Arsenal travelled to St James' Park on the final day of the season knowing that a win would guarantee them Champions League football.
The Gunners sat a point above North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and could still finish in the top four should they have lost and their neighbours only managed a draw.
Arsene Wenger's side could still have finished third above Chelsea should results have worked in their favour, while Newcastle United, who have already secured their safety this season, had nothing to play for.
However, a 1-0 win was enough for Arsenal as they secured Champions League football and fourth place.
Read how it all unfolded in our live commentary below.
Hello and welcome to the final day of the Premier League season, with Sports Mole covering every game today.
If you're here, then I can tell you that you will be getting all the action from St James' Park, where Arsenal must Newcastle United to earn Champions League football.
While Newcastle have nothing really to play for other than a bit of extra money (I'll come to that in a moment), Arsenal have a date with destiny this afternoon.
It's simple for Arsenal:
Win - Champions League football is theirs, whether they finish third or fourth.
Draw - They must hope that Spurs fail to beat Sunderland at White Hart Lane.
Lose - Again, they must hope that Spurs cannot beat Sunderland in order to guarantee themselves European football.
Win - Champions League football is theirs, whether they finish third or fourth.
Draw - They must hope that Spurs fail to beat Sunderland at White Hart Lane.
Lose - Again, they must hope that Spurs cannot beat Sunderland in order to guarantee themselves European football.
We have team news in for the match....
NEWCASTLE XI: Harper, Debuchy, S.Taylor, Coloccini, Yanga-Mbiwa, Tiote, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Gouffran
So as you can see, Steven Harper starts in goal for what is his final match for the Magpies. Hatem Ben Arfa also starts, while Alan Pardew has Papiss Cisse and Yoan Gouffran up top.
It is certainly a decent side that is for sure, with plenty of attacking threat.
ARSENAL XI: Szczesny, Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs, Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky, Cazorla, Walcott, Podolski
The big news from the Arsenal camp is that Wenger has Mikel Arteta available, after he was forced off against Wigan Athletic during the week, but he is in the starting lineup today. What a key player he is for the Gunners.
Olivier Giroud, back from suspension, and Jack Wilshere both have to settle for a place among the substitutes.
One of the big stories going into this game is that Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has reportedly offered the club's non-playing staff a £1m bonus if they can beat Arsenal today.
While this has happened on one side of Tyneside, Sunderland boss Paolo Di Canio has told Arsenal that his side will look to try to beat Spurs after the Gunners secured the Black Cats' safety by relegating Wigan during the week.
NEWCASTLE BENCH: Alnwick, Simpson, Anita, Perch, Marveaux, Obertan, Campbell
ARSENAL BENCH: Fabianski, Vermaelen, Monreal, Wilshere, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Gervinho, Giroud
So there are the two substitutes benches, and you must agree that Arsenal do have options off the pitch.
Struggling to remember what happened when these two sides met earlier this season? Read Sports Mole's match report of the 10-goal thriller at the Emirates.
Here is a video of that match if you can't remember it.
However, Arsenal haven't won at St James' Park since 2009, enduring a goalless match in Newcastle last season, before this happened the year before...
This isn't the first time that the North London clubs have had it all to play for on the final day of the season. This time last year, Arsenal had to beat West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns to secured third, while Spurs missed out on fourth due to sixth-placed Chelsea winning the Champions League.
As a matter of fact, Newcastle still had a chance of finishing in the top four last year, however they don't have much to fight for today.
One thing is for sure, there will be a lot of nerves doing the rounds today.
10 minutes to go!
STAT Newcastle have won just one of their last 11 Premier League games against Arsenal (W1, D5, L5).
STAT However, four of the last five league meetings at St James's Park have been draws, with Arsenal winning the other, which bodes well for the Gunners today.
While there is so much else going on around the country, Arsenal fans, your best bet is to just concentrate on my coverage here if you want to avoid shortening your life expectancy.
Both sides are in the tunnel, Harper captains Newcastle after 20 years at the club, while Arteta dons the armband for Arsenal.
REF WATCH Howard Webb is the man in the middle for the match today.
The teams are out! What drama we could be in for today.
A key point could be that Newcastle have centre-back Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa at left-back, who will be up against an in-form Theo Walcott. Watch this battle.
Where has this season gone? Honestly, I can't remember one going so fast. I must be getting on a bit!
Just to let you know, Spurs and Sunderland are already underway.
Newcastle will have kick off and shoot from left to right in their black and white stripes. Arsenal are sporting red shirts, white shorts and white socks.
WE'RE OFF!
No chances yet but a lot of early possession for Arsenal.
A lot of early noise from the Arsenal fans, they will need to be right behind their side today.
Arsenal have a free kick on the left midway through the Newcastle half after Tiote chops down Rosicky. Cazorla is over this and Mertesacker and Koscielny are forward.
CHANCE! The free kick is nodded out to the edge of the box by Coloccini. It drops to Walcott who brings the ball down before dipping a half-volley just over the bar.
SCORE UPDATE: Chelsea 1-0 Everton
CHANCE! The home side have an opportunity as Yanga-Mbiwa drives down the left, leaving Mertesacker for dust on the flank, before putting in a low cross towards Cisse. He takes a touch and hits a shot on the spin but it flies just over.
