“It’s happened again, it’s happened again…”, as the crowd at the Emirates roared at it in the last 10 mins of the game yesterday, it felt as if after a long time that the Arsenal fans have stood in unison this season. The ongoings in our own season divided us for so long but the club down the lane brought us together, again. Just another reason to be thankful to them, as if we are not already running out of it.
Tottenham, by large, have had one of their better seasons in a long time, they were in for the title race just 2 weeks back. They looked good in the Europa League too and despite the recent fall out I think there is a real revolution happening there. Players are stepping up their game, the academy looks healthy and the manager is stable making the overall future of the club better than most. They have a place in the Champions League to look forward to and with some addition they will only add to the rivalry. Elsewhere Manchester City finished 4th after their draw with Swansea City (Manchester United need to beat Bournemouth by some 19 goals if they want the last CL spot so am hoping that’s that).
Our game yesterday was quite beautiful from start to finish apart from the occasional defensive fumbles. Giroud grabbing his second hat-trick of the season (the first being versus Olympiacos away to take us through to the knock out stages), Özil signing off his assist record at 19 in the league (that’s one short of Henry’s record 20) and Cech grabbing the Golden ball for the season through a clean sheet (although De Gea could equal him if he manages to do the same vs Bournemouth).
We also bid emotional farewells to Rosicky, Flamini, and Arteta (will have an article on the trio shortly) who Wenger says will return to the club in some capacity in the near future.
The only down point we have till now is the omission of Theo from the 26-man England squad announced today afternoon, although we find it hard to argue with Roy on that.
What I have taken from yesterday is that this team when on song can certainly fight. The noise and chants at the stadium yesterday was an eye-opener (or ear in this case). Many a time people talk about us not being loud enough but then we can only be loud enough when we have something to be loud about. A premier league trophy or two or even the much coveted Champions League trophy at the Grove might just bring the vibe back?
Let’s hope that’s that for next season then.