Of all the players to deal a hammer blow to Arsenal’s Champions League qualification hopes, the script was written for Bruno Guimaraes. Newcastle’s Brazilian midfield lynchpin has been a revelation since joining from Lyon in the January transfer window.
Guimaraes made 36 passes in the first half, the most of any player on the pitch and more than double of any Arsenal player. While Calum Wilson scored the opener after neat work down Newcastle’s right hand side, it is Bruno who many supporters wanted to see join the club in January.
"I did speak to some other clubs," he said when asked about the Arsenal interest.
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"But the only concrete offer came in from Newcastle and I really wanted to come here. I've always wanted to play in the Premier League and on top of that it was the start of a new sporting project for the club."
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta cut a forlorn figure on the sidelines as Eddie Howe’s men toyed with their opponents and all but ended Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for Europe’s elite competition for the first time in five years.
They will hope for a brief miracle on the final day of the season when Tottenham travel to Carrow Road for a match against already relegated Norwich City. Arsenal face Everton.
The youngest squad in the lead have certainly bettered many people’s expectations this season and Europa League qualification cannot be seen as lack of progress, although two consecutive defeats after being in pole position will feel like heartbreak for Arteta’s side.
Since the start of April, the Gunners have played nine games, won four and lost five, which shows that the squad are not quite ready to mix it with Europe's elite. There will be huge questions over Arsenal’s lack of January additions and while there were several reasons for that - including Financial Fair Play - it’s clear that they should have bolstered their threadbare first team squad.
Arteta must try and lift his squad for the final game of the season - one which may throw up a highly unlikely surprise. A summer spending spree appears likely with Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus at the top of Arsenal’s wishlist.
They will certainly need more than Jesus to answer their prayers next season but Arsenal’s players are likely to be reflecting on their Premier League campaign with what could have been after a fortnight of self destruction.
