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Newcastle vs Arsenal LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight

Newcastle celebrate taking the lead against Arsenal (AFP via Getty Images)
Newcastle celebrate taking the lead against Arsenal (AFP via Getty Images)

Bruno Guimaraes dealt Arsenal’s Champions League hopes a major blow as Newcastle powered their way to a deserved win at a raucous St James’ Park.

The £35million Brazilian condemned the Gunners to a costly 2-0 defeat with an 85th-minute strike after Ben White’s own goal had put the Magpies ahead in front of a crowd of 52,274.

As a result, Arsenal will go into Sunday’s final round of fixtures two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and with their fate out of their own hands.

Victory was no more than Eddie Howe’s side deserved as they bounced back from successive defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City to take their tally to 46 points, the most they have collected since returning to the Premier League in 2017.

Relive all the action below:

Newcastle vs Arsenal

  • 85’: Guimaraes seals Newcastle victory

  • 55’: White own goal gives Newcastle lead

  • Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett, Bruno, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, Wilson, Saint-Maximin

  • Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Gabriel, White, Tavares, Elneny, Xhaka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Saka, Nketiah

Newcastle United FC 2 - 0 Arsenal FC

Triumphant Newcastle leave Arsenal’s top-four hopes in tatters

22:13 , Michael Jones

It may have only taken a disastrous four days to undo much of a season’s good work. Arsenal could have sealed a place in next year’s Champions League on Thursday. Two games, two defeats and a six-point swing to Tottenham later and the Europa League beckons instead. Their longest journey this campaign proved among the depressing, a deserved defeat to Newcastle leaving Arsenal reliant on a hapless Norwich team for a favour on Sunday if they are to stand any chance of leapfrogging their neighbours.

Their exile from the European elite seems set to extend into a sixth season. They have grasped fifth place from the jaws of fourth. Instead of a breakthrough campaign, it looks like being a qualified success that, right now, can feel like a failure.

An opportunity has been squandered amid five losses in nine games, the concession of five goals in two matches and two dreadful displays. A self-destructive streak was symbolised by a scorer in their latest setback. Arsenal can beat Arsenal and, much as Newcastle merited victory and the outstanding Bruno Guimaraes warranted his clinching strike, the final touch for their opener came from a visiting player. Ben White was luckless, but too often Arsenal have been architects of their own downfall. They now sit two points behind Spurs, with added reasons to rue Thursday’s North London derby.

Triumphant Newcastle leave Arsenal’s top-four hopes in tatters

Newcastle vs Arsenal result: Five things we learned as Gunners’ top-four hopes unravel

22:10 , Michael Jones

Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League suffered a perhaps fatal blow as Newcastle United took a deserved 2-0 home win.

Defeat leaves Mikel Arteta’s side two points behind rivals Tottenham, who possess a vastly superior goal difference and need only a draw against Norwich on the final day to be sure of a top four finish.

The visitors produced a flat performance at St James’s Park, hustled by Newcastle’s high press and battling to contain a direct, dynamic forward line

Though Arsenal, very much on the back foot, managed to escape the first half without conceding, Ben White turned a Joelinton cross into his own net soon after the interval, and Bruno Guimares slammed home a second late on to put the result beyond doubt.

Here are five things we learned from Newcastle’s win:

Five things we learned as Arsenal’s top-four hopes unravel

Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal

22:07 , Michael Jones

Since the turn of the year, only Liverpool (25) have won more points at home in the Premier League than Newcastle United (22).

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal

22:04 , Michael Jones

Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal

22:01 , Michael Jones

Bruno Guimaraes added Newcastle’s second goal to effectively seal the points and despite a slight resurgence from Arsenal, Newcastle were defensively sound enough to hold on to the clean sheet.

 (AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal

21:58 , Michael Jones

Ben White’s unfortunate own goal sent Newcastle in front in the second half and the Gunners couldn’t respond. They just weren’t at the races tonight and the risk that Mikel Arteta took in playing White and Gabriel didn’t pay off.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Full-time: Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal

21:55 , Michael Jones

90+6 mins: Newcastle cruised to victory and Aaron Ramsdale made two or three blinding saves. His latest one coming right at the end of the game to keep out Ryan Fraser’s side-footed effort.

