Declan Rice fires Arsenal to Champions League qualification with Newcastle win
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Arsenal have secured their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium, courtesy of a sublime second-half strike from Declan Rice.
The England international scored the decisive goal early in the second period, curling a precise first-time finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box following a smart assist from captain Martin Ødegaard.
The win moves Arsenal five points clear of third-placed Newcastle and all but guarantees a second-place Premier League finish for Mikel Arteta’s men, even if Manchester City win their game in hand, thanks to the Gunners’ superior goal difference.
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However, it was far from straightforward for Arsenal, who were indebted to goalkeeper David Raya for a series of excellent saves in the first half. The Spaniard denied Bruno Guimarães from close range, saved an effort from Tino Livramento, and produced a brilliant full-stretch stop to push a deflected Harvey Barnes shot wide.
Raya’s standout moment came moments later when he executed a stunning double save to keep out headers from Newcastle defenders Dan Burn and Sven Botman following a corner.
🚨Arsenal qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the third season in a row. pic.twitter.com/U9UKiniTT8
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) May 18, 2025
Newcastle, without injured striker Alexander Isak, posed a significant threat in the first half and were looking for a fourth consecutive win over Arsenal, but their inability to finish proved costly.
Arsenal emerged much sharper after the interval and eventually broke the deadlock after Anthony Gordon was dispossessed in midfield. Bukayo Saka and Ødegaard exchanged quick passes before the ball fell kindly to Rice, who swept home his ninth goal of the season.
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Ben White nearly added a second for the hosts with a powerful long-range effort that flashed just wide, while Joe Willock came closest to equalising for Newcastle, firing narrowly over the bar after coming off the bench.
The result leaves Newcastle’s Champions League hopes hanging in the balance heading into the final day, where they host Everton. Just one point separates them from seventh-placed Nottingham Forest in a tightly contested race for European qualification.
For Arsenal, the win marks a third consecutive top-two finish and setting the stage for another season among Europe’s elite.
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