Van Persie and Cesc went back to the short corner routine, Cesc played it to Van Persie who cut inside and reversed a ball back to Cesc who was jogging into the box from the corner

With nothing at stake for the last game of season 2008-2009 Arsene Wenger wanted to lift some of the negativity from the team and send his players on a high before the start of next season. Stoke City were also in party mood as they had the luxury of being well out of the dreaded drop zone with games to spare.

I mentioned in my pre match thoughts that Diaby could come in to add physical power and that is what the manager decided to do. Arshavin went into his favoured role behind Van Persie and Alex Song continued at center back after his great show at Old Trafford last weekend.

The game started quickly, Stoke trying to put us under pressure early on and Ricardo Fuller had a half chance for the visitors which Premier League debutante Vito Mannone made a save. It wasn’t long before a Stoke player did manage to put the ball into the net, unfortunately for them it was in the wrong goal.

Van Persie and Cesc went back to the short corner routine, Cesc played it to Van Persie who cut inside and reversed a ball back to Cesc who was jogging into the box from the corner. His low fizzed cross was superbly finished into his own net from James Beattie.

Funnily enough, before the game I was thinking that most of our corners are a complete waste and we more often than not give it straight back to the opposition. I was thinking that I would rather we played it short and tried to pass our way into the goal from the corner kick and that is what happened. Cesc and Van Persie started the short corner routine a while ago and we looked more dangerous but for some reason it went back to lofted balls into the goalkeepers arms or into the first defender. Perhaps Arshavin and Van Persie could practice that routine instead of Cesc as Arshavin is better at running past defenders. I digress.

Three minutes later Ryan Shawcross clipped Van Persie who was running into the box. Penalty kick and Van Persie stepped up. His usual practice of high right was varied to high left, both equally unsavable. If Van Persie continues this then he will continue to leave keepers flapping at air. I read that he practiced against Van Der Sar on International duty by telling the keeper where he was going to go and still beating him every time.

On 18 minutes it was Van Persie again who was at the heart of another Arsenal goal. His left footed free kick was powerfully headed in by Abou Diaby. 3-0 after only 18 minutes, if the game continued like that then we would have gone into double figures during the second half.

Stoke won a penalty of their own when Fuller ran in between a Toure and Denilson sandwich and was clipped by Denilson. Fuller dusted himself down, gave Mannone the eyes and rolled in the early consolation goal.

The movement from the Arsenal players was pretty fluid, Arshavin would pull left and Diaby would come inside, Cesc would support the Van Persie and players would cover him. I thought Denilson had a very good game battling against the Stoke engine room. Kieran Gibbs was exceptional going forward, he looked high on confidence and wasn’t afraid to beat his man and deliver a cross.

Man of the match Van Persie powered a free kick against the crossbar, Arshavin’s follow up acrobat volley was well saved by the Stoke keeper.

Van Persie claimed his second after a little help from Rory Delap. Cesc attempted a scoop over the top to Van Persie who made a run forward, a Stoke center half headed the ball up to Delap who wanted to calm the situation by heading back to his keeper, instead he found the lurking Van Persie who took a touch turned and fired past Sorensen in one movement.

After the break we went out in search of more goals, Bendtner replaced Walcott and Eboue came on for Sagna. But the ball just wouldn’t go in. Van Persie headed wide, and he blazed over on the stretch after a great move involving Bendtner and Diaby.

The game finished at 4-1, it could have been more but it didn’t matter as the Gooners enjoyed the display.’One Arsene Wenger’ rang around the stadium as the players and manager had their walk of honour at the final whistle.

Top Gun of the day goes to the Dutchman who had played his part in the own goal, scored two and played the assist for Diaby’s header. 20 goals for the season and the highest amount of assists in the Premier League is a very good return from a very talented striker. Arsene’s next priority is to tie him down to a long contract.

The season may not have ended the way we wanted it to, but we have many things to look forward to next season.