The Magpies earned themselves a deserved three points. Their final home game of the season ends with a win at home and they are on the verge of finishing in the top half of the table.

Arsenal’s top four hopes are left hanging by a thread. They need Norwich to defeat Tottenham on Sunday whilst beating Everton themselves. It’s not over yet but the Champions League looks a long way away from the Gunners right now.

Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal

21:50 , Michael Jones

90+3 mins: Arsenal are in still pushing. They’re passing the ball around the edge of the 18-yard box, throwing men up the pitch and trying to find an opening. Cedric Soares receives the ball but his pass into the penalty area is woeful and heads straight out of play.

Callum Wilson isn’t going to get his goal tonight. His performance warrants one but Eddie Howe brings on Dwight Gayle for the closing few minutes. Wilson leaves the pitch to a loud round of applause from the home supporters.

Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal

21:47 , Michael Jones

90 mins: There is hope for Arsenal. Six minutes of added time to play, can they score and pile on the pressure. They win a corner and knock it short. When the cross does come in it’s easily cleared by Newcastle.

Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal

21:46 , Michael Jones

88 mins: This is a bad beat for Arsenal. Tottenham’s goal difference is 15 better than the Gunners meaning that they just need to avoid losing to Norwich on the last day of the season to secure fourth place.

GOAL! Newcastle 2 - 0 Arsenal (Bruno Guimaraes, 85’)⚽️

21:41 , Michael Jones

85 mins: Game over! Newcastle fly quickly up the pitch and feed the ball to Bruno Guimaraes. He takes a shot from the edge of the box that gets blocked. Arsenal push up as Sean Longstaff recovers the ball but Ben White is slow to react. Longstaff dinks it over to Callum Wilson in the box but he’s closed down by a sprawling Aaron Ramsdale. The ball comes loose once again but Guimaraes is on hand to guide it home!

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:41 , Michael Jones

83 mins: Chance! Martinelli tricks and weaves his way down the left side of the pitch and dribbles into the penalty area. He crosses it over to Pepe who nods the ball across to Nketiah. Nketiah lays it off to Odegaard but his shot it blocked but three defenders launching themselves in front of the effort.

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:36 , Michael Jones

81 mins: Save! Pepe gives the ball away to Murphy and sparks a counter attack for Newcastle. Murphy drives through the middle of the pitch before slotting the ball across to Ryan Fraser. Fraser draws in the last defender and gives it back to Murphy to smokes his shot at goal but is denied by the left-hand of Aaron Ramsdale!

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:34 , Michael Jones

79 mins: Eddie Howe responds by bringing Jacob Murphy and Ryan Fraser on to replace Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin.

Murphy gets stuck into the action immediately by winning a long ball and driving at Bukayo Saka. He goes around the Arsenal man and heads into the box before blasting a shot/cross over towards the back post where it goes out of play.

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:32 , Michael Jones

76 mins: Mikel Arteta throws on another attacking player as Nicolas Pepe comes on to replace Gabriel. Nketiah, Lacazette, Martinelli, Pepe and Saka are all on the pitch for the Gunners now. Can they get an equaliser?

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:30 , Michael Jones

73 mins: Chance! Matt Targett makes an overlapping run down the right side for Newcastle and is played into space by Miguel Almiron. Targett finds Callum Wilson in the box and the striker chips his effort over to the far corner but sees it float wide of goal. He claims the strike took a deflection and the referee agrees. Corner to Newcastle.

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:26 , Michael Jones

70 mins: Targett receives some treatment and looks set to play on for Newcastle. Arsenal deal with the corner and work the ball over to Martinelli.

He passes it across to Cedric who feeds the ball up to Saka. Joelinton is onto him quickly and fouls the Arsenal winger in the middle third of the pitch.

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:24 , Michael Jones

67 mins: Arsenal look ragged now. Sean Longstaff is the latest Newcastle player able to run into space on the right wing. Callum Wilson is the target once again and Ben White has to lunge across to cover. He gets to the ball and guides it out for a corner.

Matt Targett has gone down off the ball and is clutching his hamstring. Eddie Howe may be forced into another change.

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:20 , Michael Jones

64 mins: Chance! Newcastle win a throw in on the right wing and send it to Bruno Guimaraes who carries the ball to the byline. He whips the ball into Callum Wilson who meets it on the volley and fires his effort over the crossbar!

