Magpies dash Arsenal’s hopes of top-four finish
Agencies
NEWCASTLE: Mikel Arteta castigated his Arsenal side for throwing away a season’s work in a limp 2-0 defeat at Newcastle that looks set to see the Gunners miss out on Champions League for a sixth successive season. Tottenham remain two points above their north London rivals in fourth place in the Premier League. Spurs now realistically only need a draw away to already-relegated Norwich on Sunday to secure a top-four finish thanks to their superior goal difference. Arsenal’s defeat also guaranteed third-place Chelsea’s place in the Champions League next season.
Ben White’s own goal and Bruno Guimaraes’ late strike was the difference between the sides. But the manner of the Newcastle performance was even more impressive as Eddie Howe’s men sent a message they could be challenging for a topfour finish themselves next season. “A really difficult night to swallow,” said Arteta. “Newcastle deserved to win comfortably. They were much better from the first minute, we had nothing in the game.
“They were much better than us in everything that a football match requires. We could not cope tonight with the game we had to play here.”
Arteta’s men were in the driving seat with three games to go as they lead Spurs by four points.
But Tottenham’s 3-0 derby
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win on Thursday cranked up the pressure on the young Gunners who failed to respond.
“Newcastle were 10 times better than us and the performance was nowhere near what we need to play in the Champions League,” added Arteta. “We weren’t at the races.”
More big money signings are expected to arrive at St. James’ Park in the coming months, but Arsenal’s budget in the transfer market could be severely dented by again missing out on the riches of the Champions League.
“It was a brilliant all-round performance. We never let up and that’s the most pleasing thing,” said Howe. “We have to improve and work hard to improve over the summer. We have big ambitions.”
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