Fixture excitement rather misplaced?

So, the fixtures for the new season have been released to a Sky Sports/tabloid press fanfare but excuse me if I cannot get too excited.

Yes, it is nice to know when you are playing who and where, but other than that what is there to get excited about? They are just fixtures, the same ones we have every season. Each team will play the others home and away and at the end of all someone will win the league, some will be promoted, while others will be relegated.

Okay, if your club have been promoted I sort of get it. Looking at the new fixtures will then have a hint of excitement about it. But does the order of those matches really matter? Of course as the season progresses it can do.

It would be an advantage, for example, to play Manchester United away the week they have several players out through injury, or suspension. But that is not known yet so how can you feel excited or disappointed? You will have to play them at some stage.

I have seen many comments on social network sites over the last 24 hours saying how excited people are to be playing Spurs away on Boxing Day or Derby County at home on February 15th. Would you not be as excited about playing those teams anyway?? And if not what difference does the date make?

The only dates that really matter are the first game and the last. The rest are simply a way of planning where you are likely to be over the nine months from August to May. A diary. Unless you happen to support a Premier League side of course, in which case most of your fixtures will be changed to a Sunday lunchtime or Monday night by Sky anyway.

That is why I find Sky's excitement a little strange. If they love the released fixtures so much why do they insist on changing them? And not for the benefit of the fans either.

Then they talk of Southampton facing a tough start to the season. Yes Sky, they will have to face some Premier League teams so of course it will be tough. They were, after all, in League One two years ago.

Having said that the promoted sides do usually start well. They have momentum and are not under as much pressure in August as they are in March when they could be fighting relegation.

So perhaps, just perhaps, playing Champions Manchester City away on the opening weekend may just prove to be a blessing in disguise. My guess is, however, that they will lose that particular fixture no matter when it is played.

And that is the point. The dates of the fixtures do not matter, it is the players who are playing in them that do. So I don't care who my team are playing on Boxing Day, or New Years Day, or October 17th. I just hope they win them all.

The season is over 38 or 46 matches, depending on which division you are in, and surely the only thing that matters is your team winning enough of them to finish as high in the table as they can?

The lost art of enjoying an England match

There have not been many occasions over the last 32 years of watching England in tournament football where I have been able to enjoy a good performance and a good result. All too often our best displays have ended in defeat - semi finals against Germany in 1990 and 1996 and quarter finals against Portugal in 2004 an 2006 for example - so last night's 3-2 victory over Sweden was particularly sweet.

Okay so it hasn't won us anything, or even got us out of the group stage, but it made a pleasant change to be able to enjoy an England match in a major tournament. In fact the last time I can recall feeling so excited watching my country was when we beat Holland 4-1 in Euro 96.

Last night's match felt very similar, in many ways, to our World Cup quarter final win over Cameroon in 1990. On that occasion we also led 1-0, went 2-1 behind in the second half before scoring twice to go through, although we needed extra time and two Gary Lineker penalties to win that night.

Of course the biggest irony of the win last night was that in the build up to the game everyone was saying how vulnerable the Swedes were to crosses into the box - the very reason Andy Carroll was selected to start in the first place - yet it was us who conceded twice from set pieces, an area where we have traditionally been so strong.

But Roy Hodgson then produced something successive England managers have failed to do - a plan B. He immediately brought on Theo Walcott for the once-again disappointing James Milner and the Arsenal winger made an immediate impression.

He appeared a little shocked that his effort from 25 yards flew straight into the net to bring us level just four minutes after his arrival - unsurprising perhaps given that he had not scored for his country in nearly four years - while it was his powerful run and cross from the right that enabled Danny Welbeck to plunder the winner twelve minutes from time.

And what an important winner it could prove to be. A draw would have meant only victory over Ukraine on Tuesday night would have been good enough to send us through to the last eight, while now we just need a point.

But qualification alone may not be enough. With Spain favourites to top Group C, the runners-up in our section will face the holders in the quarter final. For all the excitement of last night's success we do not appear good enough to beat them at the moment so it is in our best interests to try and win the group.

France currently lead by one goal - the one goal we should have scored last night with efforts from John Terry and Steven Gerrard superbly kept out by the Swedish goalkeeper- and you would expect them to beat Sweden. Therefore we would not only need to beat Ukraine but do so by at least one more goal than the French - a tough ask.

However, we should not get ahead of ourselves just yet. We still need a result against the hosts, who know only victory will be good enough for them, so we just need to concentrate on doing that and worrying about any possible quarter final opponents on Wednesday.

