Laurent Koscielny News

Arsenal 's Barclays Premier League victory over Newcastle ensured they beat rivals Tottenham to the last Champions League place despite a late blockbuster from Gareth Bale on the final day of the season.

Howard Webb sparked great amusement at St James' Park when he returned to referee the second half of Newcastle's last-day clash with Arsenal because he and his team of assistants had swapped shirts due to bites from flying midges.

The margin was so fine, so gnawing at his peace of mind, that ArsA ne Wenger now knows how it is to step down from the dock freed from the heaviest of charges.

Arsenal clinched their own Champions League spot this afternoon, winning their crucial game against Newcastle 1-0 thanks to a Laurent Koscielny goal.

Laurent Koscielny ensured Arsenal of a place in the Champions League qualifiers with the only goal in a tight encounter at Newcastle.

Arsenal qualified for the Champions League for the 16th straight season after edging Tottenham to fourth place in the Premier League, as Alex Ferguson bowed out as Manchester United manager with a 5-5 draw against West Bromwich Albion.

SLOPPY PLAY Lack of cohesion brings attacks from both sides to a standstill, with Debuchy first refusing to pass and being bullied off the ball.

Wenger looks pre-historic, post-Fergie; Moyes - leave Everton players alone; Newcastle need leader in Kevin Nolan mould a Part two: QPR to Wigan Athletic West Ham United's Kevin Nolan and Newcastle United's Hatem Ben Arfa in action.

Whether it be for something as simple as bragging rights or as crucial as Champions League qualification, Arsenal and Tottenham are making something of a habit of heading into the last day of the season with plenty riding on their results.

Wigan winger Callum McManaman has been ruled out of England's European Under-21 Championship campaign with an ankle injury.

After his contract wrangle earlier in the campaign, Arsenal's Theo Walcott has kicked on to become one of Arsenal's most important players, writes John Cross In particular, the North London clubs have been going toe-to-toe. Tottenham have been laying down the gauntlet - and it's been up to Arsenal to respond.

Chelsea are favourites to lift the Europa League for the first time at the expense of Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

Chelsea are favourites to lift the Europa League for the first time at the expense of Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has little desire to return to the club when his loan deal with Hannover 96 expires as he looks to stay in the Bundesliga.

Arsenal welcome Wigan Athletic to Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Tuesday and our Talking Heads for this game are commentator Dan Roebuck and James McNicholas from Gunnerblog .

From relegation to financial woe, from injury to mismanagement, every club knows what it means to feel rock bottom and to encounter the loneliness of despair.

Surely the future Bayern Munich manager won't manage to pry away two of The Gunners biggest names this summer? It was not long ago that Arsenal fans were sitting hopeful of Pep Guardiola potentially taking over from a then ailing Arsene Wenger at The Emirates.

The Gunners are increasingly confident of signing the Swansea City centre-back this summer as they prepare a summer bid, having held initial discussions in April Goal correspondent Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Ashley Williams after holding a second round of talks with the player's representatives, Goal can reveal.

Despite Arsenal 's sterling run of form since their defeat to Tottenham in February, few would deny that there is ample room for improvement during the summer.

Arsenal have confirmed the destinations for their pre-season tour of Asia. The one date that immediately springs to attention regards the club becoming the first ever Premier League side to visit Vietnam on July 17th.