Live Text isn't live anymore, this is a record of the match events.
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STAY ONLINE: Our post-match show is getting underway with Mike Sewell and Adrian Clarke. Join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #NUFCvAFC
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FULL-TIME: Newcastle 0-1 Arsenal. WE ARE IN THE TOP FOUR!
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CORNER TO ARSENAL: Giroud's lob is knocked over. Wenger's team are seconds away. Some of the fans are celebrating already...
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WE ARE INTO THE FINAL 60 SECONDS: Arsenal are almost there
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PRESSURE RELIEVED: Newcastle are cught offside and Szczesny can clear his lines
Top Comments:
@BryonyADM on Twitter says:
Never been so nervous watching a game before. Please hang on Arsenal!
90
WHAT DRAMA: Newcastle are camped in the Arsenal half - come on Arsenal, hold on!
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OFF THE POST: Walcott races clear and hits his shot against the woodwork. That would have sealed it
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SCORE UPDATE: Gareth Bale has given Tottenham the lead at White Hart Lane. This is almost unbearable
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Substitution TIME FOR JACK: Wilshere is on for Cazorla
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STRONG APPEALS FOR A PENALTY: Debuchy goes down in the box but Webb waves away the appeals. How are your nerves?
Top Comments:
@TheLoyalGuns on Twitter says:
Koscielny has come of age this season and stamped his authority in the Arsenal first team. Goals, tackles, blocks, he's got it all
@chamalou on Twitter says:
9 months comes down to 5mins +injurytime #pleasegod
86
COUNTER: Again Arsenal get an opportunity on the break, though Walcott can't weave the ball through to Giroud
83
OOOH: Cazorla retrieves Walcott's deep corner and flashes a shot just wide from the edge of the 18-yard-box
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ARSENAL BREAK: Oxlade-Chamberlain tries to free Cazorla but his pass is knocked behind for a corner. The tension is mounting here...
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Yellow Card IN THE BOOK: Gibbs is yellow carded for a challenge near the corner flag
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Substitution NEWCASTLE ARE GOING FOR IT: Defender Yanga-Mbiwa is replaced by young striker Adam Campbell
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RED CARD AT THE LANE: David Vaughan has been sent off for Sunderland. It's still 0-0 there though
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GOAL UPDATE: Fernando Torres has put Chelsea in front at Stamford Bridge. Here at St James', Newcastle have forced a corner
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Substitution ARSENAL CHANGE: Podolski jogs off to be replaced by Giroud
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WELL DONE GIBBS: Marveaux twists and turns on the right side but the full back gets his foot to the ball and clears
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JUST OVER 15 MINUTES TO GO: If the scores remain the same, Arsenal will finish the season in fourth place
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
There is an argument for bringing on Olivier Giroud because Arsenal are flagging a little bit. Injecting some energy right now might be the right thing to do to hang on to this lead
@Diddygunner on Twitter says:
Need a GOAL Gunners no playoffs leave that to the NBA
72
IT WHISTLES WIDE: Marveaux runs at the defence before laying the ball off to Ben Arfa. The playmaker's shot goes a few yards wide of Szczesny's goal
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THE WALL DOES ITS JOB: Podolski's effort is blocked away before Oxlade-Chamberlain shoots well over from 25 yards
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
We are a goal away from sitting on the knife edge again. I've been sitting on the knife edge all day. It's uncomfortable.
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FREE-KICK: Cazorla is sent flying by Yanga-Mbiwa just outside the area. Podolski and Walcott are standing over the ball...
Top Comments:
@Prince_Gatie on Twitter says:
Mbiwa knew he was going to get roasted he had to do it
65
Substitution SHUFFLING THE PACK: Pardew introduces Sylvain Marveaux for Gouffran
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SU-PER-B: Debuchy sprints down the right before crossing for Gouffran, who is denied by Mertesacker's fine sliding intervention
Top Comments:
@transmigrator on Twitter says:
Koscielny and Mertesacker have been brilliant for Arsenal today
@ArsenalKLFans on Twitter says:
Mertesacker & Koscienly - The best centre back pairing in the premier league. The stats has proven it.
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READYING THEMSELVES: Jack Wilshere, Olivier Giroud and Gervinho are all warming up on the sidelines
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WHAT DO YOU THINK? How are you watching this afternoon's game? Have you retreated behind the sofa yet? Let us know on Twitter #NUFCvAFC
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OUCH: Cazorla has received a knock after clashing with Yanga-Mbiwa. After some treatment from Colin Lewin, the Spaniard returns to the field
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DOGGED DEFENDING: Newcastle charge forward but first Koscielny and then Ramsey are on hand to clear the danger
Top Comments:
@Redhawk1044 on Twitter says:
Arsenal playing with a bit more enthusiasm here in the second half. Pressing the ball forward a bit better.
