So here we are. The goal posts are down in the local park. What used to be a pitch is now just a playing field. Bristol Rovers have won their by now customary promotion and I have one more blog to write before crossing my feet on the desk and lacing my fingers together behind my head. The long football free desert stretches ahead of us, just one day away.
Once again we have something to play for right to the end, a reason to look forward to the day, and a reason to be very, very sad. We may be fortunate and see Tomáš Rosický play today, we may have already seen him kick his last ball in an Arsenal shirt. Just typing that leaves a horrible taste in my mouth. Each time the world of football loses someone who plays with the panache and invention of our number seven the beautiful game loses a little of its beauty.
The sparkle of his game, the impudence and flair have been nothing but a joy to watch and while I appreciate all those bemoaning the time he didn’t play due to a horrid history of injuries I prefer to concentrate upon all of the visionary cross-field passes, the balletic pirouettes and glorious goals; especially those scored against Spurs.
He cannot score against them today but in the extraordinarily unlikely event of them losing against Newcastle wouldn’t be a poetic and beautiful moment were he to score the winner for us against Villa? A famous and fitting finale to the career of a fine player. We can but dream.
This has been a fascinating season and it’s been a privilege to share it with you. I know my match day previews have strayed from the point, disappeared down avenues of self indulgence and often rambled on a little longer than some of you might like, but in truth the words here at the top of the page have never been any more than a conversation starter. It is in the comment section that a blog comes to life, that is where the real gems of wit and wisdom can always be found.
Like you I believed that beating Chelsea in the Charity Shield at Wembley all those months ago heralded the start of a glorious season. I had high hopes for an historic third successive FA Cup win and secretly thought the league might be ours for the taking. We all know what happened. The by now customary injury crisis, Spurs and Leicester having the seasons of their lives and a lack of consistency all bedevilled our league campaign. The fact that we had ‘one of those days’ against Watford in the cup simply showed what an amazing achievement back to back victories in that competition really were. To play so many highly competitive games and avoid having ‘one of those days’ took some doing and as much as it will hurt not to be going back to Wembley again we must applaud the previous victories and not revel in a rare defeat.
Speaking of Wembley I must raise a glass to the Arsenal Ladies FA Cup victory yesterday. A genuinely incredible record of fourteen wins should be shouted from the rooftops and while the competition is still seen as the poor relation to the men’s tournament it is, as far as I’m concerned, a victory for an Arsenal team against Chelsea – what more reason does anyone need to celebrate?
Before we get into the whole guessing game as to summer transfers and the outcome of next season can I beg we focus on this afternoon? Then after today I promise I’ll leave you to your orgy of speculation and ill informed clap trap and I won’t interfere not even to tut from the sidelines. Today Arsenal still have a job to do.
Obviously our side cannot control events at St James’ Park, but we still have to beat a Villa team for whom this is truly a match with no expectations and no pressure. Such a relaxation of the normal tensions can sometimes undo a side, robbing them of the vital will to win, the passion they need to overcome the odds and beat one of the very best teams in the land. Perversely however that same release of tension can free a side up to play an expansive and exciting game, trying the unexpected and, if they’re lucky, getting away with it.
The last time we ended a campaign against Villa was of course at Wembley and we all remember how that went. A repetition today of the controlled, professional passing game with which we overwhelmed them in the cup final would do just nicely – add to that a miracle on Tyneside and I would approach the summer break a very contented blogger indeed.
I think a lot of us will look back on this season like an episode of Bullseye. ‘Let’s have a look at what you could have won’. We seemed to be climbing to the top of the tree with a side more than capable of winning the thing. Chelsea’s implosion – or rather that of their petulant, hapless manager- and Man City’s inconsistency seemed to have left the door at the top ajar. With Man United and Liverpool no longer credible title challengers it became increasingly obvious that someone outside of the usual winners was going to have a very special season. Sadly for us our patched up injury ravaged side went out altered and disjointed just too many times. When they did have a period of settled selection there were inexplicable defeats and matches drawn which might have been won.
But there it is. We don’t come here to bemoan what might have been, we gather together to celebrate the good and to cheer on our heroes. Next season will be different. For me I mean. I can say that as a certainty because I’ll have to choose a new favourite player. With Tomáš gone who will carry the burden of my hopes? Which player will have me sit that little further forward in my seat? Who will send a thrill of expectation down my spine whenever the ball comes near him? There are a few likely candidates and who knows – it might even be someone entirely new to the club. But that can all wait for another day. Let’s finish the job in hand, have a lovely long rest away from football and come back refreshed and invigorated for another season.
I lift my lucky Arsenal mug to you one more time, and, if I may, propose we all raise a glass to our number seven, may he enjoy a long and happy retirement, thanks for the memories and up the Arsenal.
Positively Arsenal 
Morning Stew – It looks good – I am dashing for the early train just like a real Arsenal fan – I shall read, reflect and respond in a little while.
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Beautiful Stew, but what of Arteta? I find it impossible not to feel equally sad that he will also be gone.
