Arsenal lost their grip on the fourth and final Champions League spot on Monday evening as they were defeated by Newcastle in their Premier League clash.

The Gunners went into their game at St James' Park knowing a victory would see them go back above Tottenham and into fourth with a game to go.

But they were second-best throughout as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat.

Ben White's own-goal gave Newcastle the lead in the 55th minute. Bruno Guimarães then made the points safe with five minutes to go.

With qualification for Europe's premier cup competition now unlikely, Piers Morgan has torn into Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta.

The avid Arsenal supporter has called on the club to sack Arteta, barely a month after they handed him a new contract.

Arsenal look set to miss out on Champions League football after defeat to Newcastle. Piers Morgan has called on the club to sack Mikel Arteta.
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Piers Morgan attends the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards presented by American Airlines and Jaguar Land Rover at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 25, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for BAFTA LA)

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 25: Piers Morgan attends the 2019 British Academy Britannia Awards presented by American Airlines and Jaguar Land Rover at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 25, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for BAFTA LA)

In a furious rant on Twitter, Morgan wrote: "Absolutely pathetic. Why the hell did we give Arteta a contract before the season even finished? This will be his 12th League loss of the season, after spending £250m in 2yrs. That would normally get an Arsenal manager the sack not a bloody new deal."

Replying to Lord Sugar, he wrote: "I’ve been calling him out all season. He’s not good enough to be Arsenal manager, we should have gone for Conte when we had the chance."

He added: "Arteta should be fired. Instead he’s been given a new deal and massive pay rise. For abject failure. Utterly ridiculous."

Morgan then concluded: "We should have kept Aubameyang, got rid of Arteta & hired an experienced manager who can manage world class talent & whose process we can actually trust."

Arsenal Battered & BLOW TOP 4 | Newcastle United 2-0 Arsenal Reaction Show | The Football Terrace

There is still a chance that Arsenal qualify for the Champions League, but they have to beat an Everton side fighting for their Premier League status and hope Tottenham lose at home to the worst team in the Premier League.

Arsenal need a minor miracle if they are to end their six-year hiatus from the competition.

Quiz: Can you name these obscure January transfers Arsenal have made?