Arsenal demolished Burnley today to cement their place inside the top six, and also to give Arsene Wenger the perfect departure.
The Gunners have endured an up-and-down campaign this season, and after elimination from the Europa League on Thursday, we needed the last home match to give the Frenchman one last happy memory, and our performance was outstanding.
From the off, our team was on point. Our passing and movement had Burnley in a spin and we had almost total control from start to finish. Our strikers combined in the 14th minute to put our side ahead, with Alexandre Lacazette whipping the ball across the six-yard box for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to poke home.
We continued to dominate throughout, and Konstantinos Mavropanos was getting plenty of attention for his attitude at the back, and the crowd were showing plenty of appreciation. I couldn’t help but laugh when even a back-pass to the goalkeeper was applauded, but he certainly looks like a player for the future.
Back to the game however, and we continued to bully Burnley, adding an extra goal to our lead before half-time thanks to Alexandre Lacazette, with Hector Bellerin setting him up to slot home with a neat half-volley.
Sead Kolasinac added the third with a hard-driven effort from just outside the box, giving us the room to open up and really get comfortable as we continued to put the Clarets to the sword.
Iwobi added to the party with the fourth, before Aubameyang finished the rout from close range, to end Burnley’s hopes of clinching sixth spot, and to give Wenger the ideal final outing for his final home game.
One last celebration of his time next week, but the Emirates will be a strange place the next time that the team sets foot on the pitch for next season’s Premier League campaign.
Could Wenger have asked for any more of his players today? Is Mavropanos as big a talking point today as is Wenger’s departure?
Pat J
I couldn’t hold my tears.. It is true a love story ends on a sad point… Wenger is the legend
You all still want Nick Pope?
Overated pickford, butland, pope. I still don’t know how we missed out on.loris or why he chose Spurs.
Anyway a better performance without mustafi and kos. Sure next season will be better. This was a one off season. Thanks Arsene and good luck to you.
I bet Lloris, De Gea or Neuer would still concede a lot of goals if they were protected by erratic CB/DM partnership such as Mustafi, Koscielny and Xhaka
Donnarumma was on the spotlight because of his talent before Arsenal crushed AC Milan home and away
I feel we need another top CB to replace Koscielny and Mustafi, and to accompany Mavropanos/Chambers next season. Plus a hardworking, mobile, visionary and skillful DM like Busquets and Fernandinho in front of them
Great game, everyone played well, lovely sendoff.
We’ll done Arsene!
Simply the best and most successful Arsenal manager in our history and the most progressive manager in English football.
Doubt I’ll be back on this site, too many complete morons that never got the love that Wenger had, chose to slag him off personally and helped to erode all that AFC stands for. So goodbye and merci Arsene and good riddance to the many disloyal and classless whingers who live here.
And good riddance to those who put Wenger first, and showed no loyalty whatsoever for Arsenal FC! It’s hard to believe that some ‘so called fans’ were happy to see us regress to such levels of regression, of which I didn’t even think were attainable for a club of Arsenal’s stature, just so Wenger could stay in a job!
Nobody should be content with consistent mediocrity, especially after ‘The Invincible’s’!
Well said Rob, more morons than Gooners here.
You get to gloat when post wenger 5 years gets better than the last 5 years that is even before starting on his squad. That is a 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 5th, 6th with 3 Fa Cups. Good luck new manager if you last that 5 years to match it. Still deluded outers will think we’ll magically morph into United never mind City and spend that money… delusional. Kronke doesnt exist. Man Utd havent always been the richest. Oil money is a myth. Sovereign nation money is a myth. Look at Liverpool? What a team both richer and more successful prior to wenger despite grahams efforts as much as people wanna rewrite history? When will they win a single BPL? not holding my breath, hope they when the CL but far from certain anyway.