So as much as I enjoyed last night's success I am under no illusions. Sweden are an average, ageing side and we made hard work of beating them, hardly the form of potential European Champions. However, we showed a resilience sadly lacking from England sides in the past and we were able to find a way to win, something Manchester United have made a habit of in recent years.

Okay so we may not be able to go all the way and actually lift the trophy on July 1st, but if we can recapture a little of what we showed in the final twenty minutes last night perhaps I won't have to wait another 16 years to enjoy an England victory.

Early signings look promising, but van Persie holds the key

The signings of Lukas Podolski and Oliver Giroud, plus the possible arrival of Yann M'Vila, are encouraging signs, but are they really the type of players Arsenal need to challenge for the title next season?

Lukas Podolski, Arsenal's first summer signing.

Podolski appears to be a direct replacement for Andrey Arshavin, while Giroud, at 6ft 3in, is the obvious choice to replace Nicklas Bendtner and/or Mauranne Chamakh as back-up for Robin van Persie. However, with just 6 caps to his name, the 25 year old French striker represents something of a gamble, although his scoring record suggests he could be another shrewd investment by Arsene Wenger.

But M'Vila could prove to be the best signing of all, a defensive midfielder capable of protecting the defence. His presence would also allow Alex Song more freedom to get forward, which he loves to do, and with the likes of Mikel Arteta, Tomas Rosicky, Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere set to return from injury, Arsenal could have a very strong midfield indeed.

The return of Jack Wilshere could prove crucial.

Behind them, however, there still appears to be problems. It has been this area of the team which has cost them in recent years, conceding at least 10 goals a season more than their title rivals, and they still do not appear to have enough strength in depth. The first choice back four of Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and either Kieran Gibbs or Andre Santos, look decent enough but the back-up still appears weak. Carl Jenkinson has potential at right back but you are not going to win major honours with him playing regularly, while Francis Coquelin seems more suited to midfield role.

In the centre of defence Per Mertesaker recovered from a slow start to finally look like the international centre half he is before injury ended his season in February, but the jury is still out on Johan Djourou and Sebastian Squiallaci. Therefore the signing of another centre half this summer looks essential, someone like German Matt Hummels for example, who appears to be a perfect fit for Arsenal.

Matt Hummels, a perfect fit for Arsenal?

There is also concern over the goalkeeping situation. Wojciech Szczesny had a decent season and is going to be a very good goalkeeper, but he showed his inexperience for Poland in the opening match of Euro 12 and his replacement, Lukas Fabianski, is never going to good enough. Perhaps third choice Vito Mannone will come good after going out on loan last season, but the club need a more experienced goalkeeper to give them some solid cover.

But of course the biggest signing of all would be to tie van Persie in to a long term deal. It does not appear to be simply a matter of money for the skipper, but ambition of the club. The signings made so far are a positive step but will they be enough to convince the Dutchman he can fulfil his own ambitions in North London?

Robin van Persie, the signing of the summer?

He has clearly looked like a player with a lot on his mind in the Euros, but Holland's potential early exit would at least give the club more time to sort out his future.

While they do not have to sell as he still has a year left on his contract, Arsenal are unlikely to risk losing him on a free next summer. However, if a trophy arrives at The Emirates next season there is a very real possibility van Persie would be happy to commit his long term future then.

Having sold Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri last summer, the last thing they need is to lose another of their star players, so it may be worth the gamble of keeping the Dutchman for another year. They have recouped enough in sales over the last few years, and made a healthy profit once again, so it could be a risk worth taking if it means the club are celebrating a Premier League or Champions League success next May.

Optimistic? Perhaps, but with another 2-3 good signings in defensive areas it could be possible. Just remember where you read it first...

A good start but the shackles need to come off

England's 1-1 draw with France last night left me with mixed feelings. On the one hand it was a decent performance and a good start to the tournament, but on the other it felt like a missed opportunity.

Having worked so hard to get ourselves in front, we switched off and allowed them back into the game. Yes, they had a good spell of pressure just before the break, but I cannot help feeling they were there for the taking in the second half. However, we seemed more content not to lose rather than go and actually win it.

Forget their 22 match unbeaten run, France are not a great side. Yes, they have some good players like Samir Nasri, Karim Benzema and Yohan Cabaye, but I doubt they will get further than the quarter finals. In fact I would not be surprised if they did not even get out of the group.

But perhaps Roy Hodgson has spent too long as the underdog as he now appears to have an inferiority complex. It was as though he did not think we could beat them. We were content to sit back in the second half when a little more ambition could have given us 3 very important points.

