Arsenal 5-1 Everton: 3 talking points from final-day win

Arsenal rounded off their Premier League campaign in style as they claimed a comfortable 5-1 win over Everton on Sunday.

Although wrestling back fourth spot was always an unlikely prospect, the Gunners knew they had to at least keep up their end of the bargain and dominated proceedings right from the start, with some early pressure culminating in a great chance for Gabriel Martinelli who was denied by an alert Asmir Begovic.

However, the visitors’ respite was to be short lived as a quick VAR intervention midway through the first half saw the home side awarded a penalty. Shaking off his earlier miss, Martinelli assumed responsibility from 12 yards and this time made no mistake, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way with an emphatic low finish.

Goal no. 2 followed soon after and once again the Brazilian played a central role, flicking on a corner at the near post towards Eddie Nketiah who was on hand to steer the ball home for his fifth goal of the season.

Despite their utter domination, the hosts’ lead still seemed somewhat precarious and they were made to pay for some lax defending when Everton loanee Donny van de Beek found space inside the box and pulled one back right on the stroke of half-time.

In the end, it was nothing more than a consolation as Arsenal continued to dictate the game after the break and finally made their pressure count. The two-goal advantage was swiftly restored when Cedric fired home from a well-worked corner, and the Portuguese turned provider for Gabriel just three minutes later before captain Martin Odegaard completed the scoring in the final minutes.

Arsenal 5-1 Everton: 3 talking points as the Gunners claim final-day victory and confirm their Europa League status

In truth, there was a strong end-of-season feel to the game and many will be left wondering what might have been after a difficult couple of weeks. But, in any case, the damage was done long before this weekend, and it is now up to Mikel Arteta to galvanise the squad as they look to build on the work they have put in over the last ten months.

1. Arsenal confirm their Europa League status for next season

It’s not exactly what we had hoped for, but a final-day victory at the Emirates and results elsewhere mean Arsenal will be playing Europa League football again next season.

The Gunners did all they could to pile pressure on their north London rivals and put the much-changed (assorted?) Toffees to the sword with a professional, quality performance in front of a buoyant home crowd.

However, if you head into the final game needing favours from the league’s basement dwellers, something has gone horribly wrong and Sp*rs’ Carrow-Road blitz dispelled any suggestion that our Champions League hiatus would be coming to an end.

We will rue the missed opportunities but will undoubtedly come back stronger.

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