Written by Mean Lean on Sunday, 15 May 2011 12:29

So here it is, the very last home game of the 2010/2011 season. They say home is where the heart is but in this case it appears that the relationship at the Emirates has been rocky this season so instead the team have been playing away and having a good time whilst problems were happening at home. Hopefully public arguments do not happen during or after the game.

On to the match, Aston Villa minus Gérard Houllier roll into town. Arsene's friend and former Liverpool manager is still on the mend after being taken ill back in April.

Aston Villa need points to make sure they beat the drop whilst Arsene would like to escape the clutches of Manchester City who are two points behind. Finishing fourth would mean having to qualify for next season's Champions League whilst interrupting our pre season plans. Given the potential of this season, that would be a complete disaster. funny that, given the absolute joy it brought Manchester City and their millions. Such is the high expectations at Arsenal football club.

On the injury front we welcome back Thomas Vermaelen into the starting eleven for the first time since August. He will replace Laurent Koscielny who will be absent with a thigh strain. Johan Djourou is thanking his lucky stars that he will get the chance to continue in the side after his run of dropped form since his shoulder injury, well that is what he told me in last night's dream when I met him on the bus. I had it all filmed on my mobile phone ready to show Arsenal Vision readers until I woke up. Bang goes another exclusive.

We are none the wiser about the fitness of creative duo Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas. Both players were set for more tests after Wenger's press conference so I have no clue as to whether one will be fit, both or none. In that case, I will have to go for both being fit to make my predicted line up look more impressive.

After the shambolic showing at Stoke, I certainly hope both players will be available from the start. If one or both players are not available then the possibility of Van Persie playing in the number 10 role could be an option for the manager. Arsene did say in his press conference that he may look to add another forward to certain home games but having said that. I am not sure if Aston Villa are designed for parking the proverbial bus.

Mean Lean's Predicted Line Up

One to watch: Thomas Vermaelen

How could I not choose Vermy?

After such a long time out of action, well at least first team competitive action, plenty of the focus will be on the Belgian International.

We have heard a lot of talk has been about winning mentality, commitment and desire yet his absence has almost been ignored. You would find it difficult to find a person, fan or neutral who would deny that Vermaelen does not have all of those qualities.

I find myself daydreaming about Vermaelen thundering into a fair but hard tackle, picking himself up and striding away into midfield with the ball at his magical left foot. Had we had his goals alone from last year then we could already be crowned as champions.

This being said, it may well be asking a little much to expect Vermaelen to hit the ground running after such a lengthy time out of the squad. We can all hope.

Mean Lean's Match Prediction:

Arsenal 3 (Van Persie [who else], Song, Chamakh) Aston Villa 1

It is vitally important to finish the season on somewhat of a high after recent displays. You could only hope that playing in front of your support for the final time for the season and even forever for some would see the team put in the required effort. I was also thinking along the same lines against Stoke City so you never can tell.

I only hope that we see the side that last played at the Emirates as opposed to the one a week later. Time to make things up at home and make the Emirates a happy place.

COME ON YOU GUNNERS.

Don't forget to come back and join in the post match discussion and give your say on the game.

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Comments (25)

• 15-May-2011 13:06 | | yemmy
  

  i admire your enthusiasm inspite of all that has happened

• 15-May-2011 15:22 | | Man United Killer  - ML's Jokes
  

  What is there to be enthused about? A defence rubbish enough to concede two goals in the first 10 minutes to Villa?
  
  So much for your 3-1.good luck.

• 15-May-2011 15:23 | | Man United Killer
  

  Absolutely disgusting off-the-ball movement from Arsenal.Do we even train on how to move off the ball?Atrocious!!!

• 15-May-2011 15:37 | | WISDOM
  

  GOOD LUCK. 3-1 TO 0-2 INSIDE 10 MINUTES

• 15-May-2011 15:54 | | Man United Killer
  

  pass-pass-pass-pass-pass-pass-square pass-bad cross.That sums up Arsenal style of play.

• 15-May-2011 16:18 | | ismail  - arsenal till i die
  

  arsenal my best team till i die now and forevermore.
  Arsenal go marching on and on

• 15-May-2011 20:39 | | john
  

  Wrong again ML Adinfinitum

• 15-May-2011 20:39 | | MeanLean
  

  Dear oh dear!
  
  As soon as I saw the team, I got worried. But I didn't expect the defence to wilt that quickly.
  
  We are going through an awful run of form and the team look like a bunch of individuals playing against sides who have been playing together for years.
  
  I just don't know what to say really.
  
  I want the season to end but when it does then I shall be craving my Arsenal fix again.
  
  I cannot believe that 3rd is not in our hands anymore *shakes head*
  
  Come on then, where are all the 'told you so's'? Let me have it.