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George – I’ve been accused of going on a bit, too often, so I kept today brief. In any case as much as I loved MA and MF, TR7 was my favourite so he made the cut. You can do Mikel next week…
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Brilliant Steww, our little Mozart finally leaving and the fact he leaves without a
PL medal in his pocket reflects, his and the various sides he has played in injury problems, rather than performance. it would of also saved the club a few million on transfers as well.
For a player of such vision and technically brilliance, its amazing we also admire him for his energy and tenacious tackling, the boy had it all and was a true great.
Well St tottering hasnt gone away and there’s a chance he’ll be singing at the end of the day, this would be remarkable considering their manager and squad have been brilliant all season and we have been so poor. When I was growing up this was a huge thing, the fact Arsene has kept this foe from our door for a generation is lost in many fans eyes.
Villa, as you have alluded to, will still be a hurdle to overcome and not just a rollover. Their fans having been miserable all season will use the last away trip to party, the team will gain something from this and so once again I think a fast start is important.
I cant make it to the George or Coronet to meet with you all today I’ll be having my end of season drink in the Kings head but wish you all a good end of season and look forward to meeting again in August.
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while it is sad to see all three leave, I can’t help feel the what if with TR7 makes his parting worse. I dont think we could of asked more of Arteta, While Flamini may have even overacheived but our majestic number 7 was someone who was robbed of glory on all stages. I am convinced we would have titles sitting in the bank had he been fit.
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aston villa could well be very far from a cake walk, as they are since their relegation playing with far more freedom, and in as good if not better from than at any time this season, even if results have not been hectic for them.
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28th of July, MLS All Stars v Arsenal
sorry folks, but after today’s game that is our next official fixture
but don’t worry we have a kit launch, Arsenal players(maybe even your country) playing in the Euros, players leaving, players joining(probably), official confirmation of new Academy intake, squad return to training, and no banners, all to look forward to, in the weeks between today and that game.
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Excellent Stew and thank you again for your weekly masterworks, the ideal kick-off to any match day experience. Consistent (and no, not overly long, in my book) and all without a mid-season break! Bravo.
The sad, if unpalatable truth concerning our departing heroes is how many times they were a part of the posse of players whose absence killed our hopes at critical times of countless seasons. That’s not intended to besmirch any of them, quite the opposite, as the weight of our collective expectations proved too much for their slender, injury-prone frames, we can, as Stew rightly says, only speculate on what might have been.
On to Newcastle, where the majority of players are likely to be playing for a new contract away from the club; auf wiedersen Prem, indeed!
And so to Villa, three points surely for the taking, but another side chock-full of players who’d prefer to stay in the Premiership; a banana skin for AFC waiting to happen, if ever.
Just another manic Sunday, then.
Enjoy the game everyone.
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It is ten years since Tomas arrived. In 2006 he was approaching his peak as a midfielder and it is a loss to football fans everywhere, not just Arsenal fans that injury has robbed him of all but a few chances to show the excellence in his boots. I have no idea what his next step is but hopefully a club will sign him and give him a season or two in which to add to his reputation.
Last time we finished a season against Villa at the Ems it is all a bit hazy – for some reason the image of Darren Bent keeps floating into view (?)
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A perfect ending it would be indeed, should the unlikely happen at St James’ and Mr Rosicky play and score.
Last day of school term feel today and should I see any miserable faces I’ll shake my head and walk on by. Or maybe I’ll pass comment. Who knows? I will certainly keep smiling.
Also I now have another task to add to my ‘get a pic of Aaron and family for Kelly’ one. I think I’ll aim for a good one of Rosicky too, for Stew.
Have a good positive day, all. UTA.
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did something happen with Suarez, or why is he all over the Arsenal time line again.
by they way can any of you with a legal knowledge, or even a bit of common sense, explain to me, how Arsenal could possibly have taken Liverpool to court over a contract breech between Liverpool and Suarez, in what world is it even possible for a third party who is not in any way included in a contract able to get involved in said contract dispute.
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there are rumors that Rosicky has loads of clubs interested in signing him, a few MLS clubs and maybe of more interest to him is the report that his old club Sparta Prague will give him a two year deal.
by the way media reports that Flamini is a target for Middlesborough
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Andy Exley @andyexley72 15m15 minutes ago
And @m8arteta “Planning these notes was quite emotional for me, this will be the last time I address you as an Arsenal player” #AFCvAVFC
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Where has the time gone? Seems like it was just yesterday when José stepped on that banana skin at Wembley.
Thanks for always delivering Stew, even through injury at a time, and thanks in advance A5 for your signing off review.
Well done to Arteta, Flamini and Rosický, they all have served the Arsenal with distinction. As the curtain draws on their Arsenal careers, I hope it’s gonna be a memorable one.
How about a rowdy applause on the 7th minute. Make it happen you guys going to the Emirates. COYG!!!!!!!!!
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Arteta: “Planning these notes was quite emotional for me, because this is the last time I address you as an Arsenal player,”
“My next step is to decide what I want to do. I have a few options open and I have a very clear idea of what I want to do, but I won’t get into that now. What I will say is that I am excited by the future. I love the game and I cannot live without football.”
