On what may turn out to have been his final appearance for the club, Granit Xhaka netted a brace early in the first half, arriving in the box in trademark fashion this season to put Arsenal two up inside 15 minutes.
The Swiss midfielder could well have had a hat-trick if not for a miskick minutes later but Bukayo Saka, despite playing with an injury, also got on the scoresheet with a fine finish and looked his usual dangerous self, as the 21-year-old took his tally for the Premier League season to 14 goals and 11 assists.
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Gabriel Jesus was another who looked back to his usual free-flowing self, after difficulties returning from knee injury, and scored from a header, while Jakub Kiwior rounded off an impressive end to the season with his first Arsenal goal while filling in at left-back, a usual option for the Gunners next season.
With Kiwior replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mikel Arteta continued to play Thomas Partey on the right in the inverted full-back role and joining midfield, a role in which he thrived in to help the Gunners control the ball, looking far more comfortable than in the game against Nottingham Forest.
This version of the system gives Arteta greater options for next season when Zinchenko misses games given the tactical flexibility of Kiwior and Partey, as well as potential new signings.
A player like Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, who Arsenal tried to sign in January, could also fill that inverted role well.
The extra flexibility will be vital as Arsenal navigate a Champions League campaign alongside another hopeful title charge next season and Arteta has used the unfortunate end to the season to evolve his plans for the next go-round.
Another positive from the 5-0 win was Arsenal breaking the record for their highest-ever goal tally in a Premier League season, finishing on 88.
The Gunners did an excellent job of spreading the goals between them this season with the younger players all improving in front of goal. The goal record is a testament to the young, exciting, free-flowing side that is being built – one that we hope can go one position further next season.
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