Mikel Arteta did not even try to hide his anguish at Arsenal's failure to qualify for the Champions League after a late capitulation ended the Gunners hopes of a top-four finish.
Arsenal were five points clear in fourth with three games to go, but defeats by their direct rivals Tottenham and then a disastrous display at Newcastle derailed their hopes of returning to the Champions League for the first time in six years.
A rampant 5-1 victory over Everton at the Emirates on the final day was academic as Spurs got their job done at Norwich to hold on to fourth.
