Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has insisted that qualifying for the Champions League is vital for the club after their Premier League final-day drama.

The Frenchman netted the only goal of the game to earn the Gunners a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park and guarantee the side's place in the top four of the division.

Afterwards, the 27-year-old was keen to emphasis the importance of competing in Europe's elite competition.

"It was important for us," Koscielny told The Mirror. "It's about the team winning.

"We have good players but it is about playing in the ­Champions League. It is a big competition and we did the job."

Arsenal are now unbeaten in 17 matches with Koscielny and Per Mertesacker as their centre-back pairing.