So, that’s a wrap, kids. Fin. Fini… done. Hasta la bye bye. Rather than concentrate on what could have been, I’d rather look to the positive gains this year. We tallied up at 15 points higher than last year. Now, there is something you just can’t sneeze at. Or on… you get my point. A massive improvement by a side that was supposedly only in transition after losing Thierry Henry. Well, if that was only a transition year, I’m pretty damn impressed with the result. To ride as high as we did for so long, and only be brought down by an unusually long turn of bad luck… well, that’s not a side that appeared to be in transition. That’s a side that got up, got out there and said “Fuck it. We can take this whole thing.” And they nearly did. And, for that reason (among many), I am very seriously looking forward to next season. If we can keep our current lineup as near as we can, and add a few strong players in key spots… well, who knows. Is it possible that we could have a second spell of bad luck next year the way we did this year? Could the football gods be so cruel? I should hope not. Our biggest challenge will be be to surpass the solidity of Manchester United next year, I believe.  Apart from the potential departure of El Miraculo, I don’t see them making many changes. We’ll need to see that stability and raise them some to come away ahead on points.

Apart from the Arsenal, I have to say this season was one hell of a season to watch, wasn’t it? So many great matches, gorgeous goals, and a run down to the wire for not only the title, but the relegation battle as well. As a football fan, you can’t ask for much more than that. Speaking of relegation battle, I’m pretty happy that Fulham managed to stay up. And not because ol’ Roy Hodgson appeared so incredibly beat down by seasons’ end that he needed a nice lift, but for another reason entirely… I like Jimmy Bullard. I really do. I can’t exactly put my finger on just why, but I get a kick out of watching that guy play. He always looks like he’s about to puke, running about with his mouth open… and it would seem he’s a pretty funny bastard off the pitch as well. He just seems like the kind of guy everyone on his team enjoys having around. Not to mention, he’s a pretty damn good footballer. We need a character like him on the Arsenal. Come on over, Jimmy. The most off-pitch fun we’re having is the fucking Cesc Fabregas Show. Put on the red and white and show us some fun, would you?

Right. On to sides I hate. Unfortunately, the Pond Life managed to hang onto mid-table status. I was sort of hoping to see them go down, and for a while there it looked like they actually might. And, although I hate to say it, they started playing some pretty decent football toward the end of the season there. They might even find their way back up to the top half of the table if they don’t lose Berbatov.

Manchester United… well, I suppose congratulations to them are in order. I just wish there weren’t so many things to hate about the poxy bastards. Some of them are world-class footballers, no doubt. But there’s no shortage of complete twats, either. Ronaldo, Anderson, Ferdinand… I’m getting sick trying to picture all their smug faces. All self-absorbed pricks, the lot of them. And if Ferguson slurs his speech anymore he’s going to have to mail in his post-match blather next season, the fucking gin-soaked bastard. But, love them or hate them, they did manage to keep their shit together better than anyone else this year, including us. And for that they can’t be denied.  So,  Congratulations, you Red Devils. You deserve both of those cups. And, I’m looking forward to Arsenal stomping both your testicles next year, home and away. Have a nice summer.

The best thing about Manchester United winning this year, is that Chelsea didn’t. I dislike that imp that used to run the show, but the zombie they’ve got in there now is even worse. Turns out we’ll not need suffer his grim visage anymore, as he’s been sacked. I did get a bit of a good feeling seeing Lampard get that goal after his Mom passed away, he deserved it for turning out like that. But other than that, you can keep the whole bus load of them. Drogba – diver. Terry – cheating prick. Cech – The Prems best hat. Are you seeing the pattern here? I’m glad they lost by a hair. And, the only reason I will tune into the Champions League Final is to hopefully see them beaten again. Not that I give a rat’s ass.

So, that’s another season, and I’m looking forward to following the next season along. I’ll be posting some player profiles and some news related posts as we get some new players signed, and I’ve got some ideas for some small improvements to the site for next season. In the meantime, get spending Arséne. Fill out the ranks. We have a full on assault to tend to starting in July. And to the whole Arsenal team and management… thank you for a truly memorable season. One for which to build upon, yes… but memorable just the same. Arsenal still play the best, most beautiful football in the world.