Morning all.
Arsenal beat Everton yesterday afternoon thanks to goals from Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kai Havertz. I must admit to being very surprised when Michael Oliver, having been advised to check the pitch side monitor, allowed our winning goal because Gabriel Jesus definitely controlled the ball with his arm. The win wasn’t enough though as Man City did what they needed to do by beating West Ham. Did anyone honestly expect them not to?
I thought Thomas Partey struggled. He’s never been the most speedy of players but his long legs used to cover ground quickly. Now though, he looks slow in both speed and thought, his passing a second or two too slow or late. Perhaps he’s still not fully fit or perhaps he’s been reluctant to overstretch himself knowing a summer move is on the cards and he wants to make sure he’s fit. I’m guessing of course.
Watching Jurrien Timber play just proved how much of a miss he’s been this season and I think we can assume, a fully fit Timber next season is going to make our already strong defence, even stronger.
I read a headline:
“Man City win 4th Premier League title in a row as Arsenal have to make do with second place”.
Arsenal came runners up to a club which has spend goodness knows how many millions since the rich men took control of the club. They’ve beaten every other club barring Liverpool to the title for the last seven seasons and they have a manager deemed one of the best, if not the best in the world.
The club closest to them for the last two seasons has been Arsenal who might have spent big money over the last couple of summers but for years before then, had to penny pinch. Yes the odd big transfer fee was paid out but for years we went into a new season knowing that we were at least 3/4 players short positionally. After a complete squad overhaul and employing a manager who at the time had never managed his own team before, Arsenal have proved themselves to be the best of the rest for a second season running and by a country mile.
Now isn’t about Arsenal making do with second spot, it’s about Arsenal being the only club able to take Man City all the way to the final day. Just one loss turned into a draw or a draw turned into a win and we’d be champions, that’s how close this season has been. Yes, it’s disappointing but hey, we’re not the only club to miss out. Sometime I think sports writers and pundits forget that.
The club has assembled a very good squad, most of whom are yet to hit their peak. We have a manager who the players seem to love working with and we’re only going to get better.
This summer we need to bring in a few players who will help turn Arsenal FC into Premier League champions and Josh Kroenke has all but confirmed we’ll get them too:
While we are undoubtedly proud of the progress we have made, I want to be clear that no one at the club will stand still. However things finish today, we’re all working behind the scenes to move us forward – always forward – again.
There is so much that we want to achieve, both at home and in Europe, and we are focused on writing some exciting new stories and chapters that build on the history of Arsenal Football Club.
There’s been a lot of highs this season. Going as far as we did in the Champions League with a lot of players involved in the competition for the first time. We’ve faired so much better against the likes of Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Newcastle and Man Utd and beat the neighbours in their own back yard. Very fine margins saw us finish second instead of first and I’m sure Mikel Arteta will tell his players that time and time again.
New signings Kai Havertz and Declan Rice have been superb.
We finished the season with a record 89 points.
Away from home we’ve been the best.
We scored a record 91 goals.
We won 28 games which is more than the invincible season.
Defensively we have been the best in the league conceding just 29 goals.
All of the above are reasons to believe we can win the league next season and beyond. Other clubs might get stronger but then so will we because as Josh Kroenke said, we’re no longer a club prepared to stand still.
Mikel Arteta spoke to Arsenal media after the game and he talked about being stronger, more aggressive and doing better next season. Of course he’d say that but I truly believe he believes we will be and we should believe it too and I think the majority do. The Emirates is alive these days with not a book seen anywhere let alone the thousands a library can hold. This isn’t a one/two good season Arsenal, this is a progressive Arsenal, an exciting Arsenal and I think it’s going to be around for a long time to come.
Lastly, Mikel Arteta spoke about the fans:
They’ve been unbelievable, they are so inspiring. I think they’ve taken this group of players and transformed them into a different level, because they feel confident, they feel respected, they feel loved. That’s a real power to have, so home and away, I think they’ve been incredible and today was just a joy to stand there in front of our people, living this team that for many years, we haven’t had the chance to live.