Of course it is only the first game, and having watched Ukraine come from behind to beat Sweden last night we have nothing to fear from either of them, but we have got to start believing in ourselves a little more. In spells we played some good football and we created some good chances, especially in the first half, but the longer the match went on the less likely we looked to win it. In fact we looked like a side playing with the handbrake on, afraid to step up a gear.

The substitutions were also left far too late. Why not bring Theo Walcott on to run at their tiring defence in the final twenty minutes? Why not bring Jermain Defoe on earlier? Why bring Jordan Henderson on at all??

I am not, however, going to be too critical of Hodgson or the team. We have got off to a decent start so hopefully we can now settle down, grow into the tournament and improve. Of course we will need to be more positive against Sweden on Friday, especially if France have beaten Ukraine earlier in the day, but we have the players to do that. We just need to believe a bit more.

On the plus side was the performance of Arsenal youngster Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, in only his 3rd international appearance. The boy looks like a potential star and could emerge as the new Gazza, circa 1990, in term of ability and influence on the team. Of course it is hoped he will not follow a similar path off the pitch, but having heard his post-match interviews he certainly seems to have his feet firmly on the ground.

Others to perform well included the much-maligned Glen Johnson at right back, Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard in the centre of midfield, while Danny Welbeck put in a great shift up front. The shape of the team looked good, we didn't panic and everyone worked hard for each other.

So, a satisfactory if unspectacular start but the signs are positive and I think we will not only qualify for the knock-out stages but win the group. And then who knows?

Goals, red cards, penalty saves and controversy. Welcome to Euro 2012

After a rather low-key build up to Euro 2012, the tournament got of to an explosive start in Warsaw last night. Hosts Poland kicked off proceedings in Group A with the opening goal against 2004 winners Greece inside eight minutes - a diving header from Robert Lewandowski - before the match, and the tournament, was engulfed by refereeing controversy.

Poland's Lewandowski heads the opening goal of the tournament

Spanish official Carlos Carballo angered the Greeks by producing a second, soft yellow card for Sokratis Papastathopoulus just before the break, but there was even more drama to follow in the second half.

The ten-men of Greece grabbed an equaliser six minutes after the restart when the hosts' Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny mis-judged a cross and substitute Demitris Salpingidis stabbed home from close range.

Papastathopuolus is shown red

Worse was to follow for Szczesny when he was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Salpingidis inside the penalty area soon after, but substitute goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton saved Giorgas Karagounis' spot kick with his first touch after coming on, and it finished 1-1.

Despite all the excitement it is difficult to see either side progressing far in the tournament. Poland appear to lack any real quality, Lewandowski apart, while the Greeks are hard working and efficient but are a pale shadow of the side which lifted the trophy in Portugal 8 years ago.

The second game saw dark horses Russia take on Cech Republic in Wroclaw, also in Group A. After the thrills of the first game it certainly had a lot to live up to but did not disappoint. Russia, under the leadership of Dick Advocaat, produced some exhilarating, attacking football to seal an impressive 4-1 victory.

Dzagoev gives Russia the lead

Teenager Alan Dzagoev scored twice while Roman Shirakov and substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko were also on target. The Cech's briefly rallied as Viclav Pilar made it 2-1 early in the second period, but Russia were far too strong in the end and they will now be favourites to win the group.

Pavlyuchenko scores a marvellous Russian 4th

Andrey Arshavin looked a completely different player to the one who left Arsenal in January as he was behind everything good the Russians produced. Playing in a free-role just behind the front two, Arshavin could become one the stars of the tournament.

Despite this heavy defeat you have to fancy the Cech's to go through as well - showing more than enough here to suggest they can beat both Poland and Greece.

Tonight is the turn of Group B, where Holland kick off their campaign against Denmark in Kharkiv, while the  much-fancied Germans meet Portugal in Lviv. This certainly looks like being one of the most keenly-contested groups which will see one of the favourites eliminated.

Ronaldo, hoping to lead Portugal to succes in Group B

Portugal, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, will entertain but can they overcome the might of the Germans and the Dutch? The Danes, meanwhile, will be looking to reproduce the sort of form that saw them win the trophy in 1992.

We will, of course, know more after tonight's round of matches but you would be foolish to back against the Germans, while I fancy it will be the Dutch, with Robin van Persie and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar leading the line, who follow them into the last eight.

Ferdinand over-looked again, but let's concentrate on the ones that have been selected

So, the big news from the England camp this week, as we build towards of the start of the tournament, has been Rio Ferdinand's second snub by manager Roy Hodgson. Having been originally left out of both the 23 man squad and the stand-by list, he was overlooked again this week when Gary Cahill was forced to withdraw through injury.

