It's that time of year when everyone reflects on the somewhat tumultuous journey we've been on this past season. Today we give you all the opportunity to vote for those players you believe were the most influential in the campaign.
I have added a supplementary poll at the end to stimulate discussion for the day.
We all know what is at stake and tonight, we, and I mean those fans who are lucky enough to attend, have to push our lads to 3 points.
As a child I had an idea that if all the fans on the North Bank simultaneously sucked in air at a corner kick then the ball was sure to go into the net. It just had to be delivered into the right area and the ensuing suction would ensure another goal for my heroes.
We all know what is at stake and tonight, we, and I mean those fans who are lucky enough to attend, have to push our lads to 3 points.
As a child I had an idea that if all the fans on the North Bank simultaneously sucked in air at a corner kick then the ball was sure to go into the net. It just had to be delivered into the right area and the ensuing suction would ensure another goal for my heroes.
Can Arsenal continue their fine run since that dark day somewhere in N17? 7 games unbeaten, 17 points. Since January, 11 played. Won 8 D2 L1. 26 points from 33 that is League winning consistency and very different from the norm.
Different opinions abound about today's game. Either it is good or bad to play a team already relegated.
Can Arsenal continue their fine run since that dark day somewhere in N17? 7 games unbeaten, 17 points. Since January, 11 played. Won 8 D2 L1. 26 points from 33 that is League winning consistency and very different from the norm.
Different opinions abound about today's game. Either it is good or bad to play a team already relegated.
This was on paper always going to be the most tricky game of our run in and chase for a Champions League spot. Added to the normal nerves of entertaining United was the return of Brave Sir Robin, and the indignity of having to give said Dutchman and his new teammates a guard of honour on to the pitch after winning the title last Monday.
This was on paper always going to be the most tricky game of our run in and chase for a Champions League spot. Added to the normal nerves of entertaining United was the return of Brave Sir Robin, and the indignity of having to give said Dutchman and his new teammates a guard of honour on to the pitch after winning the title last Monday.
It was the start of the 2011/12 season. Captain Cesc Fabregas, one of our most talented Arsenal midfielders ever, and the man that the team was built around, had left to join Barcelona. Samir Nasri, coming off an excellent previous season, had gone to Manchester City, Jack Wilshere, England's great hope, was injured (for what we later discovered would last all season), Abou Diaby was injured.
It was the start of the 2011/12 season. Captain Cesc Fabregas, one of our most talented Arsenal midfielders ever, and the man that the team was built around, had left to join Barcelona. Samir Nasri, coming off an excellent previous season, had gone to Manchester City, Jack Wilshere, England's great hope, was injured (for what we later discovered would last all season), Abou Diaby was injured.
Cardiff City's promotion back to the top flight after several decades of absence has started joyous celebrations in Wales. As Cardiff are aware of their status for next season before May itself, they are expected to get a significant advantage over other promoted teams. Cardiff manager Malky Mackay will be able to start looking at potential signings, while the club will be able to start negotiations much earlier than their rivals.
This was our game in hand and a chance for us to increase the gap between us and the other two teams, as well as deal Everton the crushing blow to their dreams of a top four finish. The final result meant that we didn't quite achieve the target that we wanted. However, let's not kid ourselves here.
I am already nervous and thinking about when to start my alcohol intake, lunch-time seems appropriate ! Tonight BR will be decked out in everything lucky , having eaten his lucky dinner, be drinking the lucky wine and watching the lucky stream. I will do everything possible to help the team because tonight is a huge game.
I am already nervous and thinking about when to start my alcohol intake, lunch-time seems appropriate ! Tonight BR will be decked out in everything lucky , having eaten his lucky dinner, be drinking the lucky wine and watching the lucky stream. I will do everything possible to help the team because tonight is a huge game.
These days Arsenal ask readers of their web site to vote for their man of the match, and after the Norwich game they gave the honour to Aaron Ramsey. Which is quite amazing when you think how he was seen by the AAA just a few months ago.
What do you call someone who does the opposite of supporting their own team?
Well, yes, there is that, but this is a family blog so four-letter words are frowned upon. We need another name for them.
I was pondering this question on Saturday while watching us struggle to break down a 10 man Norwich defence (more of a parked combine harvester than a bus, really).
What do you call someone who does the opposite of supporting their own team?
Well, yes, there is that, but this is a family blog so four-letter words are frowned upon. We need another name for them.
I was pondering this question on Saturday while watching us struggle to break down a 10 man Norwich defence (more of a parked combine harvester than a bus, really).
I think the answer to that is a bit of both. Across 90 minutes on the balance of play, possession and opportunities carved out I don't think that 3-1 over-flattered us. That we were still 1-0 down going into the 84th minute does leave a certain feeling of having got away with this one though. I will, however, look at the positives that we kept fighting and pressing and that this is a very important trait that I see increasingly in this squad, which should hold us in good stead for the future.
I think the answer to that is a bit of both. Across 90 minutes on the balance of play, possession and opportunities carved out I don't think that 3-1 over-flattered us. That we were still 1-0 down going into the 84th minute does leave a certain feeling of having got away with this one though. I will, however, look at the positives that we kept fighting and pressing and that this is a very important trait that I see increasingly in this squad, which should hold us in good stead for the future.
