So Arsenal finished the season in 5th. Now the dust has settled, does it matter?
I do find it amusing that it is widely accepted that Arsenal have had an awful season. Yet despite having a “disastrous” season, we were in touching distance of Manchester City and Liverpool for the Champions League spots. If we were in crisis, then how about those two North West clubs?
Yes, between January and April we have been awful and yet we finished 5th. People need to get a grip – seriously, after a “disastrous” season most teams get relegated.
For me 5th doesn’t matter and in the cold light of day, is a blessing.
The Europa League is a joke. The sooner we agree on that the better. It’s a poorly organised competition and playing on Thursday nights is a massive burden on a Premier League season. We have two choices; take it seriously or use the kids.
For me it’s a no brainer. Play the kids. First of all it would be a great experience for them, and secondly they could do well in it. If you listen to Jose Mourinho, the repeatedly goes on and on about how much of a pain the competition is, despite wanting to win it so they get Champions League football next season.
But the message it clear – far too many additional fixtures, played on a day which severely interferes with the domestic calendar. If you want to win it then fine, but the road to success can cause major problems, and even then you’re not guaranteed to win it.
If we treat it like a European “League Cup” and play the youngsters, then we’d only have the Premier League and FA Cup to concentrate on. The Champions League has been a distraction in many ways, and a problematic one considering we don’t get further than the last 16 anyway. Why not focus on the Premier League instead? This gives us the perfect excuse.
Look at Chelsea this season. No Champions League football and they win the league. And Leicester City the season before. No Champions League football, and they win the league.
Simplistic perhaps, but if we had a real chance at actually competing for the Premier League, it would be next season.
Totally agree with you…this might be heresy to some fans, but I’m actually glad we’re out of the Champions League and wish it was the Europa League as well, so yes, play the kids.
We need a good season consolidating our team, finding out who our best 11 is, what our best formation is and playing them week in week out, without changing it, unless of course it’s nesessary through form or injury. At least 1 season of that form of consistency would do us a world of good.
Thank you for your article, regards.
I like your 5th place finish…thursday night wankers
ar5enal
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA finished 6th, one below Ar5enal and will STILL get more UCL next season than you wankers! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA