Mikel Arteta breaks silence after Arsenal's heartbreaking Premier League defeat at Newcastle United

• Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal do not deserve to play in the Champions League following their 2-0 defeat against Newcastle
• The Gunners were in a pole position to seal a top-four finish - but defeats to Newcastle and Tottenham have seen that dream fizzle away
• Arteta's charges now need to beat Everton in their final game of the season and hope that Spurs lose to Norwich to stand a chance of qualifying for the Champions League

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has admitted his side were not at their best during their trip to Newcastle United on Monday night, May 16.

The Gunners were hoping to bounce back to winning ways after suffering a 3-0 defeat in their last outing against rivals, Tottenham Hotspur.

However, Arsenal were unable to find their mojo at St. James Park as they lost 2-0 in a result that could have a catastrophic effect on their efforts to qualify for the Champions League.

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Ben White's own goal in the 55th minute of the match and Bruno Guimares' strike five minutes to stoppage time was all the hosts needed to condemn Arteta's men to a comprehensive defeat.

Mikel Arteta concedes Newcastle were the better side

Arteta has now launched an attack on his flops in the wake of the defeat, claiming Newcastle were easily the better side during the tense Premier League meeting.

The Gunners boss further added that his side does not deserve to play in the Champions League considering their lacklustre performance against the Magpies.

"It's extremely disappointing that Newcastle were 10 times better than us and the performance was nowhere near the level we need to be at if we want to play in the Champions League," he said as quoted by Goal.

"I am incredibly disappointed. It's a very painful one. It was in our hands and [now] it's not in our hands. We have to beat Everton and wait for Norwich to beat Spurs. There's always a tiny chance in football," he added.

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Piers Morgan wants Arteta sacked

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Piers Morgan has launched a vicious attack on Mikel Arteta following Arsenal's 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United.

The British journalist questioned Arsenal's decision to reward the club manager with a new deal earlier in the season, insisting he needed to be sacked instead.

The loss dented the Gunners' chances of sealing a top-four finish at the end of the season, with the side needing a miracle to qualify for the Champions League.