort wide.

Krul was at his very best in the 90th minute when Alex Song’s chipped ball found Vermaelen and the Belgian’s looped header looked destined for the net before the Dutchman sprung into life to superbly tip the ball over the bar.

Bacary Sagna then whipped a fine ball into the path of Walcott, whose first-time effort was blocked by Fabricio Coloccini, with Arsenal players claiming handball by the Argentine.

Arsenal finally got their goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Walcott led the charge down the right flank, flying down the wing before firing a cross into the box that found its way to Vermaelen, who finished past the charging Krul to seal a crucial three points for the Londoners.