My advice to Arsenal fans: Lower your expectations and be happy you’re qualifying for Champions League

The header says it all.

But I didn’t came up with the header for no reason. Only a real, major turning point can make me give an article a title so harsh, so clear-cut title. So what is that major turning point?

Aston Villa 2-2 Arsenal.

Not convincing enough? How about this:

Shots (on Goal)	15(5)	9(3)
Fouls	10	10
Corner Kicks	7	5
Offsides	3	0
Time of Possession	46%	54%
Yellow Cards	3	4
Red Cards	0	0
Saves	1	4

Clearly, Aston Villa had more chances, although they lack possession. Aston Villa should have won. What? Oh my gosh.

In the past it’s always Arsenal being in Aston Villa’s position, having lots of chances, dominating possession but they just somehow, someway, doesn’t get the win they deserve. Examples include the match against Stoke and some will argue Sunderland and Hull. This time it’s Aston Villa who have lots of shots, forcing Almunia to make saves, and the defence to be tested to the limit.

Kudos to Sagna

Yep, kudos to him. Man of the Match in my opinion. In attack he was delivering crosses, and at the back he was making superb clearances and well-timed tackles. For now I would say he’s better than Clichy, as he’s more consistent, and defending or attacking is a no-problem for him.

Sagna - Better than Clichy

Diaby

I had to write an article specially on him just for his incredible backheel-plus-nutmeg. Check it out.

Ashley Young’s one of the hottest youngsters at the moment

The Ronaldo Impersonation attempt

Last season he already drew media attention with his performances, but this season he establish himself as a key man behind Aston Villa’s attack. Perhaps one of the players that is responsible for the league position Villa are in, he’s fast, he dribbles well, he’s an expert freekick taker, he can score and he can create. What more do you ask from a 23 year-old winger? And honestly his dressing style kinda reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo, you know, the long socks and the shirt sleeves. No wonder Real Madrid wants him. Can’t get the original? Then go for the imitation!

Don’t bother aruging, it WAS a penalty

Yes, it was a penalty. Normally people tend to use excuses such as poor refereeing to blame for their under-performance, but it is a penalty, and long time watchers of football should be able to tell that Gallas’ tackle had no contact with the ball, and it was an obvious penalty. I don’t really blame Gallas for that though, he was just unlucky that it wasn’t somebody else committing the tackle.

Back to the title

Back to my heading. So Arsenal fans, i suggest you stop talking or thinking about winning the league and how you all “still stand a chance”. It’s over, and I can only imagine Arsenal getting as far as 3rd. In fact they should even be happy they can qualify for the Champions League, because Aston Villa’s a really good team this season, and i would expect a close fight between the Villains and the Gunners, just like how they did with Spurs 2 years ago.

Remember the kiss on Highbury's turf that just got Arsenal into the Champions League? Expect the same this season, just that it's gonna be a slap on the face

I want to hear from all the Arsenal fans out there. Surely you feel the same way I do? Or you still stubbornly think that Arsenal can still win the league? Tell me more in the comments box.

Dariano

3 Responses to “My advice to Arsenal fans: Lower your expectations and be happy you’re qualifying for Champions League”
We Arsenal fans arn’t expecting, we are hoping that we are still in the title race. All those statistics you put up are not needed. We know our team. We are hoping, just like we had been hoping for the duration of the transfer window that Wenger would buy some quality. we honestly weren’t expecting it cause wenger never buys ready made replacements for someone who leaves the team. He likes brining youth through. Though I have to say it is more likely that the current financial climate is the reason Arsenal were not able to add to their ranks. Arsenal do not have a sugar daddy running the club who would splash out 20 – 30 mill on one player.

There is also a deeper problem at Arsenal which is not just a footballing one. there seems to be no money at Arsenal. Plus I feel even though this frustrates Wenger, there is not much he can do about it. He can’t abandon his team because the higher ups will not relinquish control of the clubs. I.e. the majority shareholders who have issued the lock down on the shares they own.

Its kind of no win scenario for wenger. if anyone can turn this club around, its the fans. They need to get on the boards back. Look at how newcastle fans expressed their anger. we need the same from our fans.

Common you gooners (fans and team alike)!

By Daniyal on Dec 27, 2008
Daniyal, Arsenal do not have a sugar daddy to allow them to spend lots of money, but time and again Peter Hill-Wood has said that if Arsene Wenger needs the money, he have it. I’m very sure Arsenal can afford to splash 20 million on a player, cause that’s what they’re doing with Arshavin.

No money? Yes, Arsenal aren’t in a very good financial position, but the situation isn’t as bad as you described. In fact Arsenal is already 1 of the fortunate clubs with an okay amount of money, other clubs who really have NO money like you said are Portsmouth and West Ham.

Thanks for commenting though.

By dariano on Dec 27, 2008
Today headlines should be “Small Team, Big Result”, but unfortunately it goes crashing again. But again, who can we really blame? The refs? Penalties aside, those who watched the match should know boots were flying all over, but there isn’t any cards issued, much less a caution.

We have always been criticised for the lack of depth. But what can we do when we have Rosicky, Eduardo, Walcott still on the sidelines. We have once had 9 first-team players out injured. Does it really matter anymore?

Lower our expectations? I beg to differ, we have the likes of Flamini, Hleb, Giberto last season but we still ended up nowhere.
Why Wenger isn’t buying anyone decent? This is where Daniyal’s point come into the picture – Do we really have any cold hard cash? Do we really have as claimed by Hill-Wood and Co. We may enjoyed good income rate, but where does all these money go to??
Ask yourself two questions;
1. Why did Wenger introduce his youth policy in the first place? Because he like it??
3. Why did Wenger say that we are a selling club? Just to pay for the Emirate?
2. Why are the directors leaving one after another? Check these out!!

In the nutshell, we are facing a real crisis as a club; management, players and fans. Whether we are able to buy players in Jan remains a big question. What we can do now is just to hope that the Gunners are able to brace themselves for CL spot.

By Gun em All on Dec 27, 2008