It brought Arsenal their fifth successive away win and maintained their excellent form in the second half of the season, a period when they have picked up more points than any team in the top flight. There was an extra edge to Arsenal's celebrations as their success came at the expense of Tottenham, who finished one point behind the Gunners in fifth place. Newcastle's third successive home defeat was a disappointment for a crowd of 52,354. But, following the victory at QPR that confirmed their Premier League status, the main focus for Newcastle was the final game of Steve Harper, the goalkeeper who has spent two decades at the club.
Captain for the day and wearing the No.37 jersey, Harper was applauded by the fans before and after the match and received a remarkable standing ovation in the 37th minute. In truth, Harper must have expected a much more hectic exit because the odds were always loaded against Newcastle in view of Arsenal's excellent form in recent weeks. They were unbeaten in their previous nine games and the confidence engendered by that run was soon obvious.
Newcastle were outnumbered and outmanoeuvred in midfield where Santi Cazorla, Thomas Rosicky and Aaron Ramsey prospered with the security of Mikel Arteta behind them.But, for all their possession, Arsenal created few tests for Harper in the opening stages, although Koscielny did head narrowly wide from a 12th minute corner. Arsenal were forced to alter their midfield shape in the 28th minute when Arteta was injured and replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Ramsey was given a more defensive role but Arsenal retained their midfield edge and should have gone ahead in the 31st minute. Cazorla was given time and space on the edge of the area to meet a cross from Kieran Gibbs, but his shot lacked conviction. Newcastle's more direct style, allied to the trickery of Hatem Ben Arfa, brought another chance which the French international failed to steer under the bar.
Arsenal required only 30 seconds of the second-half to carve out a better opportunity than they had created in the entire opening 45 minutes. Ramsey seized on a poor clearance by Harper to send Theo Walcott clear, but Harper made amends with a low save, although he was fortunate that no Arsenal player was closing in on the rebound. If Arsenal's followers expected it to herald a more imaginative and aggressive second-half performance, they were quickly proved right as Wenger's team finally broke through in the 52nd minute.
Walcott's free-kick was won by Lukas Podolski and fell perfectly for French defender Koscielny to turn and volley in via Harper's head. Newcastle's earlier attacking instincts had faded by now and their prospects were further damaged by an injury to Yohan Cabaye, who went off after only 57 minutes. Arsenal, once notorious for their ability to grind out 1-0 wins, seemed content with that scoreline once again, although Oxlade-Chamberlain did threaten with a long-range effort in the 70th minute.
Ben Arfa remained Newcastle's best hope of a reply but his final shot of the match was wayward in the 70th minute. It meant Arsenal were able to cruise to a vital victory without any late scares and it would have been more convincing if Walcott had taken a glorious chance in stoppage-time instead of hitting the post.
Arsenal won the race for fourth place, a Champions League play off awaits but a much needed summer transfer with few quality players to challenge once again.
Match Pictures
Arsenal Starting 11 : Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski
Subs : Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Giroud
Goal: Koscielny 52.
Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)
Attendance: 52,354.
Arsene Wenger Post Match Reaction
"The players are special. I've told them many times and they've shown it. In the last two months they have been absolutely exceptional.
"It's a good basis, as well, on a longer term to go into next season on such a strong run.
"I'm very proud. We were very far behind Tottenham and even after defeat there (at White Hart Lane) we've shown character and attitude to come back and make 73 points, which is three points better than last season.
"I have had many groups in my life and the focus and the desire to do well was always exceptional. It's one of the best groups I've had in my life on that front.
Alan Pardew Post Match Reaction
"I think it's been the toughest season in terms of workload because of the Europa League campaign, and the stress it had on the squad was also going to cause stress on myself and the staff," he said.
"We have just had too many key players missing. I think we've had seven different central-half partnerships this year, and when we finished fifth that hardly changed."
Match Facts and Stats
1. Arsenal have won five successive Premier League away games for the first time since September 2004.
2. Full Time Stats Newcastle v Arsenal Shots 7-10 On target 1-2, Fouls 18-10 Duels Won 41%-59%, Pass Accuracy 85%-80%, Possession 51%-49%
3. Arsenal took 32 points from the teams who finished in the bottom six this season, only Man Utd (36) won more.
4. Arsenal have won five successive Premier League away games for the first time since September 2004.
What are you thoughts on the game? Who was your MOTM? Do you think Arsene Wenger will keep his promise and spend some money on world class players? If he does I really expect Arsenal to make a serious challenge on the title if we can bring in some world class players and add to the players we already have.
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