Read more about Match Reports.
Arsenal 4-1 Stoke City
Match Reports, 18:18, May 24, 2009 ,
An early three goal blitz killed off Stoke City in a one-sided encounter to end the season at The Emirates.
Arsenal scored three times in the opening 18 minutes to record an emphatic final day victory after a fourth consecutive season where potential failed to turn into trophies.
However, after so many games where Arsene Wenger must have torn his hair out watching his side put teams to the sword, only to miss chance after chance and end up dropping points, he will surely have been impressed with the way his side put this game to bed in such emphatic fashion.
Once James Beattie had comically turned into his own net after just 8 minutes from a short corner, Arsenal never looked back.
Van Persie doubled the lead from the spot after being brought down by Shawcross, before his free-kick was headed home by Abou Diaby on 18 minutes.
Ricardo Fuller did pull a goal back for the visitors from the penalty spot on the half hour mark, but Arsenal were not to be denied. Just before the break, Delap's poor header back to his goalkeeper went only as far as Van Persie and he turned before slotting home to restore Arsenal's three goal cushion.
The game petered out in the heat during the second half, but for Stoke they can look back on a season which has exceeded all expectations and tony Pulis will hope to build for another successful campaign next season.
For Arsene Wenger, it will, I suspect, be a busy season in the fransfer market as he looks to bring in one or two experienced players that are necessary if Arsenal are to push on and once again be in the hunt for the major honours next season.