The Game

It’s nice to end the season on a high. Granted, this is not the end that I would have wanted as this was supposed to be a game to reach with the title race still open for us, but I’ll take this fine win anyway.

Fulham, as many predicted, came at the Emirates just to respect the fixture as on Wednesday night they will be involved in their most important game of the season. The best of luck to them of course, they are after all the only English team to reach a European final, so let’s hope they get to win it.

As for Arsenal, as I said, it was important to end the season with a win. Robin van Persie was simply superb although we now start the anxious wait knowing that he will join Holland for the World Cup in a healthy state without knowing how fit he’ll be when coming back from there. The same actually goes to all the Gunners involved in South Africa, let’s just hope they all get back in one piece.

Elsewhere, and as it was normal to expect, Chelsea and Manchester United both won their games meaning that the Blues are crowned champions with a golden opportunity, for them, to make the double if they beat Portsmouth in the May 15 final at Wembley. Sometimes I think if Pompey won it two years ago and are in the final this season, why not us?

Match Video Highlights

Match video highlights are available in the Videos section of our website. If not there yet, rest assured they will be up in a matter of hours.

Player Ratings

Fabianski: 5 – Still unconvincing. It seems that famous F.A. Cup goal gifted to Didier Drogba didn’t teach anything to poor Lukasz. Different game, different position and he could have easily seen red for that handball.

Campbell: 7 – Yet another very strong performance from Sol, who I hope sticks with us as he can be a very, very good backup for next season.

Silvestre: 6 – Same old, some nice interceptions but still guilty of giving away the ball cheaply in certain occasions.

Clichy: 7 – When there is plenty of going forward to do, Gael doing well is a certainty. Glad to see the Frenchman back for the last game of the season, he deserved to be out there.

Sagna: 7 – Like Gael, Bacary did very well when pushing forward and provided good support to Theo Walcott, although it would be nice to see his crosses improve.

Diaby: 6,5 – Did OK, nothing fancy in midfield but of course sitting so deep is not something he likes to do. It would have been nice to see him switch positions with Samir towards the end to push forward.

Nasri: 7,5 – Finally a convincing performance from Samir. Some of his passes were simply exquisite and deserved to score.

Walcott: 7,5 – Turned provider for two goals and a constant threat down the right in the first half and what I really love about him is the unselfishness. He goes crazy when he’s unmarked and team mates don’t pass him the ball and you can understand why, as that is something he almost never does.

Eboue: 7 – Full of runs and tricks was Emmanuel this afternoon although the dive was so uncalled for. I really hope all the rumours about his future away from North London are false as he can be a huge asset next season.

van Persie: 8 – I will not say that this game shows what we missed when he was out injured as again, Fulham took it easy as their mind is already focused on Wednesday night, but yeah, one of the talking points of the end-of-season will of course be what would have been had he stayed fit.

Arshavin: 6,5 – Scored a nice goal but am I alone in thinking he needs to be less selfish out there? It seems he completely ignores his team mates even when they are better placed than him.

(Subs)
Johan Djourou: 6 – Is he one of next season’s new signings? OK, apologies for the sarcasm, I’m really happy to see the Swiss back, he can be a brilliant backup for the backline.

Vela: 6,5 – I personally couldn’t have asked for a better ending to the season, that chip is his trademark, shame it didn’t come earlier into the season.

Lansbury: 6 – Came in when the game reached a very quiet stage but he looks like a very interesting player indeed.