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:18 , Michael Jones

61 mins: There are a few signs of desperation from Arsenal now. Gabriel Martinelli cuts inside from the left wing and curls a hopeful effort well wide of the far post.

Mikel Arteta goes to the bench and brings Alexandre Lacazette on to replace Nuno Tavares.

Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal

21:16 , Michael Jones

58 mins: Newcastle look to add a quickfire second as Arsenal try to recover from the first goal. The Gunners keep them out and sweep forward on the break. The ball is whipped over to Bukayo Saka who has a shy from range and belts his effort well wide of goal.

GOAL! Newcastle 1 - 0 Arsenal (White OG, 55’)⚽️

21:12 , Michael Jones

55 mins: There’s the opener and it’s Newcastle who go in front! The home side move it over to the left side where Allan Saint-Maximin drops into midfield to receive possession. He slides a pass down the wing and plays Joelinton in behind. Joelinton carries the ball to the edge of the box and squares it across to Callum Wilson. Ben White is tracking back and throws himself at the pass. He meets the ball with his studs and turns it into the back of his own net! Unfortunate for Arsenal but a deserved lead for Newcastle.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

21:10 , Michael Jones

54 mins: Emile Smith Rowe has struggled to get into the game for Arsenal and his day is done. Gabriel Martinelli comes on to replace him.

Nuno Tavares makes a rare dash down the left wing and collects the ball after Gabriel’s long pass. He tries to cross it quickly but is met by Targett who blocks it behind for a corner.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

21:08 , Michael Jones

52 mins: Granit Xhaka fouls Miguel Almiron on Newcastle’s right hand side leaving the home team with the opportunity to whip the ball into the box from a set piece. Matt Targett is given the honour but his delivery comes straight into the hands of Aaron Ramsdale.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

21:06 , Michael Jones

50 mins: Fabian Schar is helped off the pitch by the physios and isn’t going to play a further part in proceedings. Jamaal Lascelles comes on to takes his place as a concussion substitute meaning Eddie Howe can still make a further three changes if he wishes to.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

21:04 , Michael Jones

48 mins: There’s a break in proceedings after Eddie Nketiah collides with Fabian Schar as both players attempt to win the ball from Aaron Ramsdale’s clearance. The Newcastle defender took a big knock and landed awkwardly seemingly hitting his head as he went to ground. Nketiah has been booked and the medical team are seeing to Schar.

Second half: Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

21:02 , Michael Jones

Kick off: Newcastle kick off the second half with a pass back to Fabian Schar. He boots it over to the left wing where Allan Saint-Maximin knocks it over to Callum Wilson but the forward fouls Mohamed Elneny and Arsenal win a free kick.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

21:01 , Michael Jones

The players make their way back out onto the pitch. Which team will go out and claim a winner? Newcastle feel like the most likely but Arsenal have more to gain with a win.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:54 , Michael Jones

As it stands Arsenal will remain in fifth place and will trail Tottenham by a point going into the final game of the season. It’s not the position that Mikel Arteta will want to be in so the Gunners will need to turn around their performance in the second half.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:50 , Michael Jones

Allan Saint-Maximin caused problems for Arsenal with his runs down the left wing and Takehiro Tomiyasu found his speed and strength difficult to keep up with. Tomiyasu had to come off through injury and Saint-Maximin forced Aaron Ramsdale into a leaping save.

Will the winger continue to threaten in the second half?

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Half-time: Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:46 , Michael Jones

45+1 mins: The first half ends with a free kick to Arsenal alongside the Newcastle box after Burn brought down Saka. Odegaard curls the set piece into the box but doesn’t beat the first man and the home side boot it clear.

The whistle goes to signal the break and Arsenal will feel relieved to get in with the match all square.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:45 , Michael Jones

42 mins: Newcastle have been the hungrier team. They’re closing down quickly, pressing well and sprinting around the pitch whenever Arsenal are in possession. Other than a decent 10 minute period the Gunners haven’t been allowed to play their own game.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:39 , Michael Jones

39 mins: Takehiro Tomiyasu pulls up with what looks like a recurrance of a muscle problem he’s been dealing with this season. Mikel Arteta wastes no time in making the change and Cedric Soares is introduced for the Gunners.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:37 , Michael Jones

36 mins: Save! That’s the best chance of the half so far! Newcastle win the ball in midfield and thread it over to Saint-Maximin who’s in loads of space on the left wing. He cuts inside of Tomiyasu and shifts the ball into the box. Elneny is too far away to close him down and the winger fires a low effort towards the near post. Ramsdale sees it late but leaps across and pushes the ball wide of the post!

