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Last Arsenal Home Game Of The Season And It’s More Of The Same

By 2011/05/15 42 Comments

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Aston Villa deepened Arsenal’s end-of-season misery as Darren Bent scored twice in a 2-1 Premier League win at the Emirates Stadium.

Bent’s goals came in the first quarter of an hour, while Robin van Persie’s 89th-minute goal from close range was too late to salvage anything from another desperate afternoon for the Gunners.

The result gives Villa hope of a top-half finish, while Arsenal will drop to fourth if Manchester City beat Stoke City on Tuesday.

Despite the absence of Cesc Fabregas andSamir Nasri, there was good news for Arsenal as centre-back Thomas Vermaelen played for the first time since September.

The Belgian’s absence with an Achilles injury has been cited as a major reason for Arsenal’s defensive woes – but his return to the side heralded some truly woeful play.

As Kyle Walker lofted a diagonal pass into the Arsenal box, the red shirts left the scene. Bent chested the ball and lobbed a deft volley over Szczesny into the far corner.

Four minutes later, it was two. Ashley Young played a simple through ball as the Arsenal offside trap froze, and Bent slotted it coolly through Szczesny’s legs.

Arsenal eventually woke up, with Robin van Persie continuing his run of fine form that has provided a rare ray of light in the Gunners’ springtime slide into oblivion.

Van Persie twisted and turned into the box and fired a diagonal shot against the base of the right-hand post, and was extremely unlucky to be penalised after turning Richard Dunne brilliantly at the edge of the box.

Arsenal might have had a penalty when Dunne appeared to bring down Aaron Ramsey, but referee Michael Oliver ruled the defender took the ball.

Marouane Chamakh came off the bench at half-time but his six-month Premier League goal drought has robbed him of all confidence.

Theo Walcott provided a magnificent cross for the Moroccan, who inexplicably chose to attempt an unlikely volley rather than simply heading the ball.

When Chamakh finally got the ball in the net, Oliver chalked the goal off for a push on Kyle Walker. It was one of those days.

Kieran Gibbs was a lively presence down the Arsenal left, but he personified their failings in attack – trying to walk the ball in, and always wanting one touch too many in the box.

Van Persie eventually reduced the arrears a minute from time, when he poked the ball in after a goalmouth scramble for his 16th Premier League goal of the season.

But by that stage the Emirates Stadium was half empty, and the final game of the season in North London duly ended on a deeply depressing note.

{jcomments on}

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RVP10

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  • wags

    BIG BIG change needed right through out the team and managemant, the shite being churned out week after week is just gauling all of us, football, sure there hasnt been good football played for months, they have simply bottled it all ends up, the manager has done nothing about that, also has done nothing about the Massive weaknesses in the team, continues to talk utter bollocks about mental strength and character, it must av gone when the “football” stopped, he has lost all faith from most of the supporters, i just wonder is the dressing room the same?? A hike in ticket prices for what what, cos it wont be spend on that team, it will go into there big fat pockets. We all love the club, and they no that and think u will put yer hand even deeper in ur pockets, well dont, tell them to F*** off n dont renew, until there is deemed to something to show for it. Mr Wenger I THINK U SHOULD LEAVE and take THE BOARD with u.

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  • D

    weird atmosphere first half, players were terrible, but showed a bit more spirit in the second half. There seemed to be genuine anger from the hardcore fans at the ground and you feel that the board of directors must be starting to regret putting the prices up. I feel a bit sorry for Wenger as he loves to club, but he’s got a shit load of work to do this summer, that is, if he still fancies the job. Let’s hope we still nick 3rd spot.

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  • bigsyasbigsy

    Well done the fans of AFC, you went up in my estimation today, Wenger looked rightfully embarrassed on his lap of homour as the stadium emptied, so he bloody should and well done I salute you for it..