• 15-May-2011 21:04 | | Gino92
  

  I am so glad that this season is over and we can all get on with our daily lives and wait to see what Wenger does in the Summer. based on our performances since the Carling Cup Final's defeat, I truly believe that we would have missed out on a Champions League spot if we still had another month to go for the season. Thank God the nightmare ends next Sunday.
  
  Wenger MUST make some serious changes this transfer window (the sooner the better) if we are to win anything (or at least challenge for anything) next season. Liverpool will be strong, Spuds will add to their squad, and we all know that Man City will spend another 200 millions pounds as usual and may win the League. They are working hard and seem to be slowly "gel-ing" well. I really fear for Arsenal next season. There needs to be a change in personnel, a change in tactics, but more importantly, a change in attitude and belief. No more lack of concentration in defense, no more criminal defending in the box (Koscielny, Djourou, Clichy, Eboue, Diaby, Fabianski, Cesc, Almunia - if he is still there- which I seriously doubt), no more stupid red cards (yes, you Diaby, and to a lesser extent, Wilshere), no more of a thousand passes side to side without a single shot on goal (we need someone willing to drive straight at defenders to break them down), no more terrible crosses from the wings / crosses with only one or no Arsenal player in the box (Clichy, Sagna), no more over-reliance on Fabregas to bail us out of bad games, etc...
  
  To me, Cesc Fabregas looks as good as gone during the lap of appreciation after the final whistle. He just seems dejected and distant. No real emotions... I am afraid we may not see him in the red and white colors next season. Very sad way to end things at Arsenal. What could have been, what might have been... Anyway, thank you Cesc, for everything you have done for our Club at such a tender age. You are an Arsenal Legend (in my view) and I wish you all the best in your career at Barcelona. (I, for one, would be happy to have you back fully commited to the cause any time you wish to return "home").
  
  Now, I can sleep peacefully and concentrate happily on my family again. I realised that I may have been neglectful and a bit too harsh on my wife and kids when things were not going so good for us these last few months. I really do sympathize with all the Gooners out there who feel stressed out by our team's performances this season. WE SHOULD HAVE WON THE LEAGUE, but alas, it was not meant to be this season. We will definitely be back meaner, stronger, calmer and much more dangerous in 2011-2012.
  
  Keep the faith Gooners.
  GO ARSENAL!

• 15-May-2011 21:42 | | CHGooner  - OK ML I'll let you have it
  

  There really isn't much left to be said is there? Are you looking forward to next season? Is AW going to address the issues? Do you believe in this guy, really now? He 's taken us on a road to nowhere, but according to Richie and the few remaining AKB's nobody else could do a better job. Pathetic.

• 15-May-2011 22:00 | | Man United Killer  - ML
  

  I know you and I are on opposite sides of the divide but ultimately,we all want our club to do well.There is really no need for " I told you so " now .I think you only had a little more faith in the players than I did.Though I stand by my views,I think it's been an awful season for all of us.
  Hopefully next season things might change...Only if we bring in players who can do it...Only if we tweak our style of play a little....Only if we learn to defend as a unit...Only if WE HAVE A LEADER AND COMPETENT DEPUTIES....Only if..Till then lets be thankful we have a faint chance to play in the UCL at least.

• 15-May-2011 22:05 | | Man United Killer  - Victoria Concordia Crescit
  

  Reflections from a TRUE GUNNER.I feel your pain brother.
  Long Live Arsenal !

• 16-May-2011 00:09 | | richie  - Talk is cheap as usual
  

  I've held my hand up and said "I don't know of another manager who can do a better job than AW" Thats my humble opinion.
  
  You at least had the guts to name Hiddink & Allegri.
  I don't agree. I don't think either would be right for Arsenal. However the day I find the name of a manager that I think can do a better job I'll post it. Meanwhile as I can't as yet name one I'll stay 100% behind our current manager.

• 16-May-2011 00:17 | | MeanLean
  

  I am with you on that Richie.
  
  If someone can point me in the direction of a manager who can achieve better league positions than Arsene Wenger with the clubs budget and who can also find gems and turn them into world class players whilst playing attacking football then I will be open to change.
  
  Until that point, I will stick to what the manager has actually done for the club instead of what he can do on top of that.
  
  I want Arsenal to be the best, I want us to stop collapsing like brittle match sticks but I have the confidence in the squad to say that most of what we need is already at the club. Not all! but most.
  
  But for goodness sake, we really need to sort this out.