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:35 , Michael Jones

33 mins: Gabriel erupts in a volley of words after defending yet another cross from the right wing. He’s telling his teammates to buck up and close down the Newcastle runners earlier.

The corner kick is swung into the middle and falls to Fabian Schar. He shoots on the turn but has his effort blocked.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:32 , Michael Jones

30 mins: Dan Burn floats a pass into the box where Callum Wilson chests it under control. He lays it off to Allan Saint-Maximin who combines with Sean Longstaff to win the Magpies a throw in. They don’t make good use of their position up the pitch though and play the ball backwards before losing possession in midfield.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:28 , Michael Jones

27 mins: Arsenal win a corner that is whipped into the middle of the Newcastle box. There’s cluster of bodies and Callum Wilson takes a knock as the ball is nodded out of the area. Bruno Guimaraes attempts to clear it further but gets held back by Granit Xhaka and wins the home side a free kick.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:24 , Michael Jones

24 mins: Saka and Odegaard combine again on a break for Arsenal with the midfielder feeding the ball out to Saka on the right. This time the Arsenal man ducks inside and drills a low left-footed effort at goal that Martin Dubravka dives low to keep out.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:21 , Michael Jones

21 mins: Finally there’s a chance for the Gunners at the other end. Bukayo Saka carries the ball down the right wing and eases himself into the box. He lays it back to Martin Odegaard who completes the one-two with a threaded pass into the middle of the box. Saka gets to the ball and smokes one at goal only for Dan Burn to block it behind for a corner. Better from Arsenal.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:19 , Michael Jones

18 mins: Newcastle continue to knock on the door. Arsenal tidy up from the corner but the home side recover the ball and work it over to the left side of the pitch. Saint-Maximin gives it to Joelinton who switches the play and Sean Longstaff makes a run into the right side of the box. He laces a pass across goal and Ramsdale makes a hash of his attempted parry. The ball breaks through his hands and luckily Ben White is behind him to hoof it away.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:15 , Michael Jones

15 mins: Allan Saint-Maximin chests down a diagonal pass over on the left wing and takes on Takehiro Tomiyasu before whipping a cross into the box. It’s an inswinging effort that first heads out of play.

Newcastle continue to dictate play though. Saint-Maximin is into the action again when he slides the ball to the byline for Joelinton who wins a corner by knocking the ball out of play off Mohamed Elneny.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:12 , Michael Jones

12 mins: Bruno Guimaraes swings the free kick into the box from the inside left and sets it up for a teammate inside the six-yard box. No-one gets to the pass though and the ball skips wide of the back post.

Callum Wilson’s return for Newcastle has got off to a very good start. He’s causing a lot of problems for Ben White and Gabriel. He’s pacey and looks sharp on and off the ball.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:10 , Michael Jones

9 mins: Close! A mistake from Aaron Ramsdale almost gifts Miguel Almiron the opener. He’s put under pressure by the winger as he tries to play out from the back and Almiron charges down the attempted pass. He can’t control the ball though and it rolls over to Ben White who clears.

Newcastle have their tails up though and chip the ball over White sending Callum Wilson driving towards the box. White struggles to respond and leans on the striker, knocking him to ground and giving Newcastle a free kick. He also picks up a yellow card.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:07 , Michael Jones

6 mins: Arsenal sweep up the pitch on the break and slide the ball into the box for Eddie Nketiah. His attempt is blocked but bounces out to Mohamed Elneny. Elneny runs onto a first time shot and sees his deflected effort loop out of play for an Arsenal corner.

Emile Smith Rowe is on corner taking duites but Newcastle manage to clear their lines.

Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:05 , Michael Jones

3 mins: Newcastle almost sneak in behind. They pass the ball over to the right side of the pitch with Bruno Guimaraes finding Miguel Almiron on the wing. He shifts away from a tackle and flicks the ball over the top of the Arsenal defence. Gabriel lets it bounce and doesn’t see Callum Wilson sprinting in behind him. Wilson recovers the ball and looks to cross but the offside flag goes up against the striker.

