Well my friends, we have just experienced the most dramatic day in the history of English football. Manchester City won the title, Bolton got relegated, and Manchester United hearts were broken in the very last minute of the season.

But all that matters is that The Arsenal will be in the Champions League next season. That is an incredible achievement for us given how our season started. From the lows of the 8-2 at United and the 4-3 at Blackburn, to the highs of the 5-3 and 5-2 demolitions of Chelsea and Spurs, this has truly been one of the most exciting seasons in a very long time.

The Final Countdown

After a run of 7 wins out of 8, Arsenal were winless in their last four coming into this one. Somehow, we got lucky last weekend, as Spurs failed to capitalise on our 3-3 draw with Norwich and Newcastle lost 2-0 to City.

We failed to beat both Stoke City and Norwich City, but our place in the Champions League next season was still in our own hands coming into this game. The mission sounded simple: win and you're guaranteed Champions League football. But, as always, it's easier said than done.

Déjà Vu

For the second time in the past two games, Yossi Benayoun gave us the most perfect start, scoring within the first four minutes again. It was a brilliant goal by the Israeli, who was once again rewarded for his admirable work-rate.

He never stopped chasing what looked to be a lost cause, and ended up converting after a howler from the Bromwich goalkeeper. However, once again, Arsenal looked vulnerable after taking an early lead, and we gifted Albion a way back into the game.

Yes, the goal looked miles offside, but that doesn't hide the fact our midfield was poor and incapable of stopping a determined run by James Morrison. And it was a similar theme for West Brom's second goal.

It was again a run by Morrison that caused us all kinds of troubles. And a simple ball over the top, which Koscielny was too slow to react to, was all it took for Arsenal to forfeit the lead only ten minutes after claiming it.

André Santos got us back into the game in brilliant fashion and Koscielny won it for us from a corner, but I am not sure we would have won this game had Ben Foster been in goal for West Bromwich Albion.

Man of the Match

Arsenal's man of the match has to be none other than West Brom's goalkeeper, Marton Fulop. The Hungarian will not be slow to forget his Premier League debut for Albion, as he was responsible for all three goals scored by Arsenal.

The first Arsenal goal resulted from his indecision over whether or not to collect the ball with his hands, as he did seem to be on the edge of the box. But instead of kicking the ball away, he gave Benayoun the chance to pounce, which he happily took.

The second goal was a vicious shot from André Santos. But as good as the shot was, it was straight at Fulop. Luckily, the goalkeeper failed to get enough contact on the ball and it bounced right off the post and into the net.

Fulop's third mistake was the worst of them all. As Van Persie delivered a cross into the box from a corner, it didn't seem as if the ball had enough pace on it to cause any trouble for Albion. However, Fulop elected to punch the ball rather than catch it. And he somehow managed to punch the ball BACKWARDS right into the path on Koscielny, who easily converted.

Cracks Still Showing

Arsenal did win today. And we are now guaranteed Champions League football for the fourteenth consecutive year, regardless of what Chelsea do in the final. We have also now been in the top four for sixteen years in a row, all under Arsene Wenger.

Furthermore, we finished a place higher this season than last season as well as scored two more goals, obtained two more points, and finished above Chelsea for the first time since the Invincible Season.

But the warning signs are there. Just like last weekend, we were not good enough defensively. It could just be end of the season nerves, but a team like Arsenal shouldn't have those. We should have been more clinical recently, and we could have had third place in our hands well before today.

I expect Arsenal to improve defensively over the summer, especially with former centre-back Steve Bould taking over as Arsene Wenger's number two. And with an improved backline and a couple of more signings, we can have much higher hopes for next season than a third place finish.

Summer

However, all that matters right now is that we got that all-important third place. It means so much more than just a guaranteed Champions League spot. This guarantee could mean that Robin van Persie will extend his contract, which will have major influence on Theo Walcott extending his own.

A Champions League spot can also get us some of the best players in Europe. Players like Lukas Podolski (who has already signed for us), Yann M'Vila, and Jan Vertonghen  are all looking to play for a team in the Champions League next season. But the most telling fact could be not whom we sign, but when we sign them.

It is imperative that we get hold of our players early on, unlike last summer when we made five signings on deadline day. We need to have our new players taking part of pre-season, and adjusting to the team before the season starts. Making our signing early could make all the difference.

However, for now we can rest after another rollercoaster season. Many people were doubting our ability to finish in the top four, some even said we would be lucky to be in the top eight. But we proved all our doubters wrong again.

Follow me on Twitter: @Arsene_Al

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