- Kai Havertz scored a late winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening
- Mikel Arteta’s side finished the season with 89 points, just two behind eventual Premier League winners Manchester City
Kai Havertz scored a late winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Everton 2-1 at Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Gunners needed a win to stand any chance of winning the Premier League title on the final day of the season. However, victory by rivals Manchester City at Etihad Stadium meant that they missed out on title triumph despite holding up to their end of the bargain.
Arsenal finished the season with 89 points, just two points behind eventual Premier League winners Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side have now won the title a record four consecutive times.
Arsenal’s 89 points is their second highest in the Premier League era, with only the 90 earned during the 2003-04 season when they won the title surpassing this team.
Even though it was a sad evening at the Emirates with fans and players looking devastated, the Arsenal community did come to terms with losing the league on the final day of the season. Arsenal are moving in the right direction and captain Martin Odegaard believes that Mikel Arteta has changed the cub.
Martin Odegaard. Photo/ Eurosport.
“I think we’re all a little bit disappointed. We’ve been fighting so long for the big dream. We were so close. I’m so proud of the boys, so proud of the team, the fans. I’m so proud of the progress we are making. We’ve changed the club and I think you all believe in us now.” Odegaard told fans at the Emirates after Arsenal beat Everton 2-1 but missed out on the title, according to BBC.
How Arsenal Beat Everton
Arsenal needed two things to happen in order to win the Premier League title on final day of the season. First, they had to beat Everton and then hope Manchester City succumb to defeat against West Ham. But with City going in front inside two minutes, it was going to be a tough mountain for Arteta’s side to climb.
The news of City’s early goal filtered though the Emirates Stadium and you could see the disappointment on the fans from the stands. Meanwhile, Jordan Pickford on the pitch was making it difficult for Arsenal players to find the back of the net.
The England international made a brilliant save to stop Gabriel Martinelli’s lethal strike from going in. As the Gunners pushed for an opener so that things go their way in case City fail to win, they were almost caught on the half-hour mark as Dominic Calvert-Lewin had an effort hit the post.
Mikel Arteta’s side were left frustrated in the 40th minute when Thomas Partey fouled Dwight McNeil from 25 yards out and Idrissa Gueye’s deflected free-kick went into the back of the net. But Arsenal have been outstanding all season and considering what was at stakes here, you expected them to respond.
Three minutes after Gueye’s goal, Odegaard laid the ball to Takehiro Tomiyasu who scored with a low shot. The Gunners showed that bright spark they’ve had all season in the second half by creating several chances. Pickford denied them a few times and the crossbar was at some point his friend as it stopped Kai Havertz and Emile Smith Rowe’s efforts from going in.
Arsenal beat Everton on final day of the season but missed out on the title. Photo/ Sportstar – The Hindu.
With barely one minute of normal time left to play, Arsenal eventually found the winner in this clash. Odegaard’s tame effort was met by Havertz who completed the turnaround. The goal was checked for a possible handball by Gabriel Jesus on the build-up but referee Micheal Oliver let it stand after reviewing the footage from the monitor.
Arsenal will be aiming to come back stronger next season to stop City’s dominance in the Premier League over the past few years.
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