Arsenal's top-four hopes suffer huge blow

Arsenal suffered a massive blow in their hopes of Champions League football next season after a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park.

After their defeat to Tottenham last Thursday, combined with a Spurs win over Burnley on Sunday, left Arsenal in desperate need of three points at St. James' Park to recover the fourth position.

However, Mikel Arteta's men didn't look too eager to look for a goal, where the hosts completely dominated possession in the first-half.

Eddie Howe's men looked way better in the game and managed to take the lead 10 minutes after the restart, when Joelinton whipped a cross to Callum Wilson which Ben White could only turn into the back of his own net.

Arsenal brought on Gabriel Martinelli, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pepe in a frantic push for an equaliser, but it was actually Newcastle who were closer to score.

Bruno Guimarães rounded off the impressive and much-deserved win, with the Brazilian midfielder pouncing on a loose ball in the box and fired into an open net, five minutes from time.

With this result, Arsenal are stuck in fifth place on 66 points, two points away from their north London rivals and now need to beat Everton on Sunday and hope Tottenham lose to relegated Norwich at Carrow Road. 

Newcastle moved to 12th in the table and will finish the season with a trip to relegation-threatened Burnley.

🗣 "Newcastle deserved to win the match comfortably".

Mikel Arteta is in high praise of Newcastle's performance, stating Arsenal had "nothing in the game" pic.twitter.com/Qhi2fsuUVk

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) May 16, 2022