Kick off: Newcastle 0 - 0 Arsenal

20:01 , Michael Jones

Arsenal get the match underway at St. James’ Park. Statisically the Gunners are a much better team when both Ben White and Gabriel start at centre-back but with both players coming in on the back on niggling injuries is their inclusion a risk Mikel Arteta has taken?

The visitors move the ball over to the right side of the pitch but Martin Dubravka is available to scoop up the ball when it gets played into the box.

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:56 , Michael Jones

Here come the teams. Newcastle have failed to score in their last six meetings with the Gunners. Can they start quickly and take the attack to Arsenal tonight?

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:50 , Michael Jones

Just over 10 minutes to go until kick off. The warm-ups are done and the flags are being waved around St. James’ Park.

The atmosphere has totally changed inside Newcastle’s home stadium since the Saudi-backed consortium took over the club. There’s a real optimistic feeling that the team can go on and achieve big things. Will that translate to a victory over the Gunners tonight?

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:46 , Michael Jones

Mikel Arteta was asked whether finishing fifth would a good achievement for Arsenal he replied:

“We want to be playing in the Champions League, and that’s the end. We’ve come so far.

“It’s in our hands and we want to now capitalise on that and the excitement and the opportunity’s there, and we will really want to go for it.”

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:43 , Michael Jones

Mikel Arteta has won all 11 of his competitive matches as an Arsenal player and manager against Newcastle.

 (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:40 , Michael Jones

Callum Wilson scored in each of his first three Premier League appearances versus Arsenal, but has failed to score in all six subsequent top-flight games against them.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:36 , Michael Jones

Arsenal have gone eight league matches without a clean sheet since a 1-0 win at Aston Villa on 19th March.

They are winless in all three Monday Premier League matches this season, losing both away games: 2-1 at Everton in December and 3-0 at Crystal Palace in April.

Calm Eddie Howe was always confident Newcastle would beat the drop

19:33 , Michael Jones

Eddie Howe has insisted he never doubted Newcastle United could dig themselves out of the relegation mire after taking on the challenge of securing the stricken club’s Premier League status.

The Magpies were five points adrift of safety when Howe replaced Steve Bruce at the helm in November last year, and in severe danger of slipping out of the top flight for the third time in 13 years.

However, a little more than six months on, they are mathematically safe having become the first side in Premier League history to stay up after winning none of its first 14 games.

Calm Eddie Howe was always confident Newcastle would beat the drop

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:30 , Michael Jones

Newcastle have earned 32 points in 17 league games in 2022, after taking only 11 points from their first 19 fixtures.

But, the Magpies have lost all nine league matches this season against the teams currently in the top five of the table, conceding 27 goals overall.

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:26 , Michael Jones

The Gunners have recorded five wins and five defeats in their last 10 Premier League fixtures.

They are one short of equalling the club record for most Premier League defeats in a 38-game season: 13, set in 2017-18 and 2020-21.

 (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Newcastle vs Arsenal

19:23 , Michael Jones

A win tonight would take Newcastle to 46 points, their highest tally since returning to the Premier League five years ago. Victory would also ensure they reach 30 top-flight points at home in a season for the first time since 2011-12.

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Newcastle strengthen Saudi Arabia links with latest board appointment

19:20 , Michael Jones

Newcastle United have strengthened their links to Saudi Arabia by appointing the chief executive of the country’s golf federation to their board.

Majed Al Sorour, a former footballer, becomes the fourth director to be appointed by the Magpies following the completion of a Saudi-led club takeover last October.

He joins Yasir Al Rumayyan, the governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) which owns an 80 per cent stake in the club, Amanda Staveley and Jamie Reuben on the board.

Newcastle strengthen Saudi Arabia links with latest board appointment

Newcastle not commenting after ‘Saudi Arabia-style’ away kit leaks

19:15 , Michael Jones

Newcastle have refused to comment after leaked images of the club’s new away kit appeared to show a design based on the green and white of Saudi Arabia.

The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that Newcastle will wear the shirt, which is white and features green trim, much like that of the Saudi Arabian national team, next season.

