Arsenal's English midfielder #41 Declan Rice applauds the fans during a parade on the pitch after the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium in London on May 18, 2025. Arsenal won the game 1-0. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
London: Arsenal secured Champions League qualification thanks to a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday.
Declan Rice scored the only goal at the Emirates in the battle between second and third to guarantee the consolation of a top-five finish for Mikel Arteta's men at the end of another trophyless season.
Rice continued his goalscoring form with a stunning strike from outside the box on 55 minutes.
"We had a clear dream to deliver a trophy this season. Unfortunately we haven't done it, understanding the circumstances we've been through," Arteta said.
"But you have to make sure that chasing a dream doesn't confuse you and allow you to see all the incredible things this team are doing."
Defeat means Newcastle still have work to do to join Arsenal in the Champions League next season.
Just one point separates the League Cup winners in third from Nottingham Forest in seventh.
