A season that had started so brightly had collapsed into a nothingness as grey as the day itself and a 12:45 pm start. At least we could relax there was nothing of any real importance to be gained or lost, a place in the CL qualifiers was already guaranteed.

The Race is Not to the Swift -

Arsene claimed in his programme notes that he will learn from the season, and make the necessary changes. I am sure he will, but the most important lesson must be that the race is not to the swift but to those who endure. As Napoleon discovered, on invading Russia, quick advances mean nothing if your supply line becomes stretched. That was the original game of two halves, with the Russian's coming back very strongly in the second half.

Arsene suggested a cause of his team's collapse might be that when the games really began to matter they lose their way. That playing without expectation had liberated them, once they were expected to achieve weaknesses surfaced. 

Anyhow the match against Reading partly proved that theory, without pressure the team efficiently dispatched Reading with hardly raising a sweat. An early goal removed any pressure, and though I joked could we hold out for 3 minutes I really didn't expect Arsenal to concede. Reading are far too poor for that, although in fairness they did launch plenty of players into our box.

Ade Answers His Critics

The highlight was Adebayor's goal, he did very well to bring it down, control it and pass it in, very Henry. He got a well deserved standing ovation when he was substituted. It was a pleasant enough win, but it will be soon forgotten. I will only have one regret about beating them, and that is if Bolton stays up instead.

Bald it like Gilberto

Silly Season

No sooner had I settled in the Bank with the post match posse than the phone went, a friend was worried that Fab (Sky man of the match) was thinking of leaving. The source of the speculation was that in the post match interview Cesc had replied he hoped to remain at Arsenal. Mystic Merson and co seized on the word "hope" and  divined that the Catalan was considering leaving unless Wenger signed 22 players that he had on a list that Henry had left, alongside a paying in slip for £5 million, in his locker. It was just a figure of speech and for once Arsenal.com were lightning quick in publishing Cesc's refutation of the ridiculous speculation.

Meanwhile Charlie Nicolas suggests that Arsenal should get rid of Adebayor.  What a shame Wenger has not followed this advice, he could have put Bendtner up front all season and we would have won the Championship.

I am sure Bendtner can improve, but he is no Adebayor. Let's forget the goals that Adebayor scores, most critics do. When Adebayor moves forward he takes several defenders with him, he involves his team mates, and finally he gets to the back of the defenders, and beyond. It's called leading the line. Now Nick is a one man band, rarely are other players brought in; it is not his fault that defences don't panic at his approach, it is just that they know they can handle him. Adebayor induces panic, but rather than talk about his excellent goal his detractors decided to deconstruct his missed header. For most strikers fans count the goals they score, for Ade it is very important to keep a tally of the goals he missed.

MOTD Mercy for Murty

MOTD rather than concentrate on Arsenal's fine footballing display decided to launch the "three match ban for Hleb campaign". The giant Arsenal player cruelly tickled little Graeme Murty under the chin for no reason other than the bloke is an obnoxious asshole. This terrible crime went undetected, as did the numerous nasty tackles on RvP. No doubt those of you who missed the programme (very wise) will be shocked to hear that none of those fouls were highlighted. These are the people who thought that a red for Tiny Taylor was harsh.

Reasons to be cheerful

Arsenal now have six points more than last season, they also have scored only seven less goals than Man U at a third of the cost. They have also scored six goals more than Chelsea at about a tenth of the cost (slight exaggeration on cost), all that with no strikers, no super sulk, no wingers, no........ (Interactive site complete the dots to make up your favourite no). Mind you my favourite no is no bloody right back, but this is the cheerful section.

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