Well with everything wrapped up League wise for Arsenal yesterdays game turned into a rather null affair and the scoreline reflected that. With Man City victorious at Everton, Champions League football was secured by us for the 17th consecutive season which is really some achievement.
As for the match it was a bit hit and miss, despite being as high as we can be this season (baring a 20 odd goal swing next weekend), Wenger played a full strength side and I think this is partly due to the fact it was out last home game of the season. After an initial Podolski half chance, Giroud netted his 22nd of the season with a fine header and really that was about it. We had a couple more chances, they had a couple but that's how it finished.
It was sad to watch Bacary Sagna lead the lap of honour knowing full well we'll never see him in an Arsenal kit at home again. He's been a tremendous servant and I wish we'd done everything in our power to give him what he wanted but such is football. I'll refrain from saying I wish him all the best before seeing who he signs for. Whatever the case is it'll be some effort to replace him and I hope we've got some ideas already.
Similarly, Vermaelen got a 10 minute cameo and I'm pretty sure his time at the club is up which again is a shame but when it comes to team selection Koscielny and Mertesacker would be my first choice every day of the week. If he leaves I will completely understand it, he wants to play and at his age he needs to be playing week in, week out. Kallstrom got a cameo again with Wenger confirming he'll also be leaving, back off to Moscow at the end of the season.
We have our final league game next week against Norwich and if all goes wrong for them, they'll be relegated by that time and that suits us nicely where we can rest a few legs before the Cup final in two weekends time. That now has to be our focus and we need our best and liveliest players fully fit. A defeat in the final would be disastrous in every way, not only would it be yet another season, it would crush the players mentally and that would seriously concern me for the next campaign. Well until next weekend enjoy your week!
