Arsenal player ratings vs Newcastle: David Raya saves Gunners but sloppy Thomas Partey off the pace | OneFootball

Arsenal get job done with narrow win to secure place at Europe’s top table next season

Arsenal secured qualification for next season’s Champions League by beating Newcastle.

Declan Rice scored the only goal of the game 10 minutes into the second half, finding the bottom corner with a strike from just outside the box.

Victory for Arsenal means they have qualified for next season’s Champions League and they will secure second place in the Premier League if Manchester City fail to beat Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Simon Collings was at Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal in action...

David Raya 8 | Star player

Arsenal’s best player in the first half and kept them in the game with a number of fine saves. Occasionally loose, however, when playing out from the back.

Ben White 5

Still looks like he is getting back to full fitness. Struggled defensively with Anthony Gordon and Tino Livramento, but looked bright when going forward.

William Saliba 6

Had a fairly steady first half as Arsenal managed to go in level at the break. Taken off at half time, though, perhaps due to injury.

Jakub Kiwior 7

Had a decent game, especially after the break when he was moved to right centre-back. Made a great tackle to stop William Osula scoring an equaliser.

Myles Lewis-Skelly 7

A steady performance from the teenager, who has had a brilliant season. Somehow even managed to beat the 6ft 7in Dan Burn to a header at one point.

Martin Odegaard 7

Started the game well and set up Rice for his goal. Clearly benefits from having Ben White and Bukayo Saka on that right flank.

Thomas Partey 5

One of Arsenal’s sloppiest players during a poor first half and he was caught in possession a few times. Better after the break.

Declan Rice 8

Scored a stunning goal that should wrap up him winning Arsenal’s Player of the Season. Has now scored more goals for Arsenal than West Ham, despite playing 143 more games for the Hammers.

Declan Rice’s superb strike was enough to secure all three points

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Bukayo Saka 6

Involved in Rice’s goal by pouncing on a loose touch from Gordon. Had a couple of mazy runs and caused Newcastle some problems.

Leandro Trossard 6

Switched roles with Gabriel Martinelli regularly to often end up on the left flank. Whistled a shot just past the post in the opening 15 minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli 6

Played all across the front three and ended the match on the right wing. Typically full of running, but not much end product.

Substitutions

Riccardo Calafiori (Saliba 45’) 7

Handed a rare chance to play at left centre-back and did well. Newcastle barely had a sniff in the second half.

Kai Havertz (Saka 75’) N/A

Kieran Tierney (Trossard 88’) N/A

Subs not used: Neto, Zinchenko, Henry-Francis, Nwaneri, Sterling