The celebrations of fans, players and the manager showed just how much it meant to get something from the season.
But as Alan Shearer said on Saturday evening, and how we would love to be in the Champions League ... fourth place is NOT success.
The win at Newcastle was a fifth consecutive Premier League away victory, four including clean sheets.
Regardless of the financial implications for the club, players always want to take on the best teams in Europe, although Alan Pardew insists he is delighted Newcastle will not be involved in Europe next campaign.
Arsenal reflect on the season and questions should be asked about the failure to win a trophy.
Alan Shearer: "I'm uncomfortable about managers who claim qualifying for Europe is success.
"Qualifying for a competition doesn't get you a medal."