The decision should not have come as a major shock, however, as Liverpool youngster Martin Kelly was on that stand-by list, but questions remain over why Hodgson did not select 81-cap Ferdinand in the first place.


Rio Ferdinand, yesterdays man?

Despite reports to the contrary, I do not believe it has anything to do with the upcoming court case involving John Terry, who is accused of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother Anton. No, I believe it is simply that Hogdson thinks Rio's time is up.

Okay, so he had a decent finish to the season, taking Manchester United to within seconds of the Premier League title, but having selected Terry, Hodgson probably felt he needed some younger blood in the defensive areas. With us likely to face sides like Germany, Holland or Spain should we progress in the tournament, a central defensive partnership or Terry and Ferdinand would leave us vulnerable to swift counter-attacks. Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka both offer pace in that crucial area of the team and, as such, were the more sensible options.

A bigger surprise for me was the omission of Micah Richards. The Manchester City man can play at right back or centre half and that versatility would have made him an extremely useful member of the squad. In fact many would argue he would have been a better choice at right back than Glen Johnson, who is likely to start the tournament in that position despite a relatively poor season at Liverpool.

Micah Richards, unlucky not to be selected.

However, the evidence of Hodgson's reign so far suggests it is not defensively where England may struggle in Poland and Ukraine. No, a lack of creativity in midfield and up front appears to be the bigger issue, especially should we reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Wayne Rooney's suspension for the opening two group games is not the ideal start, leaving our hopes of progression from the group resting on the goal prowess of Andy Carroll, Danny Welbeck and Jermain Defoe. Hodgson has always preferred a 4-4-2 formation and with that in mind I would be tempted to start Welbeck with Defoe up front for the opening match against France on Monday evening.

Jermain Defoe, ready for a starting place?

United's Welbeck deserves his place after a good performance and well taken goal against Belgium last weekend, while Defoe did his chances no harm with a fine cameo from the bench. He has pace, is a willing runner of the channels and is a very good finisher.

I would move Ashley Young to the left, keep James Milner on the right and leave the midfield partnership of Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker intact. With Lescott replacing the unfortunate Cahill at the back, I believe this is a team capable of getting a positive result against the French, which would set us up nicely for the rest of the tournament.

We have a squad of players who look as though they want to play for the manager. Moreover, they appear happy, relaxed and ready for the battles that lie ahead. So let's forget about Ferdinand - a distraction we can do without - and get behind the players that have been selected. You never know we may just be rewarded come July 1st.

Can England actually win Euro 2012??

With the start of the European Championships under a week away you may be forgiven for wondering where the usual over-the-top hype has gone?

Even in this Jubilee Year there has been a distinct lack of flags flying from car windows and chest-beating from the tabloid press. In fact I cannot recall such a low-key build up to a major tournament but I, for one, am actually quite excited about it.

Perhaps it is this lack of expectation. Come on admit it, who seriously expects us to go much beyond the group stage? Well read on and you may change your mind...

I am actually feeling surprisingly upbeat about our chances. This is unusual for me as I am normally the most pessimistic of England fans. Even when we are 3-0 up I still expect us to lose, but it is different this time. Yes, Roy Hodgson has been thrown in at the deep end with very little time to prepare his squad, and the players at his disposal do not exactly fill you with confidence, but I really believe we could cause a surprise or two.

Roy Hodgson. Will he still be smiling on July 1st?

Too much has been made of the his squad choice, but the fact is he has selected the best of a very average bunch. With the exception of Wayne Rooney, who is suspended for the opening two matches anyway, we have a distinct lack any World class players. Yes, Joe Hart is a decent enough goalkeeper, Ashley Cole is still a quality left back and Steven Gerrard is a driving force in midfield, but other than that what have we got?

You can argue all day that Michael Carrick should have been picked ahead of Gareth Barry, or Adam Johnson should have got the nod over Jordan Henderson, but it would simply have been one average player replacing another.

No, the key to our hope of success lies with Hodgson. He may not have been first choice among the fans or the media, but he has always been tactically switched on, his sides are well organised, hard-working and tough to beat. The very definition of tournament success, in fact.

His Fulham side, which reached the final of the Europa League in 2010, showed that good organisation and hard work can overcome the more technically gifted sides, and he does seem able to get the best from average players. Surely an essential quality as manager of this England squad?

Yes, we have a difficult group, with France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine, but if we can reach the knock-out stage I believe we will come into our own. We may lack the flair of sides like Spain, Germany and France but the Euros has often given us a surprise winner. Denmark in 1992 for example, or Greece in 2004, both of whom were capable of grinding out 1-0 results. But do I really believe we are capable of repeating such success? Well yes actually, I do.

