KINGSTON UPON HULL, United Kingdom: Alexis Sanchez scored twice as Arsenal all but secured a top-four finish in the Premier League for the 18th consecutive season with a 3-1 victory at struggling Hull on Monday.
Arsene Wenger’s side swept into a three-goal half-time lead thanks to Sanchez’s double and a strike from Aaron Ramsey before Stephen Quinn pulled one back for Hull after the break.
The victory put third-placed Arsenal nine points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, who have only three matches remaining and a vastly inferior goal difference to the Gunners, and effectively guaranteed their qualification for the Champions League.
In stark contrast, Hull are in severe danger of relegation after dropping below Leicester to 17th — one point and one place above third bottom Sunderland, who have a game in hand.
Arsenal’s win came too late to alter the destiny of the title, won by Chelsea last weekend, but left them well-placed for their FA Cup defence against Aston Villa at Wembley later this month.
Santi Cazorla, who had a fine match for Arsenal on Monday, told Sky Sports: “Of course we want to win the title next year (season), but second place this season is for now the most important thing.”
A run of eight successive wins ended with a goalless draw against Chelsea, but Arsenal manager Wenger kept faith with the same team from that fixture and saw his side enjoy a comfortable victory.
That six-point haul served to give the Tigers a vital boost in the fight for survival, but wins on Saturday for Leicester, Sunderland and Aston Villa did Hull few favours.
Arsenal were dominant from the start and Hull contributed to their own downfall by surrendering possession too easily.