The curtain has now gone down on Arsenal's season after Olivier Giroud's hat-trick helped move them above Spurs into second with a 4-0 win over relegated Aston Villa.
The French striker has received a lot of criticism this season for some very frustrating performances but his goals took his tally to 24, which is his best scoring campaign for the Gunners.
Captain Mikel Arteta almost got a fairytale ending in his final appearance for the club but his late effort is likely to go down as an own goal by Villa goalkeeper Mark Bunn.
Arsenal went into the game knowing they had to win and hope Tottenham lost at Newcastle if they were to overtake their rivals in second. The Gunners did just that as their win, coupled by Spurs' 5-1 defeat, saw them record their highest league finish since moving to the Emirates. Is that good enough though? In some ways second isn't too bad considering how things were looking a month or two ago, but there is also a feeling of frustration. Having been in the title race up until the last few months, and then seeing the same old story of it fading away from us, I am not so sure. We beat Leicester twice and took four points off Manchester City yet still finished 10 points from the top. We should've done far better and we need to spend money in the summer if we are to go one better next season, but more about that in next week's blog.
Arsenal opened the scoring after just five minutes when Giroud headed in Nacho Monreal's cross. Although the Gunners continued to control the first half they were unable to add to their lead until the latter stages of the game.
Villa had a half chance to draw level through Jordan Ayew after eight minutes but, fortunately for the hosts, Laurent Koscielny was able to clear the danger.
Alexis Sanchez looked lively in attack and the Chilean saw his shot blocked before curling another just off target. Sanchez then nearly set up a goal as his cross set up Jack Wilshere, but the midfielder's effort went just wide.
At the other end Scott Sinclair's effort ended up near the back post and there could have been serious danger for the hosts if any Villa players were able to take advantage, but Monreal was able to clear the danger.
With us winning and Spurs trailing 2-0 at half-time things were looking good, but I knew it wasn't over yet and we really needed to get a second goal to end any hopes of a Villa fightback.
We weren't testing Bunn enough and the efforts that were coming our way we wasted as Hector Bellerin, Mohamed Elneny and Sanchez all sent their shots over the bar.
Two goals in as many minutes then put the result beyond doubt. Sanchez and Mesut Ozil combined before the latter cut the ball back for Giroud to score his second 12 minutes from time. It was a nice touch by the Arsenal players who went over to celebrate with Tomas Rosicky, who is set to leave this summer after 10 years at the club.
Giroud completed his hat-trick just two minutes later after latching onto a fine through pass from Bellerin before sliding the ball beyond Bunn.
With two minutes remaining Arteta came on for his last competitive match in an Arsenal shirt and he very nearly scored soon after. The midfielder's shot hit the bar before bouncing back off Bunn and creeping over the line. As much as it would have been great to see him sign off with a goal it doesn't look as though he'll be able to claim it.
The own goal sealed a comprehensive victory for the Gunners and with Spurs crumbling at Newcastle there was at least the consolation of finishing above our rivals and qualifying for the Champions League once again, but I want more than just this!
OPPOSITION VIEW
Aston Villa fan Cole Demetriades admitted he was "delighted the season is over" as his side bowed out of the Premier League and he is hoping his side will cope better with life in the Championship.
"I'm happy we will never have to play Arsenal again or see Olivier Giroud again," said Demetriades. "And I'm happy Arsenal finished above Spurs, being a good north London boy myself.
"I am happy that next year we will be in a division where we can actually compete. 64 points behind Leicester tells you we don't belong in the division.
"Last year at the FA Cup Final we lost 4-0 and in the first game of the new season we only played one player against Bournemouth who had started the final. Next year I hope will be very similar as the Villa team today won't be seen again and good riddance to the bad rubbish.
"We still pick the same sh*t players who have let us down all season so why would we expect a different result. Our bench looked better than our first team.
