Though Arsenal didn’t manage to enter the top four courtesy some insanely easy fixtures for Manchester City and Liverpool on the other end, the Gunners gave a cracking display on the last of the season at Emirates.
Arsenal out of Champions League
The only issue that was left undecided until the last day of the season was Arsenal’s Champions League hopes, and it didn’t go as Arsene Wenger would have hoped. Despite a brilliant win over Ronald Koeman’s Everton, which saw one of 2017’s best Premier League teams stopped with 10 men for the entire game almost, Arsenal will not play in the Champions League next season after all, for the first time since 1996.
It changes many plans for the side surely. Arsenal are unlikely to chase the transfer targets they were expecting to and needless to mention the hectic schedule the second-tier European campaign brings with itself. The Gunners will have to face many unknown sides of different countries next season, which takes a toll on the players’ fatigue more than anything else, and their popular youth products will be called into action more often now.
Arsenal’s FA Cup chances slashed half
The biggest fear of every Arsenal fan just turned real. Arsenal are in grave danger of missing out on Alexis Sanchez in their FA Cup final clash against Chelsea. After the Chilean got the customary goal in the first-half, his heavy work rate to compensate for one less striker up front cost him dearly as he hobbled off the pitch holding his hamstring.
We know anything is possible with him and a one-match risk can be taken with a muscle problem, but it won’t be his 100% surely. Apart from him, Laurent Koscielny made sure of an early holiday with a rash and insensible tackle on Enner Valencia that saw him red carded quite early in the game. Our sympathies with Gabriel Paulista. The Brazilian was perhaps the best in the back line and stopped Everton at will. His horrific knee injury is surely keeping him out till the beginning of next season.
Wenger Out Brigade Intensifies
Wenger is now deprived of the only thing he took most pride in. Arsenal are out of the top four and he will be out of excuses now surely. And Arsenal fans at Emirates made sure he felt every bit of the pain. Banners and chants followed immediately the final whistle that took a dig at both Wenger and owner Stan Kroenke.
Wenger is yet to announce his stay although it is already known to everyone, which will only increase the frustration in and around Emirates. A further disappointment in the FA Cup final would mean he will be having a hellish season to endure next term.
