Arsenal squeezed into the final Champions League qualifying spot with a 4-2 home win over Wigan as contenders Tottenham slipped to a dramatic 2-1 defeat to West Ham United in the closing stage of the Premiership on Sunday. Robert Pires opened the score line before captain Thierry Henry added a hat-trick to seal the victory that triggered wild celebrations at Arsenal's notorious Highbury stadium that hosted its last match ever after 93 years in action. Arsenal will move next season to the 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium in Ashburton Grove, a few kilometers away from their old venue. The victory put Arsenal in fourth place on 67 points and guaranteed Arsene Wenger's side a place in Europe's top competition next season regardless of the result of their Champions League final against Barcelona on May 17th. Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham finished an impressive campaign in fifth place on 65 points and missed a great opportunity to appear in the Champions League next season despite being closer to the slot through out the campaign. Henry Dominates
Highbury burst into celebrations Fueled by chants and celebrations from enthusiastic fans, Arsenal took an early lead when Robert Pires drilled home in the eighth minute. Wigan replied strongly through a 10th-minute goal from Paul Scharner before David Thompson gave them the lead with a long-range free-kick in the 33rd minute. But Henry put on great display to leave Highbury on high note and secure Champions League action for Arsenal in their new stadium. The Frenchman leveled the score in the 35th minute after beating the offside trap then capitalized on a dreadful error from a Wigan defender to snatch the lead before sealing the big victory from the spot. Elsewhere, Tottenham failed to maintain fourth place after falling against hosts West Ham. Carl Fletcher and Yossi Benayoun scored for the winners while Jermain Defoe pulled on back for the Spurs. Manchester United signed off in second place with 83 points after a comfortable 4-0 victory over Charlton, leaving closest challengers Liverpool third, one point behind despite a 3-1 win at Portsmouth. Already Chelsea finished the season with an unimportant 1-0 defeat against Newcastle.