All this is happening because you started believing,” Mikel said. “You started to be patient, you started to understand what we were trying to do and all the credit has to go to these amazing players, and the staff that are unbelievable. I think now it’s time to have a break, think, reflect and please, keep pushing, keep inspiring this team. Don’t be satisfied because we want much more than that, and we’e going to get it. Thank you so much.
Next season Mikel, next season…..
Thanks to you guys too, 14 years and HH is still going. Hopefully the 15th will end with an Arsenal trophy…
See you in the comments…
Excellent post Rico. I was at the game yesterday and Everton were more than decent and certainly not on their holidays.
Absolutely brilliant season, as you point out, and with a couple of signings in the summer, we can go one better next time around. Good to see ESR get some minutes, in what I’m sad to say, will probably be the last time we see him in an Arsenal shirt.
Good morning Rico, thank you for this and so many excellent posts throughout the season. We are privileged to be able read them and be able to comment on them. I’m looking forward to more in the future.
2023/24 has been the best season for some considerable time from an Arsenal point of view, a second successive runners up spot is no mean achievement particularly, when we are competing with the greatest cheats in the history of football….allegedly. we should not overlook the financial prize of a second season in the Champions League.
We have a mostly young squad which will be more mature and more confident next season and, will be strengthened by some summer signings no doubt.
I think we can look forward to another successful season under our excellent manager and coaching staff.
I still think that he is too good to let go but it’s all down to whether he wants to play. How long is his contract ?
Shame that after Tott’s capitulation we didn’t get Villa as the last game as they were definitely on holiday at Palace. Although it would not have made a difference with City winning the party atmosphere might have been raised as opposed to a nail biting time fuelled by some dodgy rumours.
Now we wait and see what Josh and his boys have up their sleeves as they say ” so near and yet so far ” Lets hope for one better next season.
Thanks Anthony, Cicero.
I still have hope that there’s a place for ESR within the squad. Not every player can be a top top player but I think a fit ESR is a great player to have. He’s a huge talent.
Morning Rico and all.
Thanks for all your hard work this season Rico.
Just repeating what I said earlier, very proud of the team, manager and assistant coaches.
The only part I hate about coming second is that City should have been penalised at the start of the season and not wait to the end of this season to help the break records, There new slogan should read Man City proudly sponsored by The Premier League.
2026 Potter, not that long considering how time flies.
Morning Geoff.
I’m hoping the City court case will be worth the wait. Those behind the charges will look foolish if none of them stick. Plus, if these charges are based on strong evidence which I’m assuming they are, City are likely to have the book thrown at them. It’s not just ourselves and Liverpool who will have suffered, European clubs too.
Good Afternoon Rico and all
It’s been a long time. But here I am again.
The season came to an end. And although there were so many highs as a Gunners’ supporter, there were moments which were very difficult. And some moments still are difficult to accept. It was a season during which I had to say good bye to the person who showed me how to love Arsenal, how to be a Gunner and be proud of it. Sadly my dad, who I always affectionately called Pa, passed away a mere four weeks ago. I know its been a long time that I last wrote here because being an only child I had to care for him and mum. However, Pa always enjoyed it when I told him what was being discussed on HH and the articles written. Till last December at least because from January till April he began deteriorating fast. Now he is in a better place and hopefully he and Grandpa can enjoy going to the Emirates to watch every game free of charge. He passed away on the day we hammered Chelsea. I am sure he had something to do with it.
What can I say about this season?? I am happy yet I am bitter as well. Because this season, though it was fine margins as Rico rightly pointed out, I still feel that VAR and the refs had something to do with us not winning the league. Unlike season 22/23 in which we could also blame injuries. This year we had more points than the previous season, more goals scored and less conceded. We played better than before and although we had the occasional lapse we still produced top class football….something which Guardiola himself said. Pep is never afraid of any other clubs but he is afraid of us. and knows it.
