Arsenal’s hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four were dealt a huge blow as they were well beaten by Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Mikel Arteta’s side needed a win to move above Tottenham into fourth and put them in the driving seat to secure a Champions League spot heading into the final weekend of the season.
But they were second best throughout and fell behind early in the second half when Ben White turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Callum Wilson, who was making his first start since 27 December.
Bruno Guimaraes, who has become a cult hero since joining Newcastle at the start of this year, then rounded off the impressive win when he drove into the net as Arsenal struggled to clear.
Arsenal offered next to nothing, with Martin Dubravka only really tested once, with a 25-yard Mohamed Elneny shot in the second half.
Indeed, Newcastle could have won by more with Wilson coming so close to capping a dream return from injury with a stunning long-range effort that dropped just wide of the goal.
The result, which also confirmed Chelsea’s finish in the top four, means Arsenal must beat Everton in their final game of the season on Sunday (16:00 BST) and hope Tottenham lose at relegated Norwich.
Newcastle, meanwhile, round off a season that provides encouragement for the future with a trip to Burnley.
Arsenal needed to show up but failed
Arsenal needed a big performance if they were to give their fans hope of finishing in the top four, particuarly after they were well beaten by their fierce rivals Tottenham in last Thursday’s north London derby.
Unfortunately, Arteta’s side wilted when it mattered most as they were outplayed by Newcastle.
The Gunners were poor throughout the first half as they repeatedly gave the ball away and were having to repel a stream of Newcastle attacks while struggling to build their own opportunities.
They managed to get to get to half-time level but did not heed the warning signs and fell behind just before the hour mark.
Wilson had been a menace throughout as he showed no signs of rustiness on his return to the first team. It was no surprise he was involved in the opener as White turned the ball into his own net as he attempted to prevent the Newcastle forward from getting a shot off.
Arteta was unable to hide his frustrations with the officiating against Spurs – a match in which his team conceded a penalty and had defender Rob Holding sent off – but he can have no complaints here as they were undone by a side who simply showed more hunger and quality.
Player of the match
WilsonCallum Wilson
Newcastle United
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Squad number9Player nameWilsonAverage rating
8.75
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Squad number39Player nameBruno GuimarãesAverage rating
8.65
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Squad number7Player nameJoelinton
Average rating8.53
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Squad number13Player nameTargett
Average rating8.15
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Squad number24Player nameAlmirón
Average rating8.11
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Squad number10Player nameSaint-Maximin
Average rating8.03
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Squad number33Player nameBurn
Average rating7.94
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Squad number5Player nameSchär
Average rating7.83
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Squad number6Player nameLascelles
Average rating7.77
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Squad number21Player nameFraser
Average rating7.76
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Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff
Average rating7.74
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Squad number17Player nameKrafth
Average rating7.67
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Squad number23Player nameMurphy
Average rating7.65
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Squad number1Player nameDúbravka
Average rating7.44
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Squad number34Player nameGayle
Average rating7.31
Arsenal
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Squad number32Player nameRamsdaleAverage rating
3.73
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Squad number7Player nameSakaAverage rating
3.25
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Squad number8Player nameØdegaardAverage rating
3.23
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Squad number18Player nameTomiyasuAverage rating
3.18
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Squad number35Player nameGabriel MartinelliAverage rating
3.10
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Squad number4Player nameWhiteAverage rating
3.09
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Squad number6Player nameGabriel MagalhãesAverage rating
3.08
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Squad number25Player nameMohamed ElnenyAverage rating
3.01
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Squad number34Player nameXhakaAverage rating
2.93
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Squad number30Player nameNketiahAverage rating
2.90
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Squad number20Player nameNuno TavaresAverage rating
2.78
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Squad number10Player nameSmith RoweAverage rating
2.76
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Squad number17Player nameCédric SoaresAverage rating
2.54
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Squad number9Player nameLacazetteAverage rating
2.51
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Squad number19Player namePépéAverage rating
2.16
Line-ups
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Dúbravka
- 17Krafth
- 5SchärSubstituted forLascellesat 49′minutes
- 33Burn
- 13Targett
- 36S Longstaff
- 39Guimarães Rodriguez Moura
- 7Joelinton
- 24AlmirónSubstituted forMurphyat 76′minutes
- 9WilsonSubstituted forGayleat 90+4′minutes
- 10Saint-MaximinSubstituted forFraserat 77′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Dummett
- 6Lascelles
- 11Ritchie
- 15Trippier
- 18Fernández
- 21Fraser
- 23Murphy
- 26Darlow
- 34Gayle
Arsenal
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 32Ramsdale
- 18TomiyasuSubstituted forCédric Soaresat 39′minutes
- 4WhiteBooked at 8mins
- 6GabrielSubstituted forPépéat 73′minutes
- 20TavaresSubstituted forLacazetteat 62′minutes
- 25Elneny
- 34XhakaBooked at 90mins
- 7Saka
- 8Ødegaard
- 10Smith RoweSubstituted forMartinelliat 53′minutes
- 30NketiahBooked at 47mins
Substitutes
- 1Leno
- 9Lacazette
- 17Cédric Soares
- 19Pépé
- 23Sambi Lokonga
- 35Martinelli
- 65Oulad M’hand
- 69Swanson
- 87Patino
- Referee:
- Darren England
- Attendance:
- 52,274
Match Stats
Live Text
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Match ends, Newcastle United 2, Arsenal 0.
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Second Half ends, Newcastle United 2, Arsenal 0.
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Attempt missed. Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Sean Longstaff.
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Attempt saved. Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Dwight Gayle.
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Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Granit Xhaka (Arsenal).
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Substitution, Newcastle United. Dwight Gayle replaces Callum Wilson.
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Attempt missed. Cédric Soares (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Mohamed Elneny.
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Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Dan Burn.
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Attempt blocked. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Benjamin White.
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Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal).
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Goal! Newcastle United 2, Arsenal 0. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
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Attempt blocked. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Wilson.
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Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal).
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Attempt blocked. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Eddie Nketiah.
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Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Martin Dúbravka.
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Foul by Joelinton (Newcastle United).
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