• 16-May-2011 01:45 | | Man United Killer  - Change is inevitable-except that from a vending ma
  

  I dont exactly know what you mean by talk is cheap but that hardly does justice to the body of your post.
  Are you seriosly saying you dont find anything wrong with this team?Wenger might have taken us as far as he can.Or maybe he wants to keep gambling with his youth policy which is obviously not working to plan.Annoying thing is that he does not want to change.
  I bet Rijkaard can do a better job than Wenger is doing.Hiddink wont do badly either.Villas Boas is full of ideas and that is exactly what we need.Honestly these managers are already top names in football.Wenger was not exactly on top of the pile when Arsenal hired him.You strike me as a man who fears the unknown and change,so I have come to expect little from you in terms of admitting that you are wrong.or at least admitting that someone has a point of view that is better than yours.
  
  You pressurize people to mention names and then you go " I dont agree.I dont think either would be right for Arsenal" How about pressurizing yourself to tell us why they wont be good for Arsenal.I want to hear it.
  
  Finally you really want us to believe that you will post a name on here of someone who you think can do a better job than Wenger?Haha..You have a truckloads of jokes dont you?That day will never come.Even when Arsene retires I bet our new manager wont be good enough for you even if he deilvers titles on a regular basis.Ridiculous!

• 16-May-2011 01:52 | | Man United Killer  - Gems??hahaha..what gems??
  

  hahaha..Turning young players into Gems???haha...what a joke!Who has tuned more young players into gems like Barca does?Yet they find the need to sign quality game changers to complement their squad.Dude,dont get me started!This joke about young gems is starting to sound a bit trite.AKB's like you give Wenger a reason to continue with his failed project.

• 16-May-2011 02:32 | | richie
  

  Muk amazing either you've grown nuts or you've done a little research? Rijkaard is an interesting choice who I think plays attractive attacking football, he did well at Barca where he bought in a lot of new players, plus out of the La Mesia (Barca's acedemy) came many of the current crop of Barca players. He spent a lot in his 5 years at the club and won a 2 league titles,and of course the 06 CL against us. Without money though he hasn't managed to do much at Galatasary wining only the turkish cup in 3 years. At least as a manager he certainly wont be trying to returns us to play the type of Football we played under GG.
  
  Hiddink wants buddles wherever he's been. Loads for himself and loads of money to spend on players. He's a sound coach but I don't think he'd be stable enough for us, his loyalty's suspect, he's even blown out his own country's team for more money.
  
  Villas- Boas? The new coach of Porto? Well he's won his first league title. Have you seen his style of play or is it only the success of winning a title that has impressed you? Is he full of new idea's? What are they then? Educate us on his idea's. I've only seen Porto play I don't know his playing philosophy what is it?

• 16-May-2011 02:53 | | richie
  

  We are dropping like a stone!
  When we had 2 teams, the young one for the CC, a mix for the FA and a slightly older one for the league and CL, I argued that even when the kids lost it effected the whole club. Its no good to argue that we haven't got leaders on the pitch and then act shocked when we haven't got leaders on the pitch. Lets call a spade a shovel, much as it pains me to admit it Taggart has been "the man" when its comes to getting the balance right between talent and character, flair and personality. His 12 league titles are testament to that. We now need to get a grip, but without the right personality's and characters in the dressing room that ain't easy. A leader is needed as we've all known for a good while.

• 16-May-2011 02:58 | | Man United Killer  - Only to aid your bad memory-perhaps
  

  Funny,but nuts is my middle name.I find it funny though that you have conveniently ignored the fact that the youth project is obviously working.I find it funny too that you have never actually mentioned a single mistake that Wenger has made.Oh!he does not make any in your eyes.I forgot..Your Pope!
  
  About Rijkaard.I dont know exaclty what you mean by he spent a lot.Again you are conveniently failing to highlight the effort he put into helping countless youngsters make it into the first team.You are ridiculously one-sided in your arguements.You sit there and find faults about all coaches all over the world but you dont find a single one with your manager who cant manage to win a plastic cup.Fantastic!
  
  I dont find the need to go back and forth with you about Hiddink.If you want to win something you have to spend some money.Trying to win on the cheap is the reason why we are here today.If you really think Wenger is going to win so much as a plastic cup with this team you need to wake up from your slumber.Cheap things always turn out to be expensive.He spent 5 million to buy a piece of ish like Squallaci when he could have easily added a little bit for a better player...or better still promoted one of the younger players.Isnt that a waste of money?So much for a degree in economics.
  
  As far as Villas Boas is concerned,you definitely need to get schooled about Porto's style of play.Let me put it in perspective for you.Porto play good 'effective' football,which we are currently not doing anyways.And yes,I watch the portugese league...and even the J League.So if you really want to know what is going on outside of Wengers world,get out of the box every once in a while.
  
  
  Finally , I forgot to say.Do me a solid and stop comparing Arsenal to Galatasaray.Rijkaard would surely have more resources at Arsenal.You are starting to sound desperate in defence of the AKB brigade.

