Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 1

A rare goal from Laurent Koscielny saw Arsenal clinch a fourth-place Premier League finish, and with it a 16th consecutive qualification for the Champions League.

Koscielny found the net in the league for the first time since September early in the second-half to secure the victory required by Arsene Wenger’s side to see off the challenge of their neighbours Tottenham Hotspur for the final place available to English clubs in Europe’s premier competition.

They were pushed all the way in an absorbing contest by Newcastle, who nevertheless recorded a third straight home game without a goal for the first time in six years to round off a season of frustration in familiar style.

Arsenal ended the campaign with eight wins from 10 games, and five back-to-back away victories, their best showing on the road for nine years, as Koscielny’s goal in front of the Gallowgate End, his fourth of the season, proved decisive.

Theo Walcott’s flighted 52nd-minute free-kick from the right was knocked down by Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker for Koscielny, who was played onside by Newcastle skipper Fabricio Coloccini despite home protests, to beat Steve Harper with with a deft close-range volley.