Another AKB who thinks no ones allowed an opinion unless it’s support Wenger
Bye
Some on here are arsenal fans not Arsene
i can’t be bothered mate. If that’s your response and I’m assuming you’re able to read, then you’re no fan. Opinions are fine, everyone has them…but the fact you ignore what I’m saying (which I would bet many many AFC fans who are simply decent human beings would agree with) highlights you MUST be one of the ******* who think it’s ok to slag, demean, lie about and insult Wenger. You have no idea what support means. You’re still stuck on your tired (and as we all know pathetic attempt to be insulting) one track AKB bs. You are shockingly self absorbed.
I thought umhad finished on here rob?
Firstly let me correct you, I’ve supported this club before Wenger and I will support it after. I supported Wenger through a lot incl his average years but this last few I’ve wanted him out. I’ve never slated him personally, however, I have slated him professionally. I wish him the best but I want better for my club, if that makes me a bad person i will accept it. I actually want the club to compete for the CL and PL am I wrong
You wont be missed. Now that your master is gone you dont have any means to stay any longer anyway. So merci Rob and ? hahah
Nice 1.
@Ks-gunner Well said bro
let it go and move on or go support Everton…..
Wenger, Dein and Co together with Moshiri are planning a big project to make Everton great again….whether it will be commence that’s another question
Couldn`t agree with you more. Great coach indeed! One of the best in the game.
There really is no need to be this unpleasant. It says a lot more about you than the people you are attempting to insult. You certainly won’t be missed.
Mavropranos in, Ozil excluded (or poor little guy maybe has an upset tummy again), Mustafi benched…but it all came too late!
Nice home send off for Wenger, and it reminded me of the good old times, solid at the back, clean sheet, beautiful flowing football, and lots of goals. It has become very hard to remember how good we were under Wenger early on, given the long period of regression since 2006, but it was nice to see again, and hopefully again in our last two games (although I am expecting much, given they’re away from home).
No, he has a long standing back problem, just like our defence, did you see what I did there…..
I wanted Arsene Wenger out for years-but instead feeling relief today,I found myself having tears in my eyes and being chocked with emotions.I realisec that my entire Arsenal life was related to this guy.I was in my tweenties when he came to Arsenal,now I’m a grown man entering the final push…and Arsene guided me trough,living with me almost forever…I can’t believe this huge chapter of my life just ended…I almost feel old,he was keeping me young as in my tweenties.Good bye,Arsene,all the best to you.Wherever tou will be as a new manager,I’ll be your fan.Merci for all.You deserve it…
Me too. It was a very emotional day for everyone associated with Arsenal Football Club.
Yeah me too-I’m still crying tears of happiness that he’s finally gone.
haha @ Phil you’re a joker
i really dont understand what these tears are all about. his days are gone. twenty two years are a lifetime. good show today but its too late, we are out of the champions for the second year running. when was it when our club had won the premiere league. thirteen or fourteen years. merci for the good old days, but now it was time to step down for the good of the club. gooner = for ever
we’ll see what happens next
All I can say is thank u to Wenger no matter what we the fans are emotional of his exit respect to Wenger to respect to football ###
Liverpool doing more early business after having signed Keita have now signed Fekir for next season.
if they did sign fekir i dont what to say any more even if they sell salah that will be a great piece of business – klopp is genuis!!
thats far from official. Klopp has joked about it and Dembele link, and Lyon have flat out denied it. The same club that openly talked about Lacazette and Arsenal deal, so it might just be gossip. Would take Fekir over Ozil any day of the year. LFC very lucky if they do get him.
We were interested in Fekir tooo before Wenger’s departure….
Mislinstat is incharge of transfers together with Raul…..maybe they had other interest and plans….
or maybe with Wenger’s departure….the interest maybe gone
I find it hard to celebrate his leaving due to a) AKB fans chirping on and on still
B he’s still too loyal to the ?players who have let him down for at least two seasons – Xhaka
I really hope we get someone in who plays players on their performance not how much the ? arsen
Give it a rest for one day.. we won 5-0 !
I am sure when next guy comes in and loses you will start your ranting and raving again.