No one will relish facing us in the knock-out stages and we are more than capable of nicking a goal. Three of our first choice back four play together at Chelsea so will already have a natural understanding, while we have pace in the form of Theo Walcott and Ashley Young, something that is vital for international success. Plus of course, we have Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as a secret weapon. But more importantly than that, we have a coach who understands the complexities of international football.

The Ox. About to announce himself on the World stage?

I also feel the injuries which have caused Barry and Frank Lampard to withdraw from the squad, have actually helped us. The long running question over whether Lampard and Gerrard can play together will be made redundant, while the one-paced Barry, who was favourite to step in, would have only held us back. Maybe the stage is now set for Oxlade-Chamberlain or Scott Parker to really take the tournament by storm?

The lack of expectation will also help. Previous tournaments have seen the players weighed down by the hopes of the Nation but this time that will not be the case. It also helps that we face France first. How? Well they have a history of starting slowly in tournaments so it could be the best time to play them. Also, should we lose, it will lower expectations even further so we can relax, grow into the tournament and then welcome Rooney back into the side. After that? Well who knows??

Wayne Rooney, ready to be unleashed in the knock-out stage

Come on admit it, you think it's possible now too don't you??

Arsenal season review 2011-12.

Having finished 4th with 68 points in 2010-11, Arsenal lost their two most influential players with the new season about to begin. The departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri threw the club into chaos and led to their worst start in nearly 60 years. Indeed, the 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford at the end of August was their heaviest loss since 1899 and they slumped into the bottom four.

Yes, that really was the score!

After 16 years in charge, Arsene Wenger was at a crossroads. Fans were losing patience as the glory days of the early 2000's were now just a distant memory, and the press were saying the club were in crisis. Under pressure, Wenger went into the transfer market on deadline day - bringing in Mikel Arteta, Andre Santos and Yossi Benayoun - but many felt these were the actions of a desperate man.

Yet slowly the new-look team began to gel. A run of only one defeat in 12 Premier League games from October until the turn of the year - including an incredible 5-3 win at Stamford Bridge - sent the club back into the race for a top 4 finish. The only disappointment in this period being a 1-0 Carling Cup quarter final defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

Arteta, in particular, was proving to be an inspired signing as his performances in midfield eased the loss of Fabregas and Nasri, while the form and goals of new captain Robin van Persie suggested the crisis had been averted.

Mikel Arteta - an inspired signing

It was van Persie himself who illuminated the club's 125th Anniversary match against Everton in December with a sublime volleyed winner, impressing the watching Thierry Henry - back at The Emirates on the day his statue was unveiled outside the ground.

Henry was back in the news in the New Year when he returned to the club on loan from New York Red Bulls for six weeks. The clubs record goalscorer made an immediate impression with the winner against Leeds United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup, although the month also saw three straight league defeats to put a top 4 finish back in doubt.

The master returns

But with the injury problems that had blighted the season finally beginning to ease, the club hit top form. Blackburn were beaten 7-1 - van Persie striking a hat-trick and Henry on target again - while Henry then grabbed a last minute winner at Sunderland to lift the club back into the top 4 again.

Teenager Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was making an impression of his own with a series of fine performances in midfield, but just as it seemed the corner had been turned, disaster struck.

A dreadful performance in Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League all-but ended their interest in the competition, while the FA Cup run was brought to an end in the 5th round at Sunderland three days later, where Oxlade-Chamberlain scored an unfortunate own goal.

Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrating a goal at the right end!

Despite being out-played for long periods at Anfield, another brace from van Persie secured three points before the turning point of the season arrived in the shape of the North London derby at The Emirates in late-February. Arsenal started the day 10 points behind their neighbours and defeat would have put the pressure back on Wenger and his team.

After a terrible start, which saw Spurs go 2-0 up in twenty minutes, Arsenal really turned on the style. Bacary Sagna and van Persie - with a wonderful strike - brought them level before the break, while an inspired Tomas Rosicky and a brace from Theo Walcott secured a memorable, and significant, 5-2 victory.

Tomas Rosicky celebrates putting Arsenal 3-2 up in the North London Derby

With confidence restored, Arsenal almost staged the greatest comeback in Champions League history. A wonderful first half performance, led by the superb Oxlade-Chamberlain, saw the club come close to over-turning the 4-0 first leg deficit against Milan, although they bowed out of the competition with their heads held high.