@aaucoin12 on Twitter says:
Arsenal just needs to keep up the intensity and not let Newcastle get momentum
57
Substitution NEWCASTLE SUBSTITUTION: Cabaye leaves the field and is replaced by Vurnon Anita
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ONE-NIL, TO THE ARSENAL: The visiting fans are in full voice now, roaring their team on
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AS THINGS STAND: Arsenal will finish fourth behind Chelsea, by virtue of scoring less goals. It's still goalless at White Hart Lane
Top Comments:
@Blakey09 on Twitter says:
Yeeeesssssss #COYG. 1-0. Right now we need a couple more to calm the nerves.
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GOAL! - Laurent Koscielny 0 : 1 GOAL FOR ARSENAL: It's there and it's Koscielny! Walcott's free-kick is not properly cleared and the Frenchman acrobatically volleys beyond Harper from close range
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POSITIVE STUFF: Arsenal have spent much of the opening minutes of this second period in the Newcastle half
Top Comments:
@ash_over on Twitter says:
Newcastle sitting back an not pressing as hard as they were in the first half, have they decided they have put in enough?
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CLOSE: Ramsey almost slips Walcott through but Yanga-Mbiwa gets a touch on the ball
Top Comments:
@lordlucozade on Twitter says:
A goal now to give us some breathing space would be great
46
CHANCE: The hosts give the ball away in their own half and Walcott runs at goal before sending in a low shot that Harper gets a touch to. That would have been a dream start to the second period for Wenger's men
Kick Off WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY: Arsenal kick off the final, and perhaps the most important, 45 minutes of their Premier League season
Top Comments:
@SherryKamarudin on Twitter says:
The most important 45 mins of my life is unfolding now
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HERE COME THE TEAMS: Both sides emerge from the tunnel to the sound of 'Blaydon Races'
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AS IT STANDS: Arsenal will finish in fourth position, with Chelsea and Tottenham also both drawing
Half Time HALF-TIME: Newcastle United 0-0 Arsenal
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INCHES AWAY: Walcott's delivery is a good one but Podolski can't get a strong enough connection on it
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RAMSEY CAUGHT: Tiote connects with the Arsenal No 16, who looked to have slipped before contact was made. Wenger's team have a free-kick in a good position...
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E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Richard and Dan are fielding your questions here at St' James - Get in touch with them via www.arsenal.com/studio
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GOOD FOOTBALL: Arsenal spread the play from one side to the other and Walcott's eventual cross has to be headed behind by Taylor
Top Comments:
@TheGreenGunner on Twitter says:
We need Giroud on to head those crosses in.
40
TRICKY: Ben Arfa's skill and guile has caused Arsenal increasing problems and, after escaping the clutches of Gibbs, he shoots over
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
As it stands, this is actually enough because Tottenham are drawing. But who wants it like this? In fact, if Tottenham don't win Arsenal can lose and take fourth on goal differential. But no one wants the season to end like that!
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OFFSIDE: Walcott sends Podolski through but the linesman flags for offside. Replays showed the striker was level
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Yellow Card YELLOW CARD
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APPLAUSE: Steve Harper is making his last career appearance before retiring this afternoon. His squad number is 37 and the home fans rise as one to give the goalkeeper a standing ovation
Top Comments:
@gavinlowndes on Twitter says:
What a lovely touch by the Newcastle supports showing their respect to Steve Harper on the 37th min. Fair play!
36
RESTLESS: The home fans and Pardew are unhappy that a free-kick is not awarded when Ben Arfa tumbles under Ramsey's challenge. Referee Webb plays advantage but Arsenal clear
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CAPTAIN PER: With Arteta off the pitch, the German defender has taken over the armband
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OVER: Gibbs charges down the left and feeds Cazorla on the edge of the area. Unfortunately for Arsenal, the Spaniard's shot from the edge of the area goes high and wide
Top Comments:
@tonenefifty on Twitter says:
Our players should stop trying the impossible. Keep it simple. Pass and move pass and move.
28
Substitution TIME FOR THE OX: Arteta cannot continue and is replaced by the England international
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Aaron Ramsey should be moving into the defensive shield role and Per Mertesacker has taken the arm band
27
CORNER: Cisse wriggles away from Mertesacker but his cross is blocked behind by Arteta
Top Comments:
@Svangills on Twitter says:
Newcastle are well up for this so far, Arsenal will have to lift the tempo of their play to compete, nervous times!
