Declan Rice downs Newcastle to book Arsenal's place in next season's Champions League. And Calafiori says: I won't return to Italy

Report by Alessandro Schiavone at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United

Goal: Rice 55'

LONDON-Arsenal claimed a win of biblical proportions against Newcastle United yesterday to secure their spot in next season's Champions League.

It's the third season in a row that Mikel Arteta's men will play in Europe's premier competition after missing out six times previously.

Mathematically they can't finish outside the top-five anymore with 90 minutes of Premier League football to negotiate in 2024/2025.

That in itself is no mean feat taking the competitiveness of the Premier League, where five teams are still vying for the last three remaining positions going into matchday 38, into account.

Just like defeating high-on-confidence Newcastle United who had beaten Arsenal three times already this term across all competitions.

Declan Rice did the damage after thumping home a cracker on 55 minutes.

The ex-Hammers superstar made the most of a wonderful Martin Odegaard cutback to smash home first-time and turn the flat atmosphere into a rocking one at Emirates Stadium.

But Newcastle had their chances to take a crucial point back to Tyneside late on.

After a passive performance for large spells of the second period, they messed up twice.

Harvey Barnes scuffed his effort over from a promising position before ex-Gunner Joe Willock, who was applauded onto the pitch by a big chunk of his ex supporters, fired over after turning a couple of Arsenal defenders inside out on 83 minutes.

It goes without saying that David Raya played an instrumental role in the north Londoners' win by keeping the game locked in the first 45 minutes with two good saves to deny Barnes and Dan Burns. Nick Pope also excellently thwarted Thomas Partey's flicked header on the line early on.

But when Calafiori was brought on at the interval, Arteta's side had another spring in their step.

Their build-up play was suddenly more fluent, menacing and incisive.

One of the highlights of the second half came when Myles Lewis-Skelly, who stands at 5ft 10 in, drew the applause of his fans by winning an aerial duel with 6ft 10 in colossus Burn.

It would be a bit stretched to say that taking three points against the Toon has cured the deep-seated malaise at Emirates for another trophyless campaign.

But going out on a high and with another Champions League season on the horizon certainly doesn't harm.

Asked if he considers a return to Italy to get more game time, Calafiori told Capital Football: "I am happy at Arsenal, if I didn't play more it's only because of injuries."