The Arsenal dream finally snuffed out: A Premier League final day filled with drama and emotion

In a Premier League final day which promised to provide drama, emotion, and define the legacy of either a hopeful young Arsenal side, or a dominant trailblazing Manchester City, fans appetites were wetted with what had the potential to be a day of twists, turns, and upsets.

The day saw 10 matches and ultimately led to Manchester City to take home the title.

Manchester City 3-1 West Ham

The Cityzens cruised to victory against a lacklustre West Ham to seal a record fourth-consecutive Premier League trophy, no doubt cementing the team as one of the all-time greats in English football.

Phil Foden proved why he was named the Premier League’s Player of the Season; his sensational double, which fired City 2-0 ahead within the first twenty minutes, lit up the eyes of England fans who are keen to see more of the same in Germany next month.

Mohammed Kudus’ overhead kick gave the Hammers (and Arsenal fans) a moment of hope, but was ultimately in vain, as Rodri restored City’s two-goal lead with a brilliant strike before the hour, sealing the home side’s victory which saw the Etihad erupt at the final whistle.

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has now become just the fourth manager to win six English top-flight titles. However, he teased at his potential exit from Manchester in conversation after the game by suggesting he was “closer to leaving than staying”. Another shadow hangs over the club who already have had 115 charges made against them for financial irregularities.

Overall, West Ham put out an average performance to cap off an average season, bidding farewell to David Moyes as they reach for greater success under incoming new manager Julen Lopetegui.

Arsenal 2-1 Everton

Even the most hopeful of Arsenal fans knew that the odds were stacked against them going into the final day. As Guardiola’s City have proved, time and time again, they will seize any opportunity given to them. They are ruthless, relentless, and unaffected by pressure, three qualities which Arsenal are perhaps yet to fully realise; nonetheless, glimmers of these traits were shown in their gritty, tough-fought victory against Everton.

Whilst City were already flying, Arsenal struggled to break down a well-drilled and organised Everton side before going a goal down thanks to a deflected Idrissa Gueye freekick. The Gunners’ response was instant and impressive however, with Takehiro Tomiyasu firing in the equaliser after just three minutes.

Whilst dominating the second half, Arsenal left it late to find the winner, with Kai Havertz slotting home to give the Gunners the advantage – although celebrations were dulled by a VAR check on a potential Gabriel Jesus handball in the build-up. The decision ultimately went against the Toffees to give Arsenal the three points, prompting harsh words from Sean Dyche in the post-match press conference.

Despite losing out on the title, victory for Arsenal cemented their second-best points tally in Premier League history. It will be tempting for fans to look back on VAR mishaps at St James’ Park or Heung-min Son’s spectacular miss against Stefan Ortega and wonder what could have been, but regardless, they are still looking at a season that they should be proud of. If they continue to improve at the rate they have under the remarkable management of Mikel Arteta, this young Arsenal side will bring a major trophy to North London sooner or later.

For Everton, this was their 15th loss on the final day, a Premier League record, yet their strong end to the season and encouraging performance at the Emirates will give them hope going into the 24/25 season where they will hopefully leave point deductions and breaches in financial fair play well in the past.

Liverpool 2-0 Wolves

Jürgen Klopp bowed out at Anfield with a comfortable 2-0 victory against Wolves.

After Nélson Semedo was shown red following the VAR review of his clumsy challenge on Alexis Mac Allister, the latter went on to head Liverpool in front. Jarell Quansah soon doubled the home team’s lead and whilst the second-half produced a flurry of missed chances, the two goals proved enough to grant Klopp one final victory at Anfield.

Emotions ran high after the final whistle, with Klopp engaging the crowd in a chant for their newly announced manager Arne Slot, who no doubt has very large boots to fill in the wake of the beloved departing German.

Crystal Palace 5-0 Aston Villa

In one of the shocks of the day, Palace hit five past a lacklustre Villa side, with in-form Jean-Philippe Mateta taking home the match ball with a memorable hat-trick.

The Eagles’ stellar end to the season bodes well for Palace fans, who will be eager to see more of the same in 24/25, having collected 24 points in 13 matches under Oliver Glasner, the fourth-best total in the league since his first match in February.

As for Villa, fans will try to make this one a distant memory as they look forward to a season in which they return to the Champions League.

Sheffield United 0-3 Tottenham

Spurs recorded their 20th league win with a routine victory away at Sheffield United.

Dejan Kulusevski scored twice, coolly striking it in off the bar to open scoring in the first, before a Pedro Porro thumper doubled their lead in the second, capping off a day – and a season – that is best to be forgotten for the Blades.

The win can give Spurs fans optimism looking forward, as with Ange Postecoglu they have a driven, dedicated manager whose ambition deserves the backing of chairman Daniel Levy.

Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth 

Moisés Caicedo, the £115 million signing, scored a memorable first goal for Chelsea with a screamer from the halfway line, floating the ball over helpless Bournemouth heads to give the Blues the lead.

Raheem Sterling got the second, but Stamford Bridge endured a scare after conceding an own goal and seeing Dominic Solanke miss a sitter which would’ve been an equaliser for the Cherries.

However, a strong end to the season wasn’t enough to save the fate of Mauricio Pochettino who is now rumoured to have his eyes on Erik Ten Hag’s job at Man United.

Brentford 2-4 Newcastle

In an entertaining match at Brentford, Newcastle took the three points needed to guarantee seventh place.

They scored three times within the first half, before Vitaly Janelt pulled one back for the Bees and an excellent Yoanne Wissa strike made it 2-3.

Newcastle responded well however, with Bruno Guimarães sealing the victory to give the Magpies a chance of European football next season.

Brighton 0-2 Man United

It was a solemn end to the tenure of Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton, losing at home to an uninspired Man United.

Dominating much of the game, Brighton would pay the price for missed chances from João Pedro and Adam Lallana, eventually conceding two goals by Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Højlund, who made a notable difference from the bench.

The win wasn’t enough to prevent the Red Devils from recording their worst ever Premier League position, the future of Erik Ten Hag certainly remains in doubt.

Luton Town 2-4 Fulham

Fulham got the win at Kenilworth Road with a brilliant display from Adama Traoré and Raúl Jiménez, giving the visitors a 1-2 advantage going into the second half after Luton converted a penalty. More goals followed with Jiménez getting another before Alfie Doughty brought the Hatters back into contention. Harry Wilson secured the win by striking it into the top corner, confirming Luton’s relegation back to the Championship.

It’s just the second time all three promoted clubs have been relegated in a Premier League campaign, yet Luton will look back on a memorable year in which they clashed with England’s footballing giants.

Burnley 1-2 Nottingham Forest

Chris Wood put Forest in front within the first two minutes at Burnley, tapping in the second not long after. Burnley gave themselves a chance when Josh Cullen struck at goal, but Forest ultimately held out to take the win.

Forest’s tally of 32 points is the lowest ever to secure survival, a mark of the poor seasons had by the league’s bottom three.