Arsenal leapfrogs Tottenham, finishes second in Premier League
It turns out there is a St. Totteringham's Day in 2016 after all.
Arsenal's 4-0 win over Aston Villa coupled with Tottenham's 5-1 loss to Newcastle saw the Gunners leapfrog Spurs in the Premier League table on the final day of the season and finish in second place. The fan-created holiday St. Totteringham's Day marks the day that Arsenal cements its place ahead of Tottenham in the table for good, and it's one that's taken place for the last 21 years, with Tottenham last finishing ahead of Arsenal in 1995.
It looked like this would be the season Spurs would break the streak, but Tottenham went winless in its final four games (0-2-2), while Arsenal went unbeaten in its final 10, allowing Arsene Wenger's side to close the gap and ultimately be London's top-finishing side. Tottenham entered the final day with a two-point lead over Arsenal and a far superior goal differential, meaning a draw against the relegated Magpies would've secured second place.
Tottenham fell behind 2-0 after 39 minutes, though, with Georginio Wijnaldum and Aleksandar Mitrovic getting on the board. Erik Lamela pulled one back for Tottenham on the hour mark, and Mitrovic was sent off soon after, giving Spurs an opportunity to find a key equalizer while up a man. Instead, Spurs conceded a penalty, and Wijnaldum scored his second to secure the result. Tottenham capitulated soon after, conceded two more in rapid succession from Rolando Aarons and Daryl Janmaat to complete its late-season breakdown.
Meanwhile, at the Emirates, Olivier Giroud scored a hat trick and MIkel Arteta added a late strike against the last-place Villans, as Arsenal eased to victory in its finale.
Tottenham finishes in third, behind champion Leicester City and Arsenal. All three will automatically be entered in next season's Champions League group stage.
