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Arsenal's Saka absence, Odegaard demands and cruel Man City moments missed

Arsenal fans during the Premier League clash against Everton
Arsenal fans during the Premier League clash against Everton -Credit:Julian Finney/Getty Images


Manchester City were crowned Premier League champions after beating West Ham United, giving the Gunners no hope of catching them. It brought to an end a season which again showcased the progression made in north London, providing another strong platform for the future.

Idrissa Gana Gueye's deflected free-kick gave the visitors an unlikely lead before Takehiro Tomiyasu scored from the edge of the box to respond perfectly before the break. Kai Havertz won the game for the Gunners late on with a close-range finish - although the title may not be won he has been one of the successes of the season.

More television cameras than ever were present at the Emirates Stadium for the title-deciding clash. Despite all the cameras, there was plenty missed but football.london was in the Emirates Stadium to provide a glimpse of things missed.

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Saka watches on

Before kick-off, the senior side went out onto the field for the most rapturous warm-up walk out of the season so far. Arsenal fans were getting into the bowl earlier than usual to soak up the pre-match atmosphere and for good reason.

The noise inside even well ahead of kick off was quite the spectacle as fans came together in a show of true support. After so many years of division, this squad and manager have brought every corner of the fan base together and whilst Saka was not in the team, he was there to witness it.

What Everton fans did

Manchester City’s goals were regularly responded to by the Everton supporters. As the first and second goals went in at the Etihad Stadium chants began to ring out from the away section.

"You nearly won the league," was the chant being sung by the Toffees fans. Having secured their own safety, courtesy of effectively knocking city rivals Liverpool out of the race, it was something of an end of season party for the travelling supporters.

Arsenal were relatively quick to respond to the goal from the away side and that with it brought confidence to the crowd and silenced the growing noise from the corner.

Odegaard wanted more

With Gabriel Martinelli down on the ground inside the first part of the game, the lull inside the stadium with Manchester City, at the time, two goals ahead courtesy of two Phil Foden strikes, was significant. As he has done all season, the captain, Martin Odegaard wanted more.

He was seen walking the edge of the North Bank's East corner trying to get a reaction from the supporters. The Norwegian has been a shining light for the side throughout the campaign and has taken his captain role very seriously indeed.

However, moments after, Arsenal saw an Everton free-kick deflect past David Raya and into the back of the net. But perhaps the rising whips from the captain and the response from the crowd was exactly which gave the Gunners the momentum to respond and push ahead to find the quick Tomiyasu goal.

2-2 when it wasn't

One of the worst moments of the game came before half-time soon after news of West Ham's goal courtesy of Mohammed Kudus came through. Clearly some were on delay and that led to many more immediately informed of the strike to think a second had gone in.

Shouts of '2-2' could be heard around the ground. However, as heads began to turn to double check, looking to us in the press area, no one had heard of a second Hammers goal.

It was akin to the '1-1 at Newcastle' which Tottenham supporters will famously not want to remember in the race for the Champions League places all those years ago. Here, it was a very different reward on offer but no less of an issue.