A stunning second-half strike from Declan Rice ensured Arsenal booked their ticket for next season’s UEFA Champions League with a narrow but vital 1-0 win over Newcastle United in front of a buzzing Emirates crowd.
With the pressure of recent lacklustre form looming, the Gunners were in desperate need of a spark. That moment arrived ten minutes into the second half when Rice, collecting a short pass from captain Martin Ødegaard, curled a superb 20-yard effort past Martin Dúbravka to lift Arsenal to 71 points — enough to guarantee a top-four finish.
It was a fitting finale to the home campaign, which had seen Arsenal fail to win at the Emirates since April 1. Despite failing to mount a serious title challenge in the closing weeks, the win solidified their claim to second place, pending Manchester City’s remaining results.
Newcastle, meanwhile, were left to rue missed opportunities. The visitors — without 23-goal striker Alexander Isak due to a groin injury — started like a side hungry to cement their own European credentials. In the opening 20 minutes alone, David Raya was called into action on multiple occasions, denying Bruno Guimarães, Dan Burn, Harvey Barnes, and Sven Botman.
However, Newcastle’s early aggression waned, and they failed to register another shot on target after the 17th minute — a stat that ultimately underlined their fading threat.
Rice’s 55th-minute goal, his ninth of the campaign, was enough to tip the contest. It marked his 19th goal involvement in all competitions — second only to Bukayo Saka’s 25 this season — and was a deserved reward for a player who has emerged as Arsenal’s engine room throughout the year.
The final whistle brought a mix of relief and reflection in north London. Mikel Arteta’s men will now travel to relegated Southampton next weekend with second place firmly within reach. Yet despite Champions League qualification, murmurs of discontent linger, with Ødegaard openly admitting post-match: “We have to admit we have not been good enough in the league.”
The Gunners’ players remained on the pitch to applaud fans in their traditional end-of-season gesture — but some seats were already empty, emblematic of a season that promised much yet yielded no silverware.
Newcastle return to St James’ Park for a decisive final-day fixture against Everton. A win there would all but seal a top-five finish and cap off a remarkable season, already gilded by their historic League Cup triumph at Wembley.
Man of the Match: David Raya (Arsenal) — 7.88
Attendance: 60,160
Goal: Rice (55’)
Assist: Ødegaard
Read also: Clock ticking as Arsenal fall short gain under Arteta
