Austin Gooners Home of Arsenal Football Club in Austin, Texas

Well, that’s it. Somehow, someway, Arsenal finished in the top four. But it wasn’t easy, nor was it pretty. The game today was really a microcosm of Arsenal’s season – gritty performance, letting nerves take over when they shouldn’t, flashes of brilliance, steely determination and some head-scratching moments that made you wonder if certain players had ever played the game in their entire lives.

Bottom line, we’re in the Champions League picture, we have a solid core of players, we shouldn’t be losing any big names and we (theoretically) have money to spend. This is the first summer in quite some time that I’m actually excited – one in which I expect more quality to arrive than depart. I’m hope I’m not setting myself up for a spectacular implosion and utter disappointment.

Before we jump into the summer, here are 10 random thoughts from today’s game:

1) The crowd at Cuatro’s today was fantastic. I hope we see this same crowd for EVERY Arsenal game next season.

2) Why does Arsenal get so nervous after scoring a goal? Isn’t that when they should press on the gas even more? It felt like we went from trying to win the game to trying not to lose the game.

3) I’m really glad Theo decided to stay at Arsenal. I think he’s been an important player for us this season. I really want to see him be more fearless next season, though.

4) Ox seems to have regressed this season. I hope he finds his confidence before next season because he’s too massive of a talent to watch whither away.

5) My goodness. What else can we say about Koscielny? Critical plays on both offense and defense today.

6) Ramsey…sigh. How does a player play so incredibly well one second and so brainless the next? Ramsey really needs to find some consistency next season (in a good way, of course).

7) We won 8 of our last 10 games. I predicted we’d win 9, but 8 is pretty damn impressive. But who knew 4^th place would be so harried and frantic and come down to the last few minutes of the season after winning 8 of our last 10 games?

8) Arsene Wenger had really sweaty armpits. He must have been as nervous as I felt.

9) Our midfield fell apart after Arteta left.  Ok, maybe that’s a bit strong – but Arteta really makes a big difference. He is the unsung hero of this team ins so many ways. I really hope he’s captain next year.

10) I can’t wait! Until August.

Arsenal won. It was a bit bumpy and squishy and soft there in the middle, like a cupcake that hadn’t been completely baked. But Arsenal secured a very vital 3 points going into the last game of the season. The team still controls its destiny – can’t really ask for much more than that.

For some odd reason this past weekend, I looked at Arsenal’s goal-scoring record and goal-surrendering record. Did you know Arsenal have the 3^rd best goal scoring record in the PL? Only behind United and Chelsea. We have the 2^nd best defensive record in the PL; only City has a better defensive record. Yet here we are. Just proves the old adage that timing is everything.

Going to be a very nervous day on May 19^th, but I’d rather be nervous than resigned. It means we’ve got something to fight for, to play for. We can finish anywhere between 3^rd and 5^th.

Here are my ten random thoughts from today’s game:

1) I said we’d win 9 of our last 10 games. If we win on Sunday, we’ll have won 8 of our last 10. Wow!

2) Walcott was a beast today.  The best game I can remember Theo having in quite some time. He was great on both sides of the ball today, covering for Sagna, sending in exceptional crosses, being fearless in the box and scoring a goal. Fantastic today.

3) Arteta will be a big loss on Sunday.  Who fills in? Ramsey at the back with Jack dropping into Ramsey’s role? Does Coquelin get a chance? How about Vermaelen in that role? Hmm.

4) Pressure pays off. I don’t recall the last time I saw Arsenal pressure the ball this consistently across this many games. Pressure leads to mistakes leads to goals.

5) Mike Dean. My Mom told me that I shouldn’t say anything at all if I don’t have anything nice to say.

6) Mike Dean. I don’t have anything nice to say.

7) Is Arsenal a favorite going into next season?  Ok, hear me out. City is changing managers. United is changing managers. There simply HAS to be a bit of turmoil at those clubs. I don’t expect Arsenal to lose any major players next year, so we should enter the season with a pretty solid and consistent core. Add 3-4 key players (Higuain? Jovetic? Rooney?) and watch out. Ok, let me dream, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal finish in the top 2 next season.   

8) The fans were fantastic. The chanting and cheering and songs were great to hear. I have to believe the players were truly inspired by the fans.

9) The team looks like a team. Ever since the Bayern Munich win, the team just really seems like a time. There seems to be a great energy and cohesion, players backing each other up on the pitch, working as a unit, etc.

10) I really like Roberto Martinez. I suspect he’ll still be in the PL next year, but I’m glad it’s not at our expense.  

Three points are three points. I’ll fully take them without complaint (well, with only a little complaint). A win is a win anytime of the season, but they seem magnified in importance at this stage.

We’ve only lost three games in the league since December 1, 2012 – and we need to keep that run alive for the last 2 games of the season.

