It feels strange to be writing our season's eulogy in mid-April, but that's it: we're finished. I'm still a bit shell-shocked at how we came off the tracks so suddenly and so completely, as I'm sure many of you are as well. Whether it's fatigue, injuries, loss of form or plain bad luck, it's hard to believe we were on the verge of opening up an 8-point lead in the league just two months ago and getting the better of the European champions even more recently.
I'm sure there's a wide variety of opinions on where to go from here. I hope Wenger, for one, sees what needs to be fixed and realizes he might need a dose of pragmatism in his footballing philosophy. For me, that means a larger squad: if we can't find competent subs for some of our first-team players we simply have no chance of challenging for four cups (not counting the Emirates Cup and that one we won in Amsterdam) and a league.
Secondly, I'd love to have another striker, one who's more of what we had hoped Fast Eddie the Crozilian was. A cool, reliable finisher. The jury is still out on Adebayor among the fans; for me, I realize he brings a lot to the team, but a high goal conversion is not one of those things. For all his hard work, his wastefulness was always his biggest knock. I think he happened to go on quite a tear mid season, then somehow put his vintage scoring boots back on, right about the time he cut his hair. Detractors also point to the number of chances he's given in a game, which must be staggeringly high, even though I don't have the numbers in front of me. Whether it's from fatigue or reading his own press, he's certainly leveled off his production at exactly the wrong time for us. In his defense, I've always been amazed at his knack, after missing a few sitters, for somehow scoring an otherworldly goal out of nothing.
I could drone on about which players need to leave (Eboue), but one bright spot I'd like to mention is Theo. Sure players like Flamini, Sagna, Clichy and Adebayor have been this season's revelations, but also important is the emergence of consistency in Walcott's game. What horrible luck he must have that his three best performances this season have been overshadowed by the outcome of the matches: his two goals in the 8-0 thrashing of Slavia Prague, his two goals in the Birmingham disaster, and his unforgettable run at Anfield last week. If anything they'll give the guy confidence, and hopefully more time on the pitch next season.
Excuse the tone of this column; this hopefully won't be the last time I write this season, but the timing seemed right, in the Gooner community, to discuss all this.
By Adam Elder
We all miss you Rocky, you were not only an Arsenal Leg-end but a right gent as well. Allgoonerdup is holding a new win a t-shirt competition and it's to honour the Arsenal hero. For your chance to win a Rocky t-shirt just answer this simple question, what number shirt did David Rocastle wear for The Arsenal? Get your answers down and let us know your name, size and postal address - job done.
Send your answers to:
iwannafreebie@allgoonerdup.com
Competition ends 30 April.
Good luck Gooners.
For all you Gooners out there that have FaceBook there is a FaceBook page dedicated to Rocky, do yourselves and join up. David Rocastle - Arsenal Legend - Never Forgotten.
We all miss you Rocky.
Once you get there have a look through the different categories to make it easier to choose just which shirt you want. Is there a shirt you like but would prefer it in a different colour? Well have word via email (shop@allgoonerdup.com) and we'll see what we can do for you, see how helpful the staff are? Go on, have a butchers - The Allgoonerdup Shop
Latest standings after the weekends game.
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Got something to rant about? Want to see what the discussion of the day is? Well jump on board The Allgoonerdup Forum and register if you haven't done so already and have your shout about Arsenal and general football topics.
Flamini latest: Contract rebel Mathieu Flamini in his reluctance to sign the extended deal the board have had on the table has attracted the big boys of Germany - Bayern Munich. Already the likes of Juventus and AC Milan have been sniffing around the all action man but Flamini still seems unperturbed to ink his new deal. Admittedly I think the writing might be on the wall where Flamini is concerned. Why would it take him so long to commit? He has the next three weeks to sign that contract as he wont be playing any football due to his injury - so will he? Transfer rumours: Well seeing that our season has ended and next season starts now lets get some transfer shenanigans on the go. Apparently Alex Hleb's ice cream loving agent is hawking his player around the European giants of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus and makes the veiled threat that the big boys are after his client, although they haven't made any bids. Don't you just hate agents? Also on the transfer front The Arsenal are apparently having a look at giant keeper Heurelho Gomes who plies his trade for PSV Eindhoven. But with a price tag of £12m it remains to be seen if Arsène Wenger will get his chequebook out... Make some noise: Arsenal blog Le Grove (a great site by the way) is trying to get something done about the noise level (or lack of more to the point) have butchers on their site and add your thoughts or alternatively you can jump onto the Allgoonerdup Forum and stick your thoughts on their - Ashburton Grove - Bring the noise and we'll get the ideas together and send them as well as ours onto the Le Grove boys... That's your lot, we out of here, au reviour mon amis...
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