Huddersfield 0-1 Arsenal: 5 Talking Points

Arsenal travelled to Huddersfield for their final game of the season, after having failed to pick up any points on the road in the whole of 2018. The fixture held special significance for the Gunners as it coincides with Arsene Wenger's last game as manager for Arsenal.

A low-key affair in which the significance of the occasion overshadowed the football on the pitch, Arsenal did manage to come up with the perfect goal to give their boss the perfect send-off.

Here are the Talking Points:

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#5 Arsene Wenger's 1235th game as Arsenal manager

All the talk before the kick-off, and even longer, to be honest, has been about the longest-serving manager stepping down at the end of the season.

Everyone at Arsenal had wanted to give the grand man a grand send-off by claiming the first European trophy under the Frenchman in the Europa League. When that didn't materialise everyone wanted to leave on a winning note. That didn't materialise either as the Gunners lost away at Leicester in their last fixture.

That meant that there was only one thing left to do for the players in the red and white of Arsenal, win the final game in charge for the man who has been at them for 22 glorious years.

That, they managed to do for the manager who has managed 1235 games for Arsenal Football Club.

#4 Huddersfield the latest in a long list to pay homage to Arsene Wenger

Another standing ovation

Ever since Wenger announced that he will be stepping down as Arsenal manager, numerous heartfelt tributes have poured in for the Frenchman from all quarters.

He was also felicitated by Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho at his last match against Manchester United and, obviously, got a rapturous ovation in his last game at the Emirates.

The game against Huddersfield was no different as he walked onto the pitch to a standing ovation before the start of the game. But the highlight was when, 22 minutes into the game, the home crowd rose up to applaud the away manager for 22 years of glorious success at Arsenal. Richly deserved.

#3 Arsenal came up with the perfect goal to honour 'Wenger-ball'

'Wenger-goal'

In a game of short of chances and flaring points, Arsenal managed to honour their manager in their own way by coming up with one of those vintage goals that we've gotten so accustomed to seeing over the years now from Arsenal. All ingrained by the Wenger philosophy.

The creative players in the away side managed to salvage some pride by linking up beautifully before setting up their talisman forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the only goal of the game.

Mkhitaryan and Lacazette exchanged passes before the Frenchman nutmeg the ball through to Aaron Ramey who slid it across the box with the outside of his boot. The Gabonese was left with the easy task of slotting the ball into an open net.

#2 Huddersfield lucky to stay up?

All not right with the Wagner project?

One of the stories of the season has been Huddersfield clawing their way out of the relegation zone and securing themselves another season in the biggest league in world football.

The atmosphere of the match was one of celebration as a result of the unbelievable away point against Chelsea which was enough to take them to safety. But we're left wondering if the new-boys were lucky to avoid relegation in their first season in the Premier League.

Let's take a look at some of the factors that substantiate this argument:

Firstly, Huddersfield have failed to score in 20 out of the 38 games in the league this season. That is a troubling stat for the management of the club. A major reason for their safety has been their wonderful run at the start of the campaign which saw them placed 6th in the league after 6 weeks

They've been extremely patchy and another lucky run in the middle of the campaign saw them pick up vital points against Watford, Southampton, Stoke and Burnley on the trot.

A dismal end to the campaign was revived by the crucial point at Stamford Bridge, however, David Wagner needs to address the glaring questions of inconsistency and the like for next season.

#1 What next for Arsenal Football Club?

No more Wenger on the sidelines

Football can be a cruel sport. it never lets you have it all your way. No one leaves unscathed. And no one knows that better than the man who has revolutionised our game and always wanted to play it the right way; the beautiful way.

Wenger will not get the fairytale ending he so richly deserved and the players have to take a major chunk of the blame for that not happening. What is in-store now for Arsenal Football Club?

With Wenger gone can the players hide behind the inefficiencies of the manager or the management? They no longer have the man who shielded them from all the ridicule which was invariably directed toward him and not the players. It is down to the players now to take the onus on themselves and help in the rebuilding process at the club.