At long last, this highly disappointing season will end on Sunday. I don't know about all of you, but I can't wait.

It's safe to say Sunday will be a low-key affair. Arsenal will be wondering what could have been, as usual, while Villa will be keen for their own disastrous season to end as soon as possible. In front of what will doubtlessly be a quiet Emirates Stadium - I've not seen any protests planned - the two teams will likely half-arse it.

But the game isn't without something at stake, for Arsenal at least. After last week's draw at City, we need just a point to secure third spot and a route straight into the Champions League group stages. A win and a Spurs defeat at Newcastle would see us usurp them into second, which would be hysterical considering how much better they have been this season. St. Totteringham's day is still a possibility, somehow.

That aside, the other interesting aspect of this match will be the number of players playing their final game for both clubs involved. It will be goodbye to Matheiu Flamini, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky, and you wonder if we'll see any of them make an appearance. At the very least, I hope Rosicky gets one final run out. And with doubts over the futures of the likes of Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, and even Alexis, it could be the final time we're seeing them in an Arsenal shirt, too. Not to mention David Ospina, Kieran Gibbs and Joel Campbell on the bench.

Then there's the lap of honour after the game, which will be a polite and subdued affair.

Predicting the team for this one is tricky, not knowing if Wenger will make some sentimental decisions on certain players. Mertesacker remains unavailable, and of course Welbeck is out for the next 9 months. Ozil returns from his slight hip injury, and there was talk of Wilshere being ready to start now. So maybe we'll see:


But who knows, really? It's the final day with not much to play for. Anything could happen.

Should Arsenal lose and City win, however, we will finish 4th. Could you imagine losing at home to this Villa team?

I hope Arteta and Rosicky start and receive a proper send off, as befits these two classy players. No matter what you think of them now, they deserve this.

I dont know about starting them but bring them on in the second half with 15min to go.

I dont want them to pick up a injury with few minutes in to the game and taken off.

THAT feeling again lol. Last game of the season. Feet up and nothing to worry about. Sigh

Oh well. I agree with Urban that both Rosicky and Arteta need to make an appearance.

Apart from that, let's just end the season with a win at least and put this nightmare of a season behind us(again).

Hope we give Chambers a chance at CB but can't see it

You guys think Ozil would start?

yup

10 years at Arsenal. A decade ffs.



Should have had a testimonial.

Much respect, I've always loved Rosicky

Wneger

I believe there is something special in the team on the mentality front and there is something happening inside the club that is very positive.
'We could not get that completely into materialising into success this season. But there is something happening inside the club that is very positive and a very healthy mentality.

'We all want to win, but then we have to add what we missed this season and analyse what we missed. And I have said many times we did not score enough goals as a team to win the championship.'

Says the man who said we dont need striker Arsenal has 4 world class strikers.

Arsenal XI: Cech, Bellerin, Gabriel, Koscielny, Monreal, Coquelin, Wilshere, Cazorla, Ozil, Sanchez, Giroud

No Rosicky in the squad

No Walcott in the squad either

Walcott can pls go to West Ham

Rosicky

What formation is this?

Wilshere RW or Ozil lol?

Wilshere RW with Coqzorla? That was among the better football we played in the early part of this season, iirc?

Was tempted to watch the game at least for Rosicky - you know how much I love that guy. Now I am even more ambivalent. Lol

Mikel Arteta says “it was a dream” to join Arsenal.

The Gunners skipper has made 149 appearances since joining from Everton in 2011, but will not renew his playing contract in north London at the end of this season.
Arteta has helped Arsenal win two FA Cups during his time at the club and says he will look back on a “spectacular experience”.

“I would just like to thank you all so much for the way in which you’ve supported me during my time here,” Arteta wrote in his final Arsenal captain’s notes. “It’s been a huge honour, a privilege, and I can only promise that I’ve done my best.
“I tried to behave in the most professional way and maximise the resources we have. I’m at peace with that. Our ambition this season was to win the Premier League and we’re so disappointed that we came short with that aim, because it’s not good enough for this club.
“But I’ll always be proud that I was able to help give the fans some trophies, which they had been waiting for a long time for.
“Winning two FA Cups in a row was special but for me, it’s not enough for a club like this. It shouldn’t be the ambition.
“Hopefully the new generation will be better than us and will become fantastic leaders and heroes here.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute. For me it was a dream to come here because I always admired this club."

I'm gonna miss his lego hair.

At the end of his notes, Arteta said his next step is to think about what to do; that he has options open and is very excited about what's to come.

Sounds like he's off to City tbh.

Also Rosicky will be presented with a silver canon in honour of his decade at the club.

https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/731843693594836992

Wenger said Cazorla starts alongside Coquelin. So Wilshere wide.

final day stream hunting

It's happened again

Dying over here.

Also Arteta in tears as he leaves the pitch.

2nd LFMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

LADSSSSSS


Arteta https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/731875715319091205

LOOOOOL!

IDGAF what anyone says, that's an Arteta goal forever.

Arteta

Gracias por todo senor,

The guy held the midfield together when Cesc and Nasri left, his contribution was not always appreciated. I hope he comes back and works for us.

Good ending to a crap season, Spurs providing the banter as usual

Arteta's farewell suggests he's not staying with us

Players gave guard of honour for Rosicky. All wearing Rosicky 7 shirts.

Genuinely emotional atm.