Arsenal secure CL spot, Everton win on Goodison farewell

Arsenal secured Champions League qualification thanks to a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday as Everton said farewell to Goodison Park with an emotional 2-0 victory over Southampton.

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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.

Second-placed Arsenal are likely to finish as Premier League runners-up for a third successive season after failing to keep pace with champions Liverpool.

The north Londoners, who lost in the Champions League semi-finals against Paris Saint-Germain, have now gone five years without a trophy.

Despite another season of frustration for Arsenal, they still look the most likely challengers for Liverpool's crown next term.

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.

Victory over Everton next weekend should be enough for the Magpies due to their much superior goal difference over fifth-placed Aston Villa.