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On the final matchday of the Premier League season, Arsenal secured a 2-0 victory against Brighton and Hove Albion to complete the league double over the Seagulls for the first time in over 40 years. With the win, they leapfrogged Everton to finish eighth, just a point and place behind London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Although Arsenal dominated the first half, they opened the scoring only after the break thanks to a brilliant goal from Nicolas Pepe, who added a second 11 minutes later to give the Gunners a comfortable advantage.
Brighton, on the other hand, lacked fluency going forward. The Seagulls attempted only five shots throughout the whole match, with just one on target.
The result means Arsenal have won five successive Premier League games under Mikel Arteta for the first time. On that note, here are five talking points from the match at the Emirates Stadium.
#1 Arsenal have a busy summer ahead of them
In addition to David Luiz, a number of first-team players could be on their way out of the club this summer. According to reports, Dani Ceballos' loan spell with the Gunners will not be extended and he will return to Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Willian, who only joined last summer, could also be shown the door. The Arsenal winger has made 25 appearances this season but scored just once and provided five assists.
The Brazil international was left out of the matchday squad against Brighton due to an apparent calf injury and it looks as though Willian has played his final game for the north London club.
There is also speculation over the futures of Hector Bellerin and Alexandre Lacazette, who could both depart Arsenal. Given the club's dismal season, it is evident that there is plenty of work to do this summer.
#2 Nicolas Pepe is finally beginning to prove his worth
With nine goals in his last 13 Premier League starts, Nicolas Pepe is beginning to live up to his £72 million price tag. The Ivory Coast international arrived in August 2019 but in his first season with Arsenal, Pepe scored just five times in 31 Premier League appearances.
Against Brighton and Hove Albion, the 25-year-old netted a brace to take his goal tally this season to 16 in all competitions. With superb performances in recent games, Pepe has truly nailed down his spot in the starting XI.
Arsenal fans will hope the former Lille midfielder can continue his great scoring form next season and help Arsenal get back into the Champions League.
#3 Has Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang lost his eye for goal?
With only one goal in his last five Premier League matches, Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang seems to have lost his sharpness. The striker managed only 15 goals in 39 games in all competitions, a far cry from his personal best of 31 in 51 three seasons ago.
Aubameyang signed a contract extension ahead of the new season, much to the delight of Arsenal fans. However, things have not gone according to plan since then, raising the question of whether Mikel Arteta should start Alexandre Lacazette, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah or even Folarin Balogun ahead of him.
Nonetheless, Aubameyang, who turns 32 next month, remains a vital player.
“We know that it has been a really complicated season for him for many reasons, one is a personal one which has been challenging," Arteta said.
“This is what it is all about in sport, when you have a difficult moment - how you react to that."
#4 Arsenal fail to finish above Tottenham Hotspur
Despite beating the Seagulls, Arsenal had to settle for eighth spot after Gareth Bale's late brace against Leicester City fired Tottenham Hotspur to a 4-2 win and sealed seventh place.
Tottenham have lost fewer matches, scored more goals and boast a superior goal difference to Arsenal this season. The Gunners are, in fact, the lowest-scoring team among clubs that finished in the top nine, and this is an area they need to improve on next season.
#5 No European football for Arsenal next season
Arsenal's eighth-place finish in the league means they will be without European football for the first time in 26 years next season.
Although missing out on Europe will have an impact financially, it could prove to be a blessing in disguise for Arsenal.
A season without European football will present an opportunity for Arsenal to focus on the Premier League, where they have failed to finish in the top four since 2015-16.
