Maybe next week, maybe next month, I can reflect positively on what Arsenal achieved this season but seeing what the Arsenal social media team has put out as it pertains to glancing over the negative performances with positive meaningless fluff videos, none of the players apologizing or acknowledging how they bottled this season away, Arteta talking about how we are going to go back at it next season, it just makes my skins crawl. I’m not really blaming anybody because anybody would try to focus on the positives over the negatives, that is human nature, but the way the club and players, in my opinion, haven’t come out and acknowledge how they messed up doesn’t sit right with me. Instead, they are going to give these happy end of the season posts, thank the fans, all that BS after we smashed Wolves 5-0 to end the season and act like everything is good. All I ask for is some accountability from the club, players, and manager.
Nonetheless, Arsenal rolled over a very poor, lethargic Wolves side to finish the season in 2nd place on 84 points, a remarkable achievement with no context and when comparing against prior seasons, but with how we choked it away, it definitely will be something that will not go away anytime soon.
THOUGHTS ON THE MATCH:
- XHAKA Farewell: I’ll keep all my thoughts on the season for another post and focus on what happened today, with Xhaka quietly announcing today will be his last game for the club, there is not a better way to say goodbye than with two goals to close his account as an Arsenal player. It is a shame he will not be with us next season when we play Champions League football as he was one of the main players that stuck through the tough times for this moment, but he is going to a wonderful manager in Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen with a country/league he is comfortable playing in, nothing but respect to the great Granit Xhaka. It wasn’t pretty, it got bad at some points, but he worked his ass off always, showed that he cared about the club and always stood up and took on responsibility when he didn’t have to. What a guy, Granit Xhaka.
2. No team shows up like last-game-of-season-Arsenal: These guys are shameless man, when the lights are off, and pressure gone, these guys have the audacity to smack 5 past Wolves and act like the past two months have not happened, you gotta laugh, otherwise you will cry. Xhaka had himself two goals, Saka with a delicious finish to the far post, Gabriel with a backpost header, Kiwior squeezing in a goal at the end, just shameless. Arteta went and put out Thomas Partey in a back 4 and it worked today but didn’t last week. Who knows if it would have saved our season ultimately but it would have saved us from not having to see Rob Holding back out there as an Arsenal player, that is for damn sure. All things considered though, Wolves were embarassing today.
3. Today’s game didn’t matter so will save all my thoughts on the actual season for next time.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Ramsdale: 8/10 – Didn’t have anything to do if I am not mistaken when it comes to saves
Thomas Partey: 8/10 – Much more comfortable today than last week, probably lots of random factors that come into that, but had more of his brilliance and influence on today’s game.
Ben White: 7/10 – He was good
Gabriel: 7/10 – So was Gabriel
Kiwior: 7/10 – Got himself a goal, not sure where he fits in long-term but his skills on the ball is something to behold.
Jorginho: 7/10 – Played a wonderful ball to Trossard for our 4th goal
Xhaka: 10/10 – What a guy
Saka: 6/10 – Had a wonderful goal but can’t get these past few months out of my head with him, needs to make it up next season.
Odegaard: 7/10 – What a season from him.
Trossard: 7/10 – Picked up two more assists today, what a signing he has been for us, will be massive next season when we are competing in both the league and the Champions League
Gabriel Jesus: 7.5/10 – had a goal to sign off his first season with us, will need much more from him next season.
New Arsenal Jersey: 6/10 – The jersey itself is fine, I hate the gold shoulder stripes, I’m more old-school about it with any bold gold markings on a jersey should be saved for titles, not anniversaries.
Wolves: 10/10 – Literally went out and there and didn’t give a fuck, I gotta respect it.