Reds in top four, Gunners miss out
Liverpool qualify for Champions League; Arsenal fail to make it for first time in Wenger’s reign
LONDON:Arsene Wenger’s torrid year reached a calamitous climax as Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years after Manchester City and Liverpool wrapped up the remaining top four places on the final day of the Premier League season.
Wenger’s side won 3-1 against Everton, but Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough and Manchester City’s 5-0 demolition of Watford pushed Arsenal out of Europe’s elite.
After reaching the Champions League for the last 19 seasons, Arsenal will spend next term trekking around the unglamourous outposts of the Europa League.
That indignity will cost Arsenal an estimated £50 million in revenue and increase the pressure on Gunners boss Wenger, who has endured a miserable season filled with fan protests and calls for his resignation.
The Frenchman, who has yet to reveal if he will sign a new contract to extend his 21-year reign, could still finish the season with silverware as Arsenal face Chelsea in the FA Cup final next Saturday.
But even that won’t be enough to quell the mutinous atmosphere among Arsenal supporters who believe Wenger has lost his edge.
Arsenal finished fifth as Liverpool crushed relegated Middlesbrough to reach the Champions League for the first time since 2014-15.
Georginio Wijnaldum put Liverpool ahead in first half stoppage-time, Philippe Coutinho struck in the 51st minute and Adam Lallana kept the party mood going with the third five minutes later.
LIVERPOOL FINISH FOURTH
Liverpool finish fourth and will enter the Champions League play-off round next season as they look to make the group stages. At Vicarage Road, City wrapped up third place and automatic entry into the Champions League group stages.
Vincent Kompany headed home in the fifth minute and Sergio Aguero doubled the lead in the 23rd minute. “We showed in many moments how much quality is in this team, what the standards should be going forward and defending,” Kompany said.