“For me it was a dream to come here because I always admired this club,”
“My Arsenal debut was something special.
“I was so happy and privileged to be part of this club. When you have a chance to get up on those steps at Wembley and lift a trophy, it’s unbelievable.
“Arsenal was my favourite club in England since I was a kid. To become the captain and share in the nice moments we’ve been through has been a spectacular experience for me. I hope whoever follows me as captain tries to maintain the values of this club, because that it what sustains us in the long term.”
“I would just like to thank you all so much for the way you have supported during my time here. It’s been a huge honour, a privilege, and I can only promise that I have done my best.
“I’ll always be proud that I was able to help give the fans some trophies, which they had been waiting a long time for. Winning two FA Cups in a row was special, but for me it’s not enough for a club like this. It shouldn’t be the ambition.
“Hopefully the new generation will take this club on and become fantastic leaders and heroes here.”
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arsenal u19’s in the spax cup, here is a link to view our games, we are live at the moment
http://www.u19tournament.com/index.php?p=live/uebersicht
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That would be special Steve, thank you.
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by the way the U19 games are 25 minutes a half. Arsenal playing fluminese at the moment 0-0, about 10 minutes of first half to play. AFC play again at 4pm
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aaron eyoma has given Arsenal U19’s the lead
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HT: 1-0
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Arsenal U19’s starting line up
Huddart, Osei-Tutu, O’Connor, De Graca, Robinson, Hinds, Mourgos, Eyoma, C Willock, Crowley, Nketiah.
Christos Shelis has come on for Robinson at half time. Shelis is from the Arsenal Academy in Greece. Not sure if he has signed yet or is only on trial.
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Thank you so much Steww.
Thank God we still have Santi Cazorla.
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Crowley is such a frustrating player, so much talent, but hogs the ball, far too often tries to do it all himself, so many good attacking positions breakdown cos he fails to release the ball to a better placed team mate.
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belgium trialist Keith Groeneveld has come on in place of De graca
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FT: Arsenal U19’s 1-0 Fluminese U19’s
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Keith Groeneveld when on trial at Man Utd a few weeks ago.
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Matt Spiro @mattspiro 53m53 minutes ago
Multiple sources in France this morning claim N’Golo Kante has decided he wants to join #Arsenal #LCFC
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Hello, I’m at the George.
Has anyone else arrived yet?
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In case anyone can’t spot me, I’m wearing a horrendous pistachio green jacket.
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Wenger on signing a striker: “We need to find the right person. We have targets and hopefully we can do that. We’ll have to try. It will not be someone just to make up the numbers.”
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I am going to miss Steww this summer. Job well done.
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some rumors that Granit Xhaka will be at the Emirates today but not as a guest of the club but as a guest of Elneny, who is friends with Xhaka’s brother Taulant, who plays for Basel.
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well with Mathieu Flamini leaving Arsenal I will really miss the bullshit soundbite that he was a red card liability, time and again this little soundbite was trotted out and like many a silly soundbite, this lie became “fact”, when the reality was that he was only ever sent off once (I wait to stand corrected), in 246 games for AFC
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4 changes for Arsenal today, Coquelin, Cazorla, Wilshere and Ozil in for Elneny, Ramsey, Iwobi and Welbeck — Arteta named a sub, no Rosicky or Flamini
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No sentiment in the modern game. Tomas not even a sub. We as fans can be as soppy as we like but the boss has a job to do.
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#AVFC subs (v @Arsenal): Guzan, Richards, Adama, Gil, Hepburn-Murphy, Gestede, Grealish
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#AVFC subs (v @Arsenal): Guzan, Richards, Adama, Gil, Hepburn-Murphy, Gestede, Grealish
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Arsenal FC @Arsenal 5m5 minutes ago
Tomas Rosicky has just been presented with a silver cannon, in recognition of his 10 years as an @Arsenal player
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Quite right, Stew. Last game of the season, and Aaron doesn’t start either. Sad for him and for me, good for Jack.
I’m always sad when we get to the last game. I miss the boys over the summer. Weird, I know, but there it is. There’s international football coming, so I’ll get glimpses of them, but it’s not the same. July 28 seems like a long way away. Must find something else to do with my Saturday mornings.
In the States today, our game is on the SyFy channel. On right now, while I wait for kickoff, is a movie called “Battle of the Dammed”. Ha, ha NBC.
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the arsenal team looks built for possession football, little pace in the starting 11 attack wise, and no walcott on the bench means little pace to bring on either.
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Hi Kelly thanks for the kind words – as ever. For my part Liz and I are going out on Saturday afternoons … TOGETHER! I know crazy isn’t it? Could be the end of a beautiful relationship.
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3 minutes – alexis makes a hash of controlling a good long ball to him when clean through
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What a start. Have to say Santi and Jack play around the pressure so well
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4 minutes – Giroud heads home a Monreal cross
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just the 12 more goals required
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7 minutes – handball but AFC penalty not given, nothing new there
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Man Utd game called off according to the BBC, suspect package it seems.
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