Thomas Vermaelen scored four minutes into added time to snatch Arsenal a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium tonight.
The Belgian defender ran the length of the field to apply the finishing touch to the hosts' stoppage-time counter attack, by converting Theo Walcott's cross.
The Gunners were looking to move within a point of their North London neighbours, who currently occupy the final automatic Champions League qualifying spot.
However it was the visitors, who have European hopes of their own, who took a 14th-minute lead.
After Vermaelen gave the ball away in his own half, Hatem Ben Arfa cut inside and fired past Wojciech Szczesny at the near post.
Newcastle had barely finished celebrating when Arsenal equalised less than a minute later.
Robin Van Persie showed great control to trap Theo Walcott's cross before turning cleverly and striking home from close range.
As Arsenal pushed for a winning goal, the Dutchman was the Gunners' main threat, but he was denied on several occasions by international colleague Tim Krul.
The Newcastle keeper firstly saved from Van Persie's free kick, before he reacted well to prevent the striker netting a second from close range.
Krul then superbly tipped over a Vermaelan header late on, but the Arsenal defender had the last laugh when he netted a 94th-minute winner to send his side just a point behind Spurs.
Joe Fish