Newcastle will not officially unveil next season’s kits until after the season, but the leaked images suggest a departure from the club’s traditional colours for their next away shirt.

Newcastle not commenting after ‘Saudi Arabia-style’ away kit leaks

‘I just look forwards’ says Arteta

19:10 , Michael Jones

Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, says that he is focused on what comes next after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham in the North London derby.

“I just look forwards,” he said during his pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s match with Newcastle. “I said after the press conference, that game was lost, we were disappointed, but we didn’t have any time to recover and we have a huge game to play on Monday against Newcastle and full focus and energy was just on that.”

When touching on the Magpies, Arteta explained his feelings on how good of a job Eddie Howe has done since taking over the North East club saying:

“Well, you can see what Eddie and the coaching staff have done. Straight away they tried to modify the way they were playing, they have changed formation a few times, but after that they’ve been quite consistent and they have turned the place around I think in a really good way, and so merit to them.

“This is the Premier League and it’s great to go to away grounds and experience those moments. As an athlete, you want to be exposed to that and take it in the right way and feel lucky to play these kind of games.”

Newcastle vs Arsenal team changes

19:05 , Michael Jones

Eddie Howe makes two changes to the Newcastle team that lost to Manchester City last time out. Jamal Lascelles is replaced with Fabian Schar in defence with Callum Wilson returning to lead the line ahead of Chris Wood.

Mikel Arteta gives starts to Ben White and Gabriel after both defenders underwent fitness tests. Cedric Soares is replaced with Nuno Tavares in the back line and Emile Smith Rowe starts over Gabriel Martinelli in the only other change. Rob Holding misses the game due to suspension.

Newcastle vs Arsenal line-ups

19:00 , Michael Jones

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett, Guimaraes, Longstaff, Joelinton, Almiron, Sanit-Maximin, Wilson

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, White, Gabriel, Tavares, Xhaka, Elneny, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Nketiah

‘I want to suffer’: Antonio Conte keen to watch Arsenal’s game in top four scrap

18:55 , Michael Jones

Tottenham boss Antonio Conte says he is ready to “suffer” when watching Arsenal’s game with Newcastle on Monday night after his side moved into the top four.

Spurs climbed above their north London rivals in the race for Champions League qualification after an edgy 1-0 win over Burnley, which was secured by Harry Kane’s controversial first-half penalty.

Arsenal have to beat Newcastle to reclaim the upper hand going into the final day and the whole of north London will be watching wanting different outcomes.

“I think first of all we had to do our task and to win and get three points and put some pressure on Arsenal,” Conte said.

“We know very well it is not easy to play against Newcastle and especially when they arrive with the new manager and are in a good spell and not an easy game.”

‘I want to suffer’: Antonio Conte keen to watch Arsenal’s game in top four scrap

Eddie Howe impressed by Mikel Arteta’s overhaul at Arsenal

18:50 , Michael Jones

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has praised Mikel Arteta for maintaining Arsenal’s push to rejoin the Premier League’s top four while overhauling his squad.

The Gunners head for St James’ Park on Monday knowing victory on Tyneside and another against Everton in their final fixture will mean they finish in the Champions League places for the first time since 2016 regardless of what rivals Tottenham do.

That feat would be all the more impressive with the Spaniard having integrated the likes of Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel, Nuno Tavares, Ben White, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith-Rowe, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah into a side already including Bukayo Saka since he was appointed in December 2019.

Eddie Howe impressed by Mikel Arteta’s overhaul at Arsenal

Recent results for Newcastle and Arsenal

18:45 , Michael Jones

Newcastle’s four match winning run in the league came to an end when they hosted Liverpool at St. James’ Park on 30th April. The Reds beat them 1-0 that day and Eddie Howe’s men followed that defeat with a 5-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad last time out. Those were two bruising games for the club and they’ll be hoping to finish off the season strongly starting with a win over Arsenal tonight.

After losing 1-0 to Southampton on April 16th the Gunners went on a four game winning streak of their own to put themselves in the driving seat in the race for the Champions League. Those hopes took a hit last time out though as they were hammered 3-0 by top four rivals Tottenham away from home but victory tonight will ensure Mikel Arteta’s men head into the final game of the season needing only to match Spurs’ result to secure a place in Europe’s top flight next year.

