Arsenal secure Champions League spot after win over Newcastle

Declan Rice’s stunning second half strike at the Emirates Stadium ensured Arsenal’s place in next season’s Champions League. Mikel Arteta’s side ended a five-game winless run and took the race for a top five finish off their worries heading into the final day of the season.

Arsenal are currently second & likely to finish second in the Premier League for the third year in a row after failing to keep pace with champions Liverpool, the north Londoners who were knocked out in the Champions League semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain have gone five years without a trophy.

Despite another disappointing season, Arsenal are still considered capable of challenging Liverpool for the title next season. Newcastle are currently third ahead of Chelsea (fourth) & Aston Villa (fifth) on goal difference. Manchester City in sixth will overtake Newcastle if they avoid defeat in their game against Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest are seventh just one point behind League Cup winners Newcastle. The race for Champions League qualification is tight with Newcastle needing to beat Everton at St James’ Park on 25 May to qualify for Europe’s premier competition.

Newcastle have beaten Arsenal three times this season, but this time they were without key striker Alexander Isak through injury – which has been a problem for their attack. Bruno Guimaraes almost scored after Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya misplaced a pass and gave Newcastle a chance to counter-attack.

Raya continued to save Tino Livramento’s shot after Anthony Gordon’s backheel. Across the pitch, Leandro Trossard’s shot went wide after driving into the box. From the ensuing corner, Thomas Partey’s header was parried away by goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Raya continued to shine, pausing Harvey Barnes’ low shot from outside the box. He also brilliantly saved Dan Burn’s header and Sven Botman’s rebound from the floor. Coach Arteta was frustrated as his players repeatedly lost possession in the first half.

In the second half, defender William Saliba was substituted due to injury and replaced by Riccardo Calafiori. In the 55th minute, Arsenal took the lead: Martin Odegaard passed to Rice and the midfielder fired a beautiful one-touch shot into the net from outside the box.

It was Rice’s ninth goal in all competitions this season, Saka then had a chance to score but was denied by the goalkeeper. Arsenal continued to press with Ben White almost scoring with a powerful long-range shot.

Newcastle began to lose their cool, Emil Krafth was booked just 33 seconds after coming on for a needless foul.

Kai Havertz returned from a hamstring injury, replacing Saka for the final 15 minutes. He immediately collided with Dan Burn, who threw the ball at him. Jorginho was also brought on, in what could be his last appearance at the Emirates before moving to Flamengo. Newcastle’s Joe Willock almost equalised with a shot over the bar, but Arsenal held on for a tense victory.