The maximum points we can achieve is 73.  Maximum Chelsea can achieve is 75. Maximum Tottenham can achieve is 74. Absolutely no room for error. None. And it’s important to note that Chelsea and Tottenham both can’t achieve maximum points because they play each other – so one or both will drop points. A tie against each other would leave Chelsea with maximum of 73 and Tottenham with maximum of 72. Enough to make the head hurt.

Here are my random thoughts about yesterday’s game:

1) Arsene seems in a coaching mood lately. He’s been roaming the sidelines like…well…a proper manager.

2) Yesterday’s game was like a high school kid having sex. We were great for 21 seconds, then nothing.

3) Does Podolski know what he’s supposed to be doing as a central striker? I’m not convinced he does.

4) Does Theo know how to play as a winger? I’m not convinced he does. There was a time yesterday where he picked up the ball in the left-central part of the field (he was playing on the right) and when the ball eventually made its way to Sagna, there was no support.

5) How are we the 3^rd scoringest team in the Premier League? When nobody is ever in the box.

6) My man of the match is a toss up. Between Arteta and Szczesny. Both came up huge yesterday.

7) Speaking of Podolski not knowing where to play…. We really, REALLY need a world-class striker for next season.

8) Some of the things I could write are repeats of previous random thoughts (which makes them less random, I suppose). Don’t shoot from the outside? Check. Footballing brains turn to mush once we’re inside the opposing teams penalty area? Check.

9) I’m not sure about Nacho. I liked him when we first acquired him, but he seems lost or ineffective or something the last couple of games. Maybe he just needs a run of games.

10) If we can keep this current team together…. And add 3-4 quality, quality players this summer, I feel good about our chances next year. Don’t we say that every year?

Well, that could have gone better. That could have gone worse. Three points would have been fantastic, and we played like a team today that could have taken three points off Manchester United. One stupid mistake compounded by another immediate stupid mistake basically cost us the 2 points.

The team looked great, up for the game, sharp, incisive, full of confidence. Overall, you have to say the team played exceptionally well except for the aforementioned series of mistakes (does two make a series? Doesn’t matter) and the fact we completely forget how to play football once we cross into the box of the opposing team. It’s like those white lines around the goal area are a barrier that force the players to leave their footballing brains behind.

Anyway, we played well, should have taken three points, were lucky to escape with a draw, and now we have to finish with three wins from our last three games. Here are my 10 random thoughts:

1) I think if I had been at my normal table outside, we would have won. But stupid Chelsea was playing some team and blah, blah, blah Chelsea. Who cares!?

2) Arsene was actually animated in a good way. This was the first time in quite a while where Arsene didn’t look like he had to take dump. He was up and about, pointing, saying things in French and spurring the team along. It was nice to see.

3) Shoot! The! F#$%ing! Ball! Anyone! Ok, Cazorla shot from outside, but seriously.

4) Sagna. <sigh>. I think it’s 50/50 he’ll return next season.

5) Ramsey is my favorite player this season. I don’t think we’d be anywhere near as good as we are this season without Ramsey in the lineup. He’s been instrumental to our great run at the end of this season. And Arteta.

6) Guard of honor. <what you hear right now is the sound of puking>

7) Why haven’t we played this way all season? Does this one need any more explaining?

8) Does anyone on the Arsenal front line know how to make a run? Or actually be present in the box when a ball is coming in? Hmm?

9) RvP is a stupidhead. Yea, I get he’s supremely talented. But…

10) Did I mention RvP is a stupidhead?

Bonus thought: I really hope Per and Laurent return next year. Our defense looks really solid right now.

*I needed it to rhyme, dammit!

With apologies to John Steinbeck, let’s take a look at first-team players that might be staying this summer, first-team players that might be given their “thank you for playing” prize this summer and those who are balancing precariously on a wobbly bubble.

This truly insightful post will focus only on current players at Arsenal and their varied and sordid fates as we enter the silly season. Nobody in their right mind would purposefully speculate on what NEW players might be plying their trade at the Emirates next season, because by all accounts we will be signing something like 157 footballers this summer.

Around to Suckle on the Teat of Wenger for Another Season

Goalkeepers

Wojciech Szczesny – He’s not going anywhere

Defenders

Per Mertesacker – He and Koscielny have made a great pairing – no way he is leaving over the summer

Thomas Vermaelen – He stays.

Laurent Koscieleny – I will be shocked if he leaves. But I’ve been shocked before. Will Bayern’s clarion call be too strong to ignore?

Nacho Monreal – He stays.

Carl Jenkinson – No way.

Kieran Gibbs – Staying put.

Midfielders

Tomas Rosicky – I believe he will be around for another season, unless a truly tremendous opportunity pops up for him to play first team, consistent football at the right club.

Mikel Arteta – Not going anywhere.

