I know that Arsenal fans will be disappointed if the Gunners finish in fourth place in the Premier League again, but maybe we should be a bit more grateful for the fact that Arsene Wenger has always kept us in that Champions League spot, even though it has been by the skin of our teeth at times.
If you need any further reason to be proud of record, look at Liverpool who have not been able to dine at Europe’s top table for five years. And then look at Man United, whose fall from grace was so big that they didn’t even make the Europa League.
So while I an hoping and feeling quietly confident, especially after yesterday’s stirring victory at high flying Aston Villa, that Arsenal can go at least one place better this season, I will be fairly happy if we finish in the top four again.
The main threat to that is the new Man United, boosted by some stellar signings and without the pressure of midweek European games to worry about. But that easire fixture schedule is the reason why Liverpool were able to stay fresh, keep the same starting XI and go on such a great run in the latter half of last season. But now their boss has admitted that they are unlikely to repeat that this time.
At the same time, the Gunners were ravaged by injury and fatigue and it so nearly cost us, but we are used to it and Brendan Rodgers and his team are not. They are already struggling and have only played one UCL game. So Arsenal fans can relax, because if Man United bounce back into the top four, and I think they will, it will be the scousers who miss out, not the Gunners.