Arsenal clinched their place in next season's UEFA Champions League and ended a five-match winless run in all competitions by edging past Newcastle United 1-0 on Sunday.

The Gunners' poor form had allowed third-place Newcastle to reel them in ahead of this encounter at Emirates Stadium, but Declan Rice's sublime second-half goal moved Mikel Arteta's men five points clear of their opponents and six ahead of Manchester City in sixth.

That strike was only enough for Arsenal to claim victory after a sequence of superb early David Raya saves had kept the game goalless.

Newcastle, without Alexander Isak due to injury, could not respond to Rice's 55th-minute drive despite a period of late pressure.

The Magpies' strong goal difference should ensure victory at home to Everton on the final day will still secure a top-five finish, while the pressure is now off Arsenal ahead of a trip to already-relegated Southampton.

How the match unfolded

Raya atoned for his own error after he had gifted the ball to Newcastle, teeing up a chance for Bruno Guimaraes from which the Arsenal goalkeeper saved spectacularly, blocking the initial effort and then scooping the ball clear.

Nick Pope made a stunning stop at the other end from Thomas Partey's close-range header, before Raya took centre stage again, touching a deflected Harvey Barnes shot around the post and then saving on the goal line from both Dan Burn and Sven Botman following a corner.

William Saliba was withdrawn at half-time, but Arsenal were in front within 10 minutes of the restart as Anthony Gordon's loose touch gave up possession and Rice thundered in first-time from outside the box.

Newcastle responded with a tactical switch, and after Ben White fizzed just wide when looking for a second, pressure built again on Raya's goal.

However, substitute Joe Willock blasted off target after twisting in the area, and Arsenal survived one last scramble before the game ended with a melee in the Gunners' box.

Rice inspires as Arsenal find a way

Victory provided Arsenal with a much-needed morale boost in their final home match of a rollercoaster campaign.

Arteta and his side were aiming for title glory this season, but having seen that dream fade, they would not have wanted to give up second place and go into the final day with their European status under threat.

The Arsenal manager was clearly taking nothing for granted as he asked Rice to go again despite missing last week's trip to Anfield with a hamstring complaint.

While there were signs the England midfielder was struggling in the second half, his goal had by then set Arsenal on course for victory.

It was a goal that had not necessarily looked like coming either, with Rice's bolt from the blue coming from a Gordon error after Newcastle had locked down their opponents from open play – even neutralising the Gunners’ set-piece opportunities by encouraging short corners.

Struggles from open play have persisted throughout Arsenal's season, although the return from injury of Kai Havertz, introduced as a substitute here, may prove part of the solution next term.

Still work to do for Newcastle

This has been an outstanding season for Newcastle, ending their long wait for silverware in the EFL Cup and looking set for Champions League qualification after missing out last term.

But having approached this game looking to sensationally pip Arsenal to second place, defeat means they still have work to do to make sure of a place in the top five.

Next Sunday's meeting with Everton at St James' Park now represents a huge match – one for which Newcastle will undoubtedly hope to have Isak back, having passed up a number of chances in their penultimate game of the season.

Home matches against midtable opposition have proven tricky for Newcastle this term, losing to Brighton and Hove Albion, West Ham, Bournemouth and Fulham when wins might have even seen them in the title picture, or at the very least, way clear of Arsenal as the best of the rest.

But Newcastle have consistently turned up for the big occasions, including beating Arsenal three times before this meeting and giving them a stern examination again here.

If Eddie Howe's side approach their final game with the same vigour, they should yet have enough to cap a historic campaign in style.