Three more league victories followed to lift the club up to 3rd and ram the 'Mind the gap' chants from the Spurs fans back down their throats. A 2-1 defeat at QPR showed the inconsistencies from earlier in the season had not completely disappeared, but a late Arteta goal brought three more points against a Manchester City side who would go on to lift the title. Three days later, a 3-0 win at bottom side Wolves sent Wenger's men five points clear of Spurs in 3rd place with just five matches remaining.

But an early injury to Arteta in the home match against Wigan Athletic threatened to de-rail the season. That shock 2-1 defeat led to a run of four matches without a win just at the wrong time. Third place looked to have gone when Norwich hit a late equaliser at The Emirates in the final home match of the season, but Spurs could only draw at Aston Villa the following day so a win at WBA on the final weekend would secure Champions League football for the 15th year in a row.

In a tense afternoon at The Hawthorns, Arsenal got the required result - with a little help from stand-in Albion goalkeeper Marton Fulop - in a match that summed up the season as a whole. After taking an early lead, the Gunners soon found themselves behind before coming back to win 3-2 - the 6th time they had turned a deficit into a victory - and it proved vital as Chelsea's subsequent Champions League triumph meant 4th place would not have been good enough.

So, a season of highs and lows, ups and downs, actually finished with the club winning two more points than the previous campaign and finishing one place higher. Van Persie become only the second Arsenal player to score 30 Premier League goals in a season, landing him the Golden Boot along with the Players' Player and Football Writers Player of the Year awards.

The team may not have won a trophy but the skipper certainly did

But where do the club go from here? The signing of Lukas Podolski shows early intent, but with van Persie's contract now into it's final year, has he been brought in to replace for the skipper or play alongside him? Other signings are also needed, especially in defence and midfield, although new first team coach Steve Bould should help sort out the defensive frailties which have prevented the club really challenging over the last few years.

The coming two months could have a massive baring on the future of the club. Losing van Persie now would show a lack of ambition and surely condemn Arsenal to another trophyless season. But keep the talismatic Dutchman and add the extra quality around him and maybe, just maybe, the long wait for silverware could finally be over.

A (Haw) thorny end to the season?

The phrase 'biggest game of the season' is used far too often. The recent Manchester derby was, apparently, the biggest game in Premier League history. But then Manchester City's trip to Newcastle this weekend was suddenly even bigger!

No, the biggest games of the season are usually reserved for the final day, so Arsenal's trip to West Bromwich Albion this Sunday takes on that title for us. Yes, it really is the biggest game of the season.

With a lack of actual trophies, qualification for the Champions League is absolutely essential if the club are to turn potential into something tangible.

To be honest, if someone had offered us the chance to be third going into the final match back in September we would have snatched their hand off. After the 8-2 defeat at Old Trafford, followed swiftly by a 4-3 loss at Blackburn, mid-table Liverpool-ocricy was all I could see for us.

The signing of Mikel Arteta on transfer deadline day back in August was probably the most significant event of the season for us, but his injury means we travel to WBA looking to win for the first time in the Premier League this season without him in the side. Of the eight matches he has missed so far, we have drawn 4 and lost 4. So the omens are against us.

On the plus side, we do have a decent record at The Hawthorns. I can only ever recall us losing there once (1-2 in 2005) although we had to come from behind to draw 2-2 last season, a result that probably will not be good enough this time.

Also, our performances in the last four matches have not been great. In fact, since going 2-0 up at Wolves inside 10 minutes just over a month ago, we have been poor. I thought we had turned the corner with a decent display at our nemesis, Stoke last week, but the sloppiness returned in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Norwich.

Quite how we are still third, having taken only three points from the last 12, says more about the teams around us than our own patchy form. Spurs have imploded, while Newcastle, for all their great performances, look as though they will fall short. Chelsea have had cup finals on their minds, while Liverpool, the club everyone predicted would take our place in the top 4, have been awful, or just plain unlucky if you listen to their fans.

Either way it is still in our hands and we have to make the most of it. We really do need to finish 3rd as I am convinced Chelsea will win the Champions League, meaning 4th place will only be good enough for the Europa League. Personally I would rather not be in Europe at all than play in that competition.

Ironically, the last time we went into the final match of the season with anything riding on it was in 2006, and again we were head-to-head with Spurs for the final Champions League spot. They held the one point advantage then, so we had to better their result at West Ham. That was, of course, the famous lasagne-gate, where several of the Spurs players were taken ill on the morning of the match and they lost 2-1, Yossi Benayoun getting one of the Hammers goals.

This time the roles are reversed, with us going into the match with a one point advantage. It is us going away to a team with West in their name, and the irony continues as Spurs face a Fulham side led by Martin Jol, the very man who in charge of Spurs back in 2006! I just hope we do not have lasagne on the menu on Saturday night!

