Arsenal's final home game a blend of joy and relief after season that didn't go to plan

Back in August, celebrating second place was not really in plan. But at the final whistle at the Emirates, there was an overwhelming sense of relief as well as joy as they finally saw out a game.

It should be enough to guarantee runners-up place behind barring a final day collapse at bottom-of-the-table and a huge swing in goal difference for who have a game in hand. had their eyes on a bigger prize at the start of the season but their wretched run of form - this was their first win in four games - had left them biting their finger nails.

This was another nervy occasion and the result was a blow for who now go into the final day sweating on their own place in the top five. Newcastle certainly have something over the Gunners because they have already beaten them three times this season - including both legs of the Carabao Cup semi final - and that was clearly in the minds of the Arsenal players.

But when Arsenal need a big player or a big performance then they can almost always rely on who has provided the best moments in a topsy turvy season. Rice scored the second half winner this time and it was running, his energy and his determination to fight for every ball that got the team over the line.

The harsh reality is that Arsenal’s drop off in the past few weeks has left a few fans questioning whether can deliver the biggest trophies in the long term. But it must have been a huge comfort for Arteta to hear the home fans chant his name towards the end of the game as Arsenal battled to get the win over the line.

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Of course there were nerves. Arsenal have thrown away leads - they have surrendered 21 points from winning positions this season - far too often. But after the final whistle, Arteta and his players got a big reception on the pitch as they all embarked on the modern fad of a “lap of appreciation.”

Arteta thanked the fans with a rousing speech before they played that painful North London Forever - featuring the naff second line of “whatever the weather" - before thankfully they put on Ice Ice Baby to pay tribute to Rice. The England midfielder has been a constant for Arsenal while too many others have been woefully inconsistent. Yes, here’s looking at you, keeper .

In contrast, Newcastle have had a terrific season. is all about expectations. Newcastle have overachieved as they have already won the Carabao Cup, are still on course for the and that is some finish.

Arsenal, meanwhile, just looked like a bag of nerves. Not helped by Raya. His distribution is reckless and so often gets himself and his team into trouble. You have to balance his saves against him causing the danger in the first place.

Raya has become complacent with no competition for his place. Sure enough, his loose pass out from the back went straight to Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes then had a big chance which Raya saved.

The Gunners keeper then showed the other side of his game with super saves to deny Harvey Barnes’ deflected shot and Dan Burn’s close range header. Raya made Arsenal a bag of nerves. William Saliba was not at the races either and he was replaced by Riccardo Calafiori and Arsenal, in fairness, did get better and more assured.

Arsenal got the breakthrough after 55 minutes. won the ball back, Martin Odegaard played the pass and there was Rice to sweep home from outside the box. That was Rice’s ninth goal in all competitions.

Newcastle made it nervous at the end, Arsenal had to man the barricades as Kai Havertz also came on for a late cameo appearance. But, finally, they held onto a lead and got a much-needed win.

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