5 talking points as Xhaka-inspired Arsenal finish with a flourish against Wolves
Arsenal may have expected something to be on the line going into their final day clash with Wolves, but they put in a performance worthy of their second-place finish even though their title dreams were already dead.
It took less than 15 minutes for Mikel Arteta's side to race into a two-goal lead. Granit Xhaka scored the first with a free header before capitalising on shambolic Wolves defending to tap home his second of the game, before leaving to a standing ovation late on ahead of a likely summer exit.
The Gunners were three to the good inside half an hour, with Bukayo Saka on target just days after his new contract was confirmed, and that's how it stayed at the break. Gabriel Jesus added a fourth to remove any doubt, allowing the celebrations to really begin long before Jakub Kiwior scored his first Arsenal goal.
Mikel Arteta's team topped the Premier League table for longer than anyone else, but in the end they were no match for reigning champions Manchester City. The manager still named a strong starting XI against Bruno Lage's men, though, though injuries meant it wasn't quite a full-strength line-up.
After those three first-half goals, Thomas Partey thought he had a fourth for the league runners-up, only for it to be disallowed. Gabriel Jesus did eventually make it four, though, before Kiwior benefited from a weak piece of Jose Sa goalkeeping to make it five.
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Arsenal knew they would finish second regardless of the result, but it was a welcome way to finish the season. Here are Mirror Football ' s talking points from a dominant display.
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Jakub Kiwior scored his first Arsenal goal against Wolves (Getty Images)1. Xhaka's farewell goals?
After Arsenal's defeat against Nottingham Forest, Granit Xhaka declined to make a definitive comment on his future. This may well be goodbye, though, with one of the last surviving Arsene Wenger signings set for pastures new.
“You will know next week (by Sunday), for sure," he said. "Before the Wolves game. I think the fans deserve that. And I do, as well. We have one more week of the Premier League season to go and I want to enjoy it and I want you guys to, as well.”
The Swiss international shared a photo on Instagram with all his different Arsenal kits, hinting at a farewell, but was not planning to take it easy. A meaty early challenge on Matheus Nunes set the tone, and there were still less than 15 minutes on the clock when he escaped the Wolves back-line to head home the opener from Gabriel Jesus' cross.
Arsenal could be waving goodbye to Granit Xhaka this summer (Instagram/Granit Xhaka)
Xhaka wasted little time getting among the goals (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC via G)A second soon followed, from almost exactly the same spot, and he could easily have had a first-half hat-trick before eventually leaving to applause from around the ground. Xhaka has thrived in a more advanced role this term, and his all-round presence on and off the field will be tough to replace.
2. A season without red cards
Arsenal took just three games to earn their first red card of the 2021-22 season, with Granit Xhaka dismissed against Manchester City. The midfielder has avoided more of the same this term, though, and that's set the tone for Arsenal as a whole.
Mikel Arteta's team have gone a whole season with no red cards (Kin Cheung/AP/REX/Shutterstock)For all the debate around fines from the Premier League, Arsenal's players have been well-behaved when it comes to on-field challenges. The opposite has been true of Wolves, who went into the final day with more red cards than any other team in the competition.
3. Lopetegui with work to do
Going into the final game, Julen Lopetegui suggested he wanted reassurances over Wolves' summer transfer plans. The manager landed some of his January targets, with one of them - Joao Gomes - starting against Arsenal, but there's a sense more investment is needed.
With Lopetegui potentially losing Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho this summer, reinforcements will be needed. Midfield might not be the only area in need of investment, though, if the display in North London is anything to go by.
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Julen Lopetegui has made his feelings known (PA)Neves and Rayan Ait-Nouri entered the fray for the second half, but they failed to drag Wolves back into it or even restore any real pride. If Wolves are forced so sell before they buy, as has been suggested, Lopetegui could be in line for a frustrating summer.
4. Saka in celebratory mood
Bukayo Saka overcame an injury worry to start, allowing Arsenal's fans to watch him safe in the knowledge he's staying for a long time. The England international signed a contract extension this week, and followed it up with a goal.
Bukayo Saka got among the goals (Kin Cheung/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Arsenal's number seven started slowly by his slow standards, taking a painful hit early on, but we saw the best of him with a goal shortly before the half-hour mark. A subtle check back befuddled Max Kilman, and the curling effort into the top corner of Jose Sa's net was unstoppable.
With the game won, Saka left the field to rousing applause just before the hour mark. England will hope he's fit for the upcoming internationals, where Gareth Southgate's side can move another step closer to Euro 2024 qualification.
5. A meaningful points tally
Arsenal opted to play their senior stars rather than throwing youngsters into the mix, despite injuries limiting Arteta's options at the back. Thomas Partey and Jakub Kiwior started out in the full-back positions, and the former struggled with Hwang Hee-chan early on.
Summer signing Gabriel Jesus has helped Arsenal climb the table (Kin Cheung/AP/REX/Shutterstock)The strong selection paid dividends, though, with victory taking Arteta's men up to 84 points. It's a significant total in the context of the Gunners' Premier League history, even if it wasn't enough to see them lift the title.
Back in the 2007-08 season, when a horror injury for Eduardo brought about a collapse for Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, a tally of 83 points saw them finish just four off top spot. Not only was this season their first time over 80 since that campaign, but it marks their third best ever return after the title-winning seasons of 2003-04 and 2001-02.
It just goes to show how the dial has been shifted by Manchester City's dominance in recent years. There will be disappointment at missing out on the title, naturally, but it shouldn't be overlooked how far Arteta has brought this team.
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