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  • Gordon

    Wenger should be sacked now.We will finish 4th.2 wins in 13 games is a disgrace.We will not finish in the top 4 next season if he stays.Kroenke has a duty to fire him

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  • Bill

    One year we are going to start a season in the same form that we finish it in and then we’ll really be in trouble. Teams give us respect at the start of the season as we are a “top 4″ but they soon work us out and realise they can take us on. If they do this in August then we can say our prayers and wave goodbye to CL.

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  • SistaBreezie

    I can’t imagine Arsene Wenger being daft enough to overlook bringing in players and rectifying the gaps in the team this summer. He must surely now realise the growing discontent amongst us fans as well as critism stemming from the media. This season has been our worst and what I mean by that is that as a fan I almost felt tricked. We were in four competitons just at the beginning of February only to deservedly lose the Carling Cup final and to every fans’ prediction …. wimper out of each competion from there on out. We held second spot for 3 quarters of the season and now we can find ourselves having to qualify for a Champions League place. It is an embarrasement to say the least and an even bigger concern if 90% of Arsenal fans knew the implications of not winning that final. How long can they continue to show a fragility in confidnce and passiveness in attitude. They are all well experienced in DISAPPOINTMENT and yet this does not spur them on to got out fighting. I have questioned Arsene Wenger as a manager for some time now and he continues to solidfy all my doubts. If changes are not made then I am afraid that Arsenal is a team will keep giving its fans the illusion that they can win but really and truly, all they can do is compete and bottle it when the going gets tough.

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  • number10den

    Kroenke is as big a wa**er as Hill-wood etc the first thing he did was to appoint PHW as chairman! Shows you how little the club care about the fans.
    Complete and utter fu**ing disgrace today.
    Very proud to have been on the march pre match.

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  • DD

    The rot continues. Wenger has become Benitez, his success was a loooooong time ago. The team doesnt believe in him and you dont regain that.

    Where are all the Wenger lovers today? Quiet as the grave. Theyll be along soon blaming this playerb or that. But its the general which is ultimately responaible for this further embarassment.

    Did they actually practice offside trap all week or did
    AW have them trotting about doing creative visualization?

    We WILL drop out of the top four next season if AW is still here. Juat
    like Benitez did to Liverpool.

    How much more evidence do Wenger lovers nees beforw they will get it?

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  • DD

    And Congrats to Wenger on a new record!!

    The worst home record since 1997–another waterline crossed as this Titanic club sinks and Wenger rearranges the deckchairs.

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  • gats

    Baiclly Arsenal football club is a cash cow for the board directors and majotiy shareholders. While they lie and insult the fans every year, they make millions. Hillwood is a fcking disgrace, korenke is a disgrace, fizman is a disgrace, eyah his dead, but giving those mashares to koroenke was a disgrace. Basiclly the board are just like a gentlemns club, wit wenger in there as well. they dont give a shit, hillwood knows he can say anythign and it wont matter, hell kroenke came in and raised the pices loool. This shos as fans, we have no power at all. Also I think wenger is a massive disgrace now, and has totally lost his marbles, I also think pat rice is giving him some jesus love juice as well. If wenger dosnt trengthen the sqaud in the summer, with established strong players he canuck of. When i mean strengthen I dont mean buying 17 and 18 year old kids. Also Can anyone tell me how on gods green earth Walcott ever became a footballer, the scout that scouted him must have been wearing a blindfold, and who ever theagent that told wenger and scouts to get walcott mst be alughing with their milliosn in the bank. basiclly Arsenal have become one big gay gentlemens club, where fans can suck it, and directors make millions, its a also a place where hillwood fucks wenger upthe bum.

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  • Adm

    Major changes need in the summer. I think not only Bendtner but Chamakh has to leave too. As for Arshavin, i’m sorry because for me, he has to leave for the sake of Arsenal. We need players who works hard along 90 minutes and not a 10-15 minutes magician who gone sleep for another 70-75 minutes. Squillaci, we know he is part of typical Arsene Wenger’s joke, as well as Denilson and Almunia. Oh Wenger, i’m flattered to hear what sorts of lame excuses will you made today.

