It's been a couple of days of reflection and that hasn't really changed much of how I've been feeling regarding Arsenal and football in general. Ever since the two games during the week there has been incessant debate and comment about the relative exits of the two London clubs from the Champions League. We were outclassed and that's pretty much the media line with all the stories being about how we need to get experience, power, strength or all three. Chelsea, meanwhile, seem to have split the media with them either being "robbed" or "hard done by but should have taken the chances they had". If they've been reflecting as much as the two sets of fans, the media and managers have then today's game might be better played on a Psychiatrist's couch.

It's difficult to see how either side will see the game as much more than an obstacle to the much more important summer holidays these hard working players so richly deserve!! I think the problem I have with Wenger's philosophy is not the focus on youth and ability but it's lack of any attention to attitude and commitment. Too many of these young players are already incredibly richly rewarded and yet show no real hunger (either in the recent big games or earlier in the season when we were awful). As players get older and more experienced they will certainly improve their skills and how they apply them in a game but attitude and commitment should be a given at all ages. Surely coaches and mangers look for that hunger and desire as a necessity at a big club. If you look at United then that it's obvious to any outsider that Ferguson may allow one or two players to be slightly less hard working (their talents allow it) but he demands 100% from everyone else and you don't stay long if he doesn't get it. You could compare the situations at Stoke and Newcastle in a similar way. The Potters are staying up by making the absolute maximum out of the limited resources they have, whilst the Geordies are staring at the Championship.

These two issues are behind the headline, the New era of young Arsenal seems to be fading (though maybe not in Wenger's eyes) and the Premier League is fading too with too many players on too much money not being bothered to put the effort in. How many players in the Premier League deserve the salaries they receive when there are too many dull games, too many sides willing to settle for "avoiding relegation" as a season target and bloated squads full of players thinking they are far better than they actually are. The likely victory of United in the Champions League gives a very false image of the Premier League as the "best in the world". It pays the most, it has 3/4 of the best European clubs and some very good players but it's not a true league any more. It's a procession where 2 or 3 sides can win it, 2 or 3 more can make it interesting and 14-16 clubs just want to hang on in there and keep the money coming.

I've just seen the wonderful news that my closest German club, SC Freiburg, have been promoted to the Bundesliga as champions and I'm very tempted to get a Season Ticket there next season. For enjoyment, true value and a proper (if not so skilful) competitive league I don't think it can be beat.

Oh well - let's hope this depressing post leads to a 5-4 classic at Arsenal today.. and following Jamrockrover's lead, another song

Sometimes it's very easy to look at life and think "How crap it is" or "I wish it could be so much better" but today is a day to think positive for once. I know there are those of you out there who might think that I'm a bit mad to say that as we've drawn yet another game, haven't scored (again!) and are looking less likely rather than more likely to be in the top 4 or challeneging for any trophy (again!) this season. However, at least our club isn't run by a bunch of short term idiots who flick and change the manager every two to three months because of a few poor results.

But today has seen the folly of how other clubs operate, how clubs demand that success is immediate and that failure can be seen as being in the top 4, last 16 of the Champions League & FA Cup. When you invite money to the table the expectations become ridiculous and some of the newly arrived directors in the game have no patience or true understanding of the game whatsoever. Let's look at the sackings today of Tony Adams and Phil Scolari, both of whom have been scuppered by their respective boards and players. Neither departure was a great surprise  today (nothing is a surprise anymore in ths game) but it's hard to say that either decision is the right one. Adams had only 4 months and the board that appointed him, sold his best two players and let him buy players before giving him any real chance of working with the new team. Relegation is a danger for them - I think they should get Harry back. As for Chelsea, many of us would be hoping that the whole circus is about to fall apart but in reality their squad will probably recover and go and win the bleeding Champions League with the same players that can't be arsed to play for their old manager.

This brings me to a second point and that's the possible departures of players if we don't make it into the Champions League. Now why is that scenario a possibility, it's because the players haven't performed as much as the manager hasn't bought one or two players. The squad we have may not be good enough to win the league but it can turn up against Fulham, Hull etc.. and win the games. So if we fail to qualify maybe they should look to rectify the situation not leap to a the next big contract they can get.

Of course, we live in the real world now and players have all the power and I can't see many of our current squad doing what players such as Buffon, Del Piero did at Juventus and stay with a club even when it's relegated.

A few Arsenal fans have been saying (me amongst them) that Villa have had their fair share of luck in their recent performances and to a small extent that may be true but as Gary Player once said, "the more I practice the luckier I seem to get". So whatever luck they've had (or not) they are in a deserved position and leaves us (as we stand) with the intriguing possibility of a three way fight for fourth with us, Chelsea and Liverpool. As it stands none of them are in great form and it could even be that Everton sneak up as well.

What's quite odd is the media's incredulous dismissal of Aston Villa, unbeaten in ages, seven staright away wins and yet they a still have no chance of the title and only an outside chance of a top four finish. It seems they've refused to listen to the media and I for one say well played and I would, of course, much rather finish in the top 4 with one of either Liverpool or Chelsea outside.

