Arsenal 4 – Stoke 1

I need to get this out of the way so I can focus on the more important issue of a 20th Anniversary. Arsenal had a mixture of luck and clinical finishing to ensure the match was over as a contest by the 17th minute when it was 3-0. All the boys played well. Gibbsy still struck me as one of the more outstanding. He was desperately unlucky to have missed his header.

Anyway, it could have been much more but for the woodwork and some inspired saves from Sorenson who replaced Simonsen early on. Great way to end the season. Seems like Arsene was touched by the show of support as well.

Oh yes, really glad Burnley made it last night. They were the only lower division side to beat one of Arsene’s teams in his 13 seasons.

Man U 0 – Arsenal 0

First time I’ve tried the extremely dodgy practice of writing the report before the actual game. Definitely my last. That’s as much as I want to keep from the original post.

Looks like today’s is going to be my longest ever post, what with the great performance at OT and all the fall-out from the Q&A. I see myself hitting the 2000 word mark. If I hit the 3000 mark, I might actually consider doing that MA…haha…but seriously. If only they offered academic courses on Arsenal I’d be the most academically qualified person on the planet. My dad sussed this out during my A levels and told me as much.

Anyway, to the match.

                   Fabianski

Sagna   Toure   Djourou   Gibbs

Walcott   Song   Fabregas   Nasri

            Arshavin   Bendtner

made way for this 

                                  Fabianski

                Sagna    Toure    Song    Gibbs

Nasri  Fabregas  Denilson  Diaby  Arshavin

                               van Persie

I’m not going to go on about how I think Wenger should have gone with the 4-4-2, because firstly the poor man has come in for far too much stick this season already. But more importantly, the boys he did pick delivered magnificently……except Capt Cesc. As I said on live TV and I will say again ad nauseum if the need arises -  if we had played like that all season, if every team put out gave as much in every game regardless of how out-of-position they felt, we’d be champions, not even Liverpool. Yes, yes “if’s, an’s, pots, pans, and needless tinkers” I hear you say. But this is my point, more than anything else, Arsene has been let down but all his players, some much, much more than others. At least today wasn’t one of those days.

I’m going to attempt my first ever player ratings because the boys deserve it (out of 10):

Fabianski – 6, couldn’t really give him a 5.5 because it was a clean sheet, though I think that was more down to the defence. He wasn’t really troubled, and he did the simple things well, so credit to the lad. I’m still not convinced he’s no.1 material, but then again that’s what we all felt about Almunia. Look where he is now, possibly England’s no.1 when they lift the World Cup when it comes home in 2018…ok sorry, that was unnecessarily mean.

Gibbs – 8.75, STAR PANTHER. Capello must be hoping that Ashley Cole get’s injured, I know I certainly am, because Kieran looks the real deal. Gibbsy has the potential to go all the way, and I’d love to see him and Gavin make the England full-back slots their own. He was thrown it at the deep end this season and has been excellent. Clichy had better recover his form quickly or he might find his first-choice status gone.

Song – 8.5, now he fills in at CB and seems our most accomplished central defender by a mile. He was even charging forward a la his CM role when ManU chickened out of the win and sat back to defend for a 0-0. I still think we need a ready made CB who can come in and do the biz right away – welcome back Philippe – but with Gallas (if he stays) and Djourou there as well, we really, really, really need to be very, very, very selective. More later.

Toure – 8, a rock at the back and worked really well with his new CB partner. This augurs well for next season as I am really looking forward to seeing the old Kolo back. We’ve seen glimpses, but I want to see it for a full season. Pair him with the new monster 6’5” CB we’re gonna get, pair him with Johann, pair him with Alex – but please not Gallas. It is not about their feud, I don’t think they compliment each other that’s all.

Sagna – 7, not going to give him a 6.5 simply because I’m rating him as a defender, not an attacking full-back. Not his best performance, but he certainly pulled his weight in and outstanding defensive unit. ManU’s much vaunted attack, boasting Tevez, Rooney, Giggs and Balletboy in this permutation, didn’t get any joy. More later.

Arshavin – 7, not going to give him a 6.5 either, because I thought Robin should have been done better with that wonderful pass. Nikky certainly would have. I think his head went down a little, and I really think he shouldn’t have been subbed. He is capable of magic even when he is not having a good game. Anfield was the proof, and he was honest enough to say he was pretty quiet until then.

Diaby – 7.5, he actually had his first decent game of the season. I still want him sold though, because I don’t think he performs consistently enough. Unless he is willing to stay and be a super impact sub. Whatever, I hope we fetch a price in excess of 20m euros. If not I hope he is not a first team starter. Neither gonna happen though.

Denilson – 8, in one game Arsene proves to us that Song, Denilson and Diaby can play in the same team at the same time and play well at that. He did his job protecting the defence, crucially prevented attacks down the middle when the wings brought ManU no joy, and was sharp with his passes short AND long. If the three of them are to play in the same team again, please, please, please not together in the centre of the park, but a middle spine of Song CD, Denilson CM, Diaby SS. Not that I want to see that, but if it has to be please stick something that works.

Fabregas – 5.5, he does get a 5.5 because he really looked lost. Maybe that’s why Arsene was trying him elsewhere because he saw something in training and was trying to hide it from the rest of us. Maybe because Arsene had played him out of position he was lacking much needed practice in his best role for what should have been his best game. Who knows, who cares. That said, if his shot had gone in, it would have been a 6.5 anyway. Still think he should have made way for Theo or Nikky.

Nasri – 7.5, considering he was playing on the right instead of the left, I think he had an excellent game. Linked well with Bacary, looked lively going forward and always looked like one of those who was going to make things happen. Should not have been subbed, or at least not that early.

van Persie – 6, not a 5 because I think he was trying really hard. He cannot play the lone attacker role and is more of a support striker. Where was Nikky. But full marks for his constantly trying to make it work – are you watching Adebayor - even though it didn’t look like it would happen. But he was exactly doing that at Chelsea when he killed them with 2 in 3 mins.

Subs: 

Bendtner – 6, not as much impact as usual and I really think this was one time he should have been on from the start and then come off. Worked hard.

Walcott – 6.5, looked dangerous and up-for-it. But didn’t really have the final finish, though by that time ManU were not really bothered with attacking and were all behind the ball except balletboy.

Eboue – 6, “He comes from Africa, He’s better than Kaka”. Not much time to make an impact, but kept the momentum going. Can you ask for more?

There, first ever player ratings and last for a long while. I’m going to quickly analyse the match even though there has been some excellent reports elsewhere. Hopefully a different perspective.

Firstly, whoever says that ManUre had planned to just defend for the draw from the start is talking absolute rubbish. You don’t start with Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo if you are. Make no mistake they fancied their chances after mauling us in the CL and wanted to do so again to clinch the title with a win. I’m sure they also wanted a measure of revenge for our outplaying them at the Grove and Nasri’s 2 goals. But after the first 5 mins where they were mildly threatening, they realised this was an Arsenal that may only have pride to play for, but with pride they played. They were forced to defend and towards the end realised that that was their best policy. Well played the Arsenal. The moral victory was ours. The ref was shambolic. Typified by his booking of Andrei, when no contact was made and he should have booked Carrick for the dive. Full credit to the boys for not surrendering to fate and stoicly playing against a cynical diving ManUre, a biased ref, and in the cauldron of volatile vehemence that is OT, but will the press give us any credit? “tan ku ku”  – crudely translated “wait long long” – as they say in this part of the world. It would have been lovely that they got the goal – or 3 – that they deserved just to take the season to the last day and prevent the smarmy fans from false adulation of their supposed idols. But 0-0 was the best result for our season, as anything else might have detracted from our failings over the course of the season.

I need to get one thing out of the way. ManUre might deserve to be the champions, because the table doesn’t lie, but worthy winners they were not. Liverpool have played the best football, albeit not the most consistent, what with their bout of Arsenalitis. They beat ManU twice, including that stonking 4-1 win at OT after giving them a 1 goal head-start, and since their inexplicable 2-0 reverse to the mighty Middlesborough haven’t lost a game, dropped a point or conceeded more than 1 goal. The glaring exception is the 4-4 draw at Anfield. ManU were lucky that Liverpool slipped up this season, just as we did the previous one. Credit to ManU for being able to capitalise, because they have been ruthlessly efficient. 15 single goal wins, 9 of which were 1-0, is testament to that. But you’re not going to hear about boring boring Utd. Their only worthy title of the last three really was depriving Mourinho in 2007. I’m not going to devote another word in this post to them, or I will be accused of sour grapes, surfice it to say that if they win they CL I’m going to put a pound – anyone who knows which bookies give the best odds – on them not winning another English league title for the next 20 years. Ring a bell? APAT.

