Arsenal’s midfield maestro Declan Rice delivered yet again, scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at the Emirates Stadium.
The result not only cements the Gunners’ second-place finish in the Premier League but also guarantees Champions League football next season.
The match began with Arsenal under siege, as Newcastle dominated the early exchanges. Within 20 minutes, the Magpies could’ve led by several goals, but heroics from goalkeeper David Raya kept the hosts in the contest.
He produced a string of stunning saves, denying Burn, Botman, and Guimaraes in quick succession.
Despite a sluggish first half, Arsenal they turned the tide after the break. The breakthrough came in the 55th minute, when captain Martin Ødegaard drifted wide to the right and sliced through Newcastle’s midfield with a slick pass. Declan Rice, unmarked on the edge of the area, met the ball with a crisp right-footed finish that beat a fully stretched Nick Pope.
Rice’s goal marked his ninth of the season – the most prolific campaign of his career. Remarkably, he has now scored more goals for Arsenal in 102 games (16) than he managed in 245 appearances for West Ham (15).
Arsenal close their season next week against relegated Southampton, while Newcastle, still chasing European qualification, host Everton. For the Gunners, Rice’s influence continues to grow — and so do the expectations.
