Relentless effort vitale-Wenger

Arsene Wenger praised the "relentless effort" of his side as they a stoppage-time profit securely via Newcastle.

The Gunners came from behind to win their fourth Premier League game in a row as Thomas Vermaelen converted from Theo Walcott late cross.

Wenger said: "what they beat was our relentless efforts to win.

"I never thought we would not win. I told my assistant that we needed one more attack and we would score. "

Arsenal were 10 points behind rivals Tottenham in the race for third place before their meeting last month, but the Gunners are now just a point behind after the enlargement of their run of victories.

Wenger's side conceded first at Emirates Stadium on Monday for the fourth consecutive game when Hatem Ben Arfa drilled the near post, but Robin van Persie with his 44th goal within a minute in his last 45 Premier League matches, before the late winner picked replied Vermaelen.

"This was a game of absolute commitment on both sides," said Wenger.

"Newcastle are a good team and it needed something special to beat them.

February 11: 2-1 Sunderland (A)

Thierry Henry (90th minute)

March 3: 2-1 Liverpool (A)

Robin van Persie (93rd minute)

12 March: Newcastle (H) 2-1

Thomas Vermaelen (95th minute)

Newcastle tried to slow down us but we get that many times. We have five minutes extra time and that allowed us to win the game.

"We have won in the last minute against Sunderland, Liverpool and now Newcastle. That shows that we have absolute endeavor.

"They refuse to lose. That is fantastic. The team should be credited for an excellent performance. "

Walcott, who was impressive in the whole-believes his side can catch Tottenham to third spot.

"Tottenham have to look over their shoulders now," said Walcott.

"With the squad of players we have-and we have a lot of players coming back to fitness now-we believe that we can go much further.

"It Is an up and down season, but it is the way you're done, and that's the main thing."

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew felt his side deserved a point but called for his players to not let the manner of defeat derail their own push for European football.

The magpies are five points behind fifth-placed Chelsea with 10 games left of the season.

"It is hard to take," said Pardew.

"We came up against a side bang in form and whose confidence is high. We limited them for long periods of the game, and they make it very difficult.

"It's really nauseous for us. Large teams goals late. I though we deserved a point tonight General.

"We got a tough game against Norwich on Saturday and we have to win, so we must make sure we ourselves patch up."

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