This means, of course, that we need to win tomorrow for more than just the bragging rights and I'm not thinking it will be easy and I've not got too many good vibes about tomorrow. I just feel when there's a chance of him being found out, Harry Redknapp conjures up some luck from somewhere - I hope I'm wrong. 

Not much better for  FC Basel who staged a comeback today to get back to 2-2 after being 2-0 down to the Young Boys and then lost it in the last couple of minutes!

Apparently UEFA are in discussions with representatives of various clubs (well all the big ones obviously not those insignificant ones like Manchester City- oh) to limit the budget available for transfers/wages to 51% of a club's annual revenue. I think many of us would like this to happen but we, unfortunately, live in the real world and there are a number of reasons why it's unlikely to happen.

1. Can you actually see any of these clubs agreeing to it or, for that matter, agreeing on anything.

2. If it ever got to be an actual ruling how many clubs would circumvent/cheat/be a little less than honest with the system and still carry on regardless. In which case UEFA wouldn't do a thing anyway.

3. Who's going to tell a rich man who has billions where and when he can spend his money (and, to be fair, whatever the morals of the argument - it's the man's money to spend)

4. How would the EU feel about it - as many of the clubs are PLCs surely they are judged by their shareholders  on their accounts and not UEFA

and, of course, the main reason....

5. UEFA are in charge! With it's highly exceptional track record of creating legislation and then enforcing it there should be no bleeding chance.

In a way it's a shame as I've always felt that clubs should be judged on their ability to manage their affairs in a manner that enables them to create a successful sporting side using the same methods available to all teams. In the case of Manchester City (& Chelsea before them) they have a financial advantage not gained by success on the pitch or by attracting sponsors or getting punters into a stadium etc. Significant moves such as Arsenal's building of a new stadium (using a business model to increase revenue) and Liverpool's (Everton, Spurs, etc.)  attempt to do the same are virtually left meaningless. It also negates the excellent job at Aston Villa, where, despite the new owners, the club seems to live within its own means and build with young talent.

We're left with the situation whereby we have to get three points at Hull and I'm not sure many of us are very confident of getting the right result. I've been watching the Chelsea game and it was like they were the "new" Arsenal with huge domination of the game and letting in a soft goal. However, unlike Arsenal they managed to drag a 2-1 win out of the mire in the last minute and as much as I dislike FFL, his goal was a stunner. I think the final shot count was 37-3 but they had to wait till the 88th minute to equalise. At the same time Villa were down to 10 men and I thought it might all tighten up in the battle for fourth but they won too and it's up to ourselves this evening - will we actually put in a performance? Fingers, legs, arms, eyes - all rigidly crossed!

It may not be the best way to discover the result of a match (or even try and "watch" the game's last 20 minutes) but persuading my wife to let me use her Blackberry whilst waiting to board a flight at Gatwick will suffice with a game like yesterday.

Of course I claim all the glory as I could only play 2 of my 3 strikers in my fantasy league side and with the psychology of "I'd rather he scored and we won than get points for my team", l left out Robin and the rest, as they say, is history. I'll need to remember this policy.

I've seen the highlights and a few things come to mind, yes Van Persie's first was offside but that has happened to us too many times against Chelsea so I'll take that with no feelings of guilt. Secondly, the EBJT (copyright The Fiver) and his so called tackle on Sagna. Apparently Sky refused to show it  despite spending hours on Eboue's tackle last year (cheers Arseblogger) and MOTD didn't talk about it after the game as per usual. What is it about England captains that gives them complete Carte Blanche to do what they like!!! Arseblogger also mentioned the Chelsea fans copying the United fans with their P#####hile chants (yes everyone knows it) and the Guardian did print a story about it today but didn't seem too keen to take it any further. It comes to a sad state of affairs when the only person speaking out about it was Alex Ferguson (even if it took him 10 years too many to say it!).

What's next - well we all know that is an impossible question. Our kids will have a tough game at Burnley this week and that's a team that is doing well and playing good football too. After that the first team will return against Wigan though after the last round maybe we should play the two teams in reverse this week!

Oh and we've got Plymouth in the cup which is fun as my wife comes from there and I'm in Plymouth Argyle for christmas where I will see their Boxing Day game against Southampton. I did also see the last game between the two sides in the cup when we won 6-1, I'll take that with a Jack Wilshere hat trick.

Yesterday a very good friend died at the age of 47 and it doesn't seem that important to talk about football or crisis or anything so trivial really. I've read a lot of moaning from Arsenal fans which seem to be along the lines of "we've spent a lot of money on tickets and we EXPECT to win things". Of course expectation has been raised by all that has gone before but supporting a team is about demanding or expecting success but supporting the team whatever comes.

Last night on 606 Chelsea fans were moaning about their team despite being joint top of the league, having more money than most in these financial difficulties and knowing they will still qualify (despite last night) for the next phase of the Champions League. What lives do people like this lead? In the real world there are much tougher lives, much more difficult decisions to face and the harsh realities of job loss, terrorist atrocities and so on....

Sorry for the downer of a blog but people - GET REAL.

Oh and  one football point - look at the CL group stage tables, with a round to go I think there are only 2 or 3 places left - pointless exercise aren't they really.