Spudulike

I know it was a Tuesday, but the crowd and atmosphere at the Emirates was terrible. The final whistle got a round of applause - no cheers, etc. They probably get a better atmosphere away.

A good point. On balance, I reckon Arsenal getting a top four finish would be unjust. However, they'd feel like they'd won a trophy, and it'd make them complacent, again, going into the Final. It doesn't take much for Arsenal's basic cockiness to come to the fore.

Ah, bollocks.

They are making heavy weather of it so far. I just couldn't see Arsenal NOT winning this, and easily.

Bloody Arsenal, a match that it's almost impossible for them to lose.

It's definite progress mate. We may end the season on 86 points. It's a tribute to CFC's consistency that that number of points wasn't enough to win the league. Momemtum is an interesting thing in sport. I'll be honest that I am worried about being at Wembley for home games next season and also about keeping the squad together; egos and agents being what they are, there's a danger of players' heads being turned. If we can deal with both issues, things do look good. It feels like a really important next season though - will we build on this season? Can we keep it going?

I heard Alan Green on R5 say earlier 'This atmosphere is turning into a celebration' Of what? Let's no kid ourselves about recent decades: we've been long on potential and short on achievements, to be unsentimental. What worries me is that this season may prove to have been our best chance of achieving something. The issues about playing at 'special' grounds such as Wembley and the Olympic Stadium are now well known.

My God, is Sturridge playing?!!

My God, Sturridge is fit... Edit: not in that way.

Where are we on the Scouse Boom-Bust cycle? Klopp isn't the saviour. How long til he's Scouse Public Enemy?

It's that peculiar thing where you're rubbish all season and then heroes for staying up.

That's a very good point BQ. It is a bizarre situation that Arsenal are caught in a limbo of not failing as such but equally not challenging for the title, despite their resources. In fairness, we're not piling up the trophies either but I hope we are at least heading that way. At Arsenal, it's Groundhog Day.

And it'll give them, subconsciously, an excuse for not doing well in the league.

I know an Arsenal fan and, while she's worried about Wenger and the future, she's genuinely caught up in (what she feels is) the excitement of the race for fourth place. Fourth place will feel like a trophy to her. It's mad but, as you say, good news for us.

Interesting. I hadn't heard that but it helps to explain why Steve Bould just sits there, saying nothing :-)

100% agreed about Wenger; he's a control freak and, for most of the season, he focuses on how Arsenal play, rather than whether they are winning. There are no leaders on the pitch; he needs a Keown-type to say 'WTF is going on?', when it's needed. I'm pretty sure he'll stay as the owners are focused on the money and Arsenal are doing well as a financial proposition. Fair point about managers mate.

I agree about Merson; I'm surprised he's a pundit to be honest. Thompson was wrong too. You can discuss the issue of foreign vs British managers without laying into a particular person. One issue with the lack of UK managers in the top leagues is the lack of patience of owners; any failure or drop in form and a manager's gone. There's no chance to learn from mistakes. Christ, you can even be dismissed while doing a good job, like Gary Rowett.

The choice of fourth placed team is a tough one. Much as I dislike the Gooners, fourth place would keep them complacent and likely keep Wenger his job. They are not going to challenge for the title while Wenger's there so 4th may help CFC and Spurs.

On that note, why isn't Pep's failure more of a story? He came here hyped to the rafters but some of his decisions have been dreadful and he's underperformed with a squad assembled at great expense. I think partly those pundits who hyped him are embarrassed to admit they stuffed up, at least this season.

Where do they get the money from?! Hiring an aircraft, and pilot, and getting the banner made?

Obvious question for Gooners is where has this fight been all season? Wenger's new contract looking safe at least,which helps us all.

I don't think we specified when we are coming for you... It's a technical point

Many congratulations Honestly, in recent months it never truly felt like it was in doubt. CFC has done an efficient job. To an outsider, it's looked straightforward, but it's clearly the result of a lot of hard work. There's always next season... or the one after...

Luck goes a long way but Utd will not be able to switch off during the final like they did in the second half, at times.

Unbelievable turn around. Utd might not do this. How much injury time?...