Premier League standings

18:40 , Michael Jones

Newcastle are 14th in the Premier League table with 43 points from 36 games. A win over the Gunners this evening would propel the Magpies up to 12th where they will be just two points away from a place in the top half of the table. If they finish in the top 10 if would be a remarkable achievement for manager Eddie Howe who took over when the club were one of the favourites to be relegated this season.

Arsenal come into the game sitting fifth in the table two points behind Tottenham in fourth and four points away from third placed Chelsea. The Gunners have a game in hand on Spurs - which is this evening’s fixture - and will move back into the Champions League places going into the final game of the season .

Eddie Howe dismisses claims Newcastle spent their way to safety

18:35 , Michael Jones

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has hit back at claims that Newcastle have bought their way out of Premier League relegation trouble.

The Magpies, bankrolled by Amanda Staveley’s 80 per cent Saudi-backed consortium, invested more than £90million in Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Dan Burn and Bruno Guimaraes, as well as loan signing Matt Targett, in January.

A run of 10 wins in 14 league outings in the immediate aftermath of those new arrivals saw the club climb clear of the bottom three, leaving supporters energised by Mike Ashley’s departure dreaming of what might be while critics suggested salvation was inevitable given their spending power.

However, on the eve of Monday night’s clash with Arsenal, Howe said: “The easy thing is to talk about money. It is not what has got us here.”

Eddie Howe dismisses claims Newcastle spent their way to safety

Newcastle vs Arsenal

18:30 , Michael Jones

Arsenal have only lost one of their last 11 final away league games of a season with seven wins and three draws in that run.

Tonight’s fixture is their last trip away from home this year so can they earn themselves another victory or will Newcastle inflict a second defeat in 12 on the Gunners?

Newcastle vs Arsenal

18:25 , Michael Jones

Arsenal have won 18 of the last 19 league and cup meetings. The exception was a 2-1 league defeat at St James’ Park in April 2018.

Newcastle have gone seven competitive games without a goal against Arsenal since Ciaran Clark’s 91st-minute consolation effort in a 2-1 Premier League home defeat in September 2018.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ‘excited’ by ‘opportunity’ to secure top four finish

18:20 , Michael Jones

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is refusing to accept that a top-five Premier League finish would represent success as he targets Champions League qualification.

The Gunners travel to Newcastle on Monday evening for their penultimate game of the season locked in a battle for fourth place with neighbours Tottenham, who kept up the heat by following up Thursday’s 3-0 north London derby triumph with a 1-0 win over Burnley on Sunday.

However, asked if fifth would be something to celebrate, Arteta was unequivocal.

He said: “No. We want to be playing in the Champions League, and that’s the end. We’ve come so far.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ‘excited’ by ‘opportunity’ to secure fourth

Arteta on losing north London derby

18:15 , Michael Jones

Arsenal’s hopes to secure a top four spot took a hit on Thursday night as they sank to a 3-0 defeat away to Tottenham in the north London derby.

Mikel Arteta gave his reaction to the performance which saw the Gunners go down to 10-men in the 33rd minute after Rob Holding’s red card.

“We started the game extremely well,” he sai. “That we conceded the first goal and the way we conceded after that decision and obviously after the game, got into a situation that is difficult to judge or assess, but I said it, I was really proud of the players, how they tried to handle the situation, but obviously very disappointed with the result.

“Thursday was another [low moment]. Obviously losing a derby is always painful and having been through the situation we went in the game, it’s like that, but as well, you learn a lot probably more than with any victory, so it’s good to go through those moments sometimes.”

Howe credits Arteta’s performance at Arsenal

18:10 , Michael Jones

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe - recently nominated for the Premier League manager of the year award - was asked about his opposite number tonight and what he thinks of the job Mikel Arteta has done as the man in charge of Arsenal.

“I think sometimes with trying to judge how a manager has performed, it’s very, very difficult, because results don’t always tell the whole story,” he said.

“The biggest compliment I can give Mikel is that he’s seen a big transition of players and a big transition of playing style, and he’s managed to do that while getting consistent results, which is very, very difficult to do.

“They now have I think one of the youngest teams in the Premier League, and the future looks very bright there, so full credit to him and his staff and his players for what he’s done.”

