For SkySports coverage of the game Matt Le Tissier watched Arsenal beat Newcastle 1-0 to secure the final Champions League spot and paid a tribute to their defence, in particular Laurent Koscielny who gave a man of a match performance.
20th May 2013 By Jeff @ArsenalTrend & Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo
Arsenal will be in the Champions League for a 16th successive year after Laurent Koscielny's strike secured a priceless 1-0 win at Newcastle on Sunday. Arsene Wenger's team looked likely to miss out on a lucrative top four finish in the Premier League when they were seven points adrift of north London rivals Tottenham with only 10 games to play.But the Gunners' unblemished record of qualifying for Europe's elite club competition under Wenger was extended thanks to Koscielny's goal early in the second half at St James' Park.
It brought Arsenal their fifth successive away win and maintained their excellent form in the second half of the season, a period when they have picked up more points than any team in the top flight. There was an extra edge to Arsenal's celebrations as their success came at the expense of Tottenham, who finished one point behind the Gunners in fifth place. Newcastle's third successive home defeat was a disappointment for a crowd of 52,354. But, following the victory at QPR that confirmed their Premier League status, the main focus for Newcastle was the final game of Steve Harper, the goalkeeper who has spent two decades at the club.
Captain for the day and wearing the No.37 jersey, Harper was applauded by the fans before and after the match and received a remarkable standing ovation in the 37th minute. In truth, Harper must have expected a much more hectic exit because the odds were always loaded against Newcastle in view of Arsenal's excellent form in recent weeks. They were unbeaten in their previous nine games and the confidence engendered by that run was soon obvious.
Newcastle were outnumbered and outmanoeuvred in midfield where Santi Cazorla, Thomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey prospered with the security of Mikel Arteta behind them.But, for all their possession, Arsenal created few tests for Harper in the opening stages, although Koscielny did head narrowly wide from a 12th minute corner. Arsenal were forced to alter their midfield shape in the 28th minute when Arteta was injured and replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Ramsey was given a more defensive role but Arsenal retained their midfield edge and should have gone ahead in the 31st minute. Cazorla was given time and space on the edge of the area to meet a cross from Kieran Gibbs, but his shot lacked conviction. Newcastle's more direct style, allied to the trickery of Hatem Ben Arfa, brought another chance which the French international failed to steer under the bar.
Arsenal required only 30 seconds of the second-half to carve out a better opportunity than they had created in the entire opening 45 minutes. Ramsey seized on a poor clearance by Harper to send Theo Walcott clear, but Harper made amends with a low save, although he was fortunate that no Arsenal player was closing in on the rebound. If Arsenal's followers expected it to herald a more imaginative and aggressive second-half performance, they were quickly proved right as Wenger's team finally broke through in the 52nd minute.
Walcott's free-kick was won by Lukas Podolski and fell perfectly for French defender Koscielny to turn and volley in via Harper's head. Newcastle's earlier attacking instincts had faded by now and their prospects were further damaged by an injury to Yohan Cabaye, who went off after only 57 minutes. Arsenal, once notorious for their ability to grind out 1-0 wins, seemed content with that scoreline once again, although Oxlade-Chamberlain did threaten with a long-range effort in the 70th minute.
Ben Arfa remained Newcastle's best hope of a reply but his final shot of the match was wayward in the 70th minute. It meant Arsenal were able to cruise to a vital victory without any late scares and it would have been more convincing if Walcott had taken a glorious chance in stoppage-time instead of hitting the post.
Arsenal won the race for fourth place, a Champions League play off awaits but a much needed summer transfer with few quality players to challenge once again.
ArsenalSupremo MOTM : Laurent Koscielny
Match Pictures Arsenal Starting 11 : Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski
Booked: Rosicky. Goal: Koscielny 52. Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire) Attendance: 52,354.
Newcastle: Harper, Debuchy, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa (Campbell 81), Ben Arfa, Cabaye (Anita 57), Tiote, Gutierrez, Gouffran (Marveaux 64), Cisse.
Arsene Wenger Post Match Reaction
"I'm proud of the character and the spirit, especially with all we had to deal with during the season," Wenger told Sky Sports.
"The players are special. I've told them many times and they've shown it. In the last two months they have been absolutely exceptional.
"It's a good basis, as well, on a longer term to go into next season on such a strong run.
"I'm very proud. We were very far behind Tottenham and even after defeat there (at White Hart Lane) we've shown character and attitude to come back and make 73 points, which is three points better than last season.
"I have had many groups in my life and the focus and the desire to do well was always exceptional. It's one of the best groups I've had in my life on that front.
Alan Pardew Post Match Reaction
"I think it's been the toughest season in terms of workload because of the Europa League campaign, and the stress it had on the squad was also going to cause stress on myself and the staff," he said.
"We have just had too many key players missing. I think we've had seven different central-half partnerships this year, and when we finished fifth that hardly changed."
Match Facts and Stats
1.Arsenal have won five successive Premier League away games for the first time since September 2004.
