The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - How Good Was Arsenal's Season?

By Shane Thomas

It's part of the post-match ritual of any final. The losing team's fans trudge off, disconsolate. The winning team's fans stay in their seats, vocalising their joy in the form of odes to the heroes of the occasion. For them, and the players, their work is done.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - Why The FA Cup Needs Arsenal To Lose

By Shane Thomas

This time last year, it was unbearable. The nerves. The anxiety. The knot in my stomach as kick-off drew ever closer. The desperation of ending that trophy drought. And in a manner that was as nerve-shredding as it was circuitous, Arsenal managed it; 2013/14 winners of the FA Cup.

The FA Cup - Football's American Dream

By Shane Thomas

As the 3rd round of the FA Cup draws to a close, my thoughts have turned to the almost edacious manner of its promotion, especially by the BBC - who regained the broadcast rights from ITV.

The phrase "the magic of the cup" has become a cliche so worn, it represents a pair of jeans that have been in the washing machine so often, that the area around the crotch begins to thin.

The Diary of a Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - The Trophy

By Shane Thomas

Arsene Wenger said it began to feel like a curse. Sporting curses are normally a preserve of North America, but given Benfica's failure in the Europa League final, stretching the Bela Guttman curse into its 52nd year, and Liverpool - in part due to Steven Gerrard becoming acquainted with the Anfield turf - falling agonisingly short of ending their 24 year wait for a league championship, it seemed as if football is now getting into the curse business.

The Window of Opportunity

By Shane Thomas

Two Tuesdays ago, Wigan were leading Swansea 2-1 in a key game in their battle to avoid relegation. In the second-half, James McCarthur, on as a substitute, missed a great chance to secure the win. The commentary team speculated whether Wigan would come to rue that miss.

Wigan went on to lose 3-2.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - Farewell Pat Rice

By Shane Thomas

As the dust settled on the 3-3 draw against Norwich, and the Arsenal players walked around the edge of the pitch for the traditional end-of-season lap of honour, the feeling that swept throughout the stands was one of disappointment and fear - at least, it was for the fans that stayed, my thoughts about those that left The Emirates immediately after the full-time whistle will have to wait for another day.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - The Return Of The King

By Shane Thomas


ARSENAL 1-0 LEEDS UNITED

12 minutes away from yet another frustrating FA Cup draw with Leeds United, Thierry Henry scored a timely winning goal to send the Emirates Stadium into raptures. The Arsenal legend's storybook return was the headline of an otherwise sterile encounter in which Simon Grayson's side almost earned themselves a creditable replay.

City's Blue Heaven

By Shane Thomas

MANCHESTER CITY 1-0 STOKE CITY (Manchester City win the 2011 FA Cup)

Thirty-five years of anguish, disappointment and handwringing were brought to an end at Wembley as Manchester City finally ended their mammoth trophy drought with a 1-0 victory over Stoke. Yaya Toure was the hero as he struck with just 16 minutes remaining as they finally broke down the wall of resistance that Stoke had put up.

Manchester City vs Stoke City - Match Ratings

By Shane Thomas

MANCHESTER CITY:

JOE HART (7)

His role in the win was as important as any of his teammates. Dealt faultlessly with the Stoke aerial bombardment and made a crucial save to deny Kenwyne Jones at 0-0.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - Arsenal Bring The Noise

By Shane Thomas

LEEDS 1-3 ARSENAL

Arsenal walked into the fiery cauldron of Elland Road and forged themselves a resilient 3-1 victory in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. The Gunners produced a much improved display from their recent travails against Championship opposition to send their travelling away support back to North London very happy & send sections (albeit small ones) of the home support leaving early to derisive chants of, "We can see you sneaking out!"

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - Superman Saves The Day From The Giant-Killers

By Shane Thomas

ARSENAL 1-1 LEEDS UNITED

On a freezing Saturday afternoon, Arsenal staggered into the hat for the 4th Round of the FA Cup after scraping a draw with Leeds United in a nerve shredding affair at The Emirates. The Gunners failed to heed the lessons learnt by Manchester United at this stage of the competition last season, and were rescued from an embarrassing defeat by a combination of Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott being summoned from the bench in the second-half.