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PL: Arsenal Clinch UCL Qualification As Raya & Rice’s Heroics Rescue 1-0 Win Over Newcastle
Declan Rice: A thunderous Declan Rice strike secured a vital 1-0 victory over Newcastle United in Arsenal’s final home game of the 2024/25 season, confirming Champions League football for next year and putting Mikel Arteta’s side within touching distance of a third straight second-place finish in the Premier League.
The first half belonged to David Raya, whose string of outstanding saves kept Arsenal in the game as third-placed Newcastle applied early pressure. Raya redeemed an early poor clearance with a sharp stop from Bruno Guimaraes, then followed that with several top-drawer saves, including a brilliant double stop from Dan Burn and Sven Botman. The visitors looked dangerous, especially through Harvey Barnes, but Raya stood firm.
Arsenal, meanwhile, struggled to create chances in the opening 45, though Leandro Trossard went close with a deflected curler and Thomas Partey forced a smart save from Nick Pope. Despite being under pressure for much of the half, Arsenal made it to the break level.
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