During what has been a frustrating end to another promising campaign from an Arsenal perspective, here’s a list of five of the best Premier League moments that the Gunners have enjoyed this term.

An excellent 3-0 win and overall display v Chelsea

It’s no secret by now that, coupled with a series of unconvincing displays, Chelsea’s 3-0 away defeat against Arsenal set the ball in motion for Antonio Conte to change his formation and adapt his tactics.

They went onto win the league, whilst Wenger’s men limped to a fifth-place finish. Nice.

This was one of the Gunners’ best performances of the season and it left supporters purring with delight for the future. It’s almost as if that Arsenal had been locked away somewhere for the remainder of the campaign, waiting to burst into life at any moment.

Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez were ruthless in their pursuit of opportunities, the newly-formed ‘Kostafi’ partnership isolated Diego Costa effectively while Theo Walcott’s finish after just 14 minutes justified why Arsenal supporters were so excited. Effortlessly passing through Chelsea with combinations galore, meant they were too tough for the visitors to stop.

It was a joy to watch from start to finish, and such a shame that Arsenal couldn’t perform like this more often.

Combination play against Watford away

A tricky away fixture in the Premier League, who doesn’t relish these challenges?

Arsenal were up for the task on this occasion and moments of individual brilliance – as well as important defensive interventions – helped seal a 3-1 victory.

Alexis and Walcott were constant threats in and around the Watford box whilst Özil’s well-placed header on the stroke of half-time just reiterated the connection he has developed alongside Sánchez going forward.

It could’ve been far more comprehensive in truth if chances had not been squandered but Roberto Pereyra’s goal proved only a consolation in somewhat fortunate circumstances as Arsenal struggled to effectively clear their lines.

Snatching a point at Old Trafford

Between the backline against United, they made five completed tackles, ten interceptions, 21 clearances and blocked two shots on goal.

Then Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, fresh off the substitutes’ bench playing as a right-back no less, proved pivotal as he skipped past Marcus Rashford before lofting a teasing cross into the area with Olivier Giroud lurking.

The rest was history and although it was a lacklustre performance in the final third, this result was an encouraging one as it highlighted that yes, maybe Arsenal could perform below expectations and still manage to snatch a decent result away against their rivals – especially having been a goal behind too.

Masterclass at the Olympic Stadium

The first week in December saw Arsenal net their highest tally of goals during a Premier League match this season and it was deserved after a convincing display.

Gabriel silenced his critics with an impressive defensive showing in an unfamiliar role at right-back, whilst Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain excelled with a Man of the Match display to help the Gunners on their way to victory.

Naturally though, it was Alexis who stole the show with three goals and an assist. He could have easily doubled that on another afternoon.

Darren Randolph kept the scoreline respectable and still conceded five, reiterating Arsenal’s level of attacking intent in comparison to their hosts.

We also had this goal…

https://youtu.be/SRBt_RAvWfs?t=7m18s

There’s a recurring theme here and that’s the fact that Alexis needs to stay at Arsenal.

Banishing Stoke hoodoo

Arsenal have struggled to banish the Stoke hoodoo in recent seasons, at least until now.

Tough to break down, a very physical side with plenty of counter-attacking dangermen in their ranks, it’s understandable that the Potters have often got the better of us. That’s without mentioning their threat from set-pieces, either.

However this season, individual brilliance and a collective effort proved decisive in helping collect six points out of a possible six against Mark Hughes’ side.

This couldn’t have been possible without resilience and dogged determination though, which hasn’t been on display too often this term.

Charlie Adam’s penalty after half-an-hour at the Emirates silenced supporters after Xhaka was penalised for an elbow on Joe Allen. Refusing to be beaten though, up stepped the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Bellerín and Alexis, creating chances with regularity to the point where Stoke’s backline could no longer handle pressure.

Away from home, a similar story.

Özil and Sanchez’s partnership grew stronger despite a battle at the Britannia despite Peter Crouch’s dubious finish sparking hope amongst Stoke supporters that they could turn the game around.

They were wrong, and Arsenal’s combination play clicked in all the right areas as Stoke found themselves chasing shadows for sustained periods of the match.

Xhaka’s excellent passing, probing runs from Ramsey and Bellerín – who created both goals for Giroud – whilst the Duracell bunny Alexis himself was ever-present, even when he signalled to the bench for a substitution after sustaining an awkward knock that did not warrant further risk.

This season will be looked back with frustration and rightly so, because Arsenal have displayed their quality but far too infrequently to justify more than a half-hearted title challenge.

If only they could play like this every week…