Arsenal win but miss out on Champions League

Arsenal register easy victory in their last game of the season, however fifth place finish means they miss out on Champions League for the first time in 20 years which remains their worst finish under Wenger’s era.

Requiring faults from either Liverpool or Manchester City on the final day of the period to have any type of chance of a top-four surface, Arsenal took an eighth-minute lead with Hector Bellerin.

They did suffer a problem when Laurent Koscielny was sent for a late lunge on Enner Valencia in the 14th minute, ruling him out of the FA Cup final, however increased their lead through Alexis Sanchez in the 27th min.

Everton, who started with Ross Barkley on the bench, pulled a goal back with Romelu Lukaku’s charge after Rob Holding dealt with in the fine area.

However the Gunners, who shed Alexis Sanchez to injury in the 68th min, protected victory thanks to Aaron Ramsey’s injury-time strike.

Arsenal’s success was in vain though in terms of Champions League qualification as Liverpool travelled to a 3-0 success in your home to relegated Middlesbrough, while Manchester City hammered Watford 5-0.

It means a very first finish outside the leading four for Arsenal during Arsene Wenger’s period at the club and Europa League football next period, but interest will currently resort to next week’s FA Cup final versus Premier League champs Chelsea at Wembley.

Koscielny and Ramsey were both passed fit while Danny Welbeck was preferred up front to Olivier Giroud as Wenger stuck to the 3-4-3 formation which has offered them well in current weeks.

There was no place in Everton’s starting line-up for Barkley, whose future at Goodison Park remains in doubt, and also he was left on the substitutes’ bench with Enner Valencia taking his location.

Bellerin gave Leighton Baines a torrid time in the early stages and when Welbeck mis-kicked from 5 yards with the goal gaping, the full-back was on hand to slot Arsenal in advance.

It was the perfect begin for the hosts, that had actually dominated the initial quarter of a hr, however their energy was inspected when Koscielny dived unnecessarily in on Valencia as well as umpire Michael Oliver reacted with a red card.