A night of elation for Arsenal fans and one of frustration for their Newcastle counterparts. Surely Arsenal have fourth wrapped up but this has been a season characterised by twists and turns, could there be yet more surprises in store in the race for fourth?

Everton and Arsenal are back in Premier League action this weekend, but before then there is the little matter of the Champions League semi-finals, with Bayern Munich taking on Real Madrid on Tuesday.

Join us for more live text commentary then. Goodbye for now.

BBC Radio 5 live

Arsenal fans, fancy listening to the three goals as they were scored again? Head to the BBC Radio 5 live website for an audio clip of the goals that may well have secured the Gunners Champions League football next season.

Alan Pardew is looking long term but the frustration of the fans continue to increase. Can you see any hope of him turning it around, Newcastle fans?

More from Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was tough for us tonight. We dug in, worked hard and tried to offer a threat but they were too good. We looked like we were in a good zone, coping well with a lot of movement from Arsenal, but it was a bad time to concede the first goal.

"We need to focus on finishing in the top 10 and to do that we need to win on Saturday. We'll be really up for it and hopefully we'll get a win. We're going to work hard in the summer to make sure we have a team that can make this city proud.

"I'm looking at the job as a long-term opportunity for myself. That's how you have to focus."

Conor Mosedale:, external As a Liverpool fan, I am sure that Newcastle will step up to play us. No logical reason but that's just how it seems to work out for us.

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: "We had some problems at the start of the game, trying to find our way through the defence. When we found an opening we became stronger.

"I would not like to take anything away from Aaron Ramsey but we lost a number of other players in the same period and altogether I think that would harm the chances of many teams.

"We would love for the season to be longer. We were top of the league but lost too many players at the crucial point of the season. We are four points ahead of Everton and we want to take maximum points from now until the end of the season."

Image source, AP

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, speaking about the frustration of the fans: "It is not comfortable. When you have gone six games and have not won the pressure builds in the Premier League and you have to be counted.

"In the second half we showed real character because it would have been easy to fold in the circumstances we were in."

Ian McCormack:, external People keep saying Newcastle have already hit the beach. Quicksand more like.

Aloufika:, external 46 points. You [Newcastle] are safe, why cry?

Rob Vincent:, external Think I'd rather be a fan of a club involved in a relegation scrap than a Newcastle fan at the moment. No pride, no passion, no clue.

Image source, Reuters

The return of Loic Remy failed to rectify Newcastle's scoring woes. The striker barely registered his presence in the game and Alan Pardew's side have now failed to score in 13 of their previous 18 games.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta, speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a good win. It was important for us to get this result and the goals for our goal difference was important too. The first goal was really important. We needed to break them down and it opened the game up.

"Mesut Ozil is very important for the team and we have missed him while he has been injured. We have a massive chance to secure fourth and we will try to take it."

For Newcastle fans, it was another frustrating performance and result. They remain ninth but, based on recent displays, they may well struggle to hold on to a top-10 finish this season.

Mark, via text: Desperate times for Newcastle, season can't end soon enough for us.

Peter, via text: Arsenal seven points above Spurs. First objective achieved.

Gavin, via text: Good news for Liverpool as based on this Newcastle performance they will fancy making up the eight-goal difference between them and City.

A routine victory for Arsenal in the end against a Newcastle side that offered little throughout. It is a big three points for the Gunners as they move four points clear of Everton. Surely it is Champions League football for Arsenal again next season then?

Steve Claridge
BBC Sport

"Newcastle were in damage limitation mode and they never really came out of that. Apart from Yoan Gouffran's one-on-one they never got anywhere near Arsenal. I've been quite taken by the reaction of the fans here, there is a really good feel good factor at Arsenal."

Listen to reaction from the game on BBC Radio 5 live.

A final change for Newcastle as 17-year-old forward Adam Armstrong comes on for Yoan Gouffran. Three minutes of time added on, three more minutes of misery for the away fans to endure.

Again Arsenal come forward as Tim Krul sticks out a boot to deny Nacho Monreal's effort from a tight angle after the Arsenal full-back had raced on to a ball over the defence by Mikel Arteta.

Some half-hearted calls for a penalty from Arsenal fans as Tomas Rosicky goes down inside the area under a challenge after exchanging passes with Lukas Podolski, but referee Neil Swarbrick waves play on.

Final change for Arsenal as Olivier Giroud goes off to a rousing reception from the Arsenal supporters, Yaya Sanogo comes on. Newcastle boss Alan Pardew also makes a change as Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa replaces Mathieu Debuchy.

Into the closing stages of this game and the full-time whistle probably cannot come quick enough for Newcastle as Arsenal remain in control. The travelling Newcastle fans have taken to entertaining themselves now by ironically cheering each Arsenal corner and throw-in.