Jake Daniels: UK’s only active gay male professional footballer

18:05 , Michael Jones

Blackpool forward Jake Daniels has become the first openly gay male professional footballer in the UK.

The 17-year-old made the announcement public on Monday in a trailblazing moment for the English game.

“For a long time I’ve thought I would have to hide my truth because I wanted to be, and now I am, a professional footballer,” he told Sky Sports.

“I asked myself if I should wait until I’ve retired to come out. No other player in the professional game here is out.”

Jake Daniels: UK’s only active gay male professional footballer

Blackpool player, Jake Daniels, becomes first UK professional male footballer to come out as gay in 30 years

18:00 , Michael Jones

In other heartwarming footballing news Blackpool forward Jake Daniels has become the first male professional footballer in the UK to come out as gay for 30 years.

Daniels, who recently broke into Blackpool’s first team and signed his first professional contract after a stellar season of goalscoring for the youth team, said in a statement: “I’ve known my whole life that I’m gay, and I now feel that I’m ready to come out and be myself.”

The 17-year-old is the first male professional player to come out since Justin Fashanu did so in 1990. Fashanu, who took his own life in 1998, faced a fierce backlash from football fans, and the fear of homophobic abuse has been a key reason for the lack of players following suit in subsequent years.

“I have been thinking for a long time about how I want to do it, when I want to do it,” Daniels told Sky Sports. “I know now is the time. I am ready to be myself, be free and be confident with it all.”

First UK professional male footballer comes out as gay in 30 years

Will Trippier and Wilson return for Newcastle

17:55 , Michael Jones

Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson could be recalled to the Newcastle starting XI after recovering from respective injuries and boss Eddie Howe has been speaking about whether they will feature for the Magpies tonight.

“I think both players would say they would be very keen to start. I think my job is to try and make sure I’m doing the best thing, not just for the individual, but for the team as well,” he said.

“We’ve got to make sure they’re fit enough and physically good enough to last a long period in the game, as obviously I cant be making too many changes too early in the match as it will unbalance the team.

“You can’t group them together and say they’re at the same stage – Callum has done more training work than Kieran, and of course he sustained a more serious injury than Kieran as well. We’ll make a decision based on the training week as to whether they start the game or not.”

Arteta on White and Gabriel

17:51 , Michael Jones

Mikel Arteta is preparing a makeshift defence for this evening’s game against Newcastle in the case that centre-backs Ben White and Gabriel are unfit to feature for the Gunners.

Speaking over the weekend on the prospect that the two defenders would be fit, Arteta said: “I could [give you an estimate on when they’ll be bakc], but I will probably be telling you whatever! Tomorrow will be the day we will have better answers, probably not the answers that we want until matchday, but hopefully better answers.

The Gunners boss added that he is looking at switching the positions of some of his more experienced players to compensate from the loss saying: “We will have to modify certain positions to try to make it work, because we don’t have more defenders and even though we have academy players, they haven’t experienced a lot of those positions because they’re not specified central defenders, so it’s something that we will try to find a way.”

Early team news for Newcastle vs Arsenal

17:43 , Michael Jones

Eddie Howe is given a boost by the return of defender Kieran Trippier and striker Callum Wilson who both recovered from injury to make substitute appearances against Manchester City last time out. Ryan Fraser has also overcome a thigh issue that kept him sidelined for five games and is in contention to play.

Mikel Arteta has problems with his defence. Centre-backs Ben White and Gabriel are still nursing niggling injuries but may have to be called on as Rob Holding is suspended following his red card against Tottenham.

Newcastle vs Arsenal

17:34 , Michael Jones

Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of Newcastle’s Premier League clash with Arsenal from St. James’ Park. Eddie Howe’s men have safely avoided relegation after some remarkable performances since the turn of the year and are now looking to finish the season inside the top 10 but will need to win both of their last two fixtures to be in with a chance.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are embroiled in a battle for the top four as they’re fighting it out with Tottenham for the final spot in next season’s Champions League. Following their 1-0 victory over Burnley yesterday Spurs moved above the Gunners into fourth and now Mikel Arteta’s men must win this evening to keep their destiny in their own hands heading into the final game of the season. Three points would be enough to lift them back above Tottenham and another victory on Sunday would see them clinch fourth place at the very least.