Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League reaction as Gunners secure Champions League football with win
Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle: Declan Rice’s sweeping effort secures a well-earned win for the Gunners
A Declan Rice stunner ensured Arsenal beat Newcastle United 1-0 on Sunday afternoon to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
The first half at the Emirates saw the visiting side dominate proceedings, with Bruno Guimaraes and Harvey Barnes going close as David Raya was forced into several good saves.
But the Gunners came out for the second half rejuvenated and soon took control of the game, with a period of pressure telling as Declan Rice swept in a brilliant finish from range to give his side the lead.
Both sides threatened at various points from then but it was Arsenal who had the better chances, with Newcastle rarely creating anything clear-cut.
And it was the Gunners who were able to see out the result, guaranteeing themselves a return to Champions League football and all but securing third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League.
Follow all the reaction from the Emirates below:
Newcastle line-up to face Arsenal
Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes; Murphy, Gordon, Barnes; Wilson
Arsenal line-up to face Newcastle
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Team news
A reminder of the early team news – line-ups should be announced in the next five minutes.
Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber have trained this week but are fitness doubts, while Mikel Merino is suspended after his red card at Liverpool. Kai Havertz could return for the first time since February.
Sven Botman has picked up another knock and adds to Newcastle’s injury woes in defence, with Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall both sidelined. Joelinton is also unavailable while Joe Willock is a doubt
Match facts
Newcastle have beaten Arsenal three times this season – once in the league and in both legs of the EFL Cup semi-finals. No side has ever defeated the Gunners four times in a single campaign.
However, the Londoners have lost just one of their past 20 Premier League home games against the Magpies, winning 17 and drawing two.
Newcastle could complete a league double over Arsenal for the first time since 1994/95 under Kevin Keegan.
Eddie Howe reveals ‘frustration’ over transfer links for Newcastle’s star players
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has admitted his frustration at seeing his star players repeatedly touted as transfer targets for Arsenal as the clubs prepare to battle it out for second place in the Premier League.
The Magpies head for the Emirates Stadium on Sunday lying two points behind the Gunners and knowing a fourth victory over Mikel Arteta’s men this season – they beat them home and away in the Carabao Cup semi-finals – would leave them in pole position to snatch the runners-up spot behind champions Liverpool.
They will do so having seen a series of pundits suggest the likes of Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimaraes could take a step up by joining the North London club, a view which rankles on Tyneside.
Eddie Howe reveals ‘frustration’ over transfer links for Newcastle’s star players
Why Arsenal’s search for a striker rests on two crucial questions
Arsenal's search for a striker is centring on a discussion between RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko and Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres. Both would cost either £75m or under due to various clauses and agreements, which would more than fit within the club's budget.
The Independent has previously reported how most of the work so far has been done on Sesko, but the arrival of Andrea Berta as sporting director has brought more talks on Gyokeres.
Arsenal are expecting a busy window, with sales also required to increase the transfer budget.
The clauses in Sesko's Leipzig contract have seen prices go up way past an initial £58m, potentially to a straight £75m, but the fact he is 21 and already performing at Champions League level means he has fitted with the club's strategy of signing talent with potential for growth.
Why Arsenal’s search for a striker rests on two crucial questions
Mikel Arteta addresses ‘rift’ rumours with Andrea Berta as Arsenal chase Sesko and Gyokeres
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed speculation of a rift with the club's new sporting director, Andrea Berta, over summer transfer targets.
Rumours circulating on social media suggested disagreements between Arteta and Berta, who replaced Edu in March, regarding the pursuit of a new striker.
Arsenal are reportedly targeting RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.
Mikel Arteta addresses ‘rift’ rumours as Arsenal chase targets
Is the match on TV?
When is Arsenal vs Newcastle?
The Premier League fixture will kick off at 4:30pm BST on Sunday 18 May at the Emirates.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League, with coverage getting underway from 4pm. Sky customers can also stream the match live on Sky Go or Now TV.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Lewis-Skelly; Partey, Jorginho, Odegaard; Saka, Trossard, Martinelli
Newcastle XI: Pope; Schar, Karth, Burn; Murphy, Guimaraes, Tonali, Livramento; Barnes, Gordon; Isak
What is the team news?
Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Jurrien Timber have trained this week but are fitness doubts, while Mikel Merino is suspended after his red card at Liverpool. Kai Havertz could return for the first time since February.
Sven Botman has picked up another knock and adds to Newcastle’s injury woes in defence, with Kieran Trippier and Lewis Hall both sidelined. Joelinton is also unavailable while Joe Willock is a doubt.
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