‘Not good enough for Europa League’

GRANIT XHAKA blasted his Arsenal team-mates after they crumbled at Newcastle to leave their Champions League dreams looking over.

And Gunners boss Mikel Arteta slaughtered his troops after they folded on Tyneside to leave a top-four place in Tottenham’s grasp.

Arsenal’s Champions League hopes went up in smoke at Newcastle on Monday nightCredit: REX

Ex-skipper Granit Xhaka was furious with the displays turned in by his team-matesCredit: GETTY

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta was furious with his troops’ displays at St James’ ParkCredit: REX

The north Londoners crashed to defeat through Ben White’s own goal and a late strike from Bruno Guimaraes.

It leaves the fifth-placed Gunners two points — and 15 goals — behind bitter rivals Spurs going into the final Premier League games.

Xhaka raged: “From the first minute to the 90th we didn’t deserve to be on the pitch.

“With a performance like that you don’t deserve to play Champions League or Europa League.

“I don’t know why we aren’t doing what the coach is asking. If someone isn’t ready then stay at home.

“If you’re nervous and not ready, stay on the bench and don’t come here. It was not acceptable.

“Everything was in our hands – it’s a totally different game now.”

Even if Arsenal beat Everton on Sunday at the Emirates, a draw at Norwich will almost certainly now be enough for Antonio Conte’s Spurs to seal fourth place and the cash bonanza of playing in Europe’s elite competition.

A furious Arteta said of his charges: “I will always defend them but that is a really difficult thing to do.

“Newcastle were 100 hundred times better in every department from the beginning to end, and that is very hard to accept.

“We didn’t cope and we didn’t compete. I am incredibly disappointed.

“We have to swallow every poison now.”

Victory over the lacklustre Gunners in their final home match of the season gave the Saudi-backed Toon Army even more optimism for what’s to come.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe said: “That was our best performance by some distance since I’ve been at the club.

“That was a challenge we posed, can we get a result against one of the top six? You are seeing improvements in all areas.

“The atmosphere was something I have never experienced.

“It is a huge weapon for us and we have to use it as much as we can.”