I heard on a reputable podcast that Arsenal have made a bid for Asmir Begovic, Stoke's much-in-demand goalkeeper. The claim was made by a well-informed journalist who went on to say that Chelsea have already made two bids and that Begovic will move there in summer, if true, this raises a few talking points:
I heard on a reputable podcast that Arsenal have made a bid for Asmir Begovic, Stoke's much-in-demand goalkeeper. The claim was made by a well-informed journalist who went on to say that Chelsea have already made two bids and that Begovic will move there in summer, if true, this raises a few talking points:
Have you noticed a spring in the Gooners step since winning in Munich? Suddenly this new Arsenal is not the shoddy bunch of lazy artisans just trotting around and picking up money for nothing (and chicks for free), No, this is a team focussed and able to get a Top 4 spot possibly even top 3.
Have you noticed a spring in the Gooners step since winning in Munich? Suddenly this new Arsenal is not the shoddy bunch of lazy artisans just trotting around and picking up money for nothing (and chicks for free), No, this is a team focussed and able to get a Top 4 spot possibly even top 3.
Arsenal defeated Reading 4-1 yesterday in the Premier League with several Arsenal players having standout performances. One in particular was Aaron Ramsey the Arsenal man was composed on the ball and efficient with his passing. He tracked back and tackled hard when his side were dispossessed and filled in Jack Wilshere's absence brilliantly.
In any other season Reading at home would be a home banker pencilled into our predictors. This season anything has been possible, so it was a great relief yesterday to see the team come out the blocks from the first whistle and not stop running until the final whistle. On top of that the team played with purpose and pace that we have only seen on brief occasions this year, and for me the most important feature of our play we pressured the ball when we didn't have it.
In any other season Reading at home would be a home banker pencilled into our predictors. This season anything has been possible, so it was a great relief yesterday to see the team come out the blocks from the first whistle and not stop running until the final whistle. On top of that the team played with purpose and pace that we have only seen on brief occasions this year, and for me the most important feature of our play we pressured the ball when we didn't have it.
The match day was designated to celebrate the contribution of one David Rocastle and the 3 points earned was a fitting tribute to the legend. We needed to keep the momentum going and we did just that. 3 points was no more and no less than what we deserved yesterday, from our performance.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Arsene Wenger and company are confident in the Gunners ability to claim a top four finish in the Premier League and claim a Champions League spot.
Wenger has been tellinghis club they cannot afford slip ups, like in their upcoming match against the struggling Reading at the Emirates this Saturday and they must "Grab this chance".
This is the end, beautiful friends, this is the end, my only friend, the end. Of our elaborate plans, the end of everything that stands, the end. Hmmm, Jim Morrison wasn't really the eloquent poet he's been made out to be was he? After 9 months of fretting, sweating and swearing, it all comes down to Sunday.
We have arrived at the point of the season that I refer to as "the abacus stage." When the finishing line is in sight, our brains are abuzz with equations. We make mathematical hypotheses based on fixtures remaining and projected results. Our calculations are complicated by psychology. Even in areas of the table that seemingly don't affect you, cross references are made.
In the end, Aaron Ramsey finished the game playing at right-back. He doesn't care; he's willing to play anywhere just to prove himself to Arsene Wenger and the fans (who have been particularly hard to win over), and it looks like he has finally done that. There are shades of Ray Parlour about the way Ramsey has selflessly filled in in a number of positions this season right-back, left-back, defensive-midfield, central-midfield (his favourite position) and right-midfield, and sometimes as part of the front three.
In typical Arsenal style we made it a bit difficult for ourselves, but in the end that was a game won on merit and off the back of some excellent performances.
If the opening goal wasn't quite as early as in previous weeks, it was sufficiently timely to settle us down and give us the platform we needed.
I had a feeling, looking at the fixtures, that this was one we might drop points in. Everton are traditionally difficult opponents, and so it proved again last night.
Their defending, coupled with our lack of efficiency in front of goal, meant the deadlock was never broken and although we piled on the pressure in the last 20 minutes, we couldn't find a way through.
Well, we got there in the end but we didn't half make hard work it. Three points and up into third is as good an outcome as we could have had, yet it looked touch and go for a while.
Some of that was down to the fact we didn't play particularly well, some of it was down to Norwich who, understandably, set out to frustrate us.
Morning from a thoroughly wet and miserable Dublin. We had sun the other day and it was quite warm. Please join me in a moment's silence/applause for the passing of summer 2013.
[I was gonna put a tumbleweed in here but it can't tumble because it weighs 8 stone soaking wet]
Anyway, all the talk this morning is of Luiz Suarez and the 10 game ban he's been issued by the FA for gnawing on Branislav Ivanovic.
Good morning from my shiny, inflated and quite purple ankle which I sprained playing football. It's like someone kicked the crap out of Grant Holt's belly and attached it to my foot. Ugh.
There'll be some weary legs rested ahead of Saturday's game with Fulham, and the manager will have a few decisions to make about his team, but until we find out if we've suffered any casualties from Tuesday night then that's a discussion which can wait.
Normally we'd have an Arsene Wenger press conference to look forward to but the boss can't make it this week because he's lost his voice. Rumours that he suffered this injury around the same time as Gervinho started finding the net seem unfounded to me.
Morning, it's another quiet day in a quiet week, the only things going on are Theo Walcott calling for more consistency (I know, right!), and Aaron Ramsey hailing Arsene Wenger's influence on his career. I like the Welshman, I have to say, I think there's something lurking under the surface. Whether we ever get to see it is unclear, but in recent months he's certainly added some consistency to his game, and has played his way through a difficult patch.
