(Ed’s note, continuing on a season review from yesterday’s first instalment)

The Bad…

What better place to start than our first defeat of the season at Old Trafford. Frustrating. The performance couldn't be criticised, but we should have held out for what would have been a belief confirming three points. Confidence increased further, we would have kicked on had we taken from the game what we had put in. Almunia rush of blood. Penalty. Equaliser. Diaby. Strange own goal. We then headed across Manchester slightly deflated to face greedy bollox and his new rich mates. At 1-1 we were on top, but we lacked the maturity to care about the defensive side of our game whilst looking for the winner. This allowed greedy to eventually make it 3-1 at a time of the season when he still looked interested and still ran. All the way down to the away end screaming with greed and arrogance. I wonder how his ego will fit into the Europa League next season?

The title was ultimately lost via our non-winning record against the two teams above us. 12 points. Losing away to Utd and Chelsea is one thing. Losing at home is another. Losing in the manner we did was totally unacceptable. Imploding, we did little to change the opinion of players in both opposing camps that we are a soft touch. Men against boys in age, physicality and know how. It has become familiar viewing. The defensive frailties were there