No goals yet either here or at White Hart Lane.
Nice play from Aaron Ramsey down the right for Arsenal. He keeps hold of the ball up against two men to win a corner.
CHANCE! Cazorla cops the ball into the near post towards Koscielny, the Frenchman gets a little glance on it but it rolls just past the far post.
Mertesacker, who has been lethal at the near post from corners in recent matches for Arsenal, had two men on him there. He wasn't happy.
Excitement creeps around the stadium as Papiss Cisse looks set to tap the ball in for the opener after a low cross from the right. However, Koscielny is in there to make the block, and wins a free kick in the process. Gouffran then dragged a weak shot across the face of goal.
SCORE UPDATE: Chelsea 1-1 Everton
Gutierrez has a pop from distance, but the sting of the shot is taken out of it by Cisse, as the ball makes its way through to Szczesny.
Sagna catches Gutierrez late, who is in some pain, in a 50/50 shoulder tussle and gives Newcastle a free kick which they will look to rocket into the box.
Cabaye whips the ball in but Newcastle concede the free kick after Gibbs, who cleared the ball, was climbed over by Taylor.
Newcastle win a corner after Koscielny slides in on Gouffran. Great tackle, but a chance for the hosts now.
YELLOW CARD! Gutierrez is booked for pulling the shirt of Walcott, who had left him for dead during a counter-attack from the corner. I think that is what they call a professional foul.
Arsenal have a free kick on the left, which both centre-backs are jogging forward for, after Ben Arfa jumped in on Podolski.
CHANCE! Walcott whips the ball into towards the penalty spot where Mertesacker gets a flick on. The goal kick is awarded after the ball went wide of goal, although replays show that Coloccini got the final touch.
It really is tense here...
Arteta looks as if he has pulled up. Surely that must spell the end of his match and season. Wilshere will surely come on.
Newcastle win a corner as Cisse cannons a cross off Arteta. It's Chamberlain who is going to come on in a moment.
ARSENAL CHANGE Arteta is coming off, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain the man to come on. You can assume that Cazorla will move into the middle with the Ox out wide. Wilshere clearly isn't fit enough.
At the moment though Chamberlain, who is touted to play centrally eventually in his career, is in the middle.
Mertesacker has taken the armband from Arteta by the way.
CHANCE! What a waste from Cazorla. Kieran Gibbs does ever so well down the left as he bombs forward before cutting it back to the Spaniard on the edge of the box. Cazorla tries to curl it into the far corner but gets it all wrong and sends it over.
Newcastle have a nice spell of possession on the edge of the Arsenal box, and win a corner after Gouffran knocks the ball off Sagna.
The corner comes to nothing, and Arsenal are nearly in at the other end. Cazorla sprays a huge quarterback-like pass forward towards Walcott, but the England international just misses the control. Certainly a lot of pace on the break for the Gunners.
It's still goalless at White Hart Lane in the match between these two sides' rivals.
Cabaye has a bouncing effort from range, but it is easily into the chest of Szczesny.
A minutes applause rings around St James' Park in the last game of Steve Harper's Newcastle career. The number 37 applauds the crowd.
YELLOW CARD! Tomas Rosicky goes into the book after an earlier lunge at Ben Arfa.
CHANCE! Ben Arfa is causing all sorts of problems for Arsenal down the right. He cuts inside, beats two men on his way into the box, but curls his shot over the bar.
Arsenal are in a bit of a lull here. They need to get going. From the sounds of it, Spurs are all over Sunderland in North London.
They have a chance from a corner now though as Perch heads over his own bar.
Easy catch for Harper, who gets a ton of cheers from the home fans.
Free kick for Arsenal in an advanced crossing position. Tiote is deemed guilty of bringing down Ramsey, although replays show that the Welshman slipped. Newcastle fans chant "Cheat!" as he gets to his feet.
Two minutes to go.
The free kick was kept in play by Podolski, before Sagna was tackled. Resulting in a Newcastle goal kick.
It's half time in both the other games that affect this fixture.
HALF TIME: Newcastle United 0-0 Arsenal
No goals at the end of a tense first half. Newcastle have had the better chances, Arsenal look nervous.
If you haven't done so already, why not vote for your team of the season while we wait for the players to return. The results will be revealed on Wednesday.
Arsenal are coming back out, they need more urgency.
Newcastle are back out as well.
ARSENAL GET THE SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
The referees and his officials have changed their kit this half from yellow to green to avoid the hassle of green flies.
CHANCE! Early chance for Arsenal as Walcott gets into the right side of the box, he shoots across goal but Harper gets a hand to it and Newcastle can clear away.
After a brief period off the field, Tiote is now back in the action following a slight knock.
Szczesny beats Debuchy in a sprint race to smother the ball and the chance.
Free kick for Arsenal on the right, both centre-backs go forward once more.
GOAL! Newcastle United 0-1 Arsenal (Laurent Koscielny)
MASSIVE GOAL FOR ARSENAL! Walcott's cross is headed forward by Podolski and, right in front of Harper, Koscielny acrobatically turns the ball into the back of the net. As things stand, regardless of what happens elsewhere, Arsenal take fourth.
