Beaten by the Spurs on Thursday (3-0) without existing, the Gunners still missed this crucial meeting.

With a two-point lead and a largely favorable goal difference (+24 against +9), a draw at Norwich, 20th and already relegated, on Sunday, during the last day, should be enough for Tottenham to find the C1.

Chelsea, 3rd with 70 points, is on its side mathematically qualified for the Champions League with this result whatever the outcome of the two matches it has left to play.

Arsenal will receive Everton, which has not yet ensured its maintenance, but which could do so on Thursday, by receiving Crystal Palace.

Anyway, the Gunners will not have their destiny in hand.

The season full of promise risks ending with further disappointment for the Londoners who paid for significant absences at the end of the season, such as their midfielder Thomas Partey, but also a lack of maturity.

Team with the lowest average age in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta's men suffered the whole match against Newcastle, who however have nothing more to gain or lose.

Allan Saint-Maximin had already come close to opening the scoring in the 36th minute, forcing Aaron Ramsdale to a fine save.

But the Magpies ended up finding the fault on a tense center from Joelinton deflected into his own goal by Ben White (1-0, 55th).

Arteta launched Gabriel Martinelli, Alexandre Lacazette and Nicolas Pépé to try to come back to score.

Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes celebrates his goal against Arsenal on Monday May 16 during the 37th day of the Premier League, in Newcastle Oli SCARFF AFP

But after missed opportunities by Jacob Murphy or Callum Wilson, it was former Lyonnais Bruno Guimaraes, who arrived this winter and one of the symbols of Newcastle's resurrection on the return leg, who doubled the lead (2-0 , 85th).

Arsenal are likely to experience a 6th season watching the C1 on television, but that should not erase the progress observed during this exercise where the principles of Arteta, who recently extended until 2025, finally seem to be assimilated.

Recruitment last summer was wise and with some reinforcements this summer, especially in attack, the Gunners should again have their say next year.

© 2022 AFP