Arsenal secure champions league spot after defeating Hull 3 - 1

England: They paint such pretty pictures but you do wonder if their artwork will win the top prizes again.

Arsenal were breathtaking at times as they produced some scintillating football which left Hull chasing shadows and Steve Bruce nervously looking over his shoulder again.

But the frustration must be why on earth Arsene Wenger's men cannot produce it over the course of the season because performances like these should be winning titles.

It’s all very well Arsenal fans bemoaning “boring, boring Chelsea” but they have got the Premier League trophy at Stamford Bridge while Wenger is left chasing second place and the consolation of the FA Cup.

Wenger deserves great praise for all but clinching a place in the Champions League for an 18th season in a row but the harsh reality is that Arsenal have not won the title in 11 years.

That is not being negative. It’s just hard to understand why a team with this much talent can be so far behind in the title race.

Their artists - led by Santi Cazorla orchestrating brilliantly in midfield - tied Hull up in knots as Alexis Sanchez scored twice, Aaron Ramsey added another while Mesut Ozil was also magnificent and fit-again Jack Wilshere provided an impressive cameo role.

They relied on a huge slice of luck for their first two goals as Sanchez’s opener and Ramsey’s strike took big deflections. But take nothing away from Arsenal’s wonderful, slick and incisive football as they were on a different level to Hull.

Nights like these make you fall in love with football all over again but whether Wenger’s philosophy and vision can overcome Jose Mourinho’s pragmatism next season remains to be seen.

They can beat anyone when they play like this, they scored three goals in 17 amazing minutes and it’s easy to see why they've won nine out of their last ten Premier League games.

Wenger’s men did not go ahead until the 28th minute. Jake Livermore’s cynical foul on Ozil conceded a silly foul on the right edge of his own box.

Sanchez’s curling free kick deflected off Hull defender Michael Dawson, wrong footed keeper Steve Harper and went into the far corner of the net.

Five minutes later, Cazorla’s pass found Ramsey, the Welshman controlled it, turned and hit a shot which again took a huge deflection off Robbie Brady and the ball looped over Harper.

Arsenal went into overdrive, they were superb and some of their football was a throwback to the days of the Invincibles. Harper denied Sanchez and Ozil as they could have scored more while Hull’s sloppy passing only succeeded in giving Arsenal a helping hand.

But Arsenal’s third was easily their best. Ramsey’s brilliant reverse pass released Sanchez who raced clear, rounded Harper and fired into an empty net for his 16th Premier League goal this season and Arsenal’s 100th in all competitions.

Hull boss Bruce took off Livermore at half time, sent on David Meyler and they finally showed the sort of grit they will need for the fight against relegation.

Bruce’s men got themselves back into the contest when Ahmed Elmohamady’s right wing cross found Stephen Quinn and he headed in his first Premier League goal in eight years since he last scored for Sheffield United.

Wilshere looked strong and dangerous when he came on for his first appearance in five and a half months since ankle surgery and Arsenal could have scored more.

Wilshere saw a shot handled on the line by James Chester, Sanchez fired wide when looking for a hat trick and Harper twice denied Cazorla the goal his man-of-the-match display deserved.