Declan Rice’s gorgeous particular person purpose successfully clinched second place within the Premier League for Arsenal as they beat Newcastle United 1-0.
Newcastle went into the sport having crushed Arsenal thrice this season, together with en path to EFL Cup glory, and it was they who had a lot the higher of the alternatives within the first half regardless of lacking talisman Alexander Isak due to a groin damage.
However the Magpies had been denied by 5 first-half saves from the wonderful David Raya, and Rice’s thunderbolt from the sting of the realm 10 minutes into the second half proved decisive.
Arsenal at the moment are assured of Champions League soccer and can nearly actually end second. Newcastle nonetheless require a win over Everton on the ultimate day subsequent Sunday to make sure of enjoying on the identical stage of European competitors subsequent season.
Arsenal v Newcastle United
Newcastle, regardless of permitting Arsenal to have the lion’s share of possession, had been by far the extra threatening workforce within the first half and would have taken the lead had they not discovered Raya in notably stubborn temper.
The Spaniard was nearly the villain of the piece early on for Arsenal as his tried clearance went to straight to Sandro Tonali, however he instantly redeemed himself as he twice needed to claw away Bruno Guimaraes’ close-range effort after a Wilson lay-off.
Raya was examined once more quickly after, although his save from Tino Livramento after a Newcastle counter was extra easy, that likelihood adopted by Arsenal’s greatest alternative of the primary half as Nick Pope leapt at his close to submit to maintain out Thomas Partey’s flicked header from a nook.
Pope was at full stretch for that save, and Raya discovered himself straining a whole lot of sinews to tip Harvey Barnes’ deflected strike across the submit moments later.
He was immediately required to carry out heroics once more with one other double save, first maintaining out Dan Burn’s point-blank header after which Sven Botman’s follow-up.
Raya’s exhibition of first-half reflexes was rewarded in type by Rice. Arsenal had been a lot improved after the break and, after Anthony Gordon surrendered possession huge on the left, Rice met Martin Odegaard’s pull again with an exquisitely struck strike that bent into the far nook.
Eddie Howe responded by shuffling his pack, reverting to 4 on the again after beginning with three centre-backs, Emil Krafth, Lewis Miley and William Osula launched.
His facet nearly fell sufferer to a different long-range effort, this time from Ben White, which whistled narrowly huge, however the Magpies did come again into the sport within the closing levels.
Harvey Barnes blasted excessive and huge after neat link-up play on the sting of the realm and substitute Joe Willock lashed over on the finish of a mazy run. Regardless of concerted late stress, Newcastle couldn’t discover the purpose to keep away from a defeat that ensures their last day of the season shall be a nervy one.
Solely two Manchester Metropolis wins from their last two video games and an Arsenal defeat to Southampton on the ultimate day with a major shift in purpose distinction would deny Arsenal second spot. Such a calculation shall be removed from the forefront of Mikel Arteta’s head as Arsenal finish the season occupied with what might need been.
