Morning all.
We needed a win and we got one. 2nd place is ours barring something crazy happening which let’s be honest, isn’t going to. Man City can mathematically overtake us but only if we lose our final game and they win their last two. Even if that scenario played out, City would need a ten goal swing in the goal difference numbers. They play Bournemouth at The Etihad before travelling to London to face Fulham on the final day of the season. We however will be on the south coast playing Southampton.
Anyway, the game wasn’t spectacular but it didn’t need to be. Newcastle had a few opportunities to take the lead and then double it but David Raya, clearly wanting that golden glove award again, was in outstanding form. His ball distribution left a lot to be desired though.
The only goal of the game came from Declan Rice and it really was a superb strike. From twenty yards out, he hit a rolling ball played to him by Martin Odegaard and it was past Nick Pope in a flash. After all the faffing about in and around the box to no avail, all it took was an actual shot to beat Pope. Perfectly executed and directed I hasten to add.
Before the game, Josh Kroenke spoke to Arsenal Media:
We plan to invest to get behind winning and doing better next season. We’re delighted we have our sporting director, Andrea, who will play an important role in this. He is part of a unified and strong team, supported by the board, who are crystal clear on exactly what we need to do and the way in which we want to do it. The right way. The Arsenal way.
Ultimately, we all want the same thing. We’re as hungry for success as you are and that goes for everyone who works for the club. We have brilliant people right across Arsenal and I want to thank every member of staff for the dedication they have shown again this season. It’s something we have reflected on this week and it never goes unnoticed.
On behalf of the board, to thank you, our supporters, for all your backing again this season. We recognise you are with us every step of the way and we love the support you give our club here in N5 and around the world. I’d also like to give special thanks to those who are with us week in and week out on the road in full voice at away grounds around the country. We understand how you’re all feeling at the end of the season and we feel it, too. That understanding and connection drives so much of what we’re trying to achieve in the 2025/26 season and beyond.
Mikel Arteta said a lot after the game and his words word full of emotion. It was clear he truly believed this was going to be our season to be crowned league champions. Ridiculous red cards and a silly amount of injuries played their part that’s for sure.
I know what we’ve been through for nine and a half months. I know what we’ve done. I know very well the history of the Premier League and the teams that have been in 30% of the situations that we’ve been in – they have collapsed, completely collapsed, and we haven’t.
One doesn’t have to be a genius to work out who he’s referring to.
It’s not just about the quality of players we’ve had missing through injury though, it’s the knock on effect it had on the already small squad we started the season with as rotation options became smaller and smaller as the injuries struck. Merino, Odegaard, Havertz, Saka, White, Jesus, Gabriel – all missed months of football. Tomiyasu has missed most of the season too. In addition to the long term injuries, Zinchenko, Tierney, Calafiori and Timber have missed games too. Yet somehow, we reached the semi-final of the Champions League and look to have secured second place in the league.
I know there are no prizes for second place or reaching a semi-final of any competition but we’ve still done better than most clubs in this league. I’m pretty sure Mikel Arteta and those around him know that we as a club simply cannot afford to go into next season with a small and under strength squad. Just as we cannot afford to continue on our journey to the top without having a striker or two.
Mikel Arteta was asked about when our plan for the summer can be executed:
The plan is done and the time will be dictated by many parties, many circumstances that unfortunately we don’t control. But we have great people in charge of that and they’re going to be leading that with the board and ownership. And as well make sure that the ones that we have, they feel valued, they feel loved and make sure that they want to continue with us in the right manner, then the whole environment that is excited. That is not just about if we make it because we cannot start a season like that, and I want to feel that from day one. I’m going to be very insistent on that.
Whatever Josh Kroenke meant when he said about doing things the Arsenal way, I just hope it’s the right way for the players already at the club and the fans. They deserve it. We deserve it…
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico.
A poor first half bit a much better second. Some incredible saves by Raya, balanced by some dodgy distribution, a stunning recovery run and tackle to prevent an almost certain goal by Jakub Kiwior was the highlight of the game for me although Declan Rice”s goal was a close second.
Earlier in the week Telegraph football hack Sam Dean was bigging up Anthony Gordon, saying how much he would improve Arsenal. His report on yesterday’s game actually doesn’t mention the players name and there is no mention of him in the report
Not surprising when you consider how well Ben White and his right sided colleagues snuffed out any threat from Gordon whose only purpose seemed to be falling over in an effort to get a free kick and demanding bookings for all and sundry.
I don’t know why Sam Dean has such a dislike for all things Arsenal but it was again obvious in his scribbles this morning.
Hey ho! Today’s paper will be tomorrow’s fish wrapper. 😉
A note on one of Arsenal’s rumoured transfer targets, Isak did not feature yesterday as he has been carrying a groin injury, he is reckoned doubtful for Newcastle’s final game and so goes into the transfer window with a worrisome injury. His fee would be in excess of £150 million with wages of at least £250, 000 per week. A lot of dosh to risk on someone who may not be fit to start the new season.
Morning Cicero, agree re the Kiwior tackle, brilliant.
I wouldn’t want Gordon anywhere near Arsenal..
Can’t see us spending that kind of fee on one player, not when we need so many..