Theo Walcott warned Tottenham Hotspur that Arsenal were primed to overtake them in third place and snatch the final automatic Champions League qualification spot, after helping his team to a dramatic injury-time home win over Newcastle United.
The England winger crossed for Thomas Vermaelen to give Arsenal a 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium in the fifth minute of stoppage time, which was the prompt for wild celebrations and a bust-up on the field in the prickly heat of the moment.
The Arsenal captain, Robin van Persie, clashed with the Newcastle goalkeeper, Tim Krul, having had a running battle with his fellow Dutchman throughout the match. Both players were booked and Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, admitted his relief that the cards were not red. It was the victory, though, that represented the drama. Arsenal have now won five straight Premier League games, the last four of them having come from behind, which is a competition record. Three of those wins have come courtesy of goals in the 90th minute or injury time. Tottenham, who have hit poor form, can feel Arsenal's breath on their necks. They are now only one point clear in third.