2. Full Time Stats Newcastle v Arsenal Shots 7-10 On target 1-2, Fouls 18-10 Duels Won 41%-59%, Pass Accuracy 85%-80%, Possession 51%-49%
3. Arsenal took 32 points from the teams who finished in the bottom six this season, only Man Utd (36) won more.
4. Arsenal have won five successive Premier League away games for the first time since September 2004.
Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest.
What are you thoughts on the game? Who was your MOTM? Do you think Arsene Wenger will keep his promise and spend some money on world class players? If he does I really expect Arsenal to make a serious challenge on the title if we can bring in some world class players and add to the players we already have.
Arsenal can secure Champions League qualification for the 16th consecutive season when they travel to play Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday. The Gunners (20-10-7) are currently fourth in the Premier League on 70 points, two behind third-place Chelsea and one ahead of Tottenham, who occupy fifth spot. Arsenal will take their place in Europe's elite club competition next term if they beat the Magpies. A draw and even a defeat on Tyneside would also be enough for Arsene Wenger's side if Spurs lose at home to Sunderland.
The Premier League have confirmed there will be a third-place play-off match at Villa Park on May 26 between Chelsea and Arsenal if the pair end the season with identical records. If Chelsea draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and Arsenal win by a one-goal margin at St James' Park, both teams would be level on points, goal difference and goals scored.
"We are in a position nobody expected us to be in," said Arsenal manager Wenger, whose side are unbeaten in nine Premier League matches. "We have our destiny in our hands, our fate in our hands and that's what you fight for in the game.
"It's a game that we now want to win but at least we fought back to be in a position where we are masters of our own fate. It shows that the job that the team has done is very good because they have improved throughout the season"
Newcastle (11-8-18) are in 13th place on 41 points and secured their top-flight future with a 2-1 victory at relegated Queens Park Rangers last weekend. Magpies boss Alan Pardew has insisted his comments made after the win at Loftus Road about not caring if Newcastle lose 4-0 to Arsenal on Sundaywere not to be taken seriously.
"I know people will have picked up on my comments about not caring about the result against Arsenal, which were, of course, a joke," Pardew told the club website. "It is definitely not the case that I would be happy for us to lose 4-0 against Arsenal on Sunday. I simply want our players and fans to be able to enjoy the game without looking over their shoulders.
"Even though we are now safe, we will be putting in the same effort that we would for any other Premier League game. We want to end the season on a positive, to finish in as high a position as possible and to give the fans something to cheer about on the final day of what has been a frustrating season. "
Newcastle will be without midfielder Moussa Sissoko, striker Shola Ameobi and defender Ryan Taylor, who all have knee injuries. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot serves a one-match ban after being given a red card at QPR. Arsenal playmaker Mikel Arteta is doubtful with a calf problem, while France striker Olivier Giroud is available for selection after completing a three-match ban.
Arsenal beat Newcastle 7-3 at the Emirates Stadium in late December. Theo Walcott bagged a hat trick, while Giroud scored twice and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski also scored for the Gunners. Demba Ba netted twice for the Magpies who also got a goal from Sylvain Marveaux. The match was tied 3-3 after 70 minutes before the Gunners netted four in the final 20 minutes.
Newcastle have won just once in their last 14 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions, a 1-0 win at the Emirates in November 2010.
Arsenal have historically struggled at St James' Park, winning just 20 of 81 all-time visits. The Magpies have 40 wins and the sides have drawn 21 times.
This will be the 172nd all-time meeting in what has been a close fixture. Arsenal have edged it with 67 wins to Newcastle's 66 with 38 draws.
Jack Wilshere previews the game and says he cannot wait for the last game of the season. :
“[The mood] has got to be one of excitement because we know that if we win, we're going to be playing in the Champions League or the Champions League qualifier at the beginning of next season,” he told Arsenal Player. “I think excitement first of all. When we get into the game, we'll see what happens. Maybe a bit of nerves will come into it.
“We watched Tottenham get the three points on Sunday and that wasn't ideal but then we picked ourselves up for the Wigan game and did what we needed to do.
“We did it in style as well. We scored a few goals and it's set up a really interesting last day. If we can play like that and take the game to them we know a win decides our destiny.
Head to head Facts via BBC
Arsenal won the reverse fixture at the Emirates 7-3 in December, with Theo Walcott scoring a hat-trick.
Two seasons ago, the Magpies were 4-0 down after 26 minutes. They were still 4-0 down with 22 minutes left but then staged an incredible fightback to earn a 4-4 draw.
Newcastle have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Arsenal (W1, D5, L5). Four of the last five league meetings at St James's Park have been draws, with Arsenal winning the other.
Four Arsenal players have scored 10 or more league goals this season, more than any other top-flight club - it's only the fourth time in the Premier League era that four players from one club have reached doubles figures.
If only the second half of games counted, Arsenal would already have been crowned Premier League champions.
Mark Lawrenson BBC Pundit Prediction
"The way Arsene Wenger's side have finished the season is still hugely impressive.
I am backing them to beat Newcastle too, to ensure a top-four finish - although I don't imagine it will be a straightforward win."
Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo Prediction : Tough tough game but the fact that we need the three points and they don't will prove the major factor in Arsenal winning so I will go for a 2 1 away win the Arsenal. COYG!
Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest. Do you think we can win away to Newcastle and seal our qualification for the Champions League?
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