Arsenal mark Wenger's final home game with 5-0 thrashing of Burnley
Send a link to a friend
[May 07, 2018]
By Hugh Lawson
LONDON, (Reuters) - - Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger signed off in style as they thrashed Burnley 5-0 in
his last Premier League home game on Sunday with the kind of
dominant performance he would have wanted after 22 years in charge.
Wenger was given a guard of honor from both teams and the match
officials before kickoff, and received roars of support throughout
the match from the home fans, most of whom had donned their
complimentary red "Merci Arsene" T-shirts.
Arsenal's January record signing, Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang, opened the scoring in the 14th minute at The Emirates,
racing into the area to guide home Alexandre Lacazette's cross with
the outside of his right foot.
France striker Lacazette then doubled the lead for the Gunners just
before halftime, volleying in a low ball from Hector Bellerin on the
right side of the goal.
Second-half strikes from Sead Kolasinac, Aubameyang again and Alex
Iwobi put the game well beyond Burnley's reach.
Burnley, who narrowly avoided relegation last season but are now
preparing for their first season of European soccer since 1967, with
qualification for the Europa League, had been hoping before the game
to pull level on 57 points with Arsenal.
Instead, the result means the Gunners will finish the season in
sixth place, with Burnley one place behind them in seventh.
The visitors suffered an early setback when Ashley Barnes, their
joint top-scorer this season, crashed into the back of Arsenal's
Granit Xhaka and walked slowly off the field minutes later, cradling
his left arm, to be replaced by Sam Vokes.
Arsenal's emphatic victory, which matched their best result this
season, was little consolation for the midweek loss in the Europa
League semi-final to Atletico Madrid, however, which meant they miss
out on Champions League soccer next season.
"MERCI, ARSENE"
After the game the Arsenal team and staff formed another guard of
honor to say farewell to Wenger and captain Per Mertesacker, who
will manage the club's academy next season.
[to top of second column] |
Arsenal's Henrikh Mkhitaryan in action with Burnley's James
Tarkowski Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs
The German central defender came on briefly at the end of the match
and drew huge cheers every time he touched the ball.
Former Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper Bob Wilson then led the
tributes to Wenger on the pitch, backed by huge letter-boards
spelling out "Merci Arsene".
"He has built the Arsenal that we know and love today. He has
changed the face of football in this country. Hundreds of players
owe their careers to him," Wilson told the crowd, all standing for
the occasion.
Pat Rice, Wenger's assistant throughout his years at the club, then
presented the 68-year-old Frenchman with the gold "Invincibles"
trophy given to the club after their 2003-04 season, when the team
won the league without losing a match.
Wenger first expressed his best wishes for his old rival, former
Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, who was taken into hospital on
Saturday after suffering a brain hemorrhage, before bidding his own
farewell to the fans.
"Thank you all for having me for such a long time - I know that's
not easy," he said, drawing a laugh from the crowd.
"Above all I am, like you, an Arsenal fan," Wenger said to warm
applause before saying farewell.
(Reporting by Hugh Lawson, editing by Pritha Sarkar and Ken Ferris)
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|