Arsenal 4 Fulham 0: Season Sedately Draws To A Close
Posted by SmartArse
Given the last couple of weeks, I’d say that was a lovely way to end the season thanks very much. For once the word ‘game’ really does describe proceedings, in a rather leisurely Sunday evening game of monopoly sort of a way. Calling it a contest would imply both teams competed and rather excellently for our third place ambitions, Fulham clearly didn’t.
Mind you, Fulham could have come all guns blazing at it wouldn’t have mattered as Tottenham being Tottenham managed to follow up Champions League qualification with a defeat to bottom placed Burnley. And they were 2-0 up. Snigger.
It’s hardly a game from which any conclusions can be drawn. If anything the most important thing I learnt is that sometimes us fans know nothing; “Arshavin you lazy bastard, run!”, followed immediately by the little nipper robbing the keeper after good pressure to score the first goal.
We could have scored a hatfull, Van Persie should have and Carlos Vela demonstrated again what is to date his only exceptional feature – a ridiculous ability to chip a ball from short range, a la Messi, but you know, less good. Given some of the decisions I think even the ref switched off in the second half. Or maybe he just hates Eboue.
Unsurprisingly the atmosphere was rather lax. Frankly most people seemed happy to have nothing to complain about. We finished above Tottenham, scored a few goals, and that was that. Sedate relief I’d call it. Though typically in the family enclosure there’s always a couple of newbies trying ill-timed, ‘Stand up, if you hate Tottenham’ or lone ‘Red Army!” chants every thirty seconds. They’ll learn.
Fulham fans of course couldn’t care less, in buoyant mood and providing half the entertainment. Their Germany bound ‘Que Sera’ was met with a spontaneous standing ovation from the Arsenal fans and their ’stand up, if you hate Chelsea’ pulled possibly the biggest noise of the day. Lovely touch. Can only wish them well on Wednesday and there aren’t many opposition clubs you could say that for. My goodwill for them was particularly put into perspective by my comparative hatred for the bastards in blue prancing around in celebration as I made my way home.
It’s always interesting to watch what the announcer amusingly called a ‘lap of appreciation’ to see if there are any Mathieu Flamini style tell-tale final waves goodbye though hearteningly there were none. Cesc, Arshavin and Clichy all marched round with the rest, and Sol was actually with Le Boss. In fact all that could really be garnered from the whole thing is that while most of the squad only have the time, energy and years under their belt to produce one child Eboue seems to be spawning them at will, bringing a whole gaggle of mini-Eboues round the pitch.
There’s plenty of time in the weeks to come to survey the season, though apparently some don’t quite get that. One banner really got to me – ’sing-ings or sign-out’ dangling from the north end of the upper tier. Give the man a bloody chance! In fact, you can take your banner and bugger off to White Hart Lane. While in the ground, support the team and show the great man some respect. Said banner mysteriously disappeared at half time – perhaps someone expressed the above sentiments to its owner.
Anyway, what this rather relieving state of affairs achieved is to give me the liberty to end how I wanted to before the game, lamenting how much I’ll miss it all rather than railing in anger at another inept performance. So it’s a sad farewell for now (as Andre The Giant pointed out this week, it really hasn’t been that bad) and potentially excited glances to the season to come. Transfers will come though Arsene’s final email to the fans was worryingly supportive of Fabianski, subject to ironic jeers any time he caught the ball yesterday. Whether it’s exactly what we want or not we’ll have to wait and see.
It’s your move Boss
Come on the Arsenal!
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[...] expense. For all his potential Vela is beginning to look like a hopeless case (was that chip vs. Fulham the goal that saved his Arsenal career?) and of course its high time we said goodbye to our very [...]
[...] (Who, incidentally, I’ve seen make more mistakes over the summer – starting with his match vs us – than Almunia did all season). To be honest I’m happier than most to keep Almunia. [...]
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