Eddie

Seeing as we are all fans of the "form expanded over the course of the season" stuff. Arsenal haven't lost in the league since November 22nd, 2008. In the past 22 league games they've picked up 51 points, which if they put on that sort of run over the course of the entire season they'd finish on 88 points and would be sitting on 81 points right now (in other words they'd be top). In that time they've also got to the champions league semi and an fa cup semi, so it's not as if they've had the advantage of focusing on only one competition. Now, I don't expect them to win the league next season and the form expanded over the course of the season stuff would make everyone's season look nice, but it does show that they got off to a particularly slow start which is why they are so far behind United and Liverpool. As philipl said, this was the year to sneak 4th. This kind of season pops up every few years where one of the top four (usually Arsenal because they are not the financial powerhouses that the other 3 are) struggles for a bit and it makes finishing in 4th realisitic. You can complain about that if you want, but it gives the chasing pack a little bit of hop. Fact remains that Arsenal are clearly in the top 4 in England and are also one of the best sides in Europe.

Walcott signed for 5 million or something, but there were added clauses that could take it to 11/12 million (I think), Ronaldo was signed for a little over 12 million. So that's a fair point, but generally Arsenal's youngsters are expensive, but aren't bank breakers. I don't think anyone is saying that it is a great season DE4, but it's been a good season. They started slowly, but have been in very good form for the past several months. Arshavin could be one of the missing links that they needed, especially if Walcott continues to develop as he has over the past 12 months or so. I know it is easy to say "they always say give them another year or two", but you have to remember that Walcott is 20, Fabregas 22, Clichy 23...etc. If anyone wants to bet with me that Arsenal don't finish in the top 4 next season I'll be happy to take your money? I'll even say that they finish at least 10 points clear of 5th.

His policy hasn't failed. If he can keep that bunch of players fit for a season and with Arshavin being there for the entire season they'll do well next year. They certainly are still firmly in the "top four" and are miles ahead of the chasing pack. Champions League Semi (getting knocked out by the soon to be Premiership Champions and in my view the best all-round team in Europe), 4th in the league, FA Cup Semi (probably knocked out by the winners). That isn't a bad season. I don't think Wenger will ever change his system, I don't think Arsenal can afford to. He and Ferguson stand head and shoulders above every other manager that's been in this league for me and I think they'd probably be smart to keep on doing what they're doing, not that they need me or anyone else to tell them that. It will have been a sizeable chunk of cash, but nothing in comparison to the youngsters the other big clubs have brought in (Ronaldo, Rooney and Mikel to name just a few) and that's before you even look at them signing more experienced players. To sign some of them they will be taking advantage of the laws in other European countries (as they did with Fabregas and United did with Macheda) and he's building a side that could potentially win a lot without spending the amount their rivals are.

Even a broken clock...

One easy way to really increase the interest in the UEFA Cup, or EUROPA Cup or whatever it is now, is to let the winners into the champions league. Several other changes could be done to make it more interesting, but in one easy change that would lead to any club that made it to the knock-out stages really taking it seriously. You certainly wouldn't see a repeat of what Villa did this year.

I think there's good logic in that. I certainly think it would be a very safe bet to say that the majority, if not all, of the next 10 champions league semis will have at least 2 English clubs in them.

Yep. Agree that the Ronaldo goal was better than Torres. Spectacular strike.

Rather likely? So you'd give me good odds on United going through then? Away goals are nice, but I'd back United to beat almost anyone in a one-off game, even away from home. United will go through.

Do they not teach languages in English anymore?

Very well handled by both Rangers and Scotland. Rare to see actions like that being taken in football nowadays.

I'm one of those who thought he did a good job with England and I think he was headed in the right direction with City. At City he was totally undermined by the owner and that resulted in the players not caring for the final few games of the season, but he was putting together an exciting bunch of players and playing an attacking version of football that could work in this league. I don't really get how a manager can be "finished", you either understand football and tactics or you don't; maybe you aren't suited to certain leagues or teams, but he's clearly shown himself to be capable of building sides, controlling them and getting them to win. Younger models? Would you rather SGE or Tony Adams/Paul Ince?

You've been at similar encounters with SGE? He's clearly a talented manager. He needs to choose his next job wisely, but he could be a great appointment for someone.

Is it possible that you could release how much you'd want to bring in through advertising and how much the site needs annually to cover costs?

I've taken a bit of stick throughout my time backing Benni during his dark spell, but for me his still remains the best player at this club. He's a better player than Santa Cruz and it is essential that he is playing. He's a better finisher and is more likely to create for others. Santa Cruz should play as a foil to Benni, like Roberts does, which he is more than capable of doing. Since Santa Cruz came in and started doing well he has always been our go-to guy and that has meant that Benni has been less effective. If people don't think that Benni and Santa Cruz can work together then they should just try and remember how good they looked at the start of last season (the Everton game in particular springs to mind).

It was indeed a free kick.

I've seen this. Expect me to bring this up every once in a while over the next 4-5 years.

you lot never watch movies?

Who are the big winners is all of this? ...Spurs They get that bit stronger with the addition of a very good defender.

I wish we would go in for Johnson or Corluka.

Or the AESF-Theno version He's young, he's black If not he'd get the sack Paul Ince, Paul Ince

On youtube he's unbelievable

Everyone I know who has tested out the new expansion loves it, so I'm sure all of you guys will enjoy it.

It was just a bit too boring for me. It's not that I don't enjoy that style of movie, I would have put it right in my taste going into it, but it just felt like a few people were a bit too far up their you know whats while making it. No country for old men was fantastic and was film of the year for me.

I like these guys

AESF's head would explode. He doesn't like the tanned boys.