Now we will see just how committed Newcastle are. Arsenal are far from comfortable just yet though. A long way to go.
Walcott nearly comes close to getting on the end of a lovely pass, but Harper is out quick to snub the opportunity.
NEWCASTLE CHANGE Yohan Cabaye goes off for Newcastle, he hasn't had the easiest season due to injury, and Vurnon Anita comes on.
Newcastle have Arsenal under the cosh at the moment, the Gunners can't get rid of it.
Newcastle boo their own man Debuchy, who puts the ball out after Cazorla was lying down injured. Unless it's a head injury, he shouldn't need to do that.
Arsenal give the ball back, and Cazorla hobbles back on to a chorus of boos.
Arsenal are really living dangerously at the moment. The nerves must be killing Gunners fans. Still, they lead here, and Spurs are being held at White Hart Lane. So far, so good for Arsene Wenger's men.
Arsenal have 28 minutes to hang on. I sense there are still twists and turns to come yet.
Heart-in-mouth moment for Arsenal as Debuchy swings in a low cross to the edge of the six-yard box. Mertesacker and Gouffran both go down before Koscielny hacks clear.
NEWCASTLE CHANGE Yoan Gouffran comes on for the Magpies' second substitution of the day, as Sylvain Marveaux.
Tiote is receiving a bit of treatment after getting a poke in the eye, as it looks, from Podolski. Accidental of course.
Cazorla wins a free kick after a late challenge from Yanga-Mbiwa. He did try to stay on his feet but went down on the edge of the D.
Podolski and Walcott are over it, surely one of them will shoot.
Chamberlain gets over-excited and slams an effort over the bar after lovely play from Podolski. Ramsey was in a better place.
News is breaking at White Hart Lane that Newcastle are level....I can assure you Spurs fans, that Arsenal are in front still.
CHANCE! Newcastle work the ball from the right into the centre, and Ben Arfa bangs a shot towards goal. It swerves away from Szczesny and out for a goal kick.
This must be horrible for Arsene Wenger, yes his side are winning and at this rate in the Champions League, but his heart rate must be beating like crazy.
How a second goal would ease the pressure for Arsenal.
Sunderland are down to 10 men at White Hart Lane after David Vaughan picked up his second yellow card.
SCORE UPDATE: Chelsea 2-1 Everton.
Olivier Giroud is about to come on for Arsenal, they need something at the moment.
ARSENAL CHANGE Lukas Podolski comes off, while Olivier Giroud returns from a three-match ban to play the final 13 minutes.
Arsenal need Giroud to hold it up for the team, they are on the ropes at the moment.
Newcastle have a corner.
Koscielny gets up and clears for Arsenal.
Campbell about to come on for Newcastle. He is an 18-year-old striker for those who don't know much about the local lad.
NEWCASTLE CHANGE Pardew is going for it. Yanga-Mbiwa is coming off and Adam Campbell is on. A left-back for a centre-forward.
YELLOW CARD! Kieran Gibbs is booked for dissent after giving away a free kick on the right. To be fair, it looked as if he was being fouled. Big chance for Newcastle.
Arsenal counter from the free kick, as Walcott plays Chamberlain down the right. He looks to cross to an unmarked Cazorla, but the ball goes behind for a corner.
CHANCE! The corner goes all the way through to Cazorla, who cuts inside and wraps his foot over the ball, but unfortunately for him, it curls wide.
Six minutes to go, Arsenal are in the Champions League as things stand.
Newcastle seeing a lot of the ball at the moment.
Penalty appeals from the home fans as Debuchy goes down in the box, nothing given.
Arsenal try to keep the ball in the corner, but it's out for a goal kick.
ARSENAL CHANGE Jack Wilshere is coming on for the last couple of minutes in place of Cazorla.
SCORE UPDATE: Spurs 1-0 Sunderland
Bale has just thumped in a wonder goal for Spurs, but Arsenal will still finish in the top four as things stand.
Four minutes to be added on here, the longest four of many Arsenal fans' lives.
OFF THE POST! Arsenal come inches from Champions League football as Walcott hits the inside of the post and Harper smothers the rebound. Crazy stuff.
Arsenal need to hang on. They have a free kick courtesy of an offside. Time to run the clock down.
30 seconds left.
Corner to Arsenal, all over at White Hart Lane.
FULL TIME: Newcastle United 0-1 Arsenal
ARSENAL ARE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!
Relief rings round St James' Park. Arsenal hold on, and take Champions League football courtesy of a Laurent Koscielny goal. Gareth Bale pushed them late, but Arsenal take fourth, and Spurs take Europa League football.
The Arsenal fans and players are absolutely delighted! They celebrate like mad in front of the away end. Where can they build from here?
Nervy, nervy stuff in the end but Arsenal hold on.
Arsenal fans, you can breathe once more.
That's it from me and that's it for this season. Make sure you stick with Sports Mole throughout the summer for all your sporting needs.
Thank you, and goodbye.
Written by
Matt Cotton
Matt Cotton
