Fulham preview - another season draws to a close

So here we are, the final day of the season and boy has it flown by. It was interesting to go back and read the season preview I wrote, which said:

I don't think our place in the top four is under threat but the main question is are we good enough to win the league? Personally I don't quite think so, I just feel the squad is lacking a little bit in quality defensively. 

Hey, it's not often I get things right. That's why it's interesting. In seriousness though it has been our downfall this campaign. People talk about how we should have signed a striker in January, I don't really think that would have made the difference. If a new signing had come in and scored 9 in 12 we'd have been chuffed. As it was Nicklas Bendnter did that on his return.

For me the defining feature of this season is the individual mistake, the lack of defensive effort or basic cock-up which has cost us goals. Defensively, as a team, we weren't good enough. We've scored 15 more league goals this season than the last campaign but also conceded 5 more (41 in total - and there's no way you can win a league title conceding that many). It's no wonder the manager talks about having to strengthen at the back when asked about transfers.

If you'd said to me in August that we'd be going into the final day of the season with something still to play for, the hopeless optimist in me, the one who buys a EuroMillions ticket and actually daydreams about winning it and becoming an awesome inventor who makes space cars and shit, would have thought you meant the title. Instead we have to get something from our game today to ensure third place is ours. And third place is about right. We were in there till the final bend but when Chelsea and United kicked on our legs had gone and now we're hanging on as a mad foaming at the mouth bastard tries to out-sprint us to the line.

Fulham's participation in the Europa League final, players like van Persie and Sol Campbell who simply will not allow the Arsenal to be overtaken by Sp*rs and the fact we're at home mean I think we'll get at least the point we need. Obviously it would have been better if it had never come to this but there you go - that's football. 

I don't want to talk about what might go wrong today. What's the point? Unlike some rancid cockgobblers I will be up for my team today and not fingering my secret cockerel tattoo. I want the season to finish as well as possible, I want the fans who are there to enjoy the day, and to drink beers post-game, talking about what might have been if only we had [INSERT 1 of 4365 possibilities here].

There are players who will play today, and some who won't, who probably won't be seen in an Arsenal shirt again. There may not to be too many tears shed for some of them but they'll go down in the books as Arsenal players, they never picked themselves for the team, and while I hope they're replaced with quality it won't hurt to wave them off. For me Sylvester and Gallas are gone and there are question marks over Almunia, Fabianski, Eduardo, Vela and possibly even someone like Rosicky. I'm sure those there will watch these guys during the post-game lap and look for any small clues in their waving technique.

I honestly wish Fulham all the best with their European final this week but I hope their preparation involves a serious hammering today. Sure, I'd take a scabby 1-0 but after what we've been through in the last few weeks I think we deserve a bit more than that. Of course deserve doesn't come into it once the game starts but I hope the players realise we need to see a reaction from them today in terms of our performance.

With all the focus on United and Chelsea, and I have to admit I'd love to see Wigan frustrate Chelsea today, I'll be stream hunting later on. The season hasn't finished as happily as I'd hoped (and I still don't have a space car) but after approximately 5525 minutes of Arsenal this season I'll be hoping we're seeing in the summer with a final home win and a bit of pride restored. Come on you reds.

A quick round-up of the Sunday paper stuff. Two keepers linked. The News of the World says we're after West Ham's Robert Green and goes as far as to say initial talks have taken place. The Sunday Sun, which appears to be a North East publication, says we're after Sunderland's Scottish keeper Craig Gordon. I can remember Bob Wilson singing his praises when he appeared on Arsecast a couple of years back and with a few seasons of Premier League experience under his belt he'd be my preferred option if I had to choose between him and Green. 

Not much else around in terms of gossip but no matter - there's a whole summer about to stretch out in front of us. Arsene is a bit worried about players who go to the World Cup but South Africa is but a distant distraction right now. 

I'm keeping everything I've got crossed today, even my increasingly woolly beard (my beard, I broke my beard!), for an Arsenal win today. Once again it's been an absolute pleasure sharing an Arsenal season with you all, here's to the right result later on, and see you tomorrow for the first official day of silly season.

Till then.