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Photo from Freepik
Afternoon guys.
When I woke at 5-30am this morning feeling like I’d drank a couple of bottles of the worst red wine in the world the night before, no way was I getting out of bed. Seven hours and four ibuprofen later, it’s still there. Like a hammer squatting in my head.
Don’t get me wrong, yesterday, I had a good reason to crack open the best champagne but no, not because of the season Arsenal have had, the women becoming European champions or because the season is finally over but because Gary Linekar will no long be hosting Match of The Day.
Mikel Arteta’s team won their final game 2-1 thanks to goals from Kieran Tierney and Martin Odegaard but the game itself was a typical end of season non event between two clubs with nothing to play for in terms of the league. Southampton knew their outcome weeks ago, Arsenal had known they were not going win the league for a while longer.
The highlight of the game for me was Tierney signing off with the kind of goal this team has been crying out for all season. A good cross from Ben White, a fine finish from close range by our left back. A simple kind of goal really.
Raheem Sterling started the game, much to every Arsenal fans disappointment I would imagine and the best part about his movement on the pitch was when he walked off to the dugout for the last time in an Arsenal shirt. An awful loan he proved to be and not the kind which needs repeating ever again. I can’t help but wonder what might have been, had one of our academy players been given the minutes he played instead…
I suppose I should mention David Raya bearing in mind he won the Golden Glove award again. However, I find the award a bit of a joke really because its not just him who prevents the opposition from scoring goals. Anyway, he was pleased. Woo hoo.
With the season now done, some of the players have a couple of international fixtures to get through and then they can jet off to sunny shores and rest. As can we, after all, it’s exhausting watching Arsenal from behind the sofa.
Mikel Arteta sat alongside Josh Kroenke to watch the match. Hopefully, the Spaniard was telling the American to dig deep into his pockets this summer because we as a club need a few cracking players. I jest of course, they will be talking about that over the next few days and before Arteta goes away with his family.
Talking post game, the manager had a word for the fans:
_A big thank you for the way they have supported the team, the club. They will have travelled throughout Europe, in the country and the manner and the energy they put in has been incredible again. Hopefully they feel pride and that this team gives absolutely everything and I’m telling you that they’ve done it. There is nothing else to squeeze, there is not a single drop. I don’t think there is more to give. Hopefully they value where we are, where we have brought this football club and of course make sure that that’s decided that we all have to make the next step and that is the percentage that we need. Between all of us, we can achieve it and be very positive and enthusiastic about what is coming and be constructive especially._
Now it’s all about the transfer window, who goes, who stays and who joins us from another club. Every club in the Premier League will strengthen their squad, Liverpool seem to have started their business already. Arsenal cannot afford to picking up the scraps late in August. As a club we need to be smart, proactive and determined in the way we do our transfer business. Sign our plan a players as soon as possible but if there is no deal to be done, move to plan b.
Who knows, a couple of plan a options are all but signed and sealed as I type. I hope so because we know how Chelsea operate. Other clubs too who seem to find an extra few pounds behind the sofa.
Lastly, thank you, all of you who contribute to this website each season. Without you, there would be no Highbury House. Ok, off you go then. 😂
Catch up in the comments.