Now to some more unsavoury stuff that also needs to be got out of the way. How any real Arsenal fan can want Wenger to go or be replaced is beyond me. That’s another reason why I’m glad the title and the top half of the table is settled. They would have definitely got a point at Hull anyway. This allows us to focus on the relegation battle. Any two of 4 from those Northeast clubs will go down. If the Toons and the Mackems go down, they take a total of 10 English league titles with them. That’s more than Chelscum, the Spuds, Leeds and Forest put together. See a pattern?

Those who wish Wenger gone, be careful what you wish for. He is our most successful manager ever. He has kept us punching above our weight consistently in the top 4 when we have seen the best ManU, Chelscum and Liverpool teams for years. He has given us memories that even those teams can only dream off. I’m not saying he doesn’t make mistakes – as much as I wished he didn’t – but some of the slack he has taken this season is really perverse. I’ve been lucky enough to start supporting the Gunners in their best 2 decades of their entire history. But I’ve done my homework and look at the barren seasons and wondered at times if we’d ever seen them again. Fans who saw them win the league title in ’53 and then had to live through 18 absolutely barren years till the double in ’71 will understand this. Then another 18 years before the next league title in ’89 with sporadic cup honours sprinkled here and there. I’m sure real Liverpool fans understand as well. Since then, we have really been spoiled by George and Arsene. Didn’t look so rosy when Georgie got done though, did it? 

We’ve celebrated St Tott’s every single one of Arsene’s years with Arsenal and they’re supposed to have replaced us for 4 seasons running now. And yet just 5 barren years without a league title or honours (I’m not counting the cheap 0-0 2005 FA Cup penalty win where we were outplayed over 120 mins) and we can’t stop bleating. Get a grip Gooners! That’s how long some teams spend in the lower divisions before they come up again. Yes, I want to be as successful as Liverpool and ManU have been, but it doesn’t come overnight and certainly not without a price. Wenger is the best man to do it, whether he actually does or not is another matter. But mark my words, if he goes, we will not win another title for the next 5 years. So for flip’s sake, be grateful for what we have, give Arsene his due credit and lets follow him wherever it is he takes us.

Still not convinced, fine. A perverse part of me actually wants him to iron out a 10m euro a year deal with Real for five years, with the 50m guaranteed if they sack him. If he’s got to take so much stick, he might as well get paid for it, sell his principles and milk his reputation for all it is worth. Remember he doesn’t owe anyone anything. Imagine he did go to Real, who would you replace him with? Exactly!

Anyway, rant over, and on to more pleasant things. I like the way all Arsene had to do was to state the obvious about the Madrid vacancy, and everyone suddenly gets knots in their knickers. That itself tells you how lucky we are to have him. He has never, ever wavered in his belief and vision for the team, never been tempted to go elsewhere, always affirmed his loyalty to the club. So much so that when he doesn’t actually categorically deny an interest, which he has always done before, everyone panics. Because the truth is, any of the top European sides, Liverpool and Manu included, would want him as first choice if their managers suddenly disappeared and Wenger was available. So let’s just count our blessings and be patient for another 5 years at least. We’ve been lucky to have him, and that’s not just us Gooners either. Keep taking his goodwill and principles for granted and we may be the poorer for it. It certainly will not be Arsene. Got that, English media?

I’m gonna do a quick preview of next season, though I’ll probably do a most comprehensive one as the pre-season approaches. I think we just need 2 players. We should get Yaya Toure, because Kolo’s little bro can play DM and CB. That would cover two slots for us. Plus it would ensure all the others work for their places as well. We should also get Tevez with the (hopefully) 45m euros we get for Adebayor to Chelscum. If not, Klaas Jan Huntelaar will do nicely. With just these two signing, our whole squad injury free for a whole season (fat chance!), I really think it will be a season for the record books.

