06 05 2007 Arsenal 1 Chelsea 1
So at least the torture is over - we now know we will finish in runners-up spot. Chelsea have only themselves to blame.
Dropped points in recent matches have cost us the title, as have crucial injuries.
In any case, I was looking forward to visiting the new stadium of the big club that is Arsenal. The stadium is a magnificent
sight. It looks like a giant crab that has landed from outer space. The queues for refreshments were short, the toilets all
working and the seats were huge (not that anyone was sitting).
It was such a shame then to see that the atmosphere was exactly the same as it was at Highbury. Speaking to some
more "rational" Gooners before the game, it was interesting to hear their thoughts on where these 20,000 odd new fans
had come from. In fact, almost all season the atmosphere there has been poor according to them, which they blame on
this new breed of "soccer moms" and Hooray Henries. Of course, it does not help when your team wins nothing, but I
thought Arsenal had a "moral" victory over other clubs because they have allegedly never spent any money on any
players? Oh well - typical glory hunters. At least they are happy to pay £1,750 for a season ticket! But what a shame
they moved into the new stadium after they were successful! And long may their lack of cup success continue.
Chelsea lacked strength up front without Drogba in the team. Kalou can at times look fantastic when he is cutting in from
the left and taking players on, but yet again his finishing is lacklustre. The first half was pretty even. Chelsea had more
clearcut chances. Then Boulahrouz cemented the reason why he is not a first choice centre back with a display of such
ineptness that made Titus Bramble resemble Franz Beckenbauer. WHAT ARE YOU DOING BOULA?
I delayed my entry back to my seat in the second half to finish my beer and contemplate the fact that we were almost
certainly not champions any more. Upon my return Chelsea was under the kosh... but with twenty minutes to go the team
rallied and following an inch perfect cross by SWP the fantastic Essien deservedly scored. Joe Cole had a great goal
ruled out for offside, and then Kalou hit our best opportunity straight at Lehmann thus signalling the end of our title
challenge.
Chelsea fans enthusiastically clapped their team and manager. Terry and Lampard were extremely distressed. Arsenal
fans left in their droves not wanting to stay for their trophyless end of season parade.
On the train back a Gooner tried, and failed to take the mick. In the end, he resorted to claiming Arsenal were superior
because their Ladies team was better than ours! You have to wonder where these Gooners come from - well it certainly
was not from anywhere in North London considering most of them got off at Victoria on the way home!
There is still the FA Cup to play for. We have been spoilt in recent times and I know Chelsea, barring some disastrous
injury list, will probably win the league next year. What is certain is that the new signings during the Summer have mainly
been poor. Maybe it is a time to give youngsters such as Scott Sinclair a chance? Real Chelsea fans know where the
weaknesses in our team lie - mainly in a decent striking partner for Drogs and a world class right back.
Bring on United!
Dropped points in recent matches have cost us the title, as have crucial injuries.
In any case, I was looking forward to visiting the new stadium of the big club that is Arsenal. The stadium is a magnificent
sight. It looks like a giant crab that has landed from outer space. The queues for refreshments were short, the toilets all
working and the seats were huge (not that anyone was sitting).
It was such a shame then to see that the atmosphere was exactly the same as it was at Highbury. Speaking to some
more "rational" Gooners before the game, it was interesting to hear their thoughts on where these 20,000 odd new fans
had come from. In fact, almost all season the atmosphere there has been poor according to them, which they blame on
this new breed of "soccer moms" and Hooray Henries. Of course, it does not help when your team wins nothing, but I
thought Arsenal had a "moral" victory over other clubs because they have allegedly never spent any money on any
players? Oh well - typical glory hunters. At least they are happy to pay £1,750 for a season ticket! But what a shame
they moved into the new stadium after they were successful! And long may their lack of cup success continue.
Chelsea lacked strength up front without Drogba in the team. Kalou can at times look fantastic when he is cutting in from
the left and taking players on, but yet again his finishing is lacklustre. The first half was pretty even. Chelsea had more
clearcut chances. Then Boulahrouz cemented the reason why he is not a first choice centre back with a display of such
ineptness that made Titus Bramble resemble Franz Beckenbauer. WHAT ARE YOU DOING BOULA?
I delayed my entry back to my seat in the second half to finish my beer and contemplate the fact that we were almost
certainly not champions any more. Upon my return Chelsea was under the kosh... but with twenty minutes to go the team
rallied and following an inch perfect cross by SWP the fantastic Essien deservedly scored. Joe Cole had a great goal
ruled out for offside, and then Kalou hit our best opportunity straight at Lehmann thus signalling the end of our title
challenge.
Chelsea fans enthusiastically clapped their team and manager. Terry and Lampard were extremely distressed. Arsenal
fans left in their droves not wanting to stay for their trophyless end of season parade.
On the train back a Gooner tried, and failed to take the mick. In the end, he resorted to claiming Arsenal were superior
because their Ladies team was better than ours! You have to wonder where these Gooners come from - well it certainly
was not from anywhere in North London considering most of them got off at Victoria on the way home!
There is still the FA Cup to play for. We have been spoilt in recent times and I know Chelsea, barring some disastrous
injury list, will probably win the league next year. What is certain is that the new signings during the Summer have mainly
been poor. Maybe it is a time to give youngsters such as Scott Sinclair a chance? Real Chelsea fans know where the
weaknesses in our team lie - mainly in a decent striking partner for Drogs and a world class right back.
Bring on United!
