ARSENAL fell short of winning the Premier League – despite a dramatic and controversial late winner against Everton.
The Gunners knew they needed to win at the Emirates and were reliant on a huge helping hand from West Ham getting a result at Manchester City.
And they had the nightmare start as Phil Foden blasted City in front after just 79 seconds at the Etihad then added his second on 18 minutes.
Things got worse for Mikel Arteta just before half-time in North London when Idrissa Gueye’s free-kick flew in off Declan Rice’s head, leaving David Raya utterly wrong-footed.
Arsenal’s fortunes appeared to be changing moments later when Takehiro Tomiyasu slotted into the bottom corner – and Mohammed Kudus produced a wonderful overhead kick to pull West Ham back into the game.
But a Rodri strike on the hour mark put City beyond grasp – meaning that the result at the Emirates was academic as Pep Guardiola secured a fourth title on the bounce.
However, Arsenal did ensure they had something to cheer about when Kai Havertz struck late.
VAR had a long look at Gabriel Jesus’ possible handball in the build-up but referee Michael Oliver was happy and the goal was allowed to stand – confirming Arsenal ended with a win and two points behind City.
They came to the Emirates more in hope than expectation.
Yet just for a few precious minutes, either side of half-time and at the end of the match, Arsenal’s fans were able to dream of everything, maybe, falling into place.
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Because when Tomiyasu struck that equaliser to cancel out the deflected free-kick from Gueye – and news filtered through of Kudus pulling one back at Manchester City – the noise inside the Emirates was deafening.
There was also excitement when Havertz made it 2-1 with West Ham scoring another at City, only for VAR to spot Tomas Soucek’s blatant handball and disallow it.
Ultimately, though, we ended up with the outcome that everyone expected. Sadly for Arsenal, something is certainly wrong if you are having to rely on West Ham to get you the title.
The fact Arsenal struggled to get the win here was testament to Everton who were anything but on the beach.
In the dying moments of the game, with the title no longer a possibility, Arsenal’s fans continually sang the name of their manager.
And while it might not be much of a consolation, Mikel Arteta’s side are not going anywhere. They will definitely be challenging for the title next season.
Even so, a second successive title blow-up will hurt. Arsenal will reflect on the day City turned from third favourites to champions-elect when Liverpool lost to Crystal Palace and Arteta’s team were beaten by Aston Villa for the second time this season.
Equally, defeats in successive matches to Fulham and West Ham in December were hugely damaging even though the Villa loss on April 14 was the time when the season took a final twist, in favour of City.
Yet Arsenal fans will still look back on another fine season, better than the previous one, and thanks to Arteta, are back near the top of the top of English football.
In the end, they have finished with 89 points, just one fewer than their Invincibles season 20 years ago.
Kai Havertz scores a late goal for Arsenal
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 19, 2024
Everton are caught out at the back and the Gunners make them pay!@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/kf1e1qlUt9
Idrissa Gana Gueye strikes for Everton
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 19, 2024
David Raya is flat footed following a deflection off Declan Rice… Everton take the lead against Arsenal!
Arsenal reply INSTANTLY through Takehiro Tomiyasu… we're back on level terms in North London
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 19, 2024
A few of those players returned today to watch what they hoped would be one of the greatest days in Arsenal’s history, however unlikely it was.
While there was plenty of noise among the fans for the first few minutes, it went a bit quiet once news spread that Phil Foden had given City that early lead.
Yet Arsenal peppered the Everton goal and a straightforward win seemed a formality.
Tomiyasu should have done much better with an early header while Rice scuffed a shot straight at England mate Jordan Pickford.
The Everton keeper also showed good reflexes to prevent Seamus Coleman from scoring an own goal and got down low to his right to block a shot from Gabriel Martinelli.
Moments after news filtered through that Foden made it 2-0, the crowd delivered a rendition of ‘Arsenal we love you’ while others opted for a loo break.
To their credit, Everton defended stubbornly and were a danger on the counter-attack. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has completed the season with a flourish, fired a shot against the post and then stuck the rebound wide.
And if that scare was not on the script what happened next was certainly not when Idrissa Gueye’s free-kick came off the head of Rice and the ball was deflected into the opposite corner.
With five minutes to go before half-time, a huge number of fans decided that was the moment to head for a pie and pint, even though you could argue they had four hours to do so before the game.
Those supporters missed a good finish by Tomiyasu from just inside the area after Martin Odegaard cut the ball back.
And when West Ham made it 2-1, it was like someone flicked a switch and the atmosphere was jubilant because there was a chance, however small, that City might cock this up.
There were Chinese whispers around the ground when some supporters thought West Ham had levelled for 2-2.
Yet as Gabriel Magalhaes went off with a shoulder injury just before the hour, Arsenal suffered more pain with the news that Rodri had given City a 3-1 lead.
Jurren Timber, who arrived last summer, was given a standing ovation when making his first appearance since injuring his ACL on the first day of the season.
And another summer signing, Havertz, then grabbed the winner from close range West Ham had a goal disallowed.
Referee Oliver was called to the screen by VAR for a handball by Jesus yet he allowed the goal to stand – but unfortunately for Arsenal, West Ham remained 3-1 down.
Now, for Arteta, the hard work begins again. He will have some money to burn this summer and he will sign a new No9 and another central midfielder.
And maybe 12 months from now, there will be a proper party here in North London as, perhaps, City finally lose their grip on the Premier League.
