Positive things Arsenal should maintain for next season

1. Beautiful Football
Arsenal are known for their beautiful football. Without those kind of football Arsenal wouldn't be the same Arsenal. It's true that Arsenal haven't win anything with their style of playing. But there are no guarantee that they can win if they leave their beautiful football. Now they are still trophy-less, but still admired by many people with their good-looking football, even without trophy. But, what should Arsenal do is not to leave their original style of football. Their mistake is bad defense line.

2. Szczesny on the line-up
Impressive young goalkeeper, he is deserved to be in the line up next season. Even he wasn't too good nearing the end of the season, it was just because the team's performance was not good. He is very good at one-on-one situation, and his positioning is excellent. However, he must train his commanding ability, which is not his best ability.

3. Playing Hybrid Squad on the Cup Competition
Still unable to break the trophy drought, but this was a good result of playing hybrid squad: combination of first team players, plus fringes, plus youngsters. Arsenal rarely played their first team in cup competition, but this season they played some of their best players, even in the cup. Next season, Wenger must continue playing combination squad, to increase the chance of winning the trophy as well as breeding young players.

4. Star Players in their Team
Francesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, and Andrey Arshavin have been linked with several clubs. Fabregas to Barcelona. Nasri to Muenchen, Man. Utd, Milan. Clichy to Juventus. Arshavin to Zenit St. Petersburg. Arsene Wenger might sold his player to those clubs, but if he does so, Arsenal will have to wait more before winning a trophy. Keep them in the squad, especially captain Francesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, as they were important players for Arsenal on this season. Renew Nasri's contract, that would be a priority for Arsenal, beside ensuring Fabregas stay in Arsenal at least for one more year

He is an important player for Arsenal, the star Wenger should keep

Season Ends

Arsenal closed the 2010/2011 season with 2-2 draw against Fulham on Craven Cottage.
Walcott equalized only one minutes before the normal time ended. Not the best way to finish the season, but at least Arsenal managed to came back twice from 0-1 and 1-2.

This was the most promising season for Arsenal, well, at least until February, when they still had hope of quardruple: final in Carling Cup, second position in Premier League, 2-1 lead against Barcelona, and still playing in FA Cup; yet this season is the most painful season for the Gooners. Expectation was high, but no trophy came to Arsenal's cabinet this season.

Surprisingly lost against Birmingham 1-2 in the final, and since that lost, Arsenal seems lost confidence, winning only three matches until the end of season. As the result of that bad form, Arsenal was down to fourth position, and have to start the season earlier, playing in Champions League play-off instead of getting the ticket to the Group Stage of Champions League. Arsenal were also eliminated from FA Cup and Carling Cup.

Many things could be learned for Arsenal, so they won't repeat the same. Experience is the best teacher.

One of the good game this season, Jack Wilshere in action in 1-0 victory against MU (Photos from FIFA.com)

Only luck, or maybe the referee..

Arsenal suffered third consecutive defeat, this time on the same place where they beat the newly crowned champions four weeks before. This time, it's Aston Villa who stole a victory in Emirates.

Arsenal started the game poorly, while Aston Villa dominating the game. Two failed offside trap successfully maximized by Darren Bent to score twice. Arsenal gradually played better than the first fifteen minutes but Aston Villa had already gained some confidence. Even Arsenal keeps controlling the game and having some chances, Aston Villa's goal remained clean until the end of first half.

Arsenal should've got a penalty while Ramsey got a great pass from midfield, and only Brad Friedel to beat. Richard Dunne kicked Ramsey's right foot, leading to a miskick, but the referee didn't point the spot. It was clearly a penalty, and even Richard Dunne could have got a marching order. Robin van Persie also saw his shot hit the post. Arsenal were unlucky not to score a goal in the first half.

Arshavin failed to make an impact in this match (photos from FIFA.COM)

Arsenal fully dominated the second half. Arshavin shot just saved by Brad Friedel. Robin van Persie gave nice pass to Kieran Gibbs but wonderfully blocked by one of Aston Villa's defender. Robin van Persie had one one-on-one situation but Brad Friedel once again denied it. The introduction of Marouane Chamakh and Nicklas Bendtner brought good impact. Marouane Chamakh even scored a goal, but it was ruled out because the ref tought it was a foul. Actually it was a perfect goal, no offside or foul.

Arsenal had plenty of chances, but only one goal could be scored, by Robin van Persie. Bendtner recieved a good pass, but he was fouled, and the ball chipped by Robin van Persie. 1-2 for Arsenal, with only one minute remaining on normal time. Four minutes of injury time was not enough for Arsenal to equalize, and they suffered second home defeat this season.

In fact, Arsenal didn't play badly, especially in second half, they controlled the game, almost a one-way game for "the gunners", they only lacking of finishing in the final third, they had 24 shots. They also were unlucky not to be given penalty in the first half, plus one hit the post shot. Well, that's the positive thing in this defeat

See you next season

Arsenal mathematically lost hope to win this year Premier League after losing 1-3 against Stoke City in Brittania

Ramsey in action against Stoke (photos from Arsenal.com)

Again, another bad defending by Arsenal defenders. And as usual, Arsenal had most ball during the match without effectively using it, and Arsenal were 0-2 down on the first half.

