Arsenal 4 West Brom 1 - Match report and pictures
Albion were blown away by a first-half Arsenal whirlwind as they suffered a heavy defeat on the final day of the season at the Emirates Stadium.
A hat-trick before half-time from Theo Walcott and wonderful goal from the impressive Jack Wilshere put the Baggies 4-0 down at half-time.
And there was no way back for the Baggies despite Gareth McAuley heading a consolation goal after the break.
It was a fine display from the Gunners and a poor one from the visitors but there were no recriminations from 2,500 travelling fans, who sang to the end as they side suffered a first defeat in six games.
Arsenal pinned Albion inside their own half in the opening exchanges and they made a dream start when they went ahead on four minutes.
Joleon Lescott was dragged out of position for Albion and Walcott drifted into the Baggies' left-back area, received a pass and hammered a fantastic shot over Boaz Myhill and into the far, top corner.
It might have been 2-0 straight away, first when Alexis Sanchez bent a free-kick just over and then when the Chilean skipped gracefully into the Albion box before his shot deflected through to Myhill.
Saido Berahino blasted over the ball after collecting a Darren Fletcher pass at the end of a rare Baggies break.
But the second Gunners goal arrived on 14 minutes with Wilshere and Walcott at the heart of it again.
Wilshere skipped into the Baggies box and, as defenders threw themselves in the stop him, the ball found its way to Walcott, who slotted in his second of the game.
It was 3-0 just three minutes later as Wilshere produced a moment of brilliance.
The Baggies thought they were safe when they cleared a right-wing corner to the edge of the box, but Wilshere let fly with a fabulous first-time shot with his left-foot that arrowed past a stunned Myhill and nestled in the top corner.
The goals abated for a while but the waves of Arsenal pressure did not cease.
A smart, diving save by Myhill denied Walcott his hat-trick temporarily after a good Arsenal move.
And Wilshere then fired too close to Myhill after playing a clever one-two with Sanchez.
The chances kept coming with Per Mertesacker getting a foot to a Mesut Ozil free-kick and prodding a shot too close to Myhill under pressure from Gareth McAuley.
A superb block from Craig Dawson then denied Sanchez after more intelligent link-up play involving Walcott and Wilshere.
But the Gunners would not be suppressed and they added their fourth as Walcott wrapped up his hat-trick in the 37th minute.
It was another superb, one-touch passing move from the hosts with Wilshere and Sanchez heavily involved before Santo Cazorla crossed from the left and Walcott poked home a far-post cross from a couple of yards.
Myhill made another smart save to prevent Walcott adding his fourth and Arsenal's fifth before the break.
And a deflated Baggies missed a half-chance to grab a goal back when James Morrison's shot from a short free-kick routine deflected through to David Ospina in the home goal.
It had been a true mauling for the Baggies in the opening 45 minutes with the only comfort coming from the facts that Arsenal had not taken all of their chances and the result did not matter to the course of the Baggies' season.
Pulis made three substitutions early in the second half with Victor Anichebe, Craig Gardner and Chris Baird all introduced from the bench.
And in the midst of the chances, Arsenal might have extended their lead further with Myhill flying to his left to claw away a curling effort from Cazorla.
But the Baggies pulled a goal back on 57 minutes and gave their sizeable travelling support reason to cheer.
Chris Brunt delivered a corner from the right and McAuley leapt unmarked to head home.
That sparked a noisy response from the away fans, many of whom had donned fancy dress to celebrate the final game of the season.
Anichebe's strength made a difference to Albion's play but he missed a decent chance when he found himself on the end of smart passing move, only to scuff his shot wide of the near post.
Aaron Ramsey stepped off the bench for the Gunners and caused some late problems for the Baggies as most of his team-mates eased off.
The Welshman first let fly with a fierce drive from the edge of the area which thudded against Myhill's left-hand upright.
And the Baggies keeper then pulled off a superb save, falling away to push a shot from Ramsey onto the woodwork.
A hat-trick of chances for Ramsey was completed when he dragged a shot a fraction wide after controlling a high ball impressively.
