A Nicklas Bendtner goal was enough for Arsenal to continue their late season form and down Everton by 1 goal to 0, in a game where the Toffees only needed one point to secure UEFA qualification.

Everton managed to keep Arsenal at bay in the first half at the Emirates to leave them on the verge of gaining the point they need to secure fifth spot.

After a slow start, Emmanuel Adebayor was put in by Kolo Toure but he shot straight at Tim Howard, while Emmanuel Eboue and Gilberto also went close.

Andy Johnson saw his angled shot saved by Lukasz Fabianski, while Joleon Lescott's header was blocked.

The second half saw a more attacking Arsenal, and Everton kept failing to retain the ball for any long periods of time.

A clever chipped through ball from Johnson found Lescott, but his shot is well wide of the far post as Arsenal escape.

Jens Lehmann was brought on later in surely one last visit to the Emirates.

Then on 76 minutes Arsenal finally scored, a great cross into the box is powerfully headed home by Bendtner from close range and Arsenal took the lead.

The final whistle went, and Everton missed out on the point they needed to secure UEFA Cup football.


Teams
Arsenal: Fabianski, Toure, Gallas, Song Billong, Clichy, Eboue, Silva, Denilson, Walcott, Adebayor, Bendtner. Subs: Lehmann, Senderos, Djourou, Traore, Gibbs.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Pienaar, Neville, Carsley, Fernandes, Osman, Johnson. Subs: Wessels, Baines, Yakubu, Anichebe, Rodwell.