Mikel Arteta chastised his Arsenal teammates for squandering a season’s worth of effort in a 2-0 loss to Newcastle that appears sure to see Arsenal lose out on Champions League participation for the sixth consecutive season.
Tottenham is two points ahead of their north London rivals in the fourth position in the Premier League.
Spurs now have a genuine chance of finishing in the top four with a draw against already-relegated Norwich on Sunday due to their better goal difference.
READ MORE: Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski confirms his desire to leave the club
Arsenal’s loss also ensured Chelsea’s position in the Champions League for next season.
The game was decided by Ben White’s own goal and Bruno Guimaraes’ late strike.
How Newcastle performed was even more astounding, as Eddie Howe’s side sent out a statement that they may challenge for a top-four finish next season.
“It was a tough night to swallow,” Arteta remarked. “Newcastle deservedly won by a comfortable margin. We had no chance in the opening minute because they were much superior.
“They were much superior to us in every aspect of a football match.” We couldn’t handle the game we had to play here tonight.”
Arteta’s men were in command with three games remaining, leading Spurs by four points.
However, Tottenham’s 3-0 derby victory on Thursday increased the strain on the youthful Gunners, who could not reply.
“Newcastle were ten times better than us, and our performance was nothing near what we need to compete in the Champions League,” Arteta remarked. “We hadn’t gone to the races.”
Massive club
Since they started splashing the cash of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund in the transfer market in 2022, only Manchester City and Liverpool have gained more Premier League points than the Magpies.
More big-money additions are anticipated at St. James’ Park in the coming months. However, Arsenal’s transfer budget might be seriously harmed if they lose out on the Champions League’s riches.
“It was an outstanding overall performance.” “We were always on the front foot, which was the most pleasant part,” Howe remarked.
“Over the summer, we must improve and work hard to enhance everything about the squad.” It’s a large club with enormous objectives, but instead of talking, I need to concentrate on how we accomplish it.”
Newcastle’s revival under Howe had lacked a victory against one of the Premier League’s established top six teams.
But they got more, as Arsenal was fortunate to avoid a more comprehensive loss.
Miguel Almiron almost humiliated Aaron Ramsdale as he blocked his clearing early in the game.
However, the England international kept his team in the game with a stunning stop at his near post to deny Allan Saint-Maximin.
When Joelinton’s dangerous low cross narrowly avoided Callum Wilson and went into his own goal off the unlucky White, the hosts’ persistence was finally rewarded.
Newcastle is now in mid-table, but they seemed to be the team with more on the line as they pushed forward.
Wilson shot over from Guimaraes’ cross before sending an ambitious 40-yard attempt just wide of the post.
Meanwhile, Ramsdale came up with another great stop in a one-on-one situation with Jacob Murphy.
A second Newcastle goal appeared confident, and it came five minutes from time when Wilson was denied once again by Ramsdale, but Guimaraes stroked home the rebound for his sixth goal since joining from Lyon in January.
