Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United: Gunners seal Champions League qualification after Rice's superb strike 

Gunners seal Champions League qualification after Rice's superb strike 

A superb second half strike by Declan Rice ensured Mikel Arteta's Arsenal finally sealed Champions League qualification as well as Premier League runners up spot - barring the most unlikely turnaround – after beating Newcastle 1-0 at the Emirates on Sunday.

The vital victory was assured by a virtuoso display in goal by David Raya, as the Gunners keeper kept away Eddie Howe’s eager Magpies single-handedly at times, as the former Brentford shotstopper made it 13 clean sheets this term.  

In a lively start Leandro Trossard cut inside but fired wide of Nick Pope’s far post on 12 minutes. A minute later Thomas Partey’s header was saved by Pope from Saka’s corner. 180 seconds after that a slight deflection off Partey’s boot helped Raya to turn the ball past the post from Harvey Barnes shot as the visitors searched for a goal that would change everything.

Two minutes later Dan Burn's header was saved by Raya in a crowded box as Newcastle dominated, prior to Sven Botman having a close-range chance saved by the alert Raya. 

A minute later Fabian Schär's header from close range was blocked as the obdurate Gunners backline determinedly kept Howe’s side out. Albeit one that was missing Alexander Isak, scorer of 23 Premier League goals this term, with the four matches the coveted striker has missed for Newcastle this season resulting in three defeats and no goals for the League Cup winners. 

After such a lively opening it was understandable the tempo dipped ever so slightly, with Rice’s effort from outside the box testing Pope, who gathered well, on 27 minutes.

Yet, after the two sides jabbed each other throughout the remainder of the first half, with neither managing to break the deadlock, it was to be the outstanding Rice - nominated for Premier League player of the season earlier this week - who was to break the deadlock on 55 minutes.

Rice, Arsenal’s £105m world class midfielder, who Gunners fans famously sing, got ‘half price’ from West Ham, such are his talents, swept the ball past Pope from outside the box in a David Beckham-esq swipe after Martin Odegaard played the ball from along the right flank. 

The 25-year-old adjusted his run before arching his strike perfectly to beat the despairing dive of Pope, to fly into the net and put the home side 1-0 ahead. Much to the relief of the home support who erupted in joy.

Rice’s outstanding strike was the 25-year-old’s ninth goal - along with 10 assists - of a long season, which, given the fact the England midfielder featured heavily for the Three Lions during last summer’s run to the final of Euro 2024, effectively meant that former Iron has not had a proper break from top level football for two long seasons.

You couldn’t tell, given the quality of Rice’s performance in a No8 role, freed to power forward through Thomas Partey’s effective anchoring further back, as Arteta’s side finally sealed runners-up spot, and confirmed qualification to the riches of next season’s Champions League.

There was further good news when Kai Havertz finally returned to first team action, replacing Bukayo Saka late on, after four long months out, following a serious hamstring injury, which coincided with the North Londoners’ title bid fading.

In the time Havertz has been missing, an impressively resurgent Newcastle finally picked up their first domestic trophy in 70 years under Eddie Howe - who thankfully has now fully received from his worrying bout of pneumonia - and have been powering into a coveted top four spot, even if the Gunners denied them second place.

As the clock ticked down there were cheers for Kieran Tierney who replaced Trossard as the crowd sung his name in what will surely be his final appearance in red and white at the Emirates. What a loyal servant to the Arsenal cause. Never once moaned about his lot with injuries or lack of starts. A true team man.