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  • DD

    Agree totally on Walcott so overated he runs and cant pass and injured all the time. Having a couple of good games a season is not enough in this league. Somehow everyone forgets this when he scores the odd goal maybe because he is a likeable bloke.

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  • BigL

    I think time will tell on that one. Personally I think it was a decision not to change until the end of the season.

    With a bit of luck Kronenke will shake things up a bit. I hope he does at least

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  • bigsyasbigsy

    you are all correct in what you say, but you also must be aware that players take time to bed in, 6 new players are needed in my opinion, seriously they are and that will not click overnight, it has to be a gentle process or you will be right in the shit !

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  • bigsyasbigsy

    ^^^^ there is angry and angry but this takes the prize for me as post of the century..absolute made me roll about in fits of laughter..

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  • Gary

    seen the goals, same shocking defending as ever. Will this ever be addressed on the training ground?

    If our defensive record at set pieces is anything to go by then it will never be addressed.

    Wenger is out of ideas, tactically poor and his loyalty to this bunch of sub standard players is due to ego.

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  • bob

    wenger out

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  • Livi B

    The difference between Benitez and Wenger is Liverpool fans supported the team. You guys are a disgrace. I am a true supporter. and when things get tough some of us stand strong. You lot of glory hunters moan like babies.
    Grow up….WE LOST THIS TO A BENT REF!!
    from a bent FA with a bent media. Rebuilding has to start with a PR attack. Who’s in?

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  • SuperRob7

    @number10den – You are clearly angry about 2 different issues so don’t mix them up because stuff gets confused man, including my head.

    Our end of season collapse has nothing to do with the board, kroenke or jellied eels.

    Likewise the crap way the club has been run has nothing to do with our abysmal performances since the cc final.

    keep them separate. Otherwise it just becomes white noise.

    @BigL – It probably isn’t Kroenke who will shake things up because most people seem to be saying that he leaves the running of his teams to the people who know about it. So if anyone has to act its Gazidis but of course he might be more empowered by the owner as he was his choice. Don’t know if this is how it will be its just a guess. we’ll have to wait and see.

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  • SuperRob7

    yeah I agree that fans should support the team during matches but are the club really above constructive criticism given in the appropriate way?

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  • gats

    STFU u twat, dont mistake real fans frustartions and venting their anger as meanign any less passion than you disgracefull wenger ass kisssers. Yobastards are the reaosn the club has ground to a halt, each you you fuckkcers knock anyone down that says anythign agasint wnger or the players, yera in year out we have to read u fanatcil wenger ass kissers calling everyone fake fans. I think yuo bastrards are the real fake fans u cunt. Ive been goign to highbury since 1985 u bastard, and I have a season ticket at the mirates, so dont lak to me about fake fans, u stupid thick donkey. I think you fake, wenger ass kikksers are the real reason we lose, pretending everything is fine. So whats happened we have been rfor 6 years, now comign to 7 years with you bastards kocking everyone and keep saying next yera< NOW FUCKING WHAT U TWAT?

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  • Big-up-yerself

    Haha how much have you had to drink? Very very funny!!!!!

    Oh by the way…,….keep drinking it! Lol

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  • Cyril

    i’m drunk and i emotional but you know i need to know what RELEVANCE I am to this club anymore. I can boast 41 years as an Islingtonian, worked at all the local neighbourhood offices in Islington helping people to get their rent paid. At least 15 yrs as a paid up season ticket holder. I was a face in the crowd at highbury and expect i helped my local team to be the best you know. PHW tells me not to be stupid [i don't blame him, doddering ol fool]. I love my area which is highgate, archway and islington. I sweat blood for Arsenal and it has been taken. Wenger had the back 5 and god in the hole before he joined. The french team won the world cup and euro’s too in 98-2000.viera etc…. I was moved from ashburton grove so the stadium could be built. I useed to see rats running up and down the area when i worked there and used to work as a Complaints officer in a white building which is now where the corner of the pitch is and used to look at the top of highbury stadium every day whilst i answered MP and councillor queries from 1998 onwards till i was booted out for the new stadium. I feel let down and i ask again what is my RELEVANCE YOU KNOW.

