‘Gunners finally out of luck’ – Three things learnt from Arsenal 3-1 Everton

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Arsenal missed out on Champions League qualification for the first time under Arsene Wenger, despite signing off with a 3-1 victory over Everton at the Emirates.

The Gunners needed a favour from relegated Middlesbrough in their bid to leapfrog Liverpool into the top four, but their hopes were dashed as the Reds secured a comfortable victory.

Hector Bellerin, Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey were all on the scoresheet for the hosts, for whom Laurent Koscielny saw red in the first half, while Romelu Lukaku replied with a consolation on what could turn out to be his final appearance for Everton.

Here are three things we learned from a nerve-racking final afternoon in north London.

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Disappointing Arsenal finally run out of luck

Over the course of a 38-game season, it came down to a single point between Liverpool and Arsenal in the quest for a Champions League place. But for Wenger’s men, the damage was done during the winter months.

The Gunners were top of the Premier League tree at Christmas, but embarked on a dreadful run of form that saw them slip out of the top four, where they stayed.

It’s a familiar tale of dashed hopes, only this time there is the additional disappointment of not qualifying for Europe’s showpiece competition. Instead, they will have to make do with Thursday night football courtesy of the Europa League.

Arsenal actually won their final five league matches, but that only papers over the cracks. The squad is need of serious investment, or their rivals will only pull further away next season. The club’s first job is to try to persuade Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to sign new contracts.

That task is much harder now there is no Champions League football on offer.

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Tight-lipped Wenger did the club no favours

The atmosphere at the Emirates became more toxic as the season progressed. The minority of supporters who wanted the manager to quit grew exponentially as their form faltered, resulting in the unedifying sight of some fans hiring planes to fly over stadiums displaying a ‘Wenger Out’ banner.

Undoubtedly, the negative vibes were transmitted to the players, who buckled under the pressure. Their capitulation to Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League was the club’s nadir. Wenger initially said he would announce his future in March, but this got pushed back as his side lurched from one crisis to another.

It only added to the disillusionment among the supporters, who wanted some clarity either way. Surely this would have benefited the players, too, since it would have enabled them to focus fully on matters on the pitch without the ongoing distraction of their manager’s future.

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Ruthless Koeman gives Barkley an ultimatum

Ronald Koeman’s decision to drop star man Ross Barkley raised eyebrows.

The England midfielder had been in good form, but recently rejected a new contract and was left out of the starting XI here. Koeman said that Barkley’s omission was purely tactical, but perhaps he had one eye on next season and was planning for life without the boyhood Evertonian.

As it was, Barkley came on after just 26 minutes, but he has been told to decide on his future within the next week.

Everton’s form petered out towards the end of the campaign, but by finishing sixth they have guaranteed Europa League football. They have taken a step forward from last season.

Koeman will undoubtedly be backed handsomely in the transfer market, but the identity of his targets may change depending on where Barkley’s future lies.