January continued just as much of the season had done already, apart from the first and last days of the month, Sunderland taking a frustrating 0-0 draw on New Years day. But I was able to take revenge against Blackburn Rovers, although unable to do the same at Stamford Bridge, the league leaders were able to take two goals in the first half which was enough to secure them victory while Samaras was given a sympathy penalty which wasn’t enough, I was unable to turn my shots into real chances, which showed when out of 16 only 4 found themselves on target. But apart from that game I didn’t lose again until March when Wigan’s Vuoso was able to get two early goal which proved enough at the JJB. But despite that game I was able to take Liverpool and Chelsea down to the wire for the league title, even beating Liverpool 5-2. The game was a lot closer than the final score suggested Bendter took the lead hitting the ball from outside the box which curled round Reina and into the top corner. Aguero and Torres with two goals either side of the 45 minutes put Liverpool into the lead, the first in a counter attacking move saw the ball quickly move up field catching out Toure, Aguero skipping past to pop it in the net. Aguero returned the favour of Torres’ assist and put a square ball into the box which Torres with a piledrive scored the second. Toure scored from the a corner kick to bring the game back and then in true Arsenal style three late goals from Bendtner, Merida and a last minute goal from Trejo made three points secure.
But despite the great form it wasn’t enough, too many draws meant to many dropped points, finishing third 8 points behind Liverpool and 5 behind Chelsea. Losing 5 games all season just the same as Liverpool, but with 9 draws the race was just to competitive to top the league. Frustration was never better shown then against Pompey where they were able to score 5 goals against us at the Emirates from only 9 shots, Utaka on form scoring 4 goals magnificant strikes. Although I made an amazing come back and in the 87th minute it looked to be all but assured as Merida scored to make it 5-4 in an amazing contest. But a Rushden graduate hadn’t read the script and scored a late goal in a rollercoaster ride of emotions which once again saw us miss out on 2 points. But it was no coincidence that I started conceding more goal when Oier Olazabal broke his leg keeping him out for 6 months. Polish keeper Fabianski was a great stand in and did his job well, but was never able to save those ambitions shots and when you compare the goals conceded per game ration Fabianski averages more then a goal per game and Oier less then one per game (1.5:0.88 respectivley). Fabregas was unable to turn his season around in the second half handing in his own sick note with a torn calf muscle.
The Champions League was a good competition for us sweeping aside Dortmund easily thanks to Walcott who scored in both legs and taking a 5-3 aggregated victory. Benfica took me down to the wire, at the Emirates they were unable to score David Bentley took us to Portugal with a 1-0 lead. But when we got there they made sure that my heart was in good condition as they secured a 4-3 victory Cardozo scoring in the 90th minute, but 3 goals away from home took us through. Next it was Inter Milan headed by Scotsman Walter Smith, back of the days of the Irish and Scotish going over to Italy, he returned to Britain for the first leg, subsitute Bendter looked to have secured a decent 2-0 lead scoring twice, both goals coming from through balls into the box which Nicklas expertly finished. But back in the San Siro it was a different story, this time Brazilian Fred could not be stopped hitting a hatrick of goals, and FM god Ibrahimovic finishing me off in a 5-2 defeat. When Walcott scored in the 70th minute to make it 3-2 I thought it was enough to see us through again with the away goal rule, but the 83rd minute strike saw me and the team in tears specially when it came on the back of my 5-2 victory against Liverpool.
The FA cup was a different story though, I wasn’t totally expecting to take the league in my first season at Arsenal but I wanted to get some silverware, taking the FA cup very seriously I fielded a decent side in each round. Against Leeds Bendtner, Merida and Walcott amongst the big names in the team, scoring the goals to see us through to play our first Premier League opposition meeting Bolton, who weren’t doing too well in the league and looking for a distraction. I lost a 4-2 lead, Vaz Te scoring again in the final minutes, which was becoming a trend in my play (maybe I can blame the patch?) which forced a reply. I didn’t mind the reply I knew at home it would be more comfortable and it was two early goals from Trejo and Samaras set me up a draw against Aston Villa who had previously knocked out Liverpool. Fabianski was the assist on the first goal, kicking the ball to the edge of the opposition box, Trejo picked it up with no one in front of him, giving the time and space to easily slot it home. Villa were able to take the game to extra time at Wembley, but Funkel’s boys didn’t have it in them to play the extra half an hour as they crumbled, Samaras came off the bench scoring two goals and a 4-1 win which gave our boys and the fans a dream final, who better to meet at Wembley but Tottenham? Spurs had failed to beat me all season, breeding confidence into the side, they fought well though taking it to extra time but when Denilson struck it into the top corner I thought it was over and went for a celebratory toliet break waiting so long for the game to end I thought it was safe to leave and let the rest of the game play out. But take my advise, never leave the screen during a game. Andreas Landrups 116th minute goal took it to penalties, but misses by Taiwo and Faye helped me lift my first FA cup, even though it was a competition that Aresnal have become accustomed to winning making it 5 in a row holding the title of the team to win the FA cup most times.
Winning is over rated and my first season at Arsenal was something that I enjoyed immensely and will look forward to the season ahead a few signings to strengthen an already strong side which next season has hopefully gelled shut should see me come a step closer to bringing the league back to the Emirates, could I say it would have been as fun as it was if I did a whitewash on the league? I doubt it and I will look forward to the new season, again it showed how hard it is to win the English league 81 points has seen me lift the title before, but this time I finished in third. The goals are coming Bendtner, Walcott and Samaras were all able to score over 20 goals and Trejo wasn’t far behind with 16, with no troubles finding goals from the likes of Bentley, Silva and Merida and we conceded a total of 36 goals, Liverpool the only team to beat me on goal difference. So it’s not the defence or attack that seems to be the problem, but when the goals are going in seems to be the issue, improvement on finishing games should surely see an improved Gunners side.