Arsenal have bounced back from their Champions League disappointment with back to back victories to maintain their impressive run in the Premier League.
The Gunners produced arguably their lowest moment of the season in losing 3-1 at home to Monaco last week, but still have the opportunity to end their season on a high.
Whilst Arsene Wenger has reminded us not to write his side off in the Champions League, a top four finish and maintaining the FA Cup look like the main objectives for the season now.
Arsenal travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the quarter final of that competition on Monday night, with Wenger knowing a victory will set his side up perfectly for the remainder of the season.
Whilst Gunners fans may have been hoping for a title challenge, holding onto third place in the table and lifting the FA Cup in May would represent a decent season.
Here we have identified five high points for Arsenal fans this season – who no doubt will be hoping there is better yet to come.
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Click on Arsene Wenger to reveal 5 best moments of Arsenal’s 2014/15 season
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Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle
Newcastle arrived in north London in the middle of a revival under Alan Pardew, whilst Arsenal had been struggling for consistency.
The Magpies might have fancied their chances of causing an upset at the Emirates, but Arsene Wenger’s men swept them aside with a confident display, and some fine goals.
Santi Cazorla scored twice, as did the returning Olivier Giroud in a game that signalled signs of recovery for the Gunners in terms of their top four challenge, having looked vulnerable previously.
Arsenal 3-0 Stoke City
The defeat at the Britannia little more than four weeks previously had been difficult for Arsenal fans to take, so getting revenge over Stoke City in style at the Emirates felt particularly sweet.
The Gunners produced one of their most dominant displays of the season to beat Mark Hughes side, with Laurent Koscielny heading home the opening goal.
It then became the Alexis Sanchez show, with the Chilean adding another two goals in each half to make it a very satisfactory day at the office for Arsene Wenger, and maintain the Gunners push for a top four finish.
Manchester City 0-2 Arsenal
Arsenal fans have been craving this sort of performance on a more regular basis down the years. Arsene Wenger’s side went to the home of the Premier League champions, and produced a superb backs-to-the-wall performance, recording their lowest possession stats of the season, yet coming away with a 2-0 win.
This performance was all about the quality of defending, whilst Santi Cazorla delivered a man of the match performance in the middle of the park.
The Spaniard put the Gunners in front with a first half penalty, before turning provider for Olivier Giroud in the second half in what was an excellent – and somewhat surprising – away performance from Arsene Wenger’s side.
Arsenal 5-0 Aston Villa
Whilst Villa were terrible, Arsenal fans will not see a more comfortable Premier League win for a long time.
The Gunners were completely dominant from the word go, and honestly could have hit double figures against Paul Lambert’s strugglers.
In a performance of free-flowing attacking football, Olivier Giroud, Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott, Cazorla from the spot, and young right back Hector Bellerin all got on the scoresheet, as the Gunners confirmed themselves as favourites for a Champions League finish – and boosted their goal difference in the process.
QPR 1-2 Arsenal
And so to Arsenal’s most recent game, and Wednesday night’s hard fought 2-1 victory at QPR.
This may not have been the best performance or indeed the best game of the season, but with Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United all winning, three points were crucial.
And Arsenal managed to grind it out, courtesy of second half goals from Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez – with the latter proving his class once again with a superb solo goal.
The manner in which Arsenal survived a late scare from Charlie Austin was also pleasing, and kept the Gunners as firm favourites to end the season in those coveted Champions League spots.
