Arsenal vs Newcastle: Declan Rice seals second spot for Gunners as Magpies sweat over UCL place

Mikel Arteta's Arsenal secured the three points they needed for UEFA Champions League qualification as they beat Newcastle United 1-0 in their final game at the Emirates Stadium this season.

Gunners keeper David Raya was given an early scare when his pass was intercepted, and he needed to be alert to keep out Bruno Guimarães’ effort from close range.

Raya was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half, as he crucially tipped Harvey Barnes’ strike past the post, before saving Dan Burn’s point-blank header from Sandro Tonali’s resulting corner.

After an underwhelming first half, the Gunners started the second well and found themselves ahead through the returning Declan Rice. It was a wonderful first-time strike into the bottom corner after Martin Ødegaard found him on the edge of the box.

Newcastle pushed for an equaliser but Arteta's men held firm to secure a crucial victory and guarantee a second-place finish for the third season in a row.