LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, looks dejected, as he ... More acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Newcastle United FC at Emirates Stadium on May 18, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
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So, as many predicted, it comes down to this. Newcastle United lost at Arsenal, meaning it must beat Everton on Sunday to secure its place in the Champions League for next season.
The time for taking stock of what an incredible season it has been is on hold, but it cannot be understated how well Eddie Howe and his staff have done to refocus minds after the Carabao Cup final win just over two months ago. Winning the home games is crucial, and Newcastle has done so every time; now it requires one last huge push to get there. The next six days will be excruciating for supporters, anxious for a return to Europe’s biggest club competition, knowing failure to win will likely halt their dreams immediately and change the club’s course over the next few years.
Playing in the Champions League is the foundation the best teams build from. It is the best way to repel Profit and Sustainability Rule issues, with reaching the play-off round after the league phase said to be worth £70m ($94m) in revenue alone. It attracts and keeps the best players. Newcastle’s next step is making qualification the minimum requirement every year.
Just one point separates Newcastle in third and Nottingham Forest in seventh. Manchester City, currently sixth, play Bournemouth on Tuesday and could go ahead of The Magpies with a draw. Aston Villa and Chelsea, which plays Forest on Sunday, are all in action at the same time next weekend. For all of those involved, there is no room for error. If Newcastle does its job, nothing else matters; St James’ Park will be as insular as it can be. Everton cannot stand in the way.
Losing at Arsenal was tough to take. There laid an opportunity to ease any stress in the pursuit and, as crazy as it sounds, take control in the race for second place. Because of the tension and trepidation - with the world watching on for any mistakes - everybody had hoped it wouldn’t go all the way until the end. Just like at Villa back in April and Brighton earlier this month, Newcastle faltered at the Emirates Stadium, and it was the The Gunners who made sure of its Champions League place. After three wins without conceding over Milel Arteta’s side this season, the run ended at the least opportune moment.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal runs with the ball under pressure form Tino ... More Livramento of Newcastle United 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)
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Newcastle can absolutely compete with the best teams in the league. In the first half, despite surrendering the majority of possession, it dominated and created chances to score which weren’t taken. Getting to half time level suited Arsenal much better, and it was the home side who improved and got the win through Declan Rice’s solitary goal, its 53rd shot against Newcastle in the four matches. But before kick-off, Alexander Isak had been ruled out with a recurrence of a groin issue, which deflated the visitors hugely. Howe said he isn’t sure whether the Swede will be fit to face Everton, [resting him was part of a “no risk” approach](https://www.forbes.com/sites/harrydecosemo/2025/04/03/newcastle-uniteds-no-risk-approach-amid-alexander-isak-injury-scare/) to give him every chance.
If he doesn’t, Newcastle will be forced to negotiate a crucial match without its talisman. Though Isak has not been at his best for some time, as many supporters questioned his fitness, the Arsenal game showed how much of a miss he remains. Callum Wilson replaced him and showed why he is expected to depart when his contract ends in the summer; at 33 after an injury-ravaged career, his body doesn’t allow him to lead the line effectively in a system which requires movement off the ball and clever interplay, which Isak provides in abundance.
The record without Isak this season is played four, lost four. That simply cannot continue from here.
### Newcastle is ready for what is to come
But for all the nerves and the pressure, Newcastle is a club ready to strike on occasions like this, [as it proved just last week in the win over Chelsea](https://www.forbes.com/sites/harrydecosemo/2025/05/12/newcastle-united-shows-it-is-ready-for-champions-league-in-chelsea-win/). This has been the greatest improvement in the team this season; its ability to stay calm and compete in big matches, particularly at home.
Howe spoke about being “used” to such encounters and suddenly there is no bigger this season, with the exception of Wembley. But in reality, it needs to be seen as part two of a double header which will secure this as the greatest season in modern Newcastle history.
The coach is the reason everybody should stay calm, because his demeanour sets the tone. Once again, he struck the perfect tone after Arsenal.
“We’ve never got ahead of ourselves," he said. "We’ve never felt we were there or the job was done. Now it’s going to the end, to the last game, and who knows what twists and turns there are to come. The players have given so much. We know we need one more.
“My mood is always the same after we lose. I’m disappointed, I’m frustrated and it takes me time to get out of that way of thinking, but I will look back with positivity from the game. In fact, I know I will, because there was so much good to take from it. When you then look to the next game and we know what we have to do… the players are used to big games now. There’ll be none bigger than this.”
Fans of Newcastle, Chelsea, Forest, Villa and Manchester City will be in for a long week. Everything now rides on 90 minutes come Sunday; with no title race or relegation to sort, this is where the Premier League will get its drama. Newcastle has had opportunities to get it done early and missed them; but an inquest will follow if it fails again.
Having won one final already this season, it is more than capable of winning another. Do that, and the club really can take off for the next level.