Arsenal can secure Champions League qualification for the 16th consecutive season when they travel to play Newcastle at St James' Park on Sunday. The Gunners (20-10-7) are currently fourth in the Premier League on 70 points, two behind third-place Chelsea and one ahead of Tottenham, who occupy fifth spot. Arsenal will take their place in Europe's elite club competition next term if they beat the Magpies. A draw and even a defeat on Tyneside would also be enough for Arsene Wenger's side if Spurs lose at home to Sunderland.
The Premier League have confirmed there will be a third-place play-off match at Villa Park on May 26 between Chelsea and Arsenal if the pair end the season with identical records. If Chelsea draw with Everton at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and Arsenal win by a one-goal margin at St James' Park, both teams would be level on points, goal difference and goals scored.
"We are in a position nobody expected us to be in," said Arsenal manager Wenger, whose side are unbeaten in nine Premier League matches. "We have our destiny in our hands, our fate in our hands and that's what you fight for in the game.
"It's a game that we now want to win but at least we fought back to be in a position where we are masters of our own fate. It shows that the job that the team has done is very good because they have improved throughout the season"
Newcastle (11-8-18) are in 13th place on 41 points and secured their top-flight future with a 2-1 victory at relegated Queens Park Rangers last weekend. Magpies boss Alan Pardew has insisted his comments made after the win at Loftus Road about not caring if Newcastle lose 4-0 to Arsenal on Sundaywere not to be taken seriously.
"I know people will have picked up on my comments about not caring about the result against Arsenal, which were, of course, a joke," Pardew told the club website. "It is definitely not the case that I would be happy for us to lose 4-0 against Arsenal on Sunday. I simply want our players and fans to be able to enjoy the game without looking over their shoulders.
"Even though we are now safe, we will be putting in the same effort that we would for any other Premier League game. We want to end the season on a positive, to finish in as high a position as possible and to give the fans something to cheer about on the final day of what has been a frustrating season. "
Newcastle will be without midfielder Moussa Sissoko, striker Shola Ameobi and defender Ryan Taylor, who all have knee injuries. Goalkeeper Rob Elliot serves a one-match ban after being given a red card at QPR. Arsenal playmaker Mikel Arteta is doubtful with a calf problem, while France striker Olivier Giroud is available for selection after completing a three-match ban.
Arsenal beat Newcastle 7-3 at the Emirates Stadium in late December. Theo Walcott bagged a hat trick, while Giroud scored twice and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski also scored for the Gunners. Demba Ba netted twice for the Magpies who also got a goal from Sylvain Marveaux. The match was tied 3-3 after 70 minutes before the Gunners netted four in the final 20 minutes.
Newcastle have won just once in their last 14 meetings with Arsenal in all competitions, a 1-0 win at the Emirates in November 2010.
Arsenal have historically struggled at St James' Park, winning just 20 of 81 all-time visits. The Magpies have 40 wins and the sides have drawn 21 times.
This will be the 172nd all-time meeting in what has been a close fixture. Arsenal have edged it with 67 wins to Newcastle's 66 with 38 draws.
Jack Wilshere previews the game and says he cannot wait for the last game of the season. :
“We watched Tottenham get the three points on Sunday and that wasn't ideal but then we picked ourselves up for the Wigan game and did what we needed to do.
“We did it in style as well. We scored a few goals and it's set up a really interesting last day. If we can play like that and take the game to them we know a win decides our destiny.
Head to head Facts via BBC
Arsenal won the reverse fixture at the Emirates 7-3 in December, with Theo Walcott scoring a hat-trick.
Two seasons ago, the Magpies were 4-0 down after 26 minutes. They were still 4-0 down with 22 minutes left but then staged an incredible fightback to earn a 4-4 draw.
Newcastle have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Arsenal (W1, D5, L5).
Four of the last five league meetings at St James's Park have been draws, with Arsenal winning the other.
If only the second half of games counted, Arsenal would already have been crowned Premier League champions.
Mark Lawrenson BBC Pundit Prediction
"The way Arsene Wenger's side have finished the season is still hugely impressive.
I am backing them to beat Newcastle too, to ensure a top-four finish - although I don't imagine it will be a straightforward win."
I am backing them to beat Newcastle too, to ensure a top-four finish - although I don't imagine it will be a straightforward win."
Gordon @Arsenal_Supremo Prediction : Tough tough game but the fact that we need the three points and they don't will prove the major factor in Arsenal winning so I will go for a 2 1 away win the Arsenal. COYG!
Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest. Do you think we can win away to Newcastle and seal our qualification for the Champions League?
Join in with our Arsenal community, we have connected with the Disqus comment system, it is now easier to comment on our posts to connect and talk with the Arsenal fans around the world. You can now post a comment using your Social Networks plugins or if you don't want to leave your name you can sign in as a guest. Do you think we can win away to Newcastle and seal our qualification for the Champions League?
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