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

(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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:

Arsenal vs Newcastle LIVE

• Arsenal beat Newcastle in the Premier League to secure Champions League qualification
• 55' GOAL! Rice sweeps in from outside the box [ARS 1-0 NEW]
• 18' SAVE! Raya makes three great stops in space of a minute [ARS 0-0 NEW]
• 6' CLOSE! Guimaraes forces double-save from Raya [ARS 0-0 NEW]

[18 May 2025 18:02 · Chris Wilson]

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

74 mins

It’s Arsenal who are happy to sit and counter now, though it is inviting a bit of Newcastle pressure. The Magpies win a corner, but it’s headed away.

[18 May 2025 18:00 · Chris Wilson]

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

71 mins

Eddie Howe is looking very irritated on the sidelines. He’ll wonder how his team are behind after that first half.

They’re creating very little at the moment though.

[18 May 2025 17:57 · Chris Wilson]

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

67 mins

Arsenal are looking very settled now, with the visitors not having had a notable chance for a long time.

At the other end, Ben White goes close with a drive from distance.

[18 May 2025 17:53 · Chris Wilson]

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

65 mins

Krafth is yellow carded straight away for wresting with Martinelli, but Arsenal can’t create a chance from the free-kick.

[18 May 2025 17:52 · Chris Wilson]

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

64 mins

Three changes for the Magpies, as Wilson, Murphy and Botman make way for Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley and William Osula.

(Getty Images)

[18 May 2025 17:50 · Chris Wilson]

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

62 mins

Better from the Magpies as Gordon wins a corner, but nothing comes of the set-piece.

Arsenal still on top for now.

[18 May 2025 17:48 · Richard Jolly]

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

Declan Rice has added to his collection of big goals. After two against Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final, he may have secured Arsenal's spot in the competition next season.

[18 May 2025 17:47 · Chris Wilson]

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

58 mins

More good work from Saka, as he pulls off the trademark cut-inside-to-shoot manoeuvre before hitting a shot that is blocked.

[18 May 2025 17:44 · Chris Wilson]

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle

55 mins

GOAL! And the hosts are ahead!

It’s a lovely goal too from Declan Rice.

Saka wins it off Gordon not far from the Newcastle box and slips it to Odegaard, who looks up and cuts it back to Rice.

He’s outside of the box with plenty to do, but he sweeps the shot across his body and right into the far corner! No chance for Pope.

(Getty Images)

[18 May 2025 17:42 · Chris Wilson]

Arsenal 0-0 Newcastle

53 mins

Arsenal have started the second half far better, with plenty of possession but also more invention in attack. Odegaard just did brilliantly to track back and cut out a dangerous pass on the edge of his own box too.