First of all, I’ll start by stating the obvious and say that yesterday was a highly disappointing match. For me, it nicely summed up our poor run in to the current campaign. Despite lasting for a number of months now, I’m still going to label it as a “run in”.
For a team that wants to win the league, it’s quite unbelievable to think that we have only won three games since our Carling Cup Final loss to Birmingham, in late-February. Although we’ve had the joy of beating Manchester United, the final few months of the season have been incredibly poor, for a team who, in my opinion, could have easily won the title.
Optimistically, I went to the game yesterday in high hopes, expecting the team would deliver and give us all a much needed win at the final home game of the season.
But like we all witnessed, this wasn’t to be.
In unsurprising fashion, we lost to a pretty average Aston Villa side – although of course, they truly deserved their victory yesterday, and the noble part of me will say that I’m pleased that they’ll be playing in the Premier League next season.
Like we’ve seen a lot lately, our side didn’t turn up yesterday afternoon. And like I predicted on Twitter the night before the game, Darren Bent scored his inevitable goals. Despite being a Gooner (apparently), he sure loves scoring against The Arsenal!
People could laugh at this suggestion but could Darren Bent be a decent signing for us in the Summer?
Anway, that’s 3 wins from 13 games now. A very disappointing end to the season, despite the very promising start.
I believe we would have won the league this year, if we were more consistent and eradicated those spectacularly poor results. If you add it all up, we’ve lost an incredible amount of points (and probably a cup final win!), because of lack of concentration, effort and well… footballing talent.
I hate to say it, but based on this campaign, it’s probably in our best interests to avoid going for the quadruple next year. Of course, it was good at the time, but let’s get real and face facts. We were never going to win all 4. Despite being a great achievement, we probably weren’t doing ourselves any favours by going far in all four competitions.
Who knows what we would have done, if we had the luxury of crashing out at an early stage of the Carling Cup. Now, we’ll never know for sure, but it’s certainly interesting thinking about. I’ll let you argue between yourselves on that one!
Looking ahead, I believe this Summer will be vital, in terms of transfers, in and out.
We need change. We need new faces. We need to spend a significant amount of money on 2 or 3 proven players. We don’t have to spend a ginormous amount of money, but I’d like to see at least two big players come in, on sensible deals of course.
I’m sure the boos from yesterday will be ringing in Arsene’s ears for a while now, so who knows.
I realise he’s not the most popular man around at the moment, but I’m a huge fan of Arsene Wenger. I’ll always stress that him leaving the club, will be absolutely devastating for the club.
I guess it’s always easier to criticize someone, than to appreciate how good of job they are doing.
However, that debate can wait until another time.
Not that I have ever booed towards Arsenal myself, I appreciate the actions of the people who did. It would take something extraordinary to make myself boo my club, but I understand where they were coming from. I just hope it will encourage Arsene to spend this summer, because simply, we need to in my opinion.
Alternatively, will Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri stay?
I’m really hoping we can hold onto them both. There’s no doubt that both Wilshere and Ramsey are incredible footballers, for their age. But it’s a little worrying to think that our centre-midfield partnership next year, could have an average age of only 20 years old!
Seeing as our season officially ends next Sunday, we’ll just have to wait and see.
Roll on next season, eh?
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