Robin van Persie just gave Arsenal hope by scoring a goal, making the scoreline 1-2. But Arsenal conceded again.. 1-3, and the game ended.

Another bad defending, another defeat, and another trophy-less season.. What an irony

What could have been happened if Arsenal hadn't lost in Final of Carling Cup

If you want it all, you will lose it all
Arsenal's supporters must have realized the meaning of that phrase.

Arsenal was in position to win quardruple this season, just before the Carling Cup final. They was already in final of Carling Cup, only Birmingham to be beaten in the final. They already had the good position, leading 2-1 against Barcelona on the second round of Champions League, they were still playing in FA Cup, plus 2nd position in Premier League, with some points from Manchester United but easier fixtures remaining.

But Arsenal surprisingly lost 1-2 against Birmingham. And since then everything went wrong. Losing 1-3 from Barcelona, to be knocked out from Champions League; 0-2 defeat against Manchester United; plus many bad results in Premier League, earning 0-0 draw against Sunderland and Blackburn, 1-1 vs Liverpool after leading on 95th minutes, 4-4 vs Spurs after leading 4-1, and even losing 1-2 against Bolton. They only got one victory from Blackpool. In the fixtures they should've earned 18 points, they only got 7 points, and now the EPL title is gone away.

They still lack of maturity

What could be concluded? Arsenal is still lacking of maturity. They do not know how to react after a defeat. They simply lose confidence after lost against Birmingham. And even Man. Utd had a poor form, Arsenal had a worse form, so Man. Utd stays in the top.

What could have been happened if Arsenal hadn't lost in Final of Carling Cup? Arsenal might have been in the top of the table, or they might have sealed the title now. They might be the only who will fight against Real Madrid in the UCL, or maybe they are the one who will face Stoke City in the FA Cup final. Yeah, if only they hadn't lost in the Final of Carling Cup

Nice Win, but it's all too late

Arsenal hit Manchester United 1-0 by Aaron Ramsey's goal.

Ramsey scored against Man. United (photos from FIFA.COM)

It was probably Arsenal's best performance since they beat Barcelona 2-1. Even without Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal was dominating the game, defending well, even in the final 20 minutes they were always under pressure. They controlled the game well, giving constant pressure and created several good chances, even they failed to scored on the first half. It was just about time before they could score. They should've got a penalty when Nemanja Vidic handballed Walcott's cross, but the referee only gave Arsenal a corner kick.

Aaron Ramsey scored his first goal since his comeback, and proved his quality. His composure, placing the ball to the far post, showing his maturity. Arsenal continued their pressure and almost added some goals, but they didn't. Last 20 minutes, it was Arsenal's defence to be tested. Szczesny put couples of good saves, while Koscielny, Djourou, and Squillaci shows their strength on defence.

Arsenal reduced their gap with Manchester United, now 3 points from Chelsea and 6 points away from the top of the table, but with only 3 games remaining, it's only a miracle which could make Arsenal lift the EPL trophy this season

Second El Classico Review

It is number two from five El Classico this season. Barca was the happier side on the first El Classico, thrashing Madrid with 5 goals without conceding any. Madrid didn't want to repeat the same mistake by playing, so they started the game with three defensive midfielder, benching Mezut Oezil, playing centre-back Pepe on the defensive midfielder role. Both teams started the game carefully, didn't want to concede any early goal.

Barca took the control on the beginning of twenty five minutes, but hardly created any good chance. However, in later minutes, Madrid had more chances scoring goal as they had more corner. Cristiano Ronaldo's header just over the bar. While Sergio Ramos' close range header was just cleared off the line by Adriano Correira. Barca also had couple chances, but Iker Casillas was ready to save it. Barca should have got a penalty after Casillas brought David Villa on the penalty area, but the referee only gave Real Madrid a goal kick.

First half ended with 0-0.

On second half, Madrid was the one who had chance to score earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo's freekick just hit the post. But, few minutes later, it was Barcelona who took the lead. Raul Albiol unperfectly controlled the ball, then David Villa stealed it, and Albiol fouled him. The referee gave Albiol an early bath, as well as penalty for Barcelona. Lionel Messi succesfully converted it, 0-1 for Barcelona. It was the first goal for Lionel Messi scored against the team managed by Jose Mourinho.

Madrid replaced Xabi Alonso with Mezut Oezil to add some attacking force. Adebayor is also brought in. Both players had good influence on the pitch, and should have played from the beginning

Both teams had plenty of chances to add some goal. David Villa got easy chance, but his shot was easily handled by Casillas. Xavi also had a chance from a shot outside the penalty area, but it just over the bar. On the other side, Sami Khedira's shot saved by Valdes, and Pepe's clear chance was just wide.

With only few minutes remaining, Real Madrid got penalty after Marcelo brought down by another Brazilian, Daniel Alves. Alves, who had recieved a yellow card before, luckily wasn't given the second yellow card. Cristiano Ronaldo succesfully converted it and breaked his bad record against Barcelona, never scoring against Barca before.

On the remaining time, both teams failed to score despite many scoring chances. With this draw result, Barcelona remained 8 points ahead of Real Madrid, and heading to another La Liga crown this season