Theo Walcott grabbed a first-half hat-trick as Arsenal secured third place with a thumping 4-1 win over West Brom on the final day of the Premier League season.
Although there was little to play for, as only defeat and a huge Manchester United win could've prevented Arsenal from finishing third, the hosts were very quick out the blocks and put in a top class performance in the opening 45 minutes.
Walcott's treble, along with a wonder-strike from Jack Wilshere, put the Gunners four goals to the good and in total control going in at the break. The second half dipped with the only other goal coming from Baggies' defender Gareth McAuley but it didn't stop Arsene Wenger's men from coming away with all three points.
In the past two seasons Arsenal finished fourth, meaning an earlier start to the campaign with a qualifying play-off for the Champions League. Although a third-placed finish isn't silverware, and it was frustrating for Arsenal not to challenge more seriously for the title, at least we have qualified automatically for the Champions League group stages this time around.
From January to the end of April we were one of the most in-form sides in the country but we were still way off the pace behind leaders Chelsea. This season has provided some positives, including the emergence of Francis Coquelin and Hector Bellerin, but we will need to bring in at least two top quality additions over the summer. This will be analysed in more detail in my post-season blogs but for now there is still football to focus on with the FA Cup Final against Aston Villa looming. But before all that let's look back at our final-day victory against West Brom at the Emirates.
Walcott, who was making his first start in over two months, almost opened the scoring inside the opening minute but his shot was blocked by Jonas Olsson.
But the England forward made no mistake after four minutes as he collected a pass on the right-hand side of the area before firing a shot off the underside of the bar into the top corner.
Arsenal continued to pile forward with Alexis Sanchez sending a free-kick just over the bar before the Chilean forced a save out of Boaz Myhill.
The Gunners doubled their advantage after 14 minutes when Wilshere raced clear into the box before Walcott pounced on the loose ball to score from close range.
Wilshere scored, arguably the pick of the goals, just three minutes later after a corner was not cleared properly. Gabriel, starting in place of Laurent Koscielny, touched the ball back to Wilshere who rifled it into the top corner on the half-volley. The midfielder has been showing glimpses of brilliance in recent weeks and his display against the Baggies was a joy to watch. Maybe, just maybe, his injury troubles are behind him and he is slowly getting back to his best.
Myhill produced a fine finger tip save to deny Walcott and the former Wales international had to be alert to keep out Wilshere soon after. But Myhill could do nothing about the goal that saw Walcott complete his hat-trick after 37 minutes. Santi Cazorla mishit a shot and Walcott was on hand to score with a simple tap-in.
Walcott almost added a fourth before the break but his shot was excellently pushed away by Myhill.
At the other end, James Morrison saw his free-kick deflected straight into the arms of David Ospina following a rare West Brom attack in the closing minutes of the first half.
After such a superb first-half performance I had been hoping to see Arsenal kick on and produce more of the same in the second. Instead, the second half dipped a lot in quality and there wasn't as much action and the game started to have that end of season feel about it.
Arsenal did come close to adding to the scoreline though when Cazorla's effort was parried by Myhill and Walcott was unable to convert the rebound.
Ospina, who had very little to do in the first half, was forced into his first real save soon after when he parried Victor Anichebe's strike out for a corner. But the Colombian could do nothing about the next attempt at goal as Chris Brunt's corner was headed home by McAuley after 57 minutes.
West Brom tried to cut the deficit further but Anichebe shot wide before Brunt forced an excellent save out of Ospina and Craig Gardner volleyed the rebound over the bar.
Substitute Aaron Ramsey nearly scored two goals in as many minutes in the closing stages. The Wales midfielder saw a powerful strike hit the far post before his curling effort was superbly turned onto the bar by Myhill.
For all Arsenal's efforts they simply couldn't seem to add to the impressive scoreline they had built up in the opening 45 minutes. The visitors were also unable to add any further goals, although Gardner did cause a late scare for Ospina. Gardner's long-range strike went through the hands of Ospina, but luckily for the Colombian shot-stopper the ball bounced off the bar and over.
So Arsenal end the season with an impressive 4-1 victory to finish third, just one placed above the usual fourth-placed finish that had become the norm in recent seasons. There are many positives we can take from this league campaign but also a fair few negatives. We did a lot right but also did a lot wrong and I will analyse this further, along with my own end of season Arsenal awards and a general look back and this season's Premier League in future blogs.
But before I can even think about analysing the good and bad of the 2014/15 campaign there is still one massive game left to focus on. Regardless of who is in the final, I always love the FA Cup and this season the BBC are devoting an entire day of coverage to it and I am already excited. I was unfortunately unable to get tickets to the Wembley show-piece but that won't stop me watching my beloved Gunners on the box and cheering them on.
The season isn't over just yet so come on Arsenal give us another performance to be proud of and let's go lift that trophy again.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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