"I didn't see the game but I can promise you right now that at least two of Arsenal's goals will have come from individual errors. If I watch Match of the Day and see something different then I'll grow a pair of breasts and call myself Cindy."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
Finishing as runners-up in some ways isn't that bad, but having another failed title bid and making some of the same mistakes as we have in the last few seasons is very frustrating, even if Spurs' capitulation did at least give us something to smile about.
We more than deserved our victory over Villa but I think, without being too disrespectful to them, the calibre of our opponents wasn't particularly high. In truth, we should have put the game out of sight much earlier than we did and against another side we may have got punished. We need to be a lot more clinical in attack and not leave it so late to get goals.
Giroud scored four goals in the final two league games this season and it is a shame he couldn't have done this a lot more in other games as we are left thinking about more what ifs.
Let's just hope we can go one better next season and claim the big prize of the Premier League title. Let's wait and see what happens!
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
Sunday, 15 May 2016
Monday, 9 May 2016
Giroud ends drought in City draw
Olivier Giroud finally got back on the goal trail as Arsenal picked up a very credible point in a 2-2 draw at Manchester City.
The Frenchman has come under fire in recent months and his goal at the Etihad was his first in his past 16 Premier League appearances. For a striker that sort of statistic simply isn't good enough and up front is an area we have been severely lacking in, but he did perform well against City.
Giroud's goal cancelled out Serigo Aguero's opener before City retook the lead through Kevin de Bruyne within six minutes of the restart. Alexis Sanchez netted 22 minutes from time to ensure that Arsenal would at least get a share of the spoils.
After taking an impressive four points out of a possible six against Manchester City this season, and also beating champions Leicester twice, it makes it all the more frustrating that we were not in the title race for longer. Instead, as it stands, the Gunners lie third with a chance of leapfrogging rivals Spurs second or dropping lower than their current position.
Manchester City were playing in their last home game under Manuel Pellegrini, who is set to be replaced by Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola in the summer. In truth, it didn't feel like it was his last home game in charge and I am unsure how many will be that sad to see him go.
City started strongly and took the lead after just eight minutes when Aguero fired a low shot into the bottom corner. This could've led to City opening the floodgates but instead the Gunners battled back well and levelled matters just two minutes later. A mix up between Joe Hart and former Gunner Gael Clichy saw City conceded a sloppy corner and, from the resulting set-piece, powered home a header.
Arsenal were dealt a blow when Danny Welbeck was forced off with a knee injury after 24 minutes. The extent of the damage is not yet known and the England forward will undoubtedly be sweating on whether or not he will be available for England in the upcoming European Championships.
City looked the more likely to score again in the first half with Aguero seeing his effort deflect just over the bar, but the scores remained level going in at the break.
Sloppy defending allowed City to regain the lead as De Bruyne raced towards goal with far too much ease before his drilled effort beat Gunners' goalkeeper Petr Cech at his near post.
Arsenal once again pegged back their opponents when Giroud set up Sanchez to race forward and fire a clinical strike beyond Joe Hart in the City goal.
The visiting fans had to endure a heart in mouth moment when Aguero's shot flashed just past a post before the hosts very nearly won it two minutes from time. Substitute Wilfried Bony hit a sweetly struck volley towards goal that beat Cech but, fortunately for the Gunners, it crashed back off the crossbar.
Neither side was able to find a winner and, although a draw was a decent result, it was still a shame that we couldn't take full advantage of Tottenham's slip-up.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Man City fan Joe Barnes feels his side should have got more than a draw from their encounter with Arsene Wenger's men.
"We deserved more," said Barnes. "Aguero and Fernandinho were brilliant.
"The rest of the midfield needs an overhaul. Pep (Guardiola) needs to prove his worth and earn his money.
"Arsenal were lucky to escape with a point."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
A draw away at City would be considered a good result normally but it begs the question how we can get a credible point there yet lose to sides like West Brom. We definitely need to be a lot more consistent.
