Perspective

It's Wednesday night. I've just had the pleasure of watching Chelski get their bollocks bloody bursted in the 92nd minute, and I'm feeling rather...at peace. Let's have some perspective then.

First, let's face it. We never really had the team to win against Man U. One leg, two, whatever. The depth of squad, the fullness of their squad, the freedome that each had to play in their best positions, we were way out of our depth. They had Park Ji-sung, the man with three lungs. We had Alex Song. They had Ronaldo play in the middle. We had Adebayor. They had Rio and Vidic. We had Djourou. The list goes on. Much as I love our team and some of the kids, and much as I hate the #!%&! at Man U, as a footballer with a neutral brain, you have to admit that on paper, there was no way in hell we were going to win.

Second, we deserved to get thumped in the first 90 minutes. Justice was done when the tie was killed off after 98 minutes. Luck got us through the first 90, and luck failed us with Gibbs' sorry slip. It all evens out.

Third, expectations have been ridiculous this season. One moment, in December, people were talking of the end of an era, the end of Champions League football for Arse. In May, people were talking about getting to the final. What kind of shit analysis is that? Given our start, our injuries, our team, I'd say we've already overdone ourselves by (a) securing 4th, (b) getting to the semis of the FA Cup, and (c) getting to the semis of the Champions League. Hell, our season was still on as of 6th May. More than could be said of Liverpool.

Fourth, there has to come a point where the bitter truth hopefully dawns on Arsene Wenger. If it doesn't by now, then we should as fans be ready for either (a) lower expectations, or (b) more heartbreak. Our team just can't cut it, from the constant injuries, to the shallowness of the team. Ronaldo somehow never gets injured; Eduardo's body will probably never fully recover. Our defensive middle gets injured with a forceful sneeze, Rio's cracked ribs miraculously heal. Giggs comes on as sub. We have Eboue.

Fifth, there are in the end, footballing gods. Chelski played the perfect 180 minutes of defensive football, confining poor Barca to a painful dose of Arsenal-itis (mindless, hopeful passing around the box). What they forgot was that god has a sense of humour. So if there are footballing gods, then really, gods are fair, and Man U deserved to whip us over the two legs. And Barca deserve to be there for their efforts at playing football.

So I'm a happy-ish Arsenal fan. We did well to get where we did, but failed when all the hidden problems eventually showed up. I pray the team stays together for at least one more season. But I wouldn't blame some of them if they left. Of course, I'd be chuffed if Song, Denilson, Silvestre, Rosicky, and Ade left, to leave us with a gazillion pounds to spend on propers defenders and defensive midfielders. Would RVP leave? I hope not, but he may. Would Cesc leave? Probably not yet. I hope Bent Nick stays. I think he at least has the right spirit.

Finally then. Can't wait for Sunday. When I get to see Arsely Hole, Lampard, Terry, and the like. And pass them a tissue for their little tears. Who cares if we lose. I love my team, and would rather them any time to the twats in blue who harassed the ref at the end of the game for god knows what reason. We deserved to lose. And they didn't deserve to win. And both will face each other in a dead rubber Sunday. How nice.

As for perspective. Consider this sad story. I joke about suicide after the sad display, but this guy took it seriously. For all you guys out there making £80,000 a week and content with mediocre performances, remember that there are fans around for whom Arse are not life and death. It's more important.