Jesus we won 5-0 at home to Burnley at the end of a meaninglessness season
Big deal
Have you forgot Thursday already
Burnley is 7th on the league table. Open your brain to understand what that meant
You only want to focus on negativity… we won 5-0 .. so why are you incapable of just enjoying a win for Arsenal yesterday? The club you say you support.
When did you start supporting Arsenal?
win 5-0 nil, hes out, still complaining…. can you be more out of touch with a reality or class? I wanted him gone this year to mostly shut up the idiots (news flash nothing is changing in our spending.)
When will his statue go up?
Goodbye Wenger. Thx for the good and bad but now its time to fix the club and its mentality and start a new. And for those who are extra sad at this day. Do not despair. The cure against being a wengerit is actually trying to put our club first so join the party and hope for progress and good furtune. HAPPY DAY.
Classy send off for Mr Wenger.
What cannot be doubted is his love for the club – things went backwards for the last few years but we should remember the good times more than the bad and look forward to the good times ahead – that requires positivism so beware…
Arsenal fans with hatred for their players.
When the perform badly it’s a whole lot of abuses.
When good they divert the discussion.
How was Iwobi today?
Arsenal has the worst supporters in the PL.
Any Gooner would need to have a heart of stone not to feel emotional as Arsene received his expected huge send off. His exemplary conduct today at a hugely difficult and emotional time for him was truly impressive. I have wanted him out as our manager for many years and have been very vocal in saying so. But I recognise a great man, charming, wise and a giant of a man. As a manager, he lost the plot ages back and I am glad he is gone but like most of the football world , not just Gooners, I recognise his impressive human values and I salute you Arsene. Sincere best wishes Arsene and I hope and believe he will have a stand named after him. I will be proud to take my seat in it, or anywhere in the ground, next season, ironically, now he is gone. Let us all let past resentments subside now and look forward to a renewed and glorious future. COYG!!!
wow, great tribute
Counsel. I much appreciate your comment. Thank you. All I ever set out to do is to support Arsenal FC and us Gooners are a huge part of our club. The most important part by far, actually. Without fans everywhere , football is pointless and the bottom line is that ultimately even the owners and sport administrators have to recognise this truth. Our fanbase has been torn apart in recent times with some wanting Arsene to stay but many wanting him out. Well he is now gone and in truly impressive personal style with great dignity, charm , humour and humility. I found myself shedding more than a tear or two today and though I have been vocally calling for his removal for many years and am glad he has gone, I recognise we have had a special human being with fine values and worldly wisdom. who has given our club great worldwide acclaim, not just for playing style either. Like all things in life a chapter has now ended , a new page is turned and life goes on . We must all come together again to work as one for the love of our club in its new beginning. This message is really meant, primarliy, for those , like me , who have resented his staying so long. Bitterness only EVER hurts the one who is bitter. God bless you and thanks Arsene and God bless our great club in it’s next glorious chapter under new management. COYG!!
Well said.
??
Great comment Jon. Can’t argue with your respectful opinion. You normally rub me the wrong way. Still I will be very surprised if any manager matches Wenger’s last 5 with Arsenal unless we start radically changing our spending. Next year is easy, squad is way better than suggested as was shown against Atletico. Still 5 years 3 fa cups, 1 2nd not sure that gets beat by any manager.
Angus, I often feel guilty for upsetting ANY Gooner and have never set out to hurt any fellow supporter but merely wanted to add extra pressure (in my own drop in the ocean way) to the club to act against a man , who IMO was holding back our progress as a team. As a human being I , of course, totally agree that Arsene Wenger is a very special and deeply impressive man. We only have to look at Mourinho to find the polar opposite in class and Arsene has always represented human values that strike a chord with decent people world wide. This generally accepted knowledge was ONE of several reasons why so many shed tears yesterday, as I did too, watching the classy and emotional farewell on SKY TV. Now we are in a new , exciting but anxious chapter and I too intend to learn a lesson (even at my prehistoric age) and be nicer, less critical to fellow Gooners. THEY DESERVE IT! COYG!!!
Great game… Great day… Emirates was rocking!! Loved it.. and even Iwobi scored! Jesus Christ I’m lost for words ??
