Arsenal secured a 2nd place finish in the Premier League for the third season in a row with a win over Newcastle United.
Though the season overall is seen as a disappointment by the fanbase it’s a testament to how far the Gunners have come that this is viewed as a failure.
It does mean Arsenal can put their feet up for the final game week of the season and not have to worry about the thought of being dragged into a battle for a Champions League place.
In what was a very slow game with many players looking like they were on the beach, Declan Rice’s excellent strike was enough to see the Geordies off.
Here are five things we learnt from the match
Declan Rice’s signature was coveted. Manchester City were vehemently after the midfielder and what’s remarkable is that his brilliant levels at West Ham have not gone down since arriving in North London, they’ve only increased.
It’s rare for a big signing to be a ‘plug and play’ component but Rice has quickly become a key figure in Arteta’s side.
He drives the team forward out from defence, marshals defence and now can come up with fantastic strikes on a regular basis.
The biggest compliment to pay the English midfielder is no one mentions the signature anymore because he was worth every penny and then some.
2) Howe’s Pragmatism
For Newcastle United to become a regular fixture as part of the elite teams and break the big six, Howe has to play these matches with bravery.
For large parts of the game Newcastle fell back into playing a mid/low block, it’s happened often despite Newcastle United frequently being able to compete and beat Arsenal.
Towards the end of the game things changed but it was because Newcastle United were chasing it and had not other option.
It’s bizarre that Newcastle have come so far and yet in games like this when Arsenal’s tempo had dropped because of the circumstances they still didn’t decide to go for it.
3) Kai Havertz returns
Whether you believe Kai Havertz is enough to score goals, he makes this team better.
He can be deployed in midfield or up front and Arsenal have missed his height, football IQ and dynamism
Even if some corners of the Arsenal fan base don’t believe he is good enough to be a starter or doesn’t make the team better, you would rather have him in the team as an attacking option.
Having the German back in the squad and getting some minutes was a positive, but there’s also an underrated tenacity for aggression the former Chelsea striker has that suits this team
4) Arsenal’s defensive knack
Arsenal’s season is over, so it will be glossed over that they managed to hold a 1-0 win relying on their defence again but it’s definitley something they are very good at.
It could be that Arteta changed the tactics to more defensive this season because he knows how little the team will concede and have conceded, it’s the attacking issues that are a major problem.
There are different ways Arsenal can win football matches, they aren’t to be bullied and can defend a lead and dig in, if they can retain their defensive security and get their explosiveness back in attack, it’s a matter of time before major silverware appears.
5) Myles Lewis-Skelly a special talent
There was a moment in the match Lewis-Skelly out jumped Dan Burn of all people to win an aerial duel.
Lewis-Skelly’s explosion in the 24/25 season has been a highlight and given Arteta a good selection headache to have.
The young English full-back looks to be the real deal, not just the way in which he conducts himself defensively but with his ability to invert and play through the lines.
There looked to be competition for the full-back role but going into next season where Arsenal’s priority must be to win something, it seems like Lewis-Skelly is the starter at left-back.
