Wenger: I had given up on Euro dream

Arsene Wenger revealed that he had given up on qualifying for the Champions League back in September after his Arsenal side sealed third place thanks to a final-day victory at West Brom.

And the Emirates boss then admitted he now had a huge bargaining chip in his attempts to persuade Robin van Persie to stay at the club this summer.

Wenger’s men went into the clash at The Hawthorns knowing victory would confirm third after an astonishing transformation to a season that began with four defeats in seven, marking the club’s worst start to a campaign for 58 years.