Arsenal moved four points clear of Everton in the race for the fourth and final Champions League place on offer to Premier League clubs with a convincing 3-0 win over Newcastle United.
A rare strike by Laurent Koscielny opened the scoring at the Emirates Stadium before Mesut Ozil netted for the 10th time this season and Olivier Giroud sealed victory with his 21st goal of the campaign to boost the Gunners' hopes of a 17th successive term in Europe's premier club competition.
Arsene Wenger's side now require just one more victory from their final two league matches against either West Bromwich Albion or Norwich City to book their spot.
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"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," Gunners boss Wenger told Sky Sports.
In truth, visitors Newcastle had goalkeeper Tim Krul to thank for keeping the scoreline respectable as Alan Pardew, back on the touchline after a seven-game absence due to suspension, saw his side suffer a sixth successive league defeat -- the north-east club's worst run in the English top flight since the 1986/87 season.
"It was tough for us tonight," said Pardew, whose side remain ninth in the table.
"We dug in, worked hard and tried to offer a threat but they (Arsenal) were too good.
"We need to focus on finishing in the top 10. We'll be really up for it and hopefully we'll get a win."
The Englishman added: "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."
While followers of fifth-placed Everton were cheering on Newcastle in the hope they could do them a favour, the blue half of Merseyside would be disappointed as Arsenal, with the FA Cup final against Hull City at Wembley on May 17 confined to the back of their minds, dominated throughout.
