ICYMI: See How Arsenal Defeated Newcastle To Qualify For Champions League

Arsenal secured their place in next season’s Champions League as Declan Rice’s strike gave them a 1-0 victory against Newcastle.

Rice struck the winner early in the second half when he found the bottom corner with a curling, first-time finish from the edge of the box after being picked out by Martin Odegaard.

The win puts them five points clear of Newcastle and means they are all but certain to finish second, even if Manchester City win their game in hand, thanks to their superior goal difference.

It might have been a different story, though, if not for a string of superb saves from David Raya early in the first half.

Bruno Guimaraes was first to be denied by the Arsenal goalkeeper, who clawed away the rebound, then parried an effort from Tino Livramento before pushing a deflected Harvey Barnes shot around the post at full-stretch.

Raya’s best was still to come, though, as he pulled off a brilliant double save to deny Newcastle centre-backs Dan Burn and Sven Botman following a corner moments after the Barnes effort.

Newcastle, looking for a fourth consecutive win against Arsenal, continued to cause problems for the hosts in the first half but couldn’t find a killer touch without Alexander Isak, who was absent with a groin injury.

As in their 2-2 draw against Liverpool last weekend, Arsenal were much improved after the break, and their bright start to the half was rewarded when Anthony Gordon lost possession in Newcastle territory and Bukayo Saka and Odegaard combined to tee up Rice to sweep home his ninth goal of the season.

Arsenal, for whom Kai Havertz returned from injury as a substitute, almost doubled their lead when Ben White sent a long-range effort just past the post, and there were chances for Newcastle too, with substitute Joe Willock blasting an angled shot narrowly over.

The defeat leaves Eddie Howe’s side with work to do to secure a Champions League spot of their own when they host Everton on the final day next weekend, with only a point currently separating them in third and Nottingham Forest in seventh.

It was fitting that Declan Rice and David Raya were the match-winners for Arsenal. They have been their best players this season.

Rice has been a revelation in the No. 8 role, and the numbers show that. His total of nine goals is the highest of his career. Many of them, today’s included, have been spectacular.

There have been 10 assists for him too, and plenty more besides. Rice has taken on more attacking responsibility, but he is still key to Mikel Arteta’s side out of possession.

In a season in which so many others have broken down with injuries, he has provided some much-needed robustness and consistency.

Also is Raya, he was outstanding against Newcastle, his saves giving Arsenal the platform they needed to go on and win the game. It was not the first time.