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.
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The Gunners' recent form had allowed third-placed 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 sixth-placed Manchester City.
Rice's strike was enough for Arsenal to claim victory, after some superb David Raya saves had kept the game goalless.
Newcastle, who were 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.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
36 | +46 | 83 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
37 | +34 | 71 |
| 3 |
Newcastle
NEW
|
37 | +22 | 66 |
| 4 |
Chelsea
CHE
|
37 | +20 | 66 |
| 5 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
37 | +9 | 66 |
| 6 |
Man City
MCI
|
36 | +24 | 65 |
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 goalline from both Dan Burn and Sven Botman following a corner.
After replacing William Saliba with Riccardo Calafiori at half-time, Arsenal went in front within 10 minutes of the restart as Anthony Gordon's loose touch gave up possession and Rice thundered home a first-time shot from outside the box.
Newcastle responded with a tactical switch, and after Ben White fizzed just wide when looking to put Arsenal further ahead, pressure built again on Raya's goal.
However, Newcastle substitute Joe Willock blasted off target after twisting in the area, and the Gunners survived one last scramble before the game ended with a melee inside their 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 the midfielder missing last week's trip to Anfield with a hamstring complaint.
While there were signs Rice 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 season.
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 year.
But having approached this game looking to sensationally pip Arsenal to second place, defeat means Newcastle 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 goalscoring chances in their penultimate game of the season.
Home matches against midtable opposition have proven tricky for Newcastle this season. They have lost to Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, AFC 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 behind Liverpool.
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 fixture with the same vigour, they should yet have enough to cap a historic campaign in style.
Club reports
Arsenal report | Newcastle report
What the managers said
Mikel Arteta: "We have to start creating our own history here in this stadium and we started this season. There is much more to come and it won't be easy. These players have the talent. We need to rest and finish at Southampton and then go on holiday. Any other club in this position would finish in a position that we cannot even dream of."
Eddie Howe: "It was a really strong first half performance from us - we looked confident. I was really pleased, bar the last action, the finishing was a bit off. I have to say David Raya played well. I can't ask anymore of the players, tough place to come. We probably weren't our best in the second half and that's what's probably has cost us the game. It's an incredibly tight race. We have one more game to execute what we need."
Final PL fixture
Key facts
Arsenal have won 36 Premier League games against Newcastle, with no side beating the Magpies more often in the competition’s history (Liverpool also 36).
Newcastle had five shots on target in the opening 17 minutes of this match, but didn’t manage another one for the rest of the game.
Rice’s strike was his 19th goal involvement in all competitions this season (nine goals, 10 assists), with only Bukayo Saka (25) registering more involvements for Arsenal in 2024/25.
Arsenal’s opener was their first goal in four meetings with Newcastle in all competitions this season, with what was their 52nd shot against the Magpies.
