Pull out the stops for Odegaard and all hail Pepe: What we learned from Arsenal's final-day win over Brighton

Martin Odegaard

Pull out the stops for Odegaard and all hail Pepe: What we learned from Arsenal's final-day win over Brighton

There we have it, then. The end of a season that could best be described as a mixed bag at least ended on a high as a brace from the in-form Nicolas Pepe sealed a routine win over Brighton in front of 10,000 fans at The Emirates.

As expected, there will be no European football next season for the first time in 25 years but that could become a blessing in disguise. 

The European Conference League may end up being an important tournament but at the moment it has more than a whiff of the Intertoto Cup about it and Spurs are very welcome to their place.

Make no mistake, this summer is a massive one for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal Football Club. And over the course of the season-ending 90 minutes, we learned plenty about the direction they may wish to go in…

Make Martin a priority

Martin Odegaard has played a key role in Arsenal's steady improvement across the second half of the season and impressed once more against the Seagulls.

He was the last player to leave the field in what could be interpreted as a goodbye - but the Gooners in attendance will be eager to see more of the Norwegian in a red shirt.

It's a feeling shared by Arteta, who said afterwards: "We have a very clear and strong opinion on what we would like to do, but he's not our player.

"We will have to discuss in the next few weeks what and respect first of all because he's a Real Madrid player and have those communications.

"We tried to make everything that we could to get Martin performing for the team, which I think he's done. He has adapted really well to our way of playing and to our football club. 

"Hopefully, we have given him as well the hope and the feeling that it could be a good place for him."

Odegaard would be a real statement signing for the club this summer and the prospect of the 22-year-old joining forces with the homegrown contingent of youngsters is a hugely exciting one. 

Making the move permanent should be towards the top of Arsenal's agenda.

Pepe doesn't want season to end

It has taken the best part of two years but Arsenal are finally beginning to see the best of Nicolas Pepe.

His double on Sunday took his tally to five in three games and he leads the way within the squad for goal involvements (21) over the whole campaign.

For the Ivorian, it is a shame the season is ending now - just as he is hitting a hot streak. It is up to Arteta and the player himself to ensure he is ready to pick up where he has left off when next season begins.

Pepe could also have an important role to play off the field this summer. Football London report that he spent plenty of time talking to Brighton's Yves Bissouma after the win over Brighton and the pair share an agent - could the winger help persuade the impressive midfielder to join him in North London?

Keep pressure on Kroenkes

It was brilliant to see supporters back inside The Emirates but one guest was not quite so welcome.

Josh Kroenke was in attendance for the first time in more than a year and there were again protests staged outside the ground, though in nowhere near the numbers who turned out before the defeat against Everton in the aftermath of the European Super League fiasco.

Torrential rain probably didn't help turnout - fair play to those who got a soaking to make their feelings clear - and Kroenke will now hope the combination of the summer close season and joy at being allowed back into the stadium next season sees anger dissipate.

That may prove to be the case but if Arsenal fans are serious about wanting a change of ownership, the momentum built in recent weeks must continue come August.

Photo: Getty Images

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