William Saliba might have only been a second-half substitute against Newcastle United, but he ended up playing a key role in Arsenal’s comeback win.

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

Nick Woltemade thought he had scored the winning goal against Arsenal, but two late goals from the visitors saw them turn the game on its head.

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Jamie Redknapp and Les Ferdinand both spotted something very clever that William Saliba was doing, which ended up being crucial towards Gabriel finding the back of the net.

Gabriel scores during Newcastle United v Arsenal in the Premier LeaguePhoto by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesJamie Redknapp hails William Saliba’s involvement vs Newcastle

Redknapp and Ferdinand both spotted Saliba doing just enough to distract Nick Pope from reaching Martin Odegaard’s corner picking out Gabriel.

Mikel Arteta’s side are a menace from set pieces, and away at Newcastle, they fully demonstrated their set-piece exploits with a winning goal.

The Frenchman was tasked with marking Pope, and made it a nightmare for him trying to defend Odegaard’s superb delivery.

Ferdinand told Sky Sports: “Pope gets caught in no man’s land, Saliba standing in front of him, he can’t get around him, and he goes to try and get it, but no chance.

“We’ve seen Arsenal do this time and time again, we’ve seen Gabriel do it time and time again, gets into that position, the goalkeeper is in no man’s land, and it’s an open goal for him.”

Arteta’s decision to bring on Saliba proved to be a great one, as the Gunners looked defensively more secure and even more threatening from corners.

“Saliba does so well, watch Saliba, he does enough, makes it difficult for him, and I think what Nick Pope is trying to do is he’s trying to rectify a mistake he made earlier. All he has to do is calm down,” added Redknapp.

Recently, Saliba agreed to a new Arsenal contract, making him one of the club’s top earners, fending off interest from Real Madrid.

Once again, the 24-year-old proved why he is one of the best central defenders in the Premier League, with another impressive display for the Gunners.

Gabriel Magalhaes produces stunning stat vs Newcastle

Gabriel is now the Premier League’s leading goal scorer as a defender since making his debut for the North London club back in September 2020.

The Brazilian has now netted a stunning 18 times during that period, which highlights just how crucial he has become for the Gunners.

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Many will knock Arteta’s reliance on set-pieces, but the margins which they are gaining from them are really starting to show.

The former Ligue 1 defender is their biggest threat at corners, and he will continue to be so as the season goes on.