Jack Wilshere – He’s almost a bubble candidate for me. I jest, I jest.

Aaron Ramsey – Developing into the player was and one of my favorites at Arsenal.

Santi Cazorla – We’d be in trouble if he left.

Frances Coquelin – He won’t leave…this summer.

Forwards

Olivier Giroud – Love him or hate him, he’ll be back.

Theo Walcott – Um…yes.

Gervinho – Another love or hate choice, he’ll be strolling the right touchline at the Emirates next year.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – Can’t wait to see him terrorize defenses as he matures as a footballer.

Ryo Myachi – He’s not going anywhere until he recovers from that horrible injury.

No More For You!

Goalkeepers

Vito Mannone – I just can’t see Vito sticking around. He wants to play, and I don’t think that’s going to happen at Arsenal.

Defenders

Sebastian Squillaci – If there is a God…

Andre Santos – Not a chance.

Johann Djourou – Loving life in Germany and no place for him in the squad.

Midfielders

Andrey Arshavin – Yea, no. It’s already been made abundantly clear he’s not coming back.

Denilson – He isn’t coming back…is he?

Forwards

Ju-Young Park – He was never really at Arsenal anyway.

Nicklas Bendtner – Although I get this odd feeling we might be stuck with him.

Marouane Chamakh – I actually think he’s getting even less playing time at West Ham than Arsenal. What does that say?

On the Bubble

Goalkeepers

Lukasz Fabianski – This one has a number of variables connected to it – will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Defenders

Bacary Sagna – While we all love Bacary, he hasn’t had his best season. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wenger cash in on him this summer.

Abou Diaby – This one is so tough to call. One day I’m sure he’ll be gone, the next I’m sure he’ll be back for a season (per Arsene’s track record with him). Nothing will matter until he recovers from his horrific injury, but I’m not sure he’ll ever play another game in an Arsenal shirt.

Midfielders

Emmanuel Frimpong – Sadly, I don’t think he’s going to make the cut at Arsenal.

Forwards

Lukas Podolski – While it’s not Arsene’s style to get rid of a player after one season, there’s just some odd feeling I’m having that he won’t be back. I hope he does come back – I like Podolski.

Joel Campbell – A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. Is he the answer to all our striker problems? No idea.

This was really a game where a very average Arsenal team tried not to lose instead of a game Arsenal tried to win.

Average is really the word that comes to mind. Nobody was particularly sharp. Nobody seemed particularly infused with a spark of creativity or energy. It just all felt very…meh (sloppy, turgid, lacking spunk) – except for the heart attack every Arsenal fan nearly suffered the last five or so minutes of the game.

I would almost have to say Szczesny was the MotM based solely on the fact he stopped a couple of key shots. Arsenal had all the possession, Fulham looked particularly dangerous on the break, and between the two teams I think they mustered 1.5 shots.

Weird game, but three points. I’ll take it. Here are my 10 random thoughts:

1) Does Steve Bould every say anything? I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him utter a single word when the camera pans to the sidelines.

2) Theo’s been working on his free kicks. I think this is the best I’ve ever seen him perform as far as free kicks go.

3) Sian Massey was the most beautiful woman on the planet today. I’ve never seen anything so sexy as the way she raised her flag – especially when Fulham put the ball in the net.

4) Should this game not have been 5, 6, 7… to 0? What the hell happened to Arsenal the last 77 minutes of the game?

5) Nacho Monreal had his worst game in an Arsenal uniform. There was average and then there was Nacho’s performance today.

6) Would it be going too far to say Arsenal played a bit cravenly?  See what I did there? Craven Cottage? No? <sigh>

7) Jack looked more Jack-ish. I was surprised to see Jack get a run out in this game, but he looked ok. His touch is coming back; his vision is coming back. We’ll definitely need him.

8) Who will play the role of central striker now that Giroud is out for 3 of the last 4 games? And is Giroud being out for 3 of the last 4 games a good or bad thing?

9) Speaking of Giroud…we need a striker in the center who has a soft touch and close control when a team packs it in the box like Fulham did today. Can Cazorla do it? Yes. Can Rosicky do it? Yes. Can Jack do it? Yes. Can Giroud do it? Um…no.

10) We’re still on pace to win 9 of our last 10 games. Fingers crossed!

I’m only doing five random thoughts today because I only saw the 2^nd half of the game – missed the first half entirely.

I’ll certainly take a point, but we should have been celebrating three and seeing some empty road in that rear view mirror.

Here they are, in no particular order of importance.

• I really hope we don’t miss out on 3^rd or 4^th place by 2 points. That would really, really suck

• The boys looked really sharp in the 2^nd half. Bossed the game and showed what they are capable of when they are brimming with confidence. Finishing is another story altogether. Three very clear chances wasted.

