MIKEL ARTETA had to hold one of his own coaches back in a confrontation following Arsenal’s last-minute win at Newcastle.
Gabriel’s 96th-minute winner wrapped up a late comeback for the visitors in a taut affair at St James’ Park.
Tensions boiled over after the final whistle, as Newcastle midfielder Joelinton took issue with a member of Arteta’s backroom staff.
The coaches seemed to be carrying out their post-match pleasantries as usual, until Joelinton strolled towards the Arsenal technical area.
The Brazilian pushed a figure that looks to be assistant coach Miguel Molina, 32, before Arteta got between the two, putting his arm around his colleague and pulling him away from the fracas.
Joelinton pointed angrily at the coach as the pair walked away, but did not make an attempt to follow them, instead turning to join his teammates in thanking the home support.
It was an ugly moment to end a cracking game of football in the North East.
Despite the scenes, it was another of Arsenal’s backroom coaches that stole the show before the final whistle.
Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover received praise for orchestrating the dead ball routines that would change the game for the Gunners late on.
Arsenal thought they had the breakthrough when they were given a penalty early in the first half for a perceived foul on Viktor Gyokeres by Newcastle stopper Nick Pope.
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However, referee Jarred Gillett was sent to the monitor and reversed his decision, saying Pope got enough on the ball to make it a fair challenge.
The Magpies took advantage of the swing in momentum when new star forward Nick Woltemade leapt highest to head an effort past David Raya in the 34th minute.
Mikel Merino came off the bench to haunt his old side, glancing a header of his own in from a Declan Rice set-piece routine in the 84th minute.
And Gabriel would complete the comeback from another set-piece twelve minutes later, with the Brazilian rising over Pope to head home a spectacular last-gasp winner.
The three points sends the North Londoners just two points behind title rivals Liverpool, following their loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
