Arjen Robben's Final Failure

By Shane Thomas

It's morbidly self-indulgent for one to look back over what they have written in the past, but it turned out quite useful in this instance. After the 2010 World Cup final, I wrote of Arjen Robben's performance, "A good performance from the Bayern Munich man, but the bottom line is he missed two great chances that would have given the Netherlands the World Cup. When his chance came to seize the occasion, he choked."

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 - Arsenal See Red & Lose Their Heads

By Shane Thomas

The Emirates Stadium was an enraged and irate place on Sunday evening. Referee Mike Dean will likely take the majority of the headlines after dishing out two red cards, with Manchester City winning their first league game away at Arsenal since 1975.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - Theo And The Newly Found End Product

By Shane Thomas

It's been a while since Arsenal have been the major football story that didn't lead with the words "crisis", "transfer window" or "spending", often accompanied by the words "lack of". However, Theo Walcott's coruscating hat-trick against Newcastle not only sent the Gunners up to 5th in the Premier League table, it also brought the topic of his contract status into sharp focus.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - Arsenal's Listlessness Continues

By Shane Thomas

ARSENAL 0-2 SCHALKE

Arsenal moved from a state of slight concern into discernible worry after their second moribund display in five days, which resulted in a deserved loss to the Germans, Schalke. To paraphrase the sporting aphorism, Arsenal lost 2-0, and were lucky to get nil.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - Lethargic Arsenal Narrowly Avoid Greek Tragedy

By Shane Thomas

ARSENAL 3-1 OLYMPIACOS

Arsenal secured their second successive win in this season's group stage of the Champions League, and once again, it was a hard fought victory, with many nervous moments for the home support.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - The Worth Of Arsenal

By Shane Thomas

After last Sunday's victory over Liverpool, things are a touch rosier in the Arsenal garden. However, that was in marked contrast to the mood amongst many fans a few days previous. Press reports swiftly emanated that Theo Walcott had decided against signing an extension to his contract with the club, which will expire at the end of the current season.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - The New Signings

By Shane Thomas

So, 2011/12 ended as a season in which Arsenal got away with it, and scraped into the Champions League for the 13th successive campaign. Their star man, Robin Van Persie has departed, and Alex Song is likely to join him. However, the club approach the 2012/13 season with a degree of understated optimism.

The Diary Of A Pessimistic Arsenal Fan - A Saturday Afternoon Stroll

By Shane Thomas


ARSENAL 3-0 ASTON VILLA


A comfortable Arsenal win. Remember those? Arsenal's impressive recent run reached a touchstone on Saturday afternoon, as they brushed aside Aston Villa to tighten their grip on 3rd place in the Premier League.