Mikel Arteta castigated his Arsenal facet for throwing away a season’s work in a limp 2-0 defeat at Newcastle that appears set to see the Gunners miss out on Champions League soccer for a sixth successive season.
Tottenham stay two factors above their north London rivals in fourth place within the Premier League.
Spurs now realistically solely want a draw away to already-relegated Norwich on Sunday to safe a top-four end due to their superior objective distinction.
Arsenal’s defeat additionally assured third-place Chelsea’s place within the Champions League subsequent season.
Ben White’s personal objective and Bruno Guimaraes’ late strike was the distinction between the edges.
However the method of the Newcastle efficiency was much more spectacular as Eddie Howe’s males despatched a message they might be difficult for a top-four end themselves subsequent season.
“A extremely troublesome evening to swallow,” mentioned Arteta. “Newcastle deserved to win comfortably. They have been significantly better from the primary minute, we had nothing within the sport.
“They have been significantly better than us in all the pieces {that a} soccer match requires. We couldn’t cope tonight with the sport we needed to play right here.”
Arteta’s males have been within the driving seat with three video games to go as they lead Spurs by 4 factors.
However Tottenham’s 3-0 derby win on Thursday cranked up the strain on the younger Gunners who failed to reply.
“Newcastle have been 10 occasions higher than us and the efficiency was nowhere close to what we have to play within the Champions League,” added Arteta. “We weren’t on the races.”
Solely Manchester Metropolis and Liverpool have gained extra Premier League factors than the Magpies in 2022 since they started to splash to wealth of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund within the switch market.
Extra huge cash signings are anticipated to reach at St James’ Park within the coming months, however Arsenal’s funds within the switch market might be severely dented by once more lacking out on the riches of the Champions League.
“It was an excellent all-round efficiency. It was entrance foot, we by no means let up and that’s probably the most pleasing factor,” mentioned Howe.
“We have now to enhance and work extremely onerous to enhance all the pieces in regards to the group over the summer time. It’s a large membership, we have now huge ambitions, however I’ve to concentrate on how we do it fairly than discuss.”
Newcastle’s upturn underneath Howe had been missing a scalp in opposition to one of many Premier League’s conventional high six.
However they acquired that and extra as Arsenal have been fortunate to flee with no extra complete defeat.
Aaron Ramsdale was almost embarrassed when Miguel Almiron blocked his clearance early on.
However the England worldwide saved his facet within the sport with an excellent save to disclaim Allan Saint-Maximin at his close to put up.
The hosts’ strain was lastly rewarded when Joelinton’s harmful low cross simply evaded Callum Wilson and flew into his personal objective off the unlucky White.
Newcastle are firmly rooted in mid-table, however regarded just like the facet with extra on the road as they continued to storm ahead.
Wilson fired over from Guimaraes’ cross after which despatched an audacious effort from 40 yards floating inches previous the put up.
In between occasions Ramsdale produced one other huge cease from a one-on-one with Jacob Murphy.
A second Newcastle objective appeared solely a matter of time and it duly arrived 5 minutes from time when once more Wilson was denied by Ramsdale, however Guimaraes swept residence the rebound for his fifth objective since a January transfer from Lyon.