Quite an anticlimax for the most sold out event these past nine months, save for the Royal Wedding of course. What had been an edge of the seat, fixating thriller tapered off in a fashion less dramatic than and as predicable as only a low budget Mexican soap opera. London was disgusted more than disappointed or envious while for Manchester, well, the party is still on.
Sir Alex was right in his assertion earlier on when following defeat to Chelsea at Stamford bridge, he remarked that the English premier league title race might as well be in the hands of the officiating officials.
Now that Manchester United are champions for a record 19th time, my guess is as good as yours on what his take on the penalty served on a silver platter. As an all Arsenal fans are reminded every end of the season for the past seven, all that matters in a win maximizing league like the English game, is silverware.
Style, perceived deservedness, fair play as described in financial terms are mere sideshows as the champions as it stands barely have that in their DNA. For all their embarrassing wealth, the newly crowned FA Cup winners Manchester City fail to dazzle. The collection of stars fail to light up the stage and the audience sits through the show as at the very least just like a star studded movie, the least you can do is to watch it for it's mere sake.
Looking at the celebrating bunch at Ewood Park as Manchester United were confirmed as champions, it strikingly resembles the scenes when Italy last won the World Cup. The conclusion that hits an observer amidst all the hooray is that the competition must have screwed up big time .
And screw up they did: Chelsea in sending Wilkins packing and Arsenal well, the same old. Now that Manchester United are English champions, Manchester City FA Cup holders; now that the slaughtered bull has been feasted on, with two games to go, it's not all done yet as a special delicacy is still on the pipeline.
Facing Aston Villa today at the Emirates, it's important that the momentum for the upcoming season picks up from now on. Not only in getting a win after such a dismal run of two wins in nine but also because it will do plenty of good -football-wise and financially- if Arsenal finishes second and avoids the disrupting pre-season Champions League qualifying rounds that come with finish fourth.
Besides, being a home game, it is even more imperial that the dismal home record that in my opinion cost us the league title this campaign gets buried.Not forgetting what a blow it will be should Manchester City finish above Arsenal. The noise that such an eventually would generate would be unbearable
Aston Villa are yet to get over Martin O'Neill while in Gerrad Houllier comes a manager that Arsene has some respect for. Less because of the current Aston Villa manger is his compatriot but probably more because Houllier sees to it that his sides play football with some style.
Talking of style, a player I consider the classier defenders in the modern game is back on the pitch. Thomas Varmaeleen looks set to start his fast game after, thank God, overcoming that Achilles tendon injury. A clean sheet should be a good way to get back for the Belgian international. More importantly though is the hope that he will avoid those niggling setbacks that often plague players after such a long lay off.
Darren Bent is worthy enough a striker to be facing after such a long lay off and together with Ashley young the Aston Villa attack should sporadically ask questions of the 'new' partnership at the back. In the middle of the pack, I would like for Jack and Rambo to continue build up their chemistry. In my opinion, Cesc is the best, but the Rambo- Jack partnership is way better but that is a discussion for another day.
Song should continue as holding midfielder but I think it's about time Denilson earned his wages and besides, I find the Brazilian not to be as pathetic as claimed. A few games, confidence and you've got a player not just a squad member. Upfront it is a relief to see Van Persie fit though tactically, I would give him more of a roving deeper role playing off walcott who should be play narrower and further forward than he normally does .
Andrei Arhavin should continue on the left with Chamkh or the unsettled B52 coming on later on. Looking at the figures the Russian has done well as he is arguably the most potent attacking Arsenal player this season on account of goals scored and assists.I think of all the players, Arsene has utilised him best this season as he is clearly not a 90 minutes player. There is a case for Gibbs though the English lad ought take the chances he gets in full in stride.
An emphatic win just like oxtail soup should be a worthy appetiser for the coming season.Till next time, comments below and make a point of joining us on facebook and twiter.
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