Arsenal rounded off the Premier League season with a 2-1 win at relegated Southampton on Sunday, securing the runners-up spot for the third straight season.
After a gruelling few weeks, Mikel Arteta named a much-changed side, resting the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
Kieran Tierney was handed a start to say farewell, with the defender due to leave the club as a free agent in the summer, and the Scotsman repaid the favour with a goal to put the Gunners 1-0 up in his final game for the club.
Tierney has been a model professional at the club, helping Arteta to win the FA Cup in the manager’s first season and setting an example with his work ethic.
With Jorginho also departing the club this summer, the Gunners are losing experienced heads and leaders who played an important part in the dressing room.
While it’s not the sole reason for signing players, it’s important the club has a plan to replace those qualities.
For all of Arsenal's set-piece success on the offensive end, it was yet another defensive corner which cost the Gunners and gave Southampton their equaliser.
There has been a lot of talk about set-pieces this season, but fixing that issue should be a top priority for coach Nicolas Jover over the summer having conceded 12 league goals from them this year.
Captain Odegaard came off the bench to at least give Arsenal a closing-day win with a long-range strike late on.
The midfielder has had a difficult season hampered by injury and hasn't looked right since returning from his ankle issue, so it was a nice moment to end the season on a personal and team high.
For the third straight season, Arsenal have been in the mix, and while failing to win a major trophy is frustrating, being there or thereabouts year after year will eventually lead to success.
There's been a combination of misfortune and some self-inflicted challenges, but to finish the season with second pace in the Premier League, an EFL Cup semi-final and a Champions League semi-final, considering these difficulties, gives hope for improvement next year.
Now it's time to rest up, re-invest in the squad in the transfer market and prepare to go one better next season.
Arsenal Women, meanwhile, can bask in the glory of beating Barcelona to win the Champions League title in Lisbon.
Substitute Stina Blackstenius netted the only goal of the game 16 minutes from time to add to the club's 2007 success.
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