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  • Big-up-yerself

    Go support another team. We’ve had it good for too long now and probably now it’s man city’s turn. Back in 1996 we finished 10th…start getting used to it

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  • chuck dee

    We need David Dein back. Hill-Wood is a disgrace. There is no coincidence that we’ve not one a trophy since Dein left. He had ambition. The directors are milking the fans. As for Pat Rice….it’s like ground hog day, We are defending just as we did when he was captain of the team in the late seventies and early eighties. What planet are you Lemmings on that except this mediocrity. We’re a big club with a small club ambition. Wenger needs someone to help him buy some players

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  • ArseneOut

    Struggling to finish even third!

    Fcuk all this spineless foreign players and managers, we need a good honest English players who bust their guts out in the match and have a pint and screw prossies to recuperate afterwards!

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  • number10den

    The 2 issues have everything to do with the problems we have.
    No pressure on wenger to spend or no money being given to wenger to spend results in the s**t we are seeing on the pitch.
    Therefore what happens off the pitch has a direct affect on the pitch.
    Kroenke’s takeover changes nothing which I choose to show in how he appointed PHW as chairman.

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  • number10den

    Never a truer statement written!

    BRING BACK DEIN, SACK THE BOARD

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  • BASED GOD

    Problem is ass kissers like you. Arsenal fans as a whole, minus ass kissers like you, realize this squad is a piece of whats sitting in my toilet. Fake fans are the ones that blame the ref for everything. Sure the ref was crap but the ref didnt give Bent two easy finishes. Its time to stop blaming refs and other teams for their tactics, because simply put, this team including players and coaches are crap.

    Just look at Barca. As much as we hate them, Wenger is trying to model our team like theirs, a team built from players from the academy. Thing is Wenger forgot one key element, Barca actually invest in their squad by bringing in world-class quality. Since 2003 they have brought in Ronaldinho, Davids, van Bronckhorst, Larsson, Giuly, Eto’o, Deco, Riquelme, van Bommel,Thuram, Henry, Abidal, Yaya Toure, Dani Alves, Keita, etc. They have proven that they are ready to invest in their squad. Now I’m not saying that we need to need to go into debt to win, but we need to face the facts and not give players like Denilson 5 years to prove they are shit.

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  • SuperRob7

    Obviously who the players are, is affected by the transfer market strategies of the club, and obviously that affects the performances.

    But the point I was trying to make was that its the same team that was doing well at the start of the season but they have collapsed due to poor management and coaching not because the players aren’t good enough in my view. Basically I don’t think our end of season collapse is down to the lack of good transfers and though this is an issue, I don’t think its the main reason why we have been so shit.

    But honestly when you were talking about the march and the board i thought you were talking about the ridiculous ticket prices, the club ignoring the fans and the lack of care the board seem to have about anything other than their wallets. Not about the poor work in the transfer market because I think this is down to Wenger and Gazidis and not the owners (past and present)

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  • ronnie

    in arsene we rust

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  • Donnyfan1

    Bent officials again. Even with two gift shop goals Arsenal were miles better. But when you have decent goals and penalty decisions turned down– it is hard. In addition –Villa should have had two sent off. Arsenal would have won that game in fairness and this disgrace has cost us –at least– 18 points this season. That is enough to win the league easily. In the same way we were shafted two years ago. Playing Arsh and Scillo at all and playing Wally out wide instead of in the Bent postion does not help – but this is chicken feed compared to the crime of cheating us out of our right to a level playing field with ManU. Something needs to be done about it.

