Premier League: Arsenal win at Newcastle to claim fourth place

By Graeme Bailey - Tweet me: <a href='http://bit.ly/lRx0Da' class='instorylink'>@graemebailey</a>

Sunday 19 May 2013 22:49, UK

Arsenal secured fourth spot in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Wenger was proud of his players after the game and says he was always confident that Arsenal would qualify for the Champions League. "I'm proud of the character and the spirit, especially with all we had to deal with during the season," Wenger told Sky Sports. "The players are special. I've told them many times and they've shown it. In the last two months they have been absolutely exceptional. "The combination of quality and attitude has been great, and that's why I always had faith that we would come back." The result ensured Newcastle finished 16th in the table, but Alan Pardew is 'pretty confident' he will stay on as manager next season. Asked about his own future, Pardew said: "I'm pretty confident I'll be the manager here. "I love being the manager and I will be speaking to [owner] Mike [Ashley] and [managing director] Derek [Llambias] this week to make sure we get a response and the right reaction."