We just have to wait and see with regards City’s 100+ charges. The Italian FIGC have shown that they can take away titles won in the past and give them to the runner’s up. I doubt that will happen with the EPL top brass. The most I expect is that next season City will be deducted points. I doubt if they will be stripped of their titles in the past three to four seasons.
Afternoon Devil. Your story is a sad one but having exchanged emails with you, I’m glad your dad is now at peace. Watching our folks, or anyone we love suffer is an awful thing. I empathise, I really do. How fitting Arsenal thrashed Chelsea as he slipped away…
As for the season, yes, officials made errors but so did we. A lack of ruthlessness in front of goal against Villa, West Ham and Fulham hurt us more than the officials imo.
Stripped of points should only one or two charges stick, but there’s 115 and if all stick, I don’t think a points deduction would be appropriate.
DG sorry to hear about your loss.
I still don’t know how the premier league can say it’s fair to take points of some teams and let others wait until the end of the season.
If found guilty a fine would do nothing for them, I would let them start next season, but they start with minus 230 point and take away there titles for that period so the fans of other clubs can laugh at them each week, knowing they are going down the following season.
Yes Rico we did mistakes. But our mistakes were not blatant as much as VAR officials. Its not VAR which needs to be scrapped….its the person behind it. Certain mistakes were blatantly obvious especially when you have a VAR official claiming he forgot to draw the line. He resigned/was sacked but I wonder if he forgot to draw them on purpose. And it didnt happen just once but more than enough. I saw the table of how the teams would have been positioned if not for VAR mistakes……we lost 7 points. City gained 2 points with dubious VAR. Without the VAR official we would have won the league.
With regards Pa, I am 56 years old now. 56 years of seeing your Pa everyday, talking to him all the time and wathing games together leaves quite an effect. I am not out of the woods yet over his loss and I highly doubt I will be soon.
Geoff, it’s probably because of the numbers of alleged breaches. 115 charges need to be dealt with properly so City don’t find loopholes to jump through. Their case isn’t as ‘simple’ as others have perhaps been.
Agree Devil but every club has had decisions go against them and not just us. It hurts us because it’s deprived us of a league title but I think we’ve known for a long time now that the officials are incompetent so when we create 20+ chances to score, let’s start hitting the target more often… better still, the back of the net.
We had the highest XG in practically all the games this season. As you said….we should hit the back of the net more often. But to be deprived of a league title because of incompetence (or dare I say be*t) VAR official hurts much more.
Arsenal won more points this season than 10 of Sir Alex Ferguson’s 13 Premier League-winning Manchester United teams and just 1 point shy of the 2004 Invincibles. An incredible achievement. We had the best defence and Raya won the golden glove. That City won the league while being under investigation is criminal, but as you rightly pointed out…we have to be patient.
But is it fair that City get maybe just a points deduction or even get relegated BUT the titles still stand?
But is it fair that City get maybe just a points deduction (next season) or even get relegated BUT the titles still stand?
I should have included next season in the above post
I don’t see it that way Devil. Yes it irks me that the officials are so poor and inconsistent but I can’t blame them for us not winning the league. Not when they’re so consistently inconsistent.
Let’s see what happens in court first as a) they’re yet to be found guilty and b) if they are, let’s wait to see how they are punished. I think the expectation is that they’ll get off lightly but I don’t think they will. Not this time if proved guilty. I think the world is waiting and watching this one…
Thank you, Rico, for the fantastic write-up once again; I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it throughout the season.
Thank you for consistently providing these regular updates!
Yes, and with a few more squad reinforcements next season, we’re good to go!
Thanks Kyalo.
Third time lucky I hope…
I still reckon they will get a fine and start next season 15 to 20 points in arrears . As for stripping their titles , I would not want to be the recipient it wouldn’t feel right and would always have an asterix next to it .
Can’t say it would bother me too much. It would certainly cheese the City fans and owners off though.
New post up.