Newcastle United 2-0 Arsenal: Magpies put Spurs on brink of Champions League qualification

Ben White’s own goal and a Bruno Guimaraes strike put Tottenham on the brink of Champions League qualification as Arsenal suffered a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

The Gunners needed a win to move back into fourth place with one Premier League game to play against Everton on Sunday, but Newcastle did Spurs a massive favour at St James’ Park.

White, making his return from a hamstring injury, turned a Joelinton cross into his own net in the second half and Guimaraes added a second late on as the Magpies dominated Mikel Arteta’s side.

Spurs will head to Norwich City on the final day knowing a point will almost certainly put them in the Champions League next season due to their goal difference and Chelsea are guaranteed a top-four finish, while wounded Arsenal look to be destined for the Europa League.

2 – Ben White is the first Arsenal player to score an own goal in the Premier League since Bernd Leno in April 2021 vs Everton, while he’s only the second Arsenal player to score an own goal vs Newcastle in the competition after Martin Keown in September 1994. Mistimed. pic.twitter.com/6nGfxYkIy0

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 16, 2022

The Gunners made a shaky start, with Aaron Ramsdale fortunate not to gift Miguel Almiron an early goal when he took far too long on the ball following a back pass.

Dan Burn blocked a goal-bound shot from Bukayo Saka, but the Magpies continued to dictate and Ramsdale make an excellent save low to his right to deny Allan Saint-Maximin after the French winger cut in from the left at full tilt.

Arsenal lost Takehiro Tomiyasu to injury before the break and shaken Newcastle defender Fabian Schar was forced off early in the second half, having landed heavily after taking a blow to the head when he was caught by Eddie Nketiah.

It came as no surprise when Eddie Howe’s side took the lead after 56 minutes, when White prevented Callum Wilson from getting on the end of Joelinton’s cross but turned into his own net.

Wilson volleyed just over the crossbar and had a shot deflected wide by White, before the lively striker came close to an incredible goal with a long-range strike that went narrowly wide.

Guimaraes stuck the knife into Arsenal when he was on hand to tuck home the loose ball with five minutes to go after Ramsdale rushed out to thwart Wilson and only a sharp reaction save from the Arsenal goalkeeper prevented Ryan Fraser from adding a third.

What does it mean? Agony for fragile Arsenal

Arteta’s men made the trip to Tyneside under pressure following Tottenham’s 1-0 win over Burnley on Sunday and they were unable to keep their fate in their own hands.

They still appeared to be reeling from a 3-0 derby defeat to Spurs and were devastated after slipping to another loss, which will surely cost them a Champions League place.

You have to go back to the 2016-17 campaign for the last time the London club played in Europe’s premier competition and that wait looks set to go on, barring a shock at Carrow Road. On the evidence of this display, they may struggle to beat Everton.

Livewire Wilson a constant menace

Wilson was starting his first game since December after a recovering from injury.

He suffered more pain when a front tooth was dislodged during a performance in which he had the bit between his teeth and deserved at least one goal from a livewire display.

White rushed back too soon?

White was an unused substitute in the heavy loss at Spurs and he did not look fully fit as Newcastle gave the Arsenal defence a torrid time.

The centre-back was booked for hauling down Wilson early on and his own goal set Newcastle on their way to a richly deserved win.

Key Opta Facts:

– Arsenal have lost 13 Premier League games in 2021-22, their joint-highest tally in a 38-game season in the competition (also 2017-18 and 2020-21).
– The Gunners have lost their last two Premier League games in the month of May, as many as in their previous 32 such games combined (W24 D6 L2).
– Newcastle have won their final home league game in seven of the last nine seasons (L2), with the two exceptions being defeats against Liverpool in both 2018-19 and 2019-20.
– Since the turn of the year, only Liverpool (25) have won more points at home in the Premier League than Newcastle (22).

What’s next?

Arsenal must dust themselves down before taking on Arteta’s former club, who Everton in danger of going down. Newcastle could do Everton a favour at Burnley in the relegation fight.