Well, that’s it then. Another season is pretty much over and the Gunners Silverware cupboard is once again looking pretty sparse. Not so long ago they were flying high with a good lead and looking like the team to beat.

Looking back there was one defining moment where it all came unraveled. Saturday 23rd February 2008 at around 3.03 pm. That was the moment a bone shattering tackle on Eduardo by Taylor of Birmingham freaked out the team to such an extent that including that game, Arsenal picked up just 8 points from the next 21 available. With Man U and Chelski only a few points back, you just cannot give up that kind numbers. As a young team, it was a shock to all around and you could see on the Arsenal players faces that they were shaken. Confidence is everything when you are chasing a title and they just seemed to lose it.

arsenal_logo.jpgThere are a few other factors which I think may have contributed to this seasons poor run in. The lack of a fit Van Persie has been obvious all season. Sure, Bendtner and Walcott will come good but they are not quite in RVP’s class as yet. Rosicky’s constant on-off fitness has also been a blow. Thank heavens for Fabregas and Flamini who held the midfield together as a near constant.

Speaking of Flamini, what is he thinking. Off to AC Milan as a free agent. I think I saw him called “FlaMoney” on one blog. At best, he will be a bit part player at Milan. He’ll drop down the pecking order for starts both at Milan and more than likely, France. He will regret leaving…. they all do…. one day.

So, to the future. Our young guns will go for it again next year. A year stronger and a year wiser. We need to strengthen. In the keeping department we should be OK. We need to bring in a world class central defender. Toure and Gallas are OK but Senderos has been found wanting on more than one occasion. Flamini will be missed but I am sure that one of several youngsters could fill the gap. Denilson looks a good prospect but maybe he needs to toughen up a bit.

No doubt Carlos Vela will be called back from his loan at Osasuna. He looks a great player and one for the future.

Maybe we also need one more proven goalscorer. I know the name of David Villa has been thrown into the ring but I think he’ll probably go to Madrid. Lets hope Eduardo recovers well and is available early in the new season.

One last thought. This season has gone very quickly, but I have still missed Challenge Lawro. Come on BBC, flash some of that outrageous license fee and get it up and running again “Bigger and Better” as promised.