There was some good news for Arsenal fans this week, without the pain or pleasure of actually watching our team perform, with the defeat of Premier League rivals Manchester United continuing the remarkable record of Arsenal qualifying for the Champions League under Arsene Wenger.
And as I sit and watch Chelsea at Liverpool tonight I thought about that achievement in the light of all the fan frustration and the debate that this season has thrown up. THe problem for me is that it is not clear cut in any way. At times I agree with one side and at times the other.
THere is no question that seeing a great chance for the Premier League title pass Arsenal by this season was hard to take, but for me the waters of blame are muddied by our awful injury luck. I truly believe that luck plays a big part in sport and Arsenal have not had much in years but at the same time I wonder if the Gunners have just become stuck in a rut.
Back to the Liverpool and Chelsea match and there are two clubs that have endured a much harder EPL campaign than we have and it will not be the first time in recent years that they have finished out of the UCL places. THey have both spent more money than Arsenal as well so Wenger’s consistency is amazing in that respect.
Both have changed managers often as well and it has not alway been successful but every now and then it is and I wonder if Arsenal are sacrificing some brilliant years, with some bad ones along the way, for consistency that gets it’s own rewards but for the fans who want true glory is more like being stuck in a rut of mediocracy.
Like I say, I change my mind about this on a regular basis. What do you guys think?
Bob