Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed that he never doubted the Gunners' ability to beat Newcastle United at the Emirates tonight.

Wenger's side ran out 2-1 winners over the Magpies, but were reliant on a stoppage-time strike from Thomas Vermaelan to snatch the three points.

Despite the late drama, Wenger insists that he always believed his side would find a winning goal.

"I never thought we wouldn't win. I said to my assistant that we needed one more attack and we would score, so much was our belief," he said.

"I never questioned our spirit. This was a game of absolute commitment on both sides. Newcastle are a good team and it needed something special to beat them.

"What did beat them was our relentless effort to win. In the end, we won it. "The team has to be credited for an excellent performance again."

With the victory, Arsenal move to within a point of North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League table.