4th place finish, actually maybe 3rd place if we (Arsenal) win their next few games. As Arsene Wenger said in a recent interview in November if you would have said 27 games unbeaten, 4th in the Premier League, Champions League Semi Final place and a cup run you would have rushed him into a mental hospital on the spot.
Unfortunately like many fellow Arsenal fans its now been 4 seasons without any trophies is basically unacceptable. But to think it about it on another level lets think about the past few seasons, last season we were Manchester United’s closest rivals, the season before we were runners up in the FA cup and the season before runners up in the Champions League. This might be a double edged sword but it shows we have been there or there abouts.
So 6 other things to keep us hoping for next season
1. Alex Song – he has had his best season since joining, he has made the centre midfield position basically his own and has some really good perfomances, he looks much better on the ball and looks happy going forward or defending. Some training this summer and being able to adjust his position to cover like the best defensive midfielders do then he could be an ever present next season.
2. Andrei Arshavin – for 2 reasons –
2.1 – Arsene Wenger went out and spent alot of money on an established player and world class talent and Russian captain.
2.2 -Andrei Arshavin has performed well since him signing from Russian champions and UEFA cup winners Zenit St. Petersburg. He scored 4 at Anfield and has settled in well, although he does not seem happy out on the left of midfield he has definitely out shone the majority of his colleagues.
3. Cesc Fàbregas committing his future to Arsenal – captain who was out a number of months has committed his future to Arsenal verbally in many recent interviews, he is definitely the lynch pin to attract other players along with Arshavin.
4. Unbeaten run without key players – it was 27 unbeaten before the run end at home against a better Man U team. We achieved this without many key players which means our squad is much stronger than critics have suggested. Maybe could do with two centre backs and another big midfielder and we will content in Europe and the league.
5. Emmanuel Adebayor looking likely to leave – I am bound to upset certain fans but its my opinion. Adebayor maybe has scored 6 goals in 9 European games but has looked lazy and uninterested since Christmas, noone needs a player who cannot perform and cannot motivate himself for his club. What does annoy me is his continuing comments about leaving and going to Milan, if they have seen your performances lately you are stuck in North London. If he does go it will be a big transfer fee and we can strengthen with better players and players who will be proud to don the red and white of a massive club like Arsenal.
6. Lastly not no means last Arsene Wenger – he is still at Arsenal, he is still fighting and has changed his philosophy and brought a big name. If he does stay which I can only see he will, he will no doubt improve Arsenal over the summer and improve the young players. With the summer basically clear without any big tournaments he can change a few things and refresh players.
In short, if we keep hold of Arsene Wenger, Cesc and sign maybe a dominating midfielder we will challenge to the end of the season in the major competitions.
In Arsene we trust!