Imagine Cesc, Tomas, Andrei, Robin and Dudu all fit and firing. Some solidity at the back with Gallas fit and Senderos back. Our best midfield playing regularly as a constant unit and doing it well. And that isn’t counting all the players who are out on loan, the young boys who have just won their league and will probably win the FA Youth Cup against Liverpool and current squad players a year older and more experienced. Suddenly things don’t look so gloomy do they?

We may still not win anything next season. But if everything falls into place, I see us being first, Liverpool second and ManU third. I would love Moyes and Everton to push them out of the top 4, but it ain’t gonna happen. Credit to the Villains and the Toffees for their great runs this season. That said anyone who tries to make out that Arsenal didn’t deserve to be fourth is having a laugh. The table doesn’t lie. Yes, we were very lucky that Aston Villa decided to surrender 2 late goals to Stoke and spurn an 8 point gap, but we capitalised on it. Worthy fourth, maybe not. But at least those same detractors need to be consistent and aknowledge my point that ManU were not worthy winners either by the same logic, and the margins were a lot closer in that instance.

As I’ve said before, I see us being in the top 4 comfortably for years to come with Arsene at the helm. Hopefully it is at the top of that pile, and I believe he can do it. If not I hope every season brings improvements. But the other 3 are improving as well. That’s something no one seems to factor in. No one in that pile stays stagnant. What I’d really like to see us emulate is ManU’s ruthless efficiency. But then the naysayers would bring out the old “boring, boring Arsenal” moniker and hit us incessantly with it. Poor Arsene, damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.

Anyway, looking forward to the last game of the season at the Grove. I hope the fans really give Arsene a good atmosphere. I hope the players really play for him and their places next season. I hope Stoke will be a little less cynical than the last time. But even if they aren’t, I hope we rise to the physical challenge and absolutely hammer them. All the more if they are up to their tricks instead of trying to play a hard, tight, clean game. Not gonna to predict a score. I just hope it is one of those games for whichthere is something positive to put in the post-match review. I hope some of the fringe players get a start and whoever is picked plays their hearts out.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS!

Arsenal 1 – Chelsea 4

Other than the score-line, Arshavin not playing, the surrender of the unbeaten run at the Grove, it being Chelscum, Diaby starting, I’m not really too bothered by the result. The boys actually tried the whole time and made Chelscum look very ordinary.

Gibbsy was our best player, Nikky did well, and the rest were ok. Some great reports are already in, and others will be, so I won’t be posting much. I actually think this is a good thing, because despite our unbeaten run and clean sheets, this has threatened to happen before. It’s just that those other teams haven’t been as clinical.

Don’t ask me why, but I now have a better feeling for the ManU game. As long as Arshavin plays. If he doesn’t I’m going to really suspect a conspiracy. Suffice it to say, we need to be more ruthless and make our possession and chances count. We must never switch-off and get complacent no matter how dominant we are. Sums up our season really, doesn’t it?

Arsenal 1 – Man U 3

I probably shouldn’t be writing this so soon after the game, but this is one time I don’t think my thoughts will get any clearer, so I might as well get it out of the way. It’s gonna be a bit disjointed and a bit ranty, but hey, it’s a blog.

First things first, Kieran Gibbs, you’re a star. No true gooner even vaguely holds you responsible so pick yourself up, know that you have done very well, and continue pushing yourself to improve and become Arsenal’s and England’s first-choice left-back.

If Arsene took him off to give him a break,  help him pick himself up and try and introduce some change, then kudos to the manager for changing it from his usual late subs. I would then fully expect to see Gibbsy start against Chelsea, he will rise to the occasion.

If Wenger took him as some kind of blame aportioning – and this would be really out of character, but some of the boss’ post match words are troubling – then I am really annoyed with Wenger, and all I’ll say is: Shame On You! I don’t want to dwell on it, but time will tell. I warned you it’d be a bit of a rant.

Adebayor wasn’t particularly bad, just as average as the rest, but he owed all of us - big time; and failed to payback – big time. I really wanted to see either Vela or Bendtner start, but it is spilt milk now.

What bothered me most was how easy the boys let their heads go down. I really believed we could do it right till the end. Especially after Fletcher was sent-off and Robin struck his kick beautifully and unstoppably into the top corner. And so did most of us at the Liz. And so did most of you at the Grove, judging by the volume. But crucially the players didn’t. We will win nothing next season if this doesn’t change. This used to be one of our strengths. We even did it a few times this season – against the Mancscum and Chelscum in the league and when we went a man down to Spurscum and Liverpool. But we couldn’t do it when it mattered.

