Ben White was making his return to the starting XI after recovering from injury
Arsenal's hopes of finishing in the Premier League top four were dealt a huge blow as they were well beaten by Newcastle at St James' Park.
Mikel Arteta's side needed a win to move above Tottenham into fourth and put them in the driving seat to secure a Champions League spot heading into the final weekend of the season.
But they were second best throughout and fell behind early in the second half when Ben White turned the ball into his own net under pressure from Callum Wilson, who was making his first start since 27 December.
Bruno Guimaraes, who has become a cult hero since joining Newcastle at the start of this year, then rounded off the impressive win when he drove into the net as Arsenal struggled to clear.
Arsenal offered next to nothing, with Martin Dubravka only really tested once, with a 25-yard Mohamed Elneny shot in the second half.
Indeed, Newcastle could have won by more with Wilson coming so close to capping a dream return from injury with a stunning long-range effort that dropped just wide of the goal.
The result, which also confirmed Chelsea's finish in the top four, means Arsenal must beat Everton in their final game of the season on Sunday (16:00 BST) and hope Tottenham lose at relegated Norwich.
Newcastle, meanwhile, round off a season that provides encouragement for the future with a trip to Burnley.
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Arsenal needed to show up but failed
Arsenal needed a big performance if they were to give their fans hope of finishing in the top four, particuarly after they were well beaten by their fierce rivals Tottenham in last Thursday's north London derby.
Unfortunately, Arteta's side wilted when it mattered most as they were outplayed by Newcastle.
The Gunners were poor throughout the first half as they repeatedly gave the ball away and were having to repel a stream of Newcastle attacks while struggling to build their own opportunities.
They managed to get to get to half-time level but did not heed the warning signs and fell behind just before the hour mark.
Wilson had been a menace throughout as he showed no signs of rustiness on his return to the first team. It was no surprise he was involved in the opener as White turned the ball into his own net as he attempted to prevent the Newcastle forward from getting a shot off.
Arteta was unable to hide his frustrations with the officiating against Spurs - a match in which his team conceded a penalty and had defender Rob Holding sent off - but he can have no complaints here as they were undone by a side who simply showed more hunger and quality.
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Rate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfection
- NewcastleNewcastle UnitedNewcastle UnitedArsenalArsenalArsenal
Newcastle UnitedStarting XIAvgSquad number1Player nameDúbravkaAverage rating
7.38
12345678910Squad number17Player nameKrafthAverage rating
7.61
12345678910Squad number5Player nameSchärAverage rating
7.80
12345678910Squad number33Player nameBurnAverage rating
7.89
12345678910Squad number13Player nameTargettAverage rating
8.11
12345678910Squad number36Player nameS LongstaffAverage rating
7.71
12345678910Squad number39Player nameBruno GuimarãesAverage rating
8.62
12345678910Squad number7Player nameJoelintonAverage rating
8.47
12345678910Squad number24Player nameAlmirónAverage rating
8.07
12345678910Squad number9Player nameWilsonAverage rating
8.70
12345678910Squad number10Player nameSaint-MaximinAverage rating
8.02
12345678910SubstitutesAvgSquad number6Player nameLascellesAverage rating
7.76
12345678910Squad number21Player nameFraserAverage rating
7.76
12345678910Squad number23Player nameMurphyAverage rating
7.65
12345678910Squad number34Player nameGayleAverage rating
7.31
12345678910Share your Newcastle player ratings withFacebookTwitterWhatsAppCopy and share linkArsenalStarting XIAvgSquad number32Player nameRamsdaleAverage rating
3.73
12345678910Squad number18Player nameTomiyasuAverage rating
3.19
12345678910Squad number4Player nameWhiteAverage rating
3.13
12345678910Squad number6Player nameGabriel MagalhãesAverage rating
3.12
12345678910Squad number20Player nameNuno TavaresAverage rating
2.82
12345678910Squad number25Player nameMohamed ElnenyAverage rating
3.05
12345678910Squad number34Player nameXhakaAverage rating
2.97
12345678910Squad number7Player nameSakaAverage rating
3.31
12345678910Squad number8Player nameØdegaardAverage rating
3.28
12345678910Squad number10Player nameSmith RoweAverage rating
2.82
12345678910Squad number30Player nameNketiahAverage rating
2.96
12345678910SubstitutesAvgSquad number9Player nameLacazetteAverage rating
2.57
12345678910Squad number17Player nameCédric SoaresAverage rating
2.58
12345678910Squad number19Player namePépéAverage rating
2.20
12345678910Squad number35Player nameGabriel MartinelliAverage rating
3.13
12345678910Share your Arsenal player ratings withFacebookTwitterWhatsAppCopy and share link
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsNewcastle
Formation 4-3-3
1Dúbravka17Krafth5Schär33Burn13Targett36S Longstaff39Guimarães Rodriguez Moura7Joelinton24Almirón9Wilson10Saint-Maximin
- 1Dúbravka17Krafth5SchärSubstituted forLascellesat 49'minutes33Burn13Targett36S Longstaff39Guimarães Rodriguez Moura7Joelinton24AlmirónSubstituted forMurphyat 76'minutes9WilsonSubstituted forGayleat 90+4'minutes10Saint-MaximinSubstituted forFraserat 77'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Dummett6Lascelles11Ritchie15Trippier18Fernández21Fraser23Murphy26Darlow34Gayle
Arsenal
Formation 4-2-3-1
32Ramsdale18Tomiyasu4White6Gabriel20Tavares25Elneny34Xhaka7Saka8Ødegaard10Smith Rowe30Nketiah
- 32Ramsdale18TomiyasuSubstituted forCédric Soaresat 39'minutes4WhiteBooked at 8mins6GabrielSubstituted forPépéat 73'minutes20TavaresSubstituted forLacazetteat 62'minutes25Elneny34XhakaBooked at 90mins7Saka8Ødegaard10Smith RoweSubstituted forMartinelliat 53'minutes30NketiahBooked at 46mins
Substitutes
- 1Leno9Lacazette17Cédric Soares19Pépé23Sambi Lokonga35Martinelli65Oulad M'hand69Swanson87Patino
Referee:Darren EnglandAttendance:52,274Match StatsHome TeamNewcastleAway TeamArsenalPossessionHome51%Away49%ShotsHome16Away11Shots on TargetHome4Away2CornersHome12Away8FoulsHome11Away8Live TextPost update
Match ends, Newcastle United 2, Arsenal 0.
90'+7'Full Time
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 2, Arsenal 0.
90'+6'Post update
Attempt missed. Dwight Gayle (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is too high. Assisted by Sean Longstaff.
90'+6'Post update
Attempt saved. Ryan Fraser (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Dwight Gayle.
90'+5'Booking
Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
90'+5'Post update
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+5'Post update
Foul by Granit Xhaka (Arsenal).
90'+4'Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Dwight Gayle replaces Callum Wilson.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt missed. Cédric Soares (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Mohamed Elneny.
90'Post update
Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Dan Burn.
90'Post update
Attempt blocked. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Benjamin White.
89'Post update
Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
89'Post update
Foul by Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal).
85'goalGoal!
Goal! Newcastle United 2, Arsenal 0. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner.
84'Post update
Attempt blocked. Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum Wilson.
83'Post update
Bruno Guimarães (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
83'Post update
Foul by Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal).
83'Post update
Attempt blocked. Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Eddie Nketiah.
82'Post update
Attempt missed. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) right footed shot from more than 35 yards is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Martin Dúbravka.
80'Post update
Foul by Joelinton (Newcastle United).
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Source: bbc.com