Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could not have been happier, or perhaps it is relieved, after seeing his side seal the fourth and final Champions League sport with a far from convincing and nervy 1-0 win over Newcastle in the final day of the English Premier League.
The fight for the top-four places went right down to the wire with Chelsea taking third thanks to a 2-1 win over Everton, and Tottenham having to settle for fifth and a place in the Europa League next season, despite a 1-0 win over Sunderland.
Arsenal, in the end, held their end of the bargain, finishing fourth for a place in the Champions League playoffs, which is all Wenger could have asked for in a season which has sometimes been a bit of a train wreck.
"We knew before the game that we had to win and any other result could kick us out of the potential Champions League group stage," Wenger said. "We were right because Tottenham and Chelsea won and we had the big disadvantage to play away from home.
"I'm happy as well because the exceptional attitude and determination of this group of players has been rewarded. They continued to believe when we were seven points behind Tottenham in mid-March. (They knew) that we had no room for error anymore and you could never see any sign of giving in.
"That's why the exceptional mental attitude of the players has been rewarded. Today (Sunday) it was a bit of a game against the nerves (as well as) against Newcastle and I felt that sometimes the nerves played as big a part as Newcastle.
"We were in control. They had an initial chance with (Papiss) Cisse. After that, in the second half I don't think they had a chance. We were in control but couldn't kill the game off. That's why it was nervy until the end."
Arsenal scored through Laurent Koscielny in the 52nd minute, but never really looked threatening going forward although Theo Walcott did hit the post in stoppage time. Newcastle had the bulk of the possession, but clearcut chances were very much at a premium over the 90 minutes.
"Since February 1, we have taken more points than anybody else in the league," Wenger added. "I don't believe that's just down to coincidence, just to the fact that the group has grown.
"This team has grown throughout the season. We lacked belief for a long period because we couldn't win a big game. The Bayern (Munich) game (in the Champions League) changed our season away from home."
