LONDON — Arsenal booked their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Declan Rice‘s 55th-minute strike was enough to ensure the Gunners avoided a frantic final Premier League weekend and are virtually certain of securing second place given only Manchester City can catch them and their goal difference is inferior by 10.
Newcastle were the better side early on, and without Alexander Isak — sidelined by a minor groin injury — they missed a catalogue of chances with Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya in fine form. Thomas Partey went close with a near-post header from Bukayo Saka‘s 14th-minute corner, but Arsenal were subdued until upping their game after the break.
Anthony Gordon lost the ball cheaply and Martin Ødegaard made inroads down the right before playing a square pass to Rice, who whipped an excellent first-time shot low past Nick Pope. Newcastle pushed for an equalizer but were unable to find a way back as Arsenal beat Eddie Howe’s side for the first time this season, at the fourth attempt.
While Arsenal travel to already-relegated Southampton next weekend, Newcastle face an anxious final match against Everton, sitting in third place at the top of five clubs separated by only one point, with Manchester City due to host AFC Bournemouth for their game-in-hand on Tuesday. — James Olley
Arteta urges Arsenal to keep the faith
In each of the past two seasons, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has addressed supporters on the pitch after the final home game of the campaign, vowing to go one better next year. He was left with no alternative but to do the same again on Sunday after another trophyless campaign.
So when Arsenal do their summer strengthening, a new striker will be a priority, and Isak would be a world-class addition. The smart money right now is on a move for Isak’s Sweden teammate, Sporting CP‘s Viktor Gyökeres, but whoever Arsenal sign, they need to sign a center forward. — Ogden
Newcastle face final-day drama to seal Champions League spot
Newcastle had the chance to secure Champions League qualification by beating Arsenal, but their defeat at the Emirates has left them in a final-day, four-way race for two remaining qualification spots.
It could even be five teams chasing two spots if Man City fail to beat Bournemouth in their game in hand at the Etihad on Tuesday, but what we know for certain right now is that four clubs — Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest — go into the final round of games next Sunday knowing that only a win will guarantee a top-five finish.
Newcastle face Everton at St. James’ Park with their fate in their own hands. If they win, they will be in the Champions League next season.
Aston Villa must win against Manchester United at Old Trafford, while Forest host Chelsea in a winner-takes-all clash at the City Ground. A draw there might be enough for Chelsea, but that will depend on what happens with the teams around them.
But in a season that has been finished for weeks in terms of the title — Liverpool clinched the championship on April 27 — and the bottom three, the battle for Champions League qualification is going right to the wire. Arsenal’s win means they can go to Southampton on Sunday with the pressure off, but Newcastle still have to get a result to be sure of a top-five finish. — Ogden
