Mikel Arteta proud of Arsenal despite final day disappointment in title race

Arsenal claimed a late 2-1 win over Everton on the final day of the Premier League season but suffered title heartbreak for a second campaign in a row.

Manchester City’s 3-1 victory at home to West Ham crowned them champions for a fourth year in a row and rendered the Gunners’ result against Everton meaningless.

The chances of any last-day drama seemed remote, but were reduced further when City went 2-0 up early on before Idrissa Gueye’s deflected free-kick put the visitors ahead at the Emirates.

Takehiro Tomiyasu levelled three minutes later, which was around the time West Ham reduced the deficit at the Etihad, but there would be no late twist.

A tap-in by Kai Havertz with 89 minutes on the clock did at least ensure the Gunners finished a brilliant season with a 28th league win to show further signs of progress under Mikel Arteta.

The goal left Everton stunned as Gabriel Jesus appeared to use his arm in the build-up. The VAR advised referee Michael Oliver to look at the pitch-side monitor but he still allowed the goal to stand in a controversial moment that baffled the visitors.

Arteta admitted his pride as he addressed the crowd at the end of the game, and vowed his side would keep pushing to end the club's now 20-year wait for a league title.

"All this is happening because you started believing," he told the crowd at the Emirates Stadium. "You started to be patient and started to understand what we tried to do. All the credit has to go to the players and the staff. Don't be sad. We want much more than that and we’re going to get it."

Gave it everything until the end ❤️ pic.twitter.com/AaB5k3MkbV

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard, who enjoyed another impressive individual season, said the players and fans had "changed