Was an emotional day…… my son had a selfie with Sol Campbell ? where the hell was Ian Wright & Manu Petit?????!!!!!!!
Lucky! I bet your son was over the moon!
wow, great tribute
Mangala made my day today, he drove from Everton to come and pick a winners medal in a city shirt despite being on loan at Everton.That was interesting to watch
Someone asked this that if, 2-3 years down the line, Arsenal are still struggling for UCL, and the people around you start saying that if Arsene Wenger had stayed things could have been different.
No matter who the manager is, Arsenal will not struggle…
the foundation of the club is set and strong….
We had difficulties this years mainly due to contracts issues from Sanchez and Ozil and inconsistencies this season from Kos, Mustafic, Ozil and Cech
Additionally, players such as Auba, Laca and Mikhi needs time to settle and integrate to the team….
with talented scout Mislinata keep bringing quality signings….we would still finish top 6 or 4…..
Hence the new manager will not finish outside top 6…the gap is still wide from the big 6 and others
how high we climb will depend on the quality of the signings and the amount of funds for investments….
To always remember our invincible manager,I will have his tattoo on my arm # merci Wenger
Maybe Petit and Wright couldn’t make it but they were not at Etihad like Henry interviewing Pep instead of standing by the Manager who made you at his last home game in with the club that made you. I was very very disappointed. Even Kanu made the trip to be there along with some fans who came all the way from china
You dissing Henry ?
Henry deserves dissing ever since he was faced with the choice of coach the youth or be a tv man, he went for tv and the money/exposure. Still a legend but its sad more people would accept henry as manager right now than arteta given no one has ever praised henrys management or wanted him for a 1st team coaching position at big club (arteta was wanted by us/spurs/city as a 1st team coach and praised by pep ever since signed, crazily so actually) or even his punditry. Yes Martinez hired him part time whilst he works tv, god knows who signed off on that. Better than Bergkamp imo which is a tough call but still don’t change the fact he A.) went to Barca (everyone sugar coats that but it happened) or B.) took tv presenting money over coaching at the club. For a guy with a statue outside that is pretty weak on both counts.
pathetic season, we should have never extended Wenger’s contract last summer. should have let him go and sell Sanchez, Ozil and Kos and start rebuilding. Wenger actually said last week we need 2-3 players to compete for the title next season, if the deluded fool would have stayed we would continue to get worse.
now we start rebuilding from a worst position. at least we have AMN and Mavro…
we need 5 new players minimum, not to go for the title but to be top 4 contenders again:
GK, RB, CB, DM, winger.
5 minimum- if the new coach wouldn’t trust our young CB’s we will need 2 new CB’s. at midfield we probably need another box-to-box. ideally we should sell Ozil but no one will buy him with that salary so we will have this lazy wen*** for 3 more year- Wenger’s “legacy” will continue to hunt us.
and if we could, we should have 2 wingers and not only one. and sell Iwobi- you can’t have only one pacy winger.
so ideally we should get 8-9 new players, and 5 minimum.
5 is the max to go for title…..3 is the minimum
Priority key positions required are DM, CB and GK….
additional required are pacey winger and RB
Other than seeing a RB as essential that is spot on
5 is the max to go for title, true. but we are not going for the title next season, and we shouldn’t think that. saying we are is not to realize how much damage Wenger did to our squad and mentality. our goal next season should be top 4 and to build strong foundations for the next few years
Loved it when Silent Stan came on the screen & all you could hear was booing!! ????
I’m not dissing Henry, I’m just disappointed and if you can’t understand me then no problem
Long time (60+years) Burnley supporter here – I don’t often but in on opposing club comments, but I just needed to add my appreciation for what Wenger has done for Arsenal over the years. How can you knock 3 titles, 8 FA cups, a Champions League final, an “Invincibles” team, and all the innovations he brought to the game?