To be Champions we need to have that vital ingredient. It looked like we had no clue how we could get ourselves out of the mire. It looked like the players were almost relieved that they now had an excuse to surrender so meekly. I know this is harsh, but that is how it seemed. I don’t think anyone had a bad game as such, but nobody really played with that desire and gave that 120% for 120 mins. I know the ref was crap, but we are gonna get more of that next season. Are we going to look as clueless? Are we going to be as headless? Are we going to go missing so easily?

Yes, I know that conceding those two early goals were sucker-punches that very few teams in England and in Europe would have recovered from. Yes, I know that ManU aren’t reigning champs of England and Europe for nothing. Yes, I know that we were always wary of a counter-attack, as their killer third goal proved. But that is just my point. If we are going to be not just serious title-challengers (which I think we are, have been and will be for a while yet) but actual trophy winners, we really need that ruthless streak. Let’s be honest, if we are going to be undone by 3-min spell of bad luck, I’d rather it come in the first 10 mins than in the 5 mins of injury time added on. We had 80 mins to say “luck is not going to determine this tie, we are”. And we didn’t. If we don’t understand and develop this mentality, we will be a top 4 team consistently in all competitions for the next few years, but crucially, NEVER the top team, NEVER the winners. And more crucially, if we do actually win anything, it’ll be down to luck. Remember our 2005 FA Cup win.

I hope Barca go through today. I hope they absolutely leather the Chelscum and then the Mancscum. ManU didn’t even play particularly well. They were excellent in the first leg, and on that performance I suppose deserve to be through. But they were lucky when Gibbsy slipped, and even luckier when ballet-boy conned the ref. And that’s what I mean, how can any Arsenal player watch the mancs walk around like they deserved to be leading and not want to silence them. I mean, look how they panicked when Fletcher got sent-off and we pulled one back. I believe they really thought they might be undone, especially with their all 3 subs on. Shame on us, for not making their fears come true. Shame on us, for not making them rue their missed chances in the first leg. Shame on us, for allowing them to come to our turf and swan about like they were actually playing well. Shame on us, most of all, for showing we are all talk and no substance.

I don’t think I’ll be posting for a while. I need the break. Will do the match posts for the last three games, but will save whatever else for the season break. I want Adebayor and Diaby sold. I want Gibbsy to have the no. 3 and Sagna the no. 2 shirts. I want to see some of the younger players given a run-out in the last 3 league games. I want to see some new gutsy players with spine – experienced or otherwise, Gibbsy and Andrei make a mockery of the notion that you should only get experienced Premiership players.

I’m kinda glad that we are out and the season is over. We really didn’t deserve to be in the final. To have gone there and played like this would have made me even sicker, so there is a very thin sliver of a silver lining. I see us being top 4 for many years to come. But if the necessary changes don’t happen,  I do not see us being anywhere near being first in that same period.

Portsmouth 0 – Arsenal 3

I thought I’d better get this out of the way before the big one tonight. Interestingly, this has been how most blogs and fans have treated the game. As I said in my last post, it is understandable, but credit really must go to Captain Arshavin the the young Gunners.

I think every single player did well, obviously some better than others. Arshavin must be quite amazed that what was effectivley a 3rd string/youth team Arsenal team could so completely own another premiership team on their own turf.

Not enough credit has been given to the boys for keeping their eye own the ball and securing us 4th place very comfortably. Eboue looked good at left-back, Ramsey and Denilson dominated the middle for large tracts, Carlos and Nik really worked hard upfront and showed possibilities of a fruitful partnership. Everyone else did well too, young subs included.

So well done the Arsenal, and now we can focus on the big game.

Man U 1 – Arsenal 0

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. Oh boy, where to start.

I suppose the Bad. Oh boy, where to start. I could go on about how woefully we were outplayed; how we could have been dead and buried even quicker than Lisbon were against Bayern, or they were against Barca; how swapping Cesc and Samir didn’t work;  how the defending for the goal was diabolical; but for me the biggest bad was how not-up-for-it some of our players were. I mean, it really doesn’t get bigger than this match in England or Europe. Not that I believe players should only be up for the big games, but c’mon, if you can’t be up for this game, there is very little else to be up for.

