Hello and welcome to live text commentary from the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Newcastle at the Emirates.

Don't forget you can watch highlights of this match from 00:01 tonight (UK only).

Hope you enjoyed that game - remember that you can join me to discuss the match.

FULL TIME! Somehow, Arsenal did it. They looked set to miss out, but Vermaelen's injury-time finish gave them the win they deserved. Newcastle defended well but were second-best today. Arsenal move to within a point of Spurs in third place!

Howard Webb giving Newcastle some time here, there was about a minute to play before that argument halted things...

Yellow for Van Persie. Yellow for Krul. A curious sideshow to a thrilling match.

Krul and RVP are rowing again - this is an unseemly end to the contest. Very heated. Howard Webb trying to defuse the situation.

The Belgian popped up at the far post after Walcott's cross broke his way - and he slid the ball low past Krul. Huge, huge strike.

Nice touch and Arsenal counter with Song - and here it is - VERMAELEN SCORES!

Newcastle make a rare foray into the Arsenal half. Time being eaten up at the Emirates.

Walcott's attempted finish looked to be on target, but was blocked by Coloccini at point-blank range.

WALCOTT CLOSE! How many times have Arsenal come within a whisker of the winner? This time a block as Theo tries to steer a finish into the corner.

Five minutes of stoppages to play. This is going to be fraught.

KRUL! BIG SAVE! Song's cross, Vermaelen's header, and the Dutchman has to tip it over the bar. Corner for the Gunners.

Another decent ball in from Walcott, another good header away from Williamson.

After Ramsey's shot is blocked Arsenal try a quick corner, but Ameobi and Ba combine to take the ball upfield and buy the Magpies some precious respite. Corner.

Gutierrez flattens Sagna - no hint of trying to get to the ball. Yellow card for the Argentine, useful set piece for the Gunners.

VERMAELEN'S HEADER CLEARED OFF LINE! Simpson at the far post gets it right - still Arsenal keep coming.

Corner now as Walcott's cross is blocked. Whichever way this goes, you sense Newcastle have a lot of defending still to do.

GERVINHO! ANOTHER GOLDEN CHANCE GOES BEGGING! The delivery from Arteta by the corner was good, and zipped through the bodies to the Ivorian at the far post. He didn't react quickly enough, putting his finish wide of the far post from close range.

Vermaelen commits himself forward as Arsenal go in search of a winner. Van Persie heads the ball across goal but there's nobody to finish - moments later he wins a free kick off Ben Arfa by the corner flag.