Rice shoots Gunners into second spot

ARSENAL snapped a season-long jinx against Newcastle United with a nervy 1-0 win in their final Premier League home game on Sunday, all but securing second place and a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League.

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Three defeats against Eddie Howe's side earlier in the campaign could easily have become four, had the visitors converted a flurry of early chances. But Declan Rice calmed the nerves. He punished Newcastle for their first-half profligacy by connecting sweetly with Martin Ødegaard’s pass to curl a powerful effort past Nick Pope in the 55th minute.

Arsenal, winless in their previous three league matches, were indebted to goalkeeper David Raya in the first half as he made saves from Bruno Guimarães, Tino Livramento, Harvey Barnes and Dan Burn while Newcastle dominated.

Whatever was said at half-time appeared to wake the hosts from their lethargy, and with an away fixture remaining at bottom club Southampton next weekend, a third successive second-placed finish now looks assured albeit once again a distant one.

Arsenal have 71 points from 37 matches, and only sixth-placed Manchester City - who have two games remaining — can match that tally.