Of course, I expect us to win. West Brom, while in good form, have nothing to play for. Plus, I have rarely seen Arsene Wenger so angry as he was after the way we conceded the late equaliser to Nowich on Saturday, so I expect us to be really fired up.

But of course, there is far more at stake for us. Although the news on the transfer front is good, with Podolski already in and M'Villa likely to follow, failure to make the Champions League could be the final straw in the van Persie saga. I am convinced a top three finish will be enough to make him stay, but finish outside the Champions League places and I can see him being tempted elsewhere. It's not about money for him but ambition. He is 28 years old, he needs to be playing for a club who can challenge for the top honours, and that means Premier League and Champions League.

So, we are all set for a tense afternoon in the West Midlands. Being Arsenal I would not be surprised if we go behind and have to do it the hard way, but as long as we have the right result come 5pm on Sunday, all will be forgiven.

My predictions;

Everton 2, Newcastle 1
Spurs 3, Fulham 2
WBA 1, Arsenal 3 (last minute 3rd on the break after hanging on at the end!)

A Holt to our Champions League hopes?

Arsenal 3 Norwich 3

I do not get the opportunity to take Emerson to The Emirates very often, so when my good mate Rob offered me two tickets to the final home game of the season against Norwich it was too good to turn down.

With a 12.45 kick off it meant an early start, so we set off from Darlington at 08.00. With the cheapest return train fare costing £156 I decided to drive to Peterborough and get the train from there.

The trip down the A1 was hassle-free and we arrived in Peterborough at 10.15, plenty of time to catch the 10.46 train to Finsbury Park. There were a mixture of Gooners, Norwich and Chelsea fans on the train, which made for a colourful and interesting journey. A group of Chelsea lads were making a day of it, going to the Arsenal match before then heading over to Covent Garden and on to Wembley. They seemed a decent enough bunch and were hoping to see an Arsenal win as they didn't want to see Spurs in the Champions League. Same here lads, same here.

We arrived at Finsbury Park at 11.54 and decided to pop into the Gunners Shop just outside the station as Emerson wanted a red and white scarf. A bargain, too, at £10.

We then set off up St. Thomas' Road before stopping at Piebury Corner for a quick bite to eat, enjoying the reggae music blasting out from the stand on the corner. I then bought a match programme and the latest copy of The Gooner fanzine before walking to the ground.

As Emerson had not seen the new statues, we had a quick stop off so he could acquaint himself with Tony Adams, Herbert Chapman and Thierry Henry before making our way inside the Home of Football.

Our seats were in the East Stand Lower Tier, halfway between the penalty area at the North Bank end and the halfway line, and the view was amazing. Emerson had never been in the lower tier before and was relieved that the seat in front of him was empty so he had a perfect view of the action.

Emerson in his seat with his new scarf

His pre-match prediction was a tense 2-1 win while I went for a rather more optimistic 6-1. Norwich have looked on their holidays in the last few weeks and I thought we would be up for this after the midweek results meant we simply had to win.

Things could not have started any better either, as we went ahead inside the first minute, just as we had on Emerson's last visit against Sunderland in October. Yossi Benayoun, on what could be his last appearance for us at the Emirates, cut in from the left before curling a marvellous shot into the top right hand corner of the net.

But that was about as good as it got until half time. We seemed to think the game was won and switched off, allowing Norwich back into it. They were level ten minutes in with a shot from Hoolihan which Sczcesney should have kept out, before taking the lead with a deflected effort from Grant Holt.

Ah, Grant Holt. Three years ago on this very weekend I saw him score for Shrewsbury against the Daggers in League Two and I am amazed he is now playing in the Premier League. What is even more amazing is that this was his 16th goal of the season. 16th! If he can score that many at this level then there is hope for us all.

More bad news followed as Bacary Sagna went down with a serious-looking injury which led to him being carried off on a stretcher, and we later learned he had broken his leg for the second time this season. Terrible news for the lad, who had been the best right back in the league this season.

Half time was spent reflecting on what had been an awful 45 minutes for us, made even worse by the woman next to me chatting incessantly on her phone about her dog, which was apparently barking in the garden and scaring her children! Perhaps she should have stayed at home to deal with that instead of being here then? Just a thought.

I was still confident we would turn it around as every time Emerson has been to the Emirates, Robin van Persie has scored twice, so I could see us winning this 3-2.

Robin, isolated up front.

After a shaky start to the second half, which almost saw Norwich go 3-1 ahead, we finally came to life. Gervinho, who had been getting a fair amount of stick up until then, suddenly began to get in behind the Canaries defence and looked the player we all hoped he would be.

