Arsenal miss UCL spot as Liverpool, Man City win

Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years despite a win over Everton on the final day of the Premier League at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The Gunners began the day a point behind fourth-place Liverpool and were on course to displace the Reds when they took an eighth-minute lead through Hector Bellerin’s far-post finish, before Alexis Sanchez scrambled in a second to put the home side in control.

But Liverpool, needing a win to ensure fourth, broke Middlesbrough resistance just before the break, and won 3-0.

Aaron Ramsey’s brilliant injury-time strike from 20 yards after Romelu Lukaku pulled a goal back for Everton from the penalty spot put the score at 3-1.

Manchester City claimed third with a very easy 5-0 win at Watford.

Arsene Wenger’s side got the win they required despite having defender Laurent Koscielny sent off for a reckless first-half challenge on Everton’s Enner Valencia.

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Koscielny will now serve a suspension that will keep him out of the FA Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley.

“It is annoying but we had a spell during the season that was difficult and it was difficult for me in my personal situation,” Wenger said when asked how he felt missing out on the Champions League.

“We were playing in a hostile environment. The players came back stronger in the last two months and I’m very proud of them for doing that.”

Wenger will know about his future at the club after a board meeting later this month.

He added: “I am professional. I love this club enough to do my best every single day. One thing you cannot question is my love for this club. I’ve turned down every club in the world to stay here.”

Arsenal will now play champions Chelsea at Wembley on May 27 in the English FA Cup final.

 

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