Arsenal fluctuate in Champions League race

Newcastle United managed a gigantic blow for Arsenal’s possibilities for the Champions League by beating them 2-0 in the Premier League on Monday.

An own goal from Ben White and a late strike from Bruno Guimaraes fixed the win for Newcastle and left Arsenal two points off Tottenham Hotspur in fourth in the standings with one round of the time remaining.

Spurs will only need a point at already-relegated bottom side Norwich City on Sunday to qualify for Europe’s elite competition. Mikel Arteta’s side face his former team Everton at home at the same time.

Newcastle began brilliantly, thundered on by their fans in their last home round of the time. Eddie Howe’s side were in the last three at Christmas yet on account of their new owners’ spending in the January transfer window.

They dominated the match and verged on opening the scoring in the 37th minute through Allan Saint-Maximin, who cut in from the wing and jinked his way to the edge of area, however saw his low shot palmed away by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

The success, Newcastle’s first in the league over Arsenal since April 2018, implies Howe’s side move up to twelfth in the standings.