Newcastle dent Arsenal’s Champions League dream to hand Tottenham final-day advantage in top-four race

Arsenal slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park, a result which could well prove decisive in the battle for top four. Newcastle had lost 18 of their previous meetings with Arsenal in all competitions, which seemed to bode well for the north Londoners. Mikel Arteta’s side arrived at St James’ Park under huge pressure, however, having collapsed to a 3-0 defeat in the north London derby last week and ceded fourth spot to Tottenham following their 1-0 win against Burnley at the weekend.

Ad/> Even so, Arsenal knew that two wins from their last two games would guarantee them a return to the Champions League next term. As it is, they will go into their final match against Everton two points behind Spurs and hoping that their rivals slip up against rock-bottom Norwich. Premier LeagueI think he wants a favour, Stevie lad – The Warm-Up15 HOURS AGO The visitors gave an introverted performance in the first half, struggling to rise to the occasion.

Callum Wilson gave Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White a hard time, drawing a caution for the latter early on, while Allan Saint-Maximin had Takehiro Tomiyasu well beaten, getting in behind or cutting inside unopposed time and again until he was forced off with a hamstring injury and replaced by Cedric Soares. Arsenal struggled to play out from the back, a succession of sloppy passes ensuring that the game was largely played in their final third. Nonetheless, other than a low drive from Saint-Maximin which forced Aaron Ramsdale into action, Newcastle failed to make many quality chances even as they prowled their opponents’ penalty area.