• Why Jack? Love the kid, but I would have started Rosicky over Jack in a heartbeat. Guess that’s why I’m writing this blog post and not coaching Arsenal.

• What do we do with Giroud? 17 goals in his first season for Arsenal is nothing to sneeze at, but 14 came in that one cup game against Reading. A number of missed goals this season at crucial moments that could have changed Arsenal’s fortunes significantly – today being a crucial moment. Any way we can swap him for Lukaku without anyone noticing?

• Ox is going to be a monster… as soon as he gets a bit more experience and confidence. He’s going to be nearly unstoppable.

• *Bonus random thought: Where on God’s green earth did our guys learn to cross?

Holy shit. Another game, another near heart attack, another fantastic victory. I’ll take it. I swear, I’m going to need to start wearing adult diapers (or just plastic pants) to the games from now on. How I didn’t crap my pants is beyond me.

There’s just something…different about this team right now. They believe they can win games. They know they can win games — no matter the odds. And I’m believing it as well.

And there’s depth on the bench. When was the last time anybody said anything like that about Arsenal? The three subs (Ox, Poldi and Theo) made all the difference in the world, injected the team with a drive and hunger that paid off in the end. All credit to Arsene for the right subs at the right time.

Yes, Poldi looked like a club footed club foot a couple of times, but Theo looked determined while Ox looked sharp and lively. The two words that come to mind after the subs came on the pitch are verve and spunk. The team was hungry and feasted on a snack of canaries like a prowling, pouncy tiger. Rahr.

Here are some random thoughts from the game today:

1) Is it just me, or did the referee look like an evil Bond villain? He certainly refereed like one at times.

2) Did anyone see the Norwich fans (dad with his two kids) in the stands? Oh. My. Goodness.

3) Ramsey continues to impress me. He has an engine that won’t quit, made some key interceptions and some great passes. For me, he was the MotM today.

4) Ramsey and Arteta are a solid team. They really are.

5) Does anyone else think Arsene Wenger has aged 50 years in the last two seasons? He just looks old and tired, like he’s not really having fun anymore. And he always looks like he has the worst stomachache ever. At least until the game is over.

6) I think it was a bad idea to start Jack. I thought that even before the game. He didn’t look sharp (which isn’t a surprise). He looked like a player that hasn’t played in six weeks. I think it would have been better to bring him on in the later stages of the game.

7) I wonder what’s going through Szczesny’s mind right about now….

8) Gervinho is equally brilliant and frustrating. Ok, more frustrating than brilliant. If he’s a confidence player, his season is over after today’s display.

9) It was good to see Vermaelen have a good game. We need him the rest of this season as well as next season. Hopefully, time on the bench helped him get his head on straight.

10) Did you know Arsenal have only lost one game in the PL since January 20^th? We’ve also scored the second most goals in the PL this season at 64. Ahead of Man City and Chelsea. Who knew?

There were a couple of miracles that happened during the game today, not the least of which is that I didn’t have a heart attack (or throw up or pass out).

How West Brom didn’t score in the last 20 minutes of the game is beyond me, but I don’t care. All I know is that Arsenal won and we’re currently in 4^th place. It’s a bit of a miracle.

And while I realize 4^th place may be only temporary, every victory needs to be celebrated. Yee – fucking – haw! Another miracle.

I would say this was a game of two halves, but that wouldn’t be accurate. It was a game of the first 70 minutes and the last 20 minutes. About 5 minutes prior to Mertesacker’s red card, Arsenal did that thing they do that has gotten them in trouble so may times the last few seasons – took their foot off the pedal, applied the hand brake, had a collective panic attack, started thinking about the toppings they wanted on their frozen yogurt after the game, whatever.

Here are some random thoughts about the game today:

• Fabianski started showing flashes of his former self. And I don’t mean that in a good way.

• Did Giroud play today? Oh, he did?

• Addendum to the above bullet. Can we please buy a real freaking striker this summer!? Yea, I know I said nice things about Giroud last week, but maybe I was wrong.

• I love Rosicky. Really, I do. I truly hope he finishes his career with Arsenal.

• Arteta and Ramsey don’t get enough credit. Yea, I can’t believe Ramsey missed that shot either. But Ramsey and Arteta just don’t quit. It’s the little things they do that often go unnoticed that can turn a game – I think they both did that today.

• Gervinho had a decent outing today. Added another assist to his tally.

• I said we’d win 9 of our last 10 games. Three down, 6 to go.

• Per wasn’t himself today. It really just wasn’t Per’s day today, from flopping on the ball with his back (although that was freaking brilliant), to the wayward pass to Koscielny that resulted in a Koscielny yellow, to the lazy run back that resulted in a red card. Per AT-AT today for sure.

• Which brings me to another point. Is anybody else nervous that we lose Per for three games because of the red? I love Vermaelen and all, but….