Moving swiftly on, the Good. There was surprisingly much of this. The greatest Good is arguably Manny. He was immense! He was definitely Man-of-the-Match. He was immense (that good it was worth repeating)! Suddenly every English fan watching the game, and believe me there would have been plenty, isn’t going to be laughing when they hear our “England’s,  No.1, England’s England’s No.1″ chants directed towards Manny. In fact I dare wager that quite a few will now actually be hoping for it. And I’m not even talking about gooners. Still I don’t think he should, but that’s another post, another time. So many other good’s. Gibbsy was amazing too, considering he had to first contend with the fake Ron and then the fake Shrek. He’ll be pushing the money-grabbing AC for England’s no.3 shirt with a few more performances like that. Either him or our other, on-loan, KG – Kerrea Gilbert (a league champion’s medal no less with Leicester City, my other love, but that’s another post, another time). I’d love to see them both down England’s left wing together. It’s amazing the continuous string of phenomenal left-backs, English or otherwise, we have produced or nurtured, stretching all the way back to Sansom and beyond even, but that too is another post, another time. Song too was remarkable. He’ll need a rest at some point, but not just yet. Denilson will recover with some rest, and next season we actually looked stocked in the central midfield area. I’d still like to see Marcos Senna though, but that’s A.P.A.T(another post, another time) too. But I suppose the other greatest (yes, I know there shouldn’t really be two greatest, but you’ll see they are linked) good is the fact we are still in it. I really can’t believe we weathered the ‘ol Trafford tempest and we actually have a realistic chance of doing it at what promises to be the biggest night at the Emirates in its short history. It might also be one of the biggest in the club’s long history. More on this later, but it is solely because we have a shout, that Almunia’s saves become so precious. Let’s hope the team really raise their game.

Finally the Ugly. My immediate reactions after the game made me feel a little like I was finding scapegoats. But having cooled down and visited some of the better Arsenal blogs, I realise my initial gut feelings were spot on. Diaby and Adebayor were the ultimate Uglies. I could write what would fill an entire post, but it would be a waste on these two. I don’t want to see them near the second leg starting line-up next week. I really want them to be sold. Play them in the remaining league games by all means to put them in the shop window, but please please please if we are to have a chance next week, keep them well away from the 11 starters.

To move on swiftly from all things ugly, this would be my team:

                Almunia

Sagna   Toure   Djourou   Gibbs

Walcott   Song   Fabregas   Nasri

            Eduardo   Bendtner

Subs: Fabianski, Vela, Sylvestre, Denilson, Ramsey, Adebayor, Diaby

I really wouldn’t have Adebayor nor Diaby on the bench even, but realistically I think we do need their experience, on the bench at least.

I think if Arsene goes with the above line-up, assuming we get no one else back from injury, I really think we’ll give United a game and do the business. To pull it off would actually then make this game rather sweet, because that would really, really rub it in their faces. Ideally, a stonking 3-0 or more performance in which we completely outplay them would be brilliant, but I’d settle for any result as long as we get through, and we see some gutsy, fiery, well-up-for-it performances from all the players on the pitch. But that’s the thing, if we do see “some gutsy, fiery, well-up-for-it performances from all the players on the pitch”, I would wage my last penny we will win comfortably without conceeding.

Oh well, looks like we just have to wait and see and, above all, hope. We might need to ring a couple of changes for the Pompey game, to rest some players and get others up to scratch. This will be necessary, but hopefully we don’t lose our unbeaten league run due to the collective team eye being on Tues’ game. I do think Andrei will see to that, and even go one better and help us to the win, to keep the momentum going. It must be incredibly frustrating for him not to be able to strut his stuff on the biggest stage. I know it is for me as I’m sure it is for every single gooner on the planet and in the universe. But at least that means he will channel this frustration productively towards more European, and hopefully domestic, glory next season.

My only concern … … oh never mind, I don’t want to be a miserable glass-half-empty git, and it’s really an APAT thing, and let’s cross the first bridge first. This is already my longest post too date, exactly one month since coming into existence.

