Newcastle United will take their Champions League qualification hopes into the final day of the Premier League season after a 1–0 defeat at Arsenal.
Declan Rice’s second-half strike was enough to secure the Gunners a top-four finish, while Newcastle must now beat Everton to ensure a return to Europe’s top competition.
Alexander Isak missed the match with a groin issue, prompting Eddie Howe to start Callum Wilson for only the second time in the league this season. Whether or not that injury has to do with a potential transfer to Arsenal or elsewhere, only Howe and NUFC know...
Wilson, of course, failed to register a shot in his 64 minutes on the pitch, and Newcastle lacked their usual edge in the final third despite a strong start.
Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes applied pressure in midfield as Newcastle set up with a back three for only the third time this season, something that backfired massively on Sunday.
Declan Rice scoring stunning goals is becoming a very familiar sight...
The highlights from @Arsenal's 1-0 win against Newcastle, which guarantees Champions League qualifcationpic.twitter.com/I13Ph0gkl8
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 18, 2025
The visitors generated 10 first-half shots and an expected goals tally of 1.2, but David Raya repeatedly denied them. The Arsenal goalkeeper saved from Guimaraes, Tino Livramento, Harvey Barnes, Dan Burn and Sven Botman in a dominant 30-minute spell for Newcastle.
Arsenal improved after halftime, and Rice struck in the 55th minute following a turnover high up the pitch. A mistake by Anthony Gordon led to the chance, with Rice sweeping a low shot past Nick Pope from 25 yards.
Newcastle failed to register another shot until the final 15 minutes as Arsenal controlled possession and managed the game. Howe’s team remains in fourth place, with a great goal difference giving them the advantage over rivals entering the final matchday of the season.
Victory at home to Everton on the final day will secure a Champions League place, which we all expect to be the case.