Arsenal sweeps English Premiership season

London:

Arsenal defied Leicester's spirited attempts to tear up the script, as they booked their place in history by completing an unbeaten sweep through the entire English Premiership season. A 2-1 win at Highbury ensured Arsene Wenger's champions finished the season with 26 wins, 12 draws and not a single defeat, a feat that had not been achieved since Preston North End's 'Invincibles' stayed unbeaten through a 22-match campaign in 1888. Wenger ecstatic "I have always dreamt of playing a whole season unbeaten and to achieve it is something special, something unique," a delighted Wenger said. "I don't think many managers can say that. I am very happy and proud of the players. To start the season and then nine months finish it without losing a game is beyond belief." The other big issue of the final day of the season was resolved in Newcastle's favour, a 1-1 draw at Liverpool enough to secure fifth spot and a place in the UEFA Cup as rivals Aston Villa slumped to a 2-0 home defeat to Manchester United. Chelsea marked what was almost certainly Claudio Ranieri's final match in charge with a 1-0 win over Leeds, courtesy of Jesper Gronkjaer's 20th-minute goal. Ranieri, who is widely expected to be replaced this summer, was given a standing ovation by the crowd at the end of the match and revealed that he was still waiting to learn his fate. (PTI)