Newcastle United head coach [Eddie Howe](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/eddie-howe) has insisted that the champagne must remain on ice as his team look to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three years.
Howe has insisted for weeks that the Champions League race will go "down to the wire" and he has been proven exactly right. Ahead of a weekend in which Aston Villa can close the gap on Newcastle tonight if they beat Spurs and Nottingham Forest can also play catch up with a trip to West Ham, nothing can be taken for granted.
Victory at the Emirates Stadium is the key to both Newcastle's [Champions League](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/all-about/uefa-champions-league) ticket and the unexpected chance to finish second, but Howe said: "It's not done yet. The picture can change game-to-game and I think we've got to be really focused on our next game and trying to win it.
"Our preparation has been good and the focus is there from the players. Nothing is achieved until it's achieved. We have to be single-minded in that, and not get distracted."
A win will guarantee Howe's squad a place in the Champions League unless both Chelsea - who face Man United this evening and Aston Villa both take three points.
Newcastle's goal difference is superior to Villa and draws for both could effectively book Newcastle's spot. However, if Newcastle win at Arsenal and then go on to beat Everton on the final day, they could finish second for the first time since 1997 - something that was unthinkable only in December when Howe's team sat slumped in 12th spot.