The eventual runners-up tasted victory on the final day, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to stop the relentless Manchester City.

Arsenal held up their end of the bargain—just about—on the final day of the campaign, but that will be little solace for Mikel Arteta on Sunday evening as his team missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City for the second season running.

The Gunners huffed and puffed for large spells against a resilient Everton side and even went a goal down in the first half, but they eventually secured their 28th victory of the domestic campaign. It wasn’t enough, however, with several of Arteta’s players collapsing onto the turf when the final whistle sounded.

With City racing into a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes, the raucous Emirates atmosphere soon simmered down considerably. The chances Mikel Arteta’s side spurned, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Martinelli each letting big opportunities go begging, did little to lift the mood early on.

Things got worse when Idrissa Gueye’s free-kick deflected past David Raya and into the Arsenal net in the 40th minute, though the Gunners soon equalized through Tomiyasu. The noise that greeted that goal paled in comparison to when the hosts were given a glimmer of title

hope shortly after, with West Ham pulling one back just before the break at the Etihad.

But this did not last long. Arsenal struggled to create anything at the start of the second half, and City’s third goal on the hour-mark left their hopes of finishing top hanging by a thread. The Gunners did at least threaten to end their season with a bang, as Martin Odegaard saw an effort from close range smothered by Jordan Pickford, and substitute Emile Smith Rowe hit the bar, but the breakthrough would not come.

That was until Gabriel Jesus burst through the Toffees’ backline and fed Odegaard, whose scuffed shot trickled into the path of Kai Havertz, who provided the finishing touches and clinched victory. Despite the win, Arsenal’s efforts were ultimately in vain, as Manchester City secured the title once again.

Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya (7/10):

Left with no chance from Gueye’s free-kick due to the deflection. Tidied up some balls over the top and made a couple of smart stops.

Ben White (6/10):

Composed in possession without offering a great deal in the final third. Defending was fine.

William Saliba (7/10):

Drew a number of fouls from Calvert-Lewin and was typically unflappable. Has played every single minute of Arsenal’s Premier League campaign.

Gabriel (6/10):

One slight lapse in concentration aside, he handled Calvert-Lewin without too many issues. Subbed on the hour due to a knock.

Takehiro Tomiyasu (7/10):

Let a big chance go begging early on, but made up for it with a good finish.

Midfield

Thomas Partey (6/10):

Booked for a cynical foul on McNeil. Kept the ball moving very well in midfield.

Declan Rice (7/10):

All-action performance and carved open one or two good attacking moves.

Martin Odegaard (8/10):

Sublime. Assisted both goals but should have probably had one himself.

Attack

Gabriel Martinelli (6/10):

Looked dangerous with a few direct runs, but was clearly a significant downgrade from the injured Saka.

Kai Havertz (7/10):

Fared well against two physical centre-backs and scored again, as the fans like to sing.

Leandro Trossard (5/10):

Not his best afternoon. Barely involved early on and could not get the better of Coleman.

Subs & Manager

Oleksandr Zinchenko (5/10):

Wasn’t brilliant after coming on. A bit sloppy in possession.

Jurrien Timber (6/10):

Received an extremely loud reception on his first appearance since the opening day of the season. Solid performance.

Emile Smith Rowe (6/10):

Went so close to scoring a winner, with his bouncing volley kissing the bar on its way over.

Gabriel Jesus (7/10):

Made the goal with a good run.

Mikel Arteta (7/10):

Beat last season’s points tally, and if they continue that trend next campaign, surely their wait for Premier League glory will come to an end.