ello all

Been reading alot of Arsenal blogs off the site and I've encountered a few very interesting insights into our season capitulating. Watching that absolutely pornographic CL final, (in that it was full of cunts, not that it was enjoyable) and laughing at John Terry's slippery english backbone I thought I'd sum up the goods and the bads of the season. First off, the bads:

Injuries: As Arsenal fans we are usually labelled whiny self involved bastards, but the fact of the matter is, our injuries while few were significant. Our start to the season, was stunning. BUT, it was very firmly, and very clearly that due to the amazing form of Bobby Van Persie and Cesc. Scoring the lone goal in a dour game at West Ham and smacking in the Blackburn goal, were really not his best but they are the most obvious signs of a striker in a purple patch. Those are the simple goals, like Cesc's at Man. City, or Ronaldo's in the CL final which constitute for the most part goal tallies. And this patch ended with injury. Now, I know how often it has happened and how easy it is to 'expect' it, but the idea is lazy and very simple for a journo to put out. For wenger, to sign a striker as a back up for RVP in case he gets hurt is a stupid, Chelski style move to make. It is VERY FAIR to expect a striker to remain fit. We were simply, and here's for all you Mancs, unlucky.

With Eduardo it was far more blatant. He was on one of those incredible 9 goals in 9 games type runs and was turning into a bit of a Nistelrooy-esque finisher and then- that tackle. But the most significant injury I would have to argue was Rosicky's. I remember the Boro game we lost, and he was, Gael aside, the ONLY player really trying out there. His loss meant Hleb could afford to get complacent, and Eboue got that run in the side. It also could have, with a less patient manager, resulted in Theo being pushed in too early and suffering under pressure. He is a fantastic, creative, quick player and I would rate him over that cunt Hleb any day. The fact that he scored more than everyone but 4 other players playing something like 18 games all season really does show the quality he has. With his new titanium reinforced legs I'd hope he'd be fit to play again and get a good run.

The point is, we had the kind of injuries which would debilitate ANY squad. They were all key players which shaped the dynamic of Arsenal and their loss meant we had to settle for Bendtners and Eboues.

Referees: Most would say we lost everything after Eduardo's tackle in the Brum game. I fervently disagree. I think it was the shifty decision at the end of the match that ended it for us. The players DID get over the tackle and loss of their team mate but the decision was just a very very negative blow and really, for me anyway, started a trend of doubt and uncertainty. I cannot count how many went the other way, and I cannot bring myself to. It's too damn futile, and it's too damn painful. But the thing is, in a 50 game season, everyone goes through weak patches. Manchester United started the season with a string of 1-0 scorelines and were even compared to George Graham's Arsenal. No decisions were shaky and nothing really significant seemed to be hindering them further when they were suffering a shocking dip in form. Some would say that's the mark and the luck of Champions, and I would agree, but I will add that OUR dip in form unfortunately coincided with most of the poor decisions going against us, and THAT is the mark and luck of 2nd runners up.

There is a site which has listed the table had all the decisions gone right. It places us in 2nd place 6 a drift of Man United. So, yes, I will concede, even with the decisions we were losing. And I will even go so far as to say fair play to Man utd (I'm cringing....!) because like it or not, having Hargreaves, and Carrick and Scholes and Anderson, even as the over priced cunts that they are, really did decide the title's destination and full marks to the Fergatron on the foresight. While our injuries were far more disruptive, it is hard to argue with Man utd's obvious strength in depth. They're still cunts though.

Performances: Eboue. Enough said. I will back Wenger on this one though. Theo was raw and everyone else was injured. I have to say, as manager, I'd probably have done the same. Sorry, but it's true. An emergency buy in January, is NOT the kind of thing a team in 100s of millions of pounds of debt should do. The long term stability and control of Arsenal football club is something I am fucking proud Wenger and the board upheld and is about 50% of why I love this club so much.

The other one to stick out would, in my opinion be Gallas. Easily one of the best center backs when he cares and he cared for the most part, but with the responsibility he has as captain, I dont think the weak performances in the FA cup and other 'unimportant' games should be tolerated. He has been superb for us, but with that kind of weight on your shoulders, you cannot afford to lie down every once in a while because it usually drops and shatters. Captain next term? Ask me, hell no. Fabres, oh yes please with a cherry and whipped cream!

Basically, there is a certain amount of luck, and a certain amount of tongue in cheek fortune which goes with being champions. There always is. We didn't have it. I thought we did. Specially after the 3-1 over Spurs, I thought we did, but we didn't. We got what we earned in the end. And as tiring and painful as it was to watch, there is enough cause to hope for me to not give a fuck and cheer them even louder next season.

Feel free to add anything or criticise anything.

Till later.