Arsenal kept their faint hopes of some form of European football being played at the Emirates next season alive as Gabriel Martinelli bagged a stoppage time winner away at Crystal Palace.
The 19-year-old dampened the mood at Selhurst Park, as more than six thousand home fans packed in to the ground to bid farewell to manager Roy Hodgson, who has announced he will be stepping down from his post as Eagles' manager come the end of the season.
The sides were level at 1-1 for much of the second half, before goals in stoppage time from Martinelli and a second of the evening for Nicolas Pepe ensured Mikel Arteta's men picked up their 16th away win of the season in all competitions - the most wins they have recorded on their travels since the 2003/04 'invincibles' campaign.
Martinelli's goal will have been a mnuch-needed confidence boost for the youngster, who has spent much of this season on the bench - despite large sections of the Arsenal faithful vocal in their desperation to see him get more minutes.
After the game, the Brazilian sent a message to his manager while speaking to BT Sport.
The 19-year-old said: "So important the victory, we needed this victory to still believe for the Europa League for next season.
"I’m always ready, when Mikel needs me, I’ll be there and have to come on and score a goal.
"It’s not easy [not to be starting regularly] but as I said I’m always ready.
"We have brilliant players and we believe in the Europa League so we need to fight and we have one more game so we go there and try to beat them."
His comments came before West Ham's victory at the Hawthorns over West Brom, which has since ensured Arsenal can not qualify for the Europa League, though the chance of qualification for the newly-formed Europa Conference League is still very much alive.
Mikel Arteta was asked about Martinelli after the game, with the Spaniard giving fans a glimpse as to how close the teenager is to securing a starting spot.
Arteta explained: "We need to understand where the boys are and the phase of their development, what they have done already this season and last season.
"I know that we want to play with 11 academy players and all under 20, but guys, who is doing that? I think we’ve done it more than anybody.
"They’re going to have their chances and they’re earning their chances, we’re not just giving the chances they’re earning them, absolutely earning their chances and it’s a joy to have them."
