An easy win at Pride Park saw Adebayor grab a second half hattrick, taking him to 30 goals this season, to secure at least a third place finish for the Arse.

The game was enjoyable, unless you were a Derby fan, we played well without ever really moving out of second gear.

For highlights click here.

Derby came at us in the first half but the game didn’t start at a great pace, neither side had much to play for. We rested players, Denilson starting in midfield, and Walcott on the left, with Bendtner and RVP upfront.

Went 1-0 up through a defensive mistake allowed RVP to set up Bendtner, but Derby equalised soon after through a knock down from a free kick crossed into the box.

Another defensive error from Derby, saw Van Persie leave his marker, and chest down a lovely ball from Toure in the penalty area and place the ball in the top right at close range.

Van Persie strained his thigh, so was taken off for Adebayor at half time.

Van Persie just keeps struggling to recover. He has been out for most of this season. He is an amazing player, just never seems fit for us.. I hope he can get over it for next year, because with him in the side we are much much more dangerous in attack.

Ade scored his first after half time, only for Derby to sneak one back through Rob Earnshaw. We immediately stepped up the gears and scored 2 more, a lovely goal from Walcott, and Ade’s second. We were just toying with Derby creating numerous chances and passing excellently.

Adebayor got his hattrick in extra time after a defence splitting pass from Fabregas allowed him to take it past Carroll and put it in the net.

Wenger had this to say:

“This team has a great future, I believe we were really unlucky not to win something this year.

“It is always a problem not to win trophies but I love this team, love the way they behave and the way they play.

“This was a typical Arsenal display, we were always dangerous and were good technically. They all impressed me.”

Here’s to the future..