Arsenal confirmed their place in next season's Champions League as Declan Rice's stunner sealed a 1-0 Premier League victory over top-five rivals Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.
To label the Gunners' first-half display mediocre would be a major understatement; Mikel Arteta's men were disjointed at the back and in attack, but thankfully, David Raya was on top of his game in a goalless opening 45.
The Spaniard was guilty of passing the ball straight back to Newcastle on a couple of occasions, but he pulled off a number of crucial saves to keep out the Magpies, who in turn had no trouble dealing with several ineffective Arsenal corners.
However, as was the case at Anfield last weekend, a pitiful first half preceded an explosive start to the second for Arsenal, as the returning Rice curled in a tremendous opener 10 minutes after the restart.
Newcastle's efforts came too little too late as the hosts saw out the win which all but guarantees their second-placed finish in the Premier League table, while the Magpies stay third but are only leading Chelsea and Aston Villa on goal difference, while Nottingham Forest and Manchester City - who have a game in hand - are just one behind.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
They got him half price.
Only a few days ago, Arteta was urged to rest Rice for the remainder of the season after the all-too familiar words 'hamstring injury' reared their ugly heads again, but the £105m man proved yet again that he is, as the kids say, built different.
In a carbon copy of their 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield, Arsenal were lacklustre and lethargic in the first half, but whatever choice words Arteta had for his players at half time worked a treat, even if the Gunners boss does "hate reaction" as he stressed last week.
The Spaniard's yellow card - which means he will serve a touchline ban at Southampton - was a needless blot on the notebook, but with Rice and Raya weaving their magic, Kai Havertz returning after three months and Jorginho and Kieran Tierney enjoying Emirates farewells, today was a day of celebration.
Eddie Howe's side did up the ante in the final quarter of the match, but their alarming drop-off at the start of the second half proved fatal and may have just raised a question mark or two about their Champions League credentials.
ARSENAL VS. NEWCASTLE HIGHLIGHTS
Declan Rice goal vs. Newcastle (55th min, Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle)
"It's a RIPPER!" 💢
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 18, 2025
What a hit from Declan Rice! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/6aYUuGNb95
Where would Arsenal be without him?
Newcastle are punished severely for failing to take any of their first-half chances, and Anthony Gordon is the guilty party, as his heavy touch gifts the ball back to the hosts.
Martin Odegaard gathers possession on the right from Bukayo Saka and plays a slick pass to the edge of the box, where Rice is waiting to send a brilliant first-time curler into the bottom corner.
MAN OF THE MATCH - DAVID RAYA
© Imago
Yet another honourable mention goes to the indomitable Rice, but the Englishman's sensational strike would not have held up as the winner without some heroic interventions from his number one.
With five critical stops and two high claims, the Spaniard more than earned his clean sheet, one which keeps him in contention to retain his Golden Glove prize at the end of the campaign.
ARSENAL VS. NEWCASTLE MATCH STATS
Possession: Arsenal 52%-48% Newcastle
Shots: Arsenal 12-14 Newcastle
Shots on target: Arsenal 4-5 Newcastle
Corners: Arsenal 10-7 Newcastle
Fouls: Arsenal 9-8 Newcastle
BEST STATS
16 - Declan Rice has now scored more goals for Arsenal (16 in 102 apps) than he did for West Ham in 245 games across all competitions (15). Expanded. pic.twitter.com/0pUvbol5cT
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 18, 2025
Have Arsenal scored with their 52 shots against Newcastle this season:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) May 18, 2025
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Declan Rice finally finds the back of the net against Eddie Howe's side!#ARSNEW
WHAT NEXT?
A bitterly disappointing Arsenal campaign concludes away to Southampton next weekend, but the Gunners are safe in the knowledge that their seat at Europe's top table is secured.
Meanwhile, Newcastle grace the St James' Park crowd one last time in 2024-25 when they host Everton next Sunday, still with work to do to join Arsenal in next year's premier tournament as the gripping top-five race goes down to the wire.
Ben Knapton