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HERE'S THE BOSS: Arsene Wenger has appeared from his dugout for the first time this afternoon. The boss is pacing the touchline alongside his opposite number Alan Pardew
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ALMOST: Rosicky tries to set Walcott free but Harper races from his goal to gather. Arsenal are starting to settle here
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GREAT BALL: Ramsey launches an Arsenal attack with a fine cross-field pass that finds Sagna in space. The attack breaks down though and Newcastle can clear their lines
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Yellow Card THAT'S A YELLOW: Walcott looks to break following a Newcastle corner. He's pulled back by Gutierrez, who is shown the game's first booking
Top Comments:
@seandots on Twitter says:
Koscielny is running things in the back
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#NUFCvAFC: That's our match-specific hashtag. Let us know how you think the game has started on Twitter and we'll publish some of your comments here
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GUTIERREZ LETS FLY: The Argentine is given space to shoot from 30 yards but his effort is deflected into the arms of Szczesny
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
There is no notion that Newcastle are on the beach right now. They are free of the shackles of pressure and it's all on Arsenal right now
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GOAL UPDATES: It's 1-1 in the game between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge. If that score were to remain the same, Arsenal would have to win by two goals to finish in third position
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WELL DEFENDED: Koscielny remains strong to reach Gouffran's cross in front of Cisse
Top Comments:
@LoyalArsenal on Twitter says:
Koscielny with a last second tackle. Well done. Too close for my taste.
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UNLUCKY LAURENT: Koscielny flicks Cazorla's floated header just wide
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MILESTONE: Aaron Ramsey is making his 150th Arsenal appearance this afternoon. The Welshman has been in fine form in recent weeks and has started industriously as ever here
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CHANCE: Yanga-Mbiwa gets down the left before pulling the ball back for Cisse, who fires narrowly over
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
It was all too easy. Arsenal have got to maintain their drive and ability to go forward even though moments like that will happen in this game
5
THEO HAS A GO: The free-kick is cleared only as far as the England international but his volley from the edge of the area goes just over the crossbar
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
This pitch is quite long and the ball is not zipping along as it might. It looks as if they left it a bit drier than usual. I wonder if it's a little ploy
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CHOPPED DOWN: Rosicky tries to dance past Tiote and is brought down 15 yards into the Newcastle half
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EQUAL START: Both sides have tried to stamp their authority on the early proceedings though neither have created any sort of opportunity yet
Top Comments:
Richard Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
What's apparent for Arsenal is a lack of nerves. Perhaps not as marauding as they were against Wigan, but they are starting with confidence
2
APOLOGIES: Unfortunately, a lack of internet connection disrupted our pre-match text commentary. Thankfully it returned just in time for kick-off
Kick Off KICK-OFF: It's Newcastle that kick us off. Come on Arsenal!
Top Comments:
@hmzh123 on Twitter says:
This is it. This is what our season has come to. This is our last chance to prove what we're worth #COYG Make us proud
HERE COME THE TEAMS: The teams are out at St James' Park and are greeted to a cauldron of noise from the 50,000 plus crowd
WEATHER REPORT: It's a mild afternoon here on Tyneside, with the sun trying its best to break through the layer of clouds
PUT THROUGH THEIR PACES: Both sides are out on the pitch completing their pre-match activities. We are just 15 minutes away from kick-off
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
I think they are dangerous because they are relaxed. But if you put them head to head, Arsenal are the better team and should be fine. But they can't just turn up. I back Arsenal to get over the line, and win 2-0. But that second goal might not come until late.
TUNE IN NOW: Our Matchday show is just getting underway. Join Mike Sewell and Adrian Clarke for all the pre-match talking points
WHAT DO YOU THINK? Are you happy with the team picked for the game? Tweet us your thoughts using the hashtag #NUFCvAFC
Top Comments:
Rodrigo Palo on Facebook says:
Rosicky and Walcott to be instrumental in this match... Make us proud boys!
NEWCASTLE SUBS: Alnwick, Simpson, Anita, Perch, Marveaux, Obertan, Campbell
NEWCASTLE: Harper, Debuchy, S.Taylor, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Gouffran
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Newcastle aren't going to be nervous. They can just go out and relax for the first time in months. The hand break will be off for them.
ARSENAL SUBS: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Giroud
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
Olivier Giroud starting on the bench is the right decision form the manager because Podolski scored twice. You don't change the team if don't have to
ARSENAL: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski
Top Comments:
@JustMeFabs on Twitter says:
Today, we need our defense on point, Szczesny commanding from the back while the front 3 bang in the goals
THE TEAMS ARE IN: Mikel Arteta is passed fit and starts for Arsenal. Here's the full team news...
