HAPPY WITH THIRD

Arsenal striker Robin van Persie has said that he is extremely happy that the club was able to finish in the third position in the Premier league table, which will guarantee them automatic entry into the Champions League group stages without having to go through yet another round of matches.

This means that Arsenal have secured the 15th consecutive season in the Champions League, thus becoming only the third club to achieve this feat. It also crucially made that they will be able to retain star striker Robin van Persie who has scored almost 40 goals this season.

Speaking after the 3-2 win over West Brom that ensured them third position, Robin van Persie said that he is extremely happy that this season has come to a close in the best possible manner. Arsenal came into the match against West Brom knowing that they have not won any single match this season without the services of Mikel Arteta in the side. The Spaniard was ruled out for the rest of the season and the possibility of Tottenham overtaking Arsenal to the third position was real. However, the 3-2 win meant that Arsenal finished above Tottenham, which made for the double joy for Robin van Persie.

"It was double important to finish third and also above Spurs. We knew what was at stake. It is just a fantastic feeling again to be ahead of Spurs. We heard that they won, but it doesn't really matter because we won our game. We are definitely in the Champions League again, and that was the main target from the match. We just had to qualify and everyone is very pleased, everyone is enjoying this moment," Robin van Persie said after the match. The striker has only one year left on his current contract, and is expected to leave in the summer.