Rice rocket fires Arsenal into Champions League

Arsenal secured Champions League qualification with a tense 1-0 victory over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, thanks to a spectacular second-half strike from Declan Rice.

The England midfielder’s powerful 55th-minute finish from the edge of the area broke the deadlock and ended a five-game winless run for Mikel Arteta’s side. The win ensured Arsenal will finish in the Premier League’s top five, avoiding any final-day drama.

“Finish the season, go to the beach and make sure the ones upstairs do what they have to do,” Arteta said, issuing a pointed reminder to the club’s hierarchy after their January transfer inaction. “Our dream needs to not get blurry. What we have done to sustain the level this season with everything that has happened (with injuries) is incredible.”

Arsenal, second in the table, are expected to continue in that position and finish behind champions Liverpool for a third consecutive season. Their Champions League campaign ended in the semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, and the club remains without silverware since 2020.

Newcastle, without injured top scorer Alexander Isak, created several chances but failed to convert. David Raya made crucial saves to deny Bruno Guimaraes, Harvey Barnes, and Dan Burn.

“It was one of our strongest away performances but you have to score and we didn’t,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe. “Only got ourselves to blame for that.”

Newcastle remain third on goal difference but must beat Everton on May 25 to confirm a top-five finish in a crowded race involving Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.

(Source: AFP)