I think when evaluating arsenals season it's important to look at a few different factors. It has been a very obvious improvement over the last couple of years. I have said all season that if we finish with a cup and are within a handful of points of the title that I'd be very happy with the season as it would be a clear step forward and a big change from the recent years of finishing very far off the title. We also need to remember we have lead the league for longer than any other team this season and only slipped from the top during a period where we had all of our most difficult fixtures and a huge injury list including a handful of guaranteed starting players. As far as I'm concerned if city win the league and we win the fa cup then we have had the second most successful season of any English club this season.
Very true. I was thinking Palace have had an awesome year as well with the signing of Pulis inspired (even if he is a douche). Testimony to pro-active managerial change actually working. Liverpool too have to be in the mix for good seasons. Worst for me is obviously United but Cardiff deserve a bit of stick for doing the opposite to Palace and changing a stable management when not needed. Obviously if we win the FA Cup it will be a significant improvement on recent years but, whilst I appreciate our injuries hampered us, I'm frustrated to see operation "brush over our failures this season and pretend everything is rosey" is already in full swing from the club. We have some key problems to address this summer but I fear another year in stasis
It's going to be an interesting Summer for us to see what calibre of player we bring in and to see if we're going to progress. Hopefully the lure of playing in Europe will help but we're not daft enough to think we'll be up there with you and the other top teams. With the success we've had this season we're hoping we can push on a little and have more than two seasons in the Prem like we had our first time here.
A few contradictions in your post: 1. If we win the FA cup you say it will be a significant improvement on recent years, so how does it become "Another year in stasis"? 2. You complement palace for their "Pro-active management change and chastise Cardiff for changing a stable management, but the tone seems to be that you would like our management changed, even though our management must be the very definition of stable. 3. You fail to indicate where you are seeing evidence of operation "brush over our failures this season and pretend everything is rosy". I think virtually every player and the manager has indicated that 4th place is not good enough. 4. Again there is a contradiction where you seem to indicate that a "Significant Improvement" also has "Failures". Isn't that a bit harsh? I still think we are dreadfully spoilt by our club, in terms of how well our team performs based on the resources used to assemble them. We do have to aspire to a better squad, as should any team, but I don't think improving a squad's value is as easy as most people on here seem to think it is. I saw the posts on here when Spurs went on their spending spree and I got the distinct impression that the majority of "That" section of the fans, thought that Spurs were doing what Arsenal should be doing. However it has turned out badly for them. Unlike Chelsea or City, we don't get access to the Hazards, Falcaos, and Neymars, of the world. If they go somewhere else, we never had an opportunity to sign them. We have to find players like Cazorla and Giroud that have potential (and flaws) and hope that they improve. There just are not a large number of those players about, and there are a lot of players that look like opportunities but aren't, as Spurs found out to their cost. If we win the FA Cup and Liverpool don't win the league, then I'm sure that we will be one of the two most successful teams in England. Given our (lack of) resources, the low expectations, our injuries, and all the whinging and whining on here, I think that is absolutely amazing.
Based on pre-season expectations: Best: Everton, Liverpool, Soton, Palace Better than expected: Arsenal, if the last two games are wins Worse than expected: City and/or Chelsea, depending on who wins the league. Worst: United, Spurs, Fulham