E-MAIL OUR COMMENTATORS: Dan and Richard will be fielding your questions throughout the afternoon. Get in touch with them here - www.arsenal.com/studio
TUNE IN TO THE MATCHDAY SHOW: We're on air from 3.30pm, with Mike Sewell and former Gunner Adrian Clarke bringing you pre-match news and views. Dan Roebuck and Richard Clarke will bring you full commentary from St James' Park
GET INVOLVED: Remember, you can have your say on today's big game on Twitter by using the hashtag #NUFCvAFC. We'll publish some of your comments right here
THE SIMPLE EQUATION: A win will definitely secure a place in the top four. Even if Arsenal don’t win, they will still finish in the top four providing that Tottenham do not better their result. If Arsenal win and Chelsea lose, the Gunners will finish third
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
What happens at White Hart Lane is out of Arsenal's hands, so what you have to do is win.
ARSENAL WILL FINISH FIFTH IF… Tottenham better their result
ARSENAL WILL FINISH FOURTH IF… Tottenham Hotspur do not better the result of Wenger’s team at St James’ Park and Chelsea win. Arsenal will also finish fourth if they win 1-0 and Chelsea draw or if they do not score two more goals than Rafael Benitez’s team if Chelsea draw
A PLAY-OFF WILL DECIDE THIRD AND FOURTH PLACES IF… Arsenal win and Chelsea draw, though Arsene Wenger’s team must win by a one-goal margin and score two more than their London rivals. So for example, if Arsenal win 2-1 and Chelsea are held to a 0-0 draw, the teams will finish on the same number of points with an identical amount of wins, draws and losses as well as having an equal goal difference with the same amount of goals scored and conceded. If that is the case, a one-off game will take place at Villa Park to decide who finishes third and who finishes fourth. The head-to-head results between the teams will not be taken into account
ARSENAL WILL FINISH THIRD IF… They beat Newcastle and Everton win at Chelsea. The Gunners will also finish in third place if they win by two clear goals and Rafael Benitez’s men are held to a draw at Stamford Bridge
THE COMPLICATED EQUATION: Arsenal will finish the season in either third, fourth or fifth position, with the possibility of a play-off against Chelsea also still a possibility. Here is every eventuality…
With the title and the relegation places already decided, all the focus today is on who will finish in the top four
Newcastle ensured their safety when they beat Queens Park Rangers last week and Alan Pardew will be keen for his side to end the season on a high
So after 37 games and more than 3,330 minutes of Premier League football, the Gunners' season will be decided by today's trip to Tyneside
Top Comments:
Adrian Clarke on Arsenal Player says:
A win today would give Arsenal a better points tally than last year and defensively they have been certainly better. It's been a difficult season, and a challenging season, but it could still end up being a relatively successful season.
Hello and welcome to St James' Park for live coverage of Arsenal's crucial last game of the season, away at Newcastle United
Newcastle United
37 HARPER, Steve
26 DEBUCHY, Mathieu
27 TAYLOR, Steven
02 COLOCCINI, Fabricio
13 YANGA-MBIWA, Mapou
49 CAMPBELL, Adam (80)
24 TIOTE, Cheick
04 CABAYE, Yohan
05 ANITA, Vurnon (57)
18 GUTIERREZ, Jonas
10 BEN ARFA, Hatem
09 CISSE, Papiss
11 GOUFFRAN, Yoan
22 MARVEAUX, Sylvain (65)
42 ALNWICK, JAK
05 SIMPSON, DANNY
05 ANITA, VURNON
14 PERCH, JAMES
22 MARVEAUX, SYLVAIN
25 OBERTAN, GABRIEL
49 CAMPBELL, ADAM
Arsenal
01 SZCZESNY, Wojciech
03 SAGNA, Bacary
04 MERTESACKER, Per
06 KOSCIELNY, Laurent
28 GIBBS, Kieran
08 ARTETA, Mikel
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, Alex (28)
16 RAMSEY, Aaron
07 ROSICKY, Tomas
19 CAZORLA, Santi
10 WILSHERE, Jack (89)
14 WALCOTT, Theo
09 PODOLSKI, Lukas
12 GIROUD, Olivier (77)
21 FABIANSKI, LUKASZ
05 VERMAELEN, THOMAS
17 MONREAL, NACHO
10 WILSHERE, JACK
15 OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN, ALEX
27 GERVINHO,
12 GIROUD, OLIVIER
Top Comments:
@akaCapital on Twitter says:
What an arsenal end to the season, nearly had a heart attack.those last few minutes