ARSENAL 1-0 NEWCASTLE: David Raya pulled off a string of first-half saves before Declan Rice swept home early in the second-half to confirm a runners-up finish for the Gunners
Declan Rice scored a second-half winner against Newcastle to book Arsenal a place in next season’s Champions League, but the Gunners were left indebted to goalkeeper David Raya. Both sides’ final placing in the top-flight was uncertain heading into Sunday’s game.
The Gunners were winless in five before the visit of the Magpies and it was Newcastle who had the best chances of a lively first-half. Home keeper Raya was forced to pull off a string of impressive saves to protect his clean sheet, with the most impressive coming 17 minutes in when he pulled off a double stop from Dan Burn and Sven Botman.
Arsenal struggled to create much of note before the break but they were a different beast after half-time. After putting the Magpies’ goal under huge pressure, they got their reward 10 minutes into the second period.
Martin Odegaard rolled the ball across the edge of the box, where Rice ran onto it and hit a first-time strike into the bottom corner and beyond Nick Pope. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe responded with a triple change.
But it had little effect, with the Magpies now requiring a win on the final day against Everton to be sure of a top five spot. Arsenal meanwhile can celebrate their third successive qualification for Europe’s top competition. Here, Mirror Football rounds up the biggest talking points from Sunday’s game.
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Arsenal book tickets
Sunday’s win means that Arsenal now cannot be caught by any of the other sides chasing a top five spot. With 71 points, the Gunners are at least five points ahead of Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Manchester City.
That ensures Mikel Arteta’s men cannot be caught on the final day, when they will travel to Southampton. The Gunners will now be able to breathe easily at St Mary’s Stadium.
Arteta’s side had endured a five-game winless run heading into Sunday’s clash. But they will now be able to celebrate a third successive season in Europe’s top competition.
Newcastle left with nervous wait
While Arsenal can breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to Europe, Newcastle’s fate is left undecided. The defeat at the Emirates means that the Magpies can technically still finish anywhere in the top seven.
Eddie Howe’s side host Everton on the final day, with the Toffees having nothing to play for. Even a draw may not be enough for a top five spot and with it Champions League football.
A heavy defeat to the Toffees could even see them drop below Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, who play each other on the final day, and end up with a place in the Conference League. That is not a scenario that boss Howe will want to contemplate.
Raya sets a marker
The undisputed man of the match for Arsenal was goalkeeper David Raya. The Spaniard has firmly established himself as boss Mikel Arteta’s number one over the past two seasons, though the Gunners are set to bring in Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia this summer.
Raya has set an early marker in the expected competition between the duo to line up between the sticks. He pulled off a number of incredible stops in the first period, including a double save after a Newcastle corner.
While his kicking came under scrutiny, without Raya, Arsenal would have undoubtedly conceded at least one goal. Sunday’s clean sheet also means that Raya has a good chance of defending his Golden Glove title heading into the final day.
Rice bursts to life
It had been a quiet afternoon for Declan Rice until he arrived on the edge of the Newcastle box 10 minutes into the second-half. The midfielder had barely had a kick during the opening 45 minutes as Arsenal struggled for a foothold.
But they were a different force after the break, immediately putting Newcastle under severe pressure. They were rewarded for that dominance after 55 minutes.
Captain Martin Odegaard rolled a pass to the edge of the 18-yard box through three Newcastle players. With a clear sight at goal, Rice galloped up up and swept a first-time effort into the bottom corner.
Arteta’s familiar issue
Mikel Arteta will be delighted to have seen Kai Havertz finally return to action for the first time since the start of February. The German suffered a torn hamstring during a warm weather training camp, missing a crucial part of Arsenal’s season.
He returned on Sunday, replacing Bukayo Saka with 14 minutes to go and while he did not score, it was encouraging to see him back. Leaving Arteta less happy though will be the early departure of centre-back William Saliba.
The Frenchman had started Sunday’s game, but was substituted at half-time, likely due to injury. With Gabriel already sidelined, it leaves Arteta facing another selection headache ahead of the final day of the season.
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