• 16-May-2011 03:04 | | richie
  

  Muk are you saying Arsene hasn't turned players into Gems? Because you will make yourself into the laughing stock you claim we as a club are becoming. We've earned enough selling on Arsene's Gems to the very Barca you say is the great Gem developer. Try to remember also that Taggart was told that he'd never win anything with kids. I seem to remember he did just that though.

• 16-May-2011 03:35 | | richie
  

  Mistakes Wengers made? I've named loads but you must've been asleep. As he scored the FA cup winner I'll name one of Arsene's bloody mistakes. I said it back then I'll say it again now. We had Yaya Toure at London C. Long before Barca saw him. I saw him there and I thought there was no way AW wouldn't keep him. His bro Kolo was also a midfielder back then and Yaya was much the better player.
  
  On the same theme as he's in the same team. I said before this season started before Vieria signed for Money City when he came to Arsenal looking for work that I would've loved AW to bring him back to the club for the youngsters to learn from. We thought we still had Sol then before he married a Geordy Lass and I thought and said with Characters like that in the dressing room they'd be worth their money if only for the team spirit. There really is way too many criticisms that I've made to list. You need to get out more read Samba's version that he was about to sign for us when it was skuttled. AW got bounced into buying. Gallas left, Sol left, Samba fell through.
  
  Wrong again Rijkaard didn't develope youngsters at Barca if anything that was Van Gaal. All of the players were already there and LvG returned as director of football during Rijkaards stay. I meant FR spent spent plenty of money buying players in while he was at Barca.

• 16-May-2011 04:03 | | Man United Killer  - why state the obvious?
  

  I never said that Wenger has not turned players into gems.I am trying to empasize that even the Team with the best Academy in the world find the need to spend to complement their quality.Is that such a complicated statement for you to analyze Richie?
  In any case, dont make it sound like Wenger is the only manager who has given young players a chance to shine! Get Real.Living on past glories wont get you any where.I thought you would have come up with a better arguement than this.Take a few steps back,gather momentum and try again.That was pretty weak.

• 16-May-2011 04:22 | | Man United Killer
  

  You have again ignored his lack of activity in the January window havent you?He obviously took us (well those of us who are not his right hand men-unlike you) for a ride when he later admitted that he knew TV would be out the whole season.What biased analysis!!!
  Dude, Van Gaal had a total spell period of 4 years at Barca and that was intermittent.Half of the playing squad in Barca joined when they were between10-15 years.These people are the pace-setters of turning kids into gems.And then Ajax(back in the day).Dont give me that weak argument about Wenger turning kids into gems.He has equally wasted money and loads of it on trash players.Time to dust off your history books my friend.Are you seriously telling me that Rijkaard did not give the young players a chance to become world beaters?joke.right?Yes he spent money-and one of those players did a pretty good job of messing us up in the UCL final!You want quality? You gotta spend some!
  In any case, I dont think Van Gaal will go down in your books as a good enough manager for Arsenal.
  
  Finally,you didnt seem to have anything to say about the riduculous comparison you made between Galatasaray and Arsenal.Well,Richie is a man who has a way of evading things he has no answers for.yes?

• 16-May-2011 10:58 | | richie
  

  Muk for ages you wouldn't or couldn't name who you thought could do a better job than Wenger. That is well documented on this blog. Now you claim I'm not answering questions you didn't even pose. I pointed out that without La Mesia's Barca's famous acedemy plus large cash sums at his disposal i.e. his current position at Galatasary his record ain't fantastic. Yes he won a league & CL double in 06 and the league in 05. All that in 5 years as Barca's coach.
  
  However LvG was the one who was instumental in putting Croyff's plans (Ajax style) in to place They chucked Bobby Robson even though he won 3 cups in one year because he didn't play in the Ajax total attacking style. In fact LvG was brought back to be Barca's director of Football in 04 while Rijkaard was coach, remember managers as we know them in England aren't used in Europe. The director of Football buys players. The coach is resposible for the team. LvG indeed had 4 years as coach at Barca but was bought back for a year to be Rijkaards director. Am I getting through to you Muk? And just to make it clear No LvG wouldn't be good enough IMHO to manage the Arse.
  
  Barca's internal history lessons, Rijkaard was outed because he wanted the director to buy in rather than the coach (himself) develope from within. Croyff wanted more internal developement and what Croyff wants (At Barca) Croyff gets. Hence the apointment of Guardiola.

• 16-May-2011 12:42 | | Man United Killer
  

  You havent really said anything.All you have done is read your history book like I asked you to.
  And for the record.I have named a couple of managers in the past.Long before this debate began,that is one of the reasons why I didnt find the need to repeat myself.If you claim everything is documented,I would also assume you know where to find post histories.
  Wenger has lost it.I cant even believe how many players play out of position in Arsenal.Atrocious!

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