Chamakh, who has been having a terrible time of it, came on for the once-again disappointing Ramsey, but he immediately made a difference, giving Robin the support he had been lacking up front. Hopefully this is the way it will next season, with Podolski playing this role, as Robin is desperate for more help up there.

But we were more excited by the arrival of The Ox, who replaced Benayoun, as Wenger really went for it. It was looking only a matter of time before we equalised as RvP missed two very good chances with unusually weak finishes, as we had the line of yellow defenders stretched time and again.

The equaliser eventually arrived fifteen minutes from time when Chamakh had an effort blocked and Song sent over a lovely ball for RvP to finish first time from ten yards. It is a combination that has worked so well this season and brought much relief to what was fast becoming a very restless crowd.

There was only going to one winner now and it looked as though it had arrived five minutes later. The ball fell to RvP in the area again, following a goalmouth scramble, and his shot went under Ruddy and into the roof of the net - his 30th league goal of the season. Queue delirium in our section, especially in the seat next to me as Emerson was going mental, manically waving his new scarf around his head! Once again he had seen his idol score twice. If only he came to every home match we would be Champions!

But we made the mistake of thinking the game was won, sat back, invited Norwich to come onto us, and paid the price when sub Morrison beat Szczesney from a tight angle six minutes from time. Very similar to the goal we conceded at Swansea in January soon after we had got ourselves level. Lessons again not learned. Frustration all around, apart from in the away section to our left, which was going as mad as we had a few minutes earlier.

We threw everything at them in the closing stages and how we didn't get the winner I will never know. Ruddy denied RvP and the Ox, while we should have had a penalty when Robin was clearly pushed in the back as he was about to tap into an empty net following a lovely cross from Ox. Quite how the referee and his assistant, the lovely Sian Massey, missed it was beyond us, but I guess we shouldn't have been too surprised as we have failed to be awarded a single penalty at home in the Premier League all season. Astonishing for a team who attacks as much as we do.

So, despite what had been a really exciting second half we had only drawn and apparently blown 3rd place. Surely Spurs will beat Villa tomorrow? I mean everyone else has beaten them lately.

It did lead to a rather subdued 'lap of appreciation' from the players at the end as most of the crowd had long since gone home. In fact many were streaming out with five minutes left with the score at 3-3. Honestly, what is the point in coming if you are not going to stay until the end? I can almost understand it at midweek games where you might need to catch a last train, but a Saturday lunchtime kick off? No excuses I'm afraid. And most were not even football tourists either, they were regular fans who have probably been coming to matches for years.

These are the same fans who will moan about the players showing a lack of commitment to the club yet they leave early and do not get behind the lads while they are there. If RvP leaves this summer perhaps all the fans who buggered off early and left the players to walk around a 3/4 empty stadium will be the reason. After the way the lads have reacted to adversity this season they deserved better. Damn it, Robin has been voted double footballer of the year, he deserved better.

But Emerson and I stayed to gave Robin a special clap as he walked past us with his children in tow. There is no doubt the guy loves this club but I couldn't help feeling this was his last goodbye. I really hope I am wrong but I fear this could have been his last match at The Emirates.

The last goodbye??

Emerson wanted to go on the Underground on the way back, so we walked to Highbury & Islington before catching the Victoria Line back to Finsbury Park. Although our train was not due until 16.25, we were there by 15.40 and a train was waiting for us at the platform.

We arrived back in Peterborough at 16.52 and I was really not looking forward to the two hour drive home now, but it was livened up by hearing Liverpool lose the FA Cup final on the radio. I could picture the Chelsea fans we saw on the train celebrating and I almost felt happy for them, even though it was only the lesser of two evils really. Emerson was slightly more philosophical, saying he was pleased Liverpool lost as they had already won the Carling Cup and it was good for someone else to win something! One day, I promised him, it would be us celebrating. Next year perhaps??

We finally got back to Darlington at 19.30, disappointed with the result but happy with what had been a good day out. I have not seen many more exciting 45 minutes of football than the second half, and if we had held on to win 3-2 it would have been perfect.

However, as it turned out Spurs only drew with Villa and Newcastle lost to Man. City so third place is still in our hands. Win at WBA this Sunday and we will do it. Sounds easy eh?

I am now on the look out for two tickets so Emerson and I can be there to witness all the drama. Not quite a title decider maybe, but with the prize on offer a guaranteed Champions League place, it is about as big as it gets for us.

Plus, of course, it would also be St. Totteringham's Day. Now that really would be something to celebrate...