As for the game, Burnley have been no pushovers all season, and even though our defense had an off day in this one, a lot of that had to do with the movement and passing of the Arsenal team constantly drawing Burnley defenders out of position and opening up huge gaps. Plus Arsenal were solid in defense so we hardly got a look in with Mavropanos/Chambers really impressive compared to Arsenal’s defense in other games I’ve watched with Koscielny & Co.
I will add this – if this Arsenal team had showed up in the two Atletico games, Arsenal would be in the final – a couple more goals and no soft last minute goal given up at home, and a solid away game would have seen Arsenal through. Where has this Arsenal been all season, especially away from home?
David, thanks for your comments.
As an older fan, I well remember watching Burnley around the turn of thr fifties/ sixties as a top side with players like Jimmy McIlroy and admiring them. What Sean Dyche and the best supported team in the PREM , pro rata, from their own town/city have achieved is beyond incredible. Personally, I feel that Manager of the Season should obviously be Sean Dyche and by a country mile too, considering what he and the team have achieved with very limited resources( by comparison with richer teams). Your comment above does both you and your club deep credit and is very touching. As a much older fan, I well remember a time well before regular fan “hatred” of other fans became the cancer it is so often these days, IT IS REASSURING TO AGAIN REALSIE THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF FANS, EVERYWHERE ARE DECENT , KIND PEOPLE LIKE YOU. Thank you for making an old fan’s day. No wonder BURNLEY ARE SO MANY PEOPLES FAVOURITE SECOND CLUB.
I remember when Burnley was previously a top club too! Shows our age!
?yes disappointed.
Where was this display last Thursday night; Mhikataryan didn’t come on till late, no Mavropanos, no Aubameyang (due to cup tie)?
Iwobi played well and great finish, Bellerin found he could cross, classic run through the middle by Wilshere, Kolasinac played well and shot at goal for a great finish, Lacazette great assist (fantastic control) and volleyed goal, 2 goals from the fox in the box Aubameyang. If this keeps up (big question of consistency), with some class additions to the squad the future will hopefully be bright under a new manager.
It is bloody typical…. everyone was brilliant yesterday… yes even Iwobi ? if only we could play at home every week ?
Nothing riding on the game meant players could play with no pressure… also no negativity in the stadium from some portion of fans also helps the team.
Mr wenger is a legend whether you like him or not Mr wenger manged many teams at Arsenal some were young and weak yet he always came up with the goods The anti wenger brigade were ruthless they have gone to the point of killing the form of the team embarrassing carry on I didnt see eye to eye with Mr Wenger but I would never be disrespectful to him or to the club
Some of this brigade are fundamentalist they didnt want to see Mr wenger win at all
They have created a bad atmosphere division within our own club and if the new manager dose not bring us back up to the top3 I know i would blame it on the wenger out brigade so the division will remain which will bring the bad form syndrome back to the top again and my even turn Arsenal to a stock. Great present for the ones that believe the wenger cup top four is no good
Brilliant send-off for a manager that whether you liked it or hated him(i’ve done both) deserves it. Now enough with the in-fighting among fans here, don’t let him transfer from wenger in vs wenger out to wenger did better vs new coach is better. Do it like me, drop all your hatred in one post and feel free afterward.
The only thing that would make me more optimist about our future right now is if usmanov takes over. Many familiar faces like walcott, giroud, gibbs, ox and now wenger are now gone so its pretty much a clean slate and new start as we can get.
There were fake WOB fans here that wished Arsenal misfortune so as to get wenger sacked, i hope we wont see fake AKB wish the club more misfortune so as to prove wenger was better.
Better GTFO and support man city or pep.
Indeed Arsene is alegend,in two years to come we will be fighting arelagation battle,Wenger said he wishes the next manager to inherit abetter club than they think it is.
In the end I was glad Wenger`s watch was over but I would be lying if I said I wasn`t sad the way it ended. He should never have accepted the two year extended contract and bowed out gracefully. What went on in the boardroom and with Kroenke we`ll never know but whatever it was it shocked Arsene Wenger. Probably the best gift he could receive for his services is a seat in the main grandstand with his name on it, for his use only.