Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle - 3 takeaways as Gunners secure top five finish

Declan Rice scored Arsenal's lone goal in a 1-0 win over Newcastle, which secured Champions League football for next season.

Arsenal's 1-0 win over Newcastle at the Emirates will see Mikel Arteta's side secure a top-five finish and Champions League football next season.

Declan Rice's sublime first-time strike in the second half was enough for the Gunners to claim all three points in a game in which David Raya was the hero and villain at times. Errors from both teams plagued a poor first half.

Thankfully, the Gunners got the breakthrough. In the final home match of the season, they held on for a crucial three points, eliminating any proposed nerves about needing to win away at Southampton on the final matchday to secure a top-five finish.

After a poor year, despite finishing second, the Gunners can now look to the offseason where a monster summer is needed if Arsenal are to finally claim the Premier League title after being runners-up for three consecutive years under Arteta.

3 takeaways from Arsenal's 1-0 win over Newcastle

1. Champions League football secured

It was closer than it should have been but had Arsenal not won against Newcastle, Arteta's side would have needed to go to Southampton and win on the final day to secure Champions League football.

They don't now.

The win, while not great on the eye, was the result the Gunners and Arteta needed with a monster summer ahead.

Big moves need to happen, and the lure of Champions League football makes that easier.

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