Eddie Howe singles out two Arsenal stars that deserve praise after Newcastle victory and lauds one as ‘spectacular’

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Eddie Howe has picked two Arsenal stars as the major catalysts for Mikel Arteta’s side’s victory in the Premier League against Newcastle on Sunday evening.

Job done for Arsenal in the Premier League this season. The win against the Geordies means they’ve secured Champions League football once more.

It will end as a disappointing season for Arsenal, once again remaining trophyless, but there were some bright sparks throughout.

Arsenal have had some standout performers in the 24/25 campaign, but none have arguably been better than Declan Rice. He was the match-winner once more against the Magpies.

Eddie Howe on Declan Rice

Rice scored the goal that won Arsenal the game, and his efforts were noted by the Newcastle boss.

Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, Howe said: “We came under pressure at the start of the second half and you need to ride that storm and we had.

‘Declan Rice produces that spectacular finish from that range. We did everything we could to get a goal.’

Howe also lauded Rice to Sky Sports, stating that it was only this individual moment of brilliance from Arsenal’s £105m man that broke them down.

“When you’re away you have moments where you lose control, the crowd get into the game and whatever solidity you had can go,” Howe begins.

“We’ve been good at riding that storm recently, it felt like we were going to do that again and it took a special finish from Declan Rice to break us down.

“It was the feeling of pressure rather than them creating chances and if we could’ve withstood that we would’ve gone on to do something. But we didn’t.”

Another stellar Rice performance may have cemented the Arsenal Player of the Season award for the Englishman, but there was one Gunners star who outshone him on Sunday.

Eddie Howe on David Raya

Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was inspired against Newcastle, and that was also noted by Howe.

“It was a really strong first-half performance from us – we looked confident,” Howe again told Sky Sports. “I was really pleased, bar the last action, the finishing was a bit off.

“I have to say David Raya played well.

“I can’t ask any more of the players, tough place to come. We probably weren’t our best in the second half and that’s what probably cost us the game.”

Raya made some simply ludicrous saves on the day, and for good reason. He wasn’t just playing for the points for Arsenal – he also found himself right in the thick of the Premier League Golden Glove race.

Raya is now equal with Nottingham Forest’s Matz Sels on 13 apiece. It goes down to the final day as to who will scoop up the accolade for the 24/25 season.