Arsenal beats Newcastle 2-1 on injury-time goal

Thomas Vermaelen scored with seconds remaining in the fifth and final minute of stoppage time, giving Arsenal a dramatic 2-1 win over Newcastle on Monday night that closed the Gunners within a point of third place in the Premier League.

Vermaelen scored his first goal since Dec. 3 when he tapped the ball in from close range, giving the Gunners their fourth straight come-from behind league win.

Hatem Ben Arfa's left-footed volley beat goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny in the 14th minute, but Robin van Persie tied it a minute later off a pass from Theo Walcott for his 26th league goal and 33rd overall.

Arsenal (16-8-4) has 52 points, one behind third-place Tottenham (16-7-5). Chelsea (14-7-7) is fifth with 49, five points ahead of Newcastle (12-8-8). Each team has 10 games remaining.