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  • bob

    @cyril: you’re incredibly honest. we’re all gutted by this. stay the course, mate. don’t check out. you’re not alone and we need you with us, for a renewed squad, and it’ll get better. keep the faith, mate. you’ve got a big heart that deserves to be full of joy. turn your criticisms on to how the club can improve and we are here to hear you, mate.

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  • xx

    WE HAVE SAID IT ALL SEASON LONG. WENGER SHOULD LEAVE. NOT BECAUSE HE IS A BAD MAN, BUT FOR THE SAME REASON WE ALL LEFT COLLEGE. IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON. THERE IS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING AND ANY REASONABLE PERSON KNOWS IT’S TIME FOR WENGER TO GO.HE HAS TAKEN THE TEAM AS FAR AS HE CAN. RJIKAARD SHOULD TAKE OVER. IF WENGER DOES NOT LEAVE NOW ARSENAL WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE (THERE ARE FINISHING 4TH AND WILL NOT WIN THE QUALIFY), THEN THE MONEY MEN AT THE CLUB WILL PANICK AND FIRE HIM, DERAILING THE SEASON. BETTER TO PART COMPANY NOW AND ALLOW A NEW MANAGER TIME TO BRING IN SAMBA, BAINES, PARKER AND GIVEN. THAT IS ALL THE TEAM NEEDS AND WENGER WILL NOT DO IT BECAUSE HE HAS PRIDE AND WANTS TO DO THINGS THE HARD WAY. UNFORTUNETELY, ARSENAL IS NOT HIS PERSONAL TOY THAT HE CAN EXPERIMENT AROUND WITH. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF FANS WHO NEED TO BE SET FREE FROM THE HURT OF THE PAST SIX SEASONS

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  • xx

    WHAT WILL IT TAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU TO REALIZE THE OBVIOUS. BLIND LOYALTY IS NOT TOUGHNESS, IT’S COWARDICE. READ THE WRITING ON THE WALL. IT SAYS:WENGER OUT

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  • james mc daid

    ARSENE,please just go before you destroy the club.

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  • DD

    James so right. Asinine is done.

    All you guys saying we should be loyal fans no matter what you would be turning on the gas chambers for Hitler because you dont have the courage to say hell no and stand up and be counted. Grow some balls.

    Wenger has uttterly failed and is respected by no one.

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  • bloomsburygooner

    their is no doubt this team has its failings but on our day we have proven we can and have beaten the so called best teams this season .the team threw the towel in after drawing to the spuds so the last two games mean zero.we have been cheated by refs all season long in the most blatant attempt to cost us points and any chance of the title.denied blatant penaltys (wigan villa many more),perfectaly good goals dissallowed(sunderland spuds villa),the softest of penaltys given against us without hesitation(newcastle spuds liverpool) , unprecedented 4 mins added on too eight mins injury time,van persie sent off for nothing in champs league.how many times have we sung the refs a wanker at the emirates this season.there is so much promise in this team and we are so close you have to keep the faith.that ref today was a cheat simple! blatant pen , goal disallowed for nothing,villa player had to be sent off ,probably costing us third.IN WENGER I TRUST! be glad when you non believers dont renew your season tickets so we can get some more true fans into the emirates

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  • Rodger

    Everyone seems to talk of central defenders. I have another opinion. If we scored 3 in our last game, we wld have won. Many chances were wasted with (15 shots). Arsene Wenger shd shop for a clinical finisher to work with van Persie.

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  • SuperRob7

    lol… that was kind of a matter of life and death. take that analogy and tone it down a bit and you’ve got it spot on mate!

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  • bigsyasbigsy

    and 2 goals from Bent ! ha ha

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  • bigsyasbigsy

    Van persie is class, I must admit as a yid he is class, he needs someone with him you are right, but right now he must be getting disheartened and be another one pondering on his future, I mean if you had all that talent and saw success in your early days and then watched Cesc wanting out and you had chamakh and bendtner alongside you , would you stay..Arsene needs to act fast with RVP because he is world class !!!!

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