Arsenal beat Newcastle United in their final home match of the season but manager Mikel Arteta won’t be in the dugout for the Gunners’ finale away at Southampton
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will miss the Gunners’ final game of the season after picking up a suspension. The Spaniard was shown a yellow card in the closing stages against Newcastle United on Sunday after kicking the ball onto the pitch.
Arteta had the joint-most bookings of all managers in the Premier League last season, but it has been a different story this term. He had just two yellows before Sunday’s game, but a third brings a one-game ban.
The second of Arteta’s previous bookings came back in January. He was carded after contesting a throw-in during the Gunners’ match against Aston Villa, which ended all-square after the visitors came back from 2-0 down.
Arteta’s ill-discipline had no bearing on the result, though. Arsenal got their noses in front through a fine swept finish from Declan Rice, and that was enough for victory.
The win means Arsenal have second place all but locked up with a game to spare. They will round off their campaign away to Southampton, who are already guaranteed to finish bottom of the league.
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It was a game of farewells for Arsenal, as well as one welcome return. Kieran Tierney and Jorginho played their final game at the Emirates Stadium ahead of summer departures, with the pair set for Celtic and Flamengo respectively.
The closing stages of the game also saw Arteta introduce Kai Havertz from the bench. It was the German’s first appearance since he picked up an untimely injury during a warm weather training camp midway through the season.
Rice’s winner was his ninth goal of the season in all competitions, with the record signing thriving on his return after missing last week’s draw at Liverpool. The goal means Manchester City need two wins and a 10-goal swing to catch Arteta’s men.
Newcastle, by contrast, have to navigate a tricky final day game at home to Everton. They will hope to have Alexander Isak back for the finale after the striker missed out through injury against Arsenal.
Eddie Howe’s side still sit third, though Manchester City will climb above them with a point or more from their game in hand against Bournemouth. Victory against Everton will make sure of a top-five finish, but anything less than that will open the door for the likes of Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest to push them out of the Champions League qualification places.
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