I’m really up for the second leg, and I hope all gooners lucky enough to be going to the Emirates make it a night to remember. I’ll probably head down to the Liz regardless of what they charge (but they really should make it a worthwhile package) and catch it with the other S’pore gooners. I imagine the place will be rocking.

C’mon you Gunners!

Arsenal 2 – Middlesborough 0

Again I’m going to be very quick and focus on the positives. For if truth be told, it really looked liked the players had their minds on Wed’s game, and i don’t think one can really blame them.

It’s also difficult to be overly-critical of a team that was in control from start to finish, didn’t concede a goal (thank Almunia, because Aliadeire looked like he had made it interesting) and didn’t really get any injuries.

Cesc seemed to grow in his new role, though I still have my reservations. Though you can’t really argue with two well-taken goals. All I can say is Wed will be different. A different and much sterner opponent, and a very different Arsenal. Bring it on!

Now if only Barca can stuff Chelsea in the first leg.

Liverpool 4 – Arsenal 4

Really that should be Liverpool 4 – ArsHAVIN 4. Really feeling down despite the great game of football and end-to-end action.
A whole host of reasons. Firstly, this really benefits Man U and more so the Chavs, than it does us or Liverpool.
Next, while I don’t think it’ll happen again (either for us or them), you can’t be happy with conceeding 4, especially late into injury time. Finally, and I suppose this is what has made me such a gloomy git, why, why, why didn’t Arshavin start in the FA Cup. He would have made Wembley his fiefdom, semi and final, crappy pitch or not.
Oh well, the milk being spilt, I suppose the glass really is half-full.
I’ll cheer myself up with this little thought – I don’t really see us dropping ANY more league points. 26 games unbeaten sets us up nicely for next season and some more record-breaking.
And now a little ditty, long over-due, to keep a cheery disposition for the rest of the day -

Ar – Ar – Arshavin’s over from the Russian scene
Another Arsenal legend is born
Ar – Ar – Arshavin Russia’s greatest goal machine
And now at Arsenal he’ll carry on

Chelsea 2 – Arsenal 1

I’ll try and make this brief because I really don’t want to relive it. When the final whistle blew, I really felt sick. Chelsea were there for the taking, yet some of our players seemed to want it even less than theirs.
I don’t want to point fingers, but I really need to get this off my chest. I have no clue what Wenger was doing. The moment I saw Gibbs on the sheet I had an even more positive feeling because it meant Song would stay in his current well-deserved CM role. And Gibbsy had a stormer.
But then I saw Diaby’s name on the sheet with Song and Arshavin on the bench. That’s when I really had a bad feeling. We still managed to go ahead through a great goal, Gibbsy’s cross was immaculate. Cole’s hand-ball to deflect it pass Cech was the icing. Then two silly goals and that was that.
I’m not going to criticise Fabianski’s flapping, because he’ll get better, but he really has a lot to prove now.
I’m not going to comment on diabolical Diaby and anonymous Adebayor, because having seen this experiment fail, Arsene had plenty of time to bring Alex and Andrei on.
Whatever he was thinking, I really hope it was worth it. I can’t write anymore for now because it is too painful. Maybe tomorrow, maybe never.

Arsenal 3 – Villareal 0

A very quick, long overdue review. After our early goal, which was really, really, really good, we basically were cruising, and they looked deflated. The second goal killed the game off, and we got a very generous penalty that hammered the nails in.

Special mention to Song. He’s really come on in leaps and bounds. We now have three very competent young midfielders. I really wouldn’t mind if we didn’t get anyone in during the close season. If we did, I rather us get an old seasoned pro, like Marcos Senna. I believe his absence really made it less of a contest. I’m sure we would have won anyway, but it would certainly not been that much of a walk in the park.

The first goal was a thing of beauty. The build-up, the assist and the execution. What a goal.

The second sums up Adebayor. Ineffective and infuriating all game, he comes up with a clinical finish that makes the game safe. My initial optimism of his rehabilitation is fading fast. If he keeps delivering, fine, but I’d really like to see more. otherwise I think we should accept any offer in excess of 30 million pounds.

The penalty would have had me up in arms if it had gone against us, so I don’t think we can deny it was very generous. That said, Robin put it away with the usual quality.

Bottomline, job done. Bring on the Chavs!