A nightmare evening concluded with a destructive hammering from Chelsea as the Gunners failed to clinch that coveted spot in next season's Champions League. After a promising start, failure to score when the chances came ultimately cost them as a blue resurgence in the second half saw Sarri's men win, and for the Italian himself, a first major trophy.
In the main it was same old Arsenal. On top and with the significant upper hand for much of the first half meant it was time to score and take advantage. In all honesty, there could and maybe should have been at least one if not two Arsenal goals in the first period, and a first half lead would have surely had Chelsea buried. They failed on this front which lead to added pressure on an already shoddy defence that has proved that they can't keep anyone out for long periods. Half time was clearly a settler for Sarri's men, who came flying out of the blocks. A blistering start saw former Gunner Olivier Giroud nod home from close range after just four second half minutes.
A flurry of Chelsea pressure came as did chances galore. Arsenal all of a sudden fell to pieces and let their opponents in. With half an hour to go, Pedro slid one home from the centre of the box after more good attacking play down Chelsea's left. At this stage Arsenal were desperate now, and chasing a goal. Instead, a third for Chelsea followed just five minutes later as Eden Hazard scored from the spot after Maitland-Niles stupidly brought down Giroud in the box. It is worth noting that had Alex Lacazette been awarded a penalty in the first half for what seemingly looked stonewall, Arsenal would have, at least, had a foot in the game. Instead they found themselves three nil down with twenty-five minutes still to play. Emery shook things up a little during this period of meltdown as he removed Monreal and Torreira and introduced Iwobi and Guendouzi. A change in shape didn't lead to a change in fortune though but Alex Iwobi did smash home a rocket half volley into Chelsea's far corner to potentially set up an interesting last twenty. But much like Arsenal all season long, and seasons gone before, kamikaze defending and just complete disorganisation at the back meant the floodgates weren't quite closed yet. Hazard netted his second, Chelsea's fourth and potentially his last for the club with fifteen or so still to play.
A disappointing night all round to be perfectly honest. Emery set his best available team out and they let him down. Cech in net wasn't really at fault individually but he did still concede four. Very little blame attached to the man in charge here who, all season long, has been heavily reliant on a strike duo to win football games. If they don't deliver, the defence isn't strong enough and crumbles.
Ratings
Unai Emery: 7.5
Set out his best XI and utilised the best shape. Substituted at the right times but his players couldn't handle a dynamism of Chelsea's counter. his decision to blood young Willock in a final is commendable and is a possible insight into his thoughts for next season. He's worked well with what he's been dealt with in fairness to him but a clear identity should be the plan for next season. He's fudged his way to fifth place and was so close to the top four but ultimately this scrimping and scrapping isn't good enough for Arsenal Football Club. On the night though, he was left with very little but to go for it come the second half as his players failed to capitalise on a good opening forty-five.
Petr Cech: 7
One of the team's best performers on the night saving well several time but still conceded four. Says it all really.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles: 5
Got forward very well but failed to deliver on his primary function of defending. Gave away a very sloppy penalty.
Sokratis: 6
An average game by a reliably average performer. Recovered well all game and did much of the dog work in defence. Couldn't really handle Giroud though.
Laurent Koscielny: 5.5
Question marks over his leadership and ability to organise the back line have always been there and although good on the ball again, he failed to control his defence.
Nacho Monreal: 4.5
Good on the ball but a pretty nothing performance from the Spaniard. Was removed in the second half for a change in shape.
Sead Kolasinac: 5.5
Bombed on extremely well in the first half but his delivering and final decision making let him down. Defensively not reliable as we've grown accustomed to.
Granit Xhaka: 6.5
Passed very well but found himself in a 3v2 much of the time and going the other way was pushed for fitness. Did well to maintain standards going forward but with an out of form partner, looked below par.
Lucas Torreira: 5
Looked tired from the off and although settled well on the ball, he never really got close to Chelsea's midfield trio like we know he's capable of. Lacked his usual dogged dynamism and gritty determination.
Mesut Ozil: 4.5
Not good enough from a maverick player. He picked the ball up consistently in the first half but after his team failed to score, he went off the boil massively in the second.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 4.5
Easily his worst performance in an Arsenal shirt. He couldn't find the target with anything, ran well but failed to continue his good goalscoring form.
Alex Lacazette: 4.5
Dipped in and out of the game for the duration and looked a yard slow in his release in everything he did. Clearly needs a break and a refresh.
Subs
Alex Iwobi: 6
Did exactly what Emery needed; he carried the ball at pace, scored a rocket and pushed Chelsea back. Its just a shame the game was over.
Matteo Guendouzi: 5
Passed well and immediately got stuck in. Brought a calm to Arsenal's midfield but much like Iwobi, the game was already over.
Joe Willock: 5
Entered the fray for fifteen or so and looked far more lively than Ozil did in seventy-odd. Missed a sitter though but did well to find space constantly and make openings for himself and team mates.
A long season is now over, and although it has ended in disappointment, a rebuild was always on the cards. Failure to quality for the Champions League just puts the size and quality of this rebuild as risk, and the club now have to go and work very hard to find players in several positions to strenghten our football club. With players like Leno, Bellerin, Holding, Torreira, Lacazette and Aubameyang in place already, the pieces are there to be built upon. A no nonsense defender and leader should be top of the shopping list, closely followed by a winger and a left back.
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