The title is obviously out of reach and if we did finish second or third there isn't much difference in terms of the end outcome - qualifying for the Champions League and not winning the title. But with the chance of overhauling bitter rivals Spurs, depending on their next result, means the players will have no excuse not to be motivated for the final game of the season at home against already-relegated Aston Villa.
If we beat Villa and Spurs were to lose at Newcastle we would finish second but we can't afford any slip-ups as we could yet finish fourth or even outside the Champions League places.
In terms of the league it is winding down with an all too familiar feeling but that won't stop me from wanting the lads to get a big win against Villa, so let's go end the season on a high.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
The Frenchman has come under fire in recent months and his goal at the Etihad was his first in his past 16 Premier League appearances. For a striker that sort of statistic simply isn't good enough and up front is an area we have been severely lacking in, but he did perform well against City.
Giroud's goal cancelled out Serigo Aguero's opener before City retook the lead through Kevin de Bruyne within six minutes of the restart. Alexis Sanchez netted 22 minutes from time to ensure that Arsenal would at least get a share of the spoils.
After taking an impressive four points out of a possible six against Manchester City this season, and also beating champions Leicester twice, it makes it all the more frustrating that we were not in the title race for longer. Instead, as it stands, the Gunners lie third with a chance of leapfrogging rivals Spurs second or dropping lower than their current position.
Manchester City were playing in their last home game under Manuel Pellegrini, who is set to be replaced by Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola in the summer. In truth, it didn't feel like it was his last home game in charge and I am unsure how many will be that sad to see him go.
City started strongly and took the lead after just eight minutes when Aguero fired a low shot into the bottom corner. This could've led to City opening the floodgates but instead the Gunners battled back well and levelled matters just two minutes later. A mix up between Joe Hart and former Gunner Gael Clichy saw City conceded a sloppy corner and, from the resulting set-piece, powered home a header.
Arsenal were dealt a blow when Danny Welbeck was forced off with a knee injury after 24 minutes. The extent of the damage is not yet known and the England forward will undoubtedly be sweating on whether or not he will be available for England in the upcoming European Championships.
City looked the more likely to score again in the first half with Aguero seeing his effort deflect just over the bar, but the scores remained level going in at the break.
Sloppy defending allowed City to regain the lead as De Bruyne raced towards goal with far too much ease before his drilled effort beat Gunners' goalkeeper Petr Cech at his near post.
Arsenal once again pegged back their opponents when Giroud set up Sanchez to race forward and fire a clinical strike beyond Joe Hart in the City goal.
The visiting fans had to endure a heart in mouth moment when Aguero's shot flashed just past a post before the hosts very nearly won it two minutes from time. Substitute Wilfried Bony hit a sweetly struck volley towards goal that beat Cech but, fortunately for the Gunners, it crashed back off the crossbar.
Neither side was able to find a winner and, although a draw was a decent result, it was still a shame that we couldn't take full advantage of Tottenham's slip-up.
OPPOSITION VIEW
Man City fan Joe Barnes feels his side should have got more than a draw from their encounter with Arsene Wenger's men.
"We deserved more," said Barnes. "Aguero and Fernandinho were brilliant.
"The rest of the midfield needs an overhaul. Pep (Guardiola) needs to prove his worth and earn his money.
"Arsenal were lucky to escape with a point."
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
A draw away at City would be considered a good result normally but it begs the question how we can get a credible point there yet lose to sides like West Brom. We definitely need to be a lot more consistent.
The title is obviously out of reach and if we did finish second or third there isn't much difference in terms of the end outcome - qualifying for the Champions League and not winning the title. But with the chance of overhauling bitter rivals Spurs, depending on their next result, means the players will have no excuse not to be motivated for the final game of the season at home against already-relegated Aston Villa.
If we beat Villa and Spurs were to lose at Newcastle we would finish second but we can't afford any slip-ups as we could yet finish fourth or even outside the Champions League places.
In terms of the league it is winding down with an all too familiar feeling but that won't stop me from wanting the lads to get a big win against Villa, so let's go end the season on a high.
COME ON YOU GUNNERS
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