Arsenal sealed their return to the Champions League with a hard-fought 1–0 win over Newcastle United, a result that also leaves them on the brink of a second-place Premier League finish.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Declan Rice of Arsenal scores his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at Emirates Stadium on May 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Having already lost three times to Eddie Howe‘s side this season, Mikel Arteta‘s men went into the game knowing that victory would guarantee qualification and all but confirm runners-up spot. Defeat would have seen Newcastle leapfrog them with just one match remaining.
Kai Havertz returned to the bench following surgery on a hamstring injury. Declan Rice, whose absence at Anfield was mistakenly reported as hamstring-related (it was his hip), started in midfield. Leandro Trossard, substituted last weekend with a suspected hamstring issue, was also named in the XI and was excellent throughout the game.
Newcastle, meanwhile, were without Alexander Isak and Joelinton.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Jacob Murphy of Newcastle United battles for possession with Leandro Trossard of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at Emirates Stadium on May 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Wearing their new 2025/26 home kit, Arsenal controlled early possession, but it was David Raya who kept them level with five excellent saves in the first half. Newcastle had 10 shots to Arsenal’s five before the break, five of them on target.
The Gunners struggled to shift out of second gear, playing like a side who knew a game against already-relegated Southampton still awaited them next weekend and they could sort it all out then.
It was goalless at half-time, but only thanks to Raya.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Dan Burn of Newcastle United creates a headed chance which is saved by David Raya of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at Emirates Stadium on May 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
One big concern came at halftime when William Saliba was replaced by Riccardo Calafiori with what is, at the time of writing, an unspecified injury.
Arsenal were sharper in the second half. Declan Rice, largely absent in the opening 45 minutes, produced the match-winning moment with a sublime finish that curled beyond Nick Pope into the far corner from a Martin Odegaard assist.
As Newcastle pushed for an equaliser, Arsenal resisted a brief spell of pressure, but Raya remained relatively untested after the break.
Kieran Tierney came on in the 88th minute for a farewell appearance before his return to Celtic. Kai Havertz also featured in the final 15 minutes, making his first appearance since February. In stoppage time, Jorginho was introduced in what is expected to be his last game at the Emirates ahead of a move to Flamengo.
The game ended in a skirmish following a late corner, with Jakub Kiwior and Dan Burn both booked after a brief melee.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Declan Rice of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Leandro Trossard during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at Emirates Stadium on May 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Speaking after the match, Declan Rice admitted Arsenal’s league form had faltered in recent weeks.
“We’ve been poor by our standards the last few weeks in the Premier League. We obviously went so hard in the Champions League, our form dropped off,” he said.
“We showed that grit,” he added, saying Mikel Arteta had challenged them to show how much they wanted it.
“We felt like we had such a good chance in the Champions League, we had the momentum in that, and obviously the league slipped away a couple of weeks ago.”
Asked about scoring again, he said, “About time I started scoring frequently. I liked that finish a lot, where I can whip it.”
“Really difficult after coming so close in the Prem,” he continued when asked for his view on the season. “We were, by our standards, poor, let’s be real.
“We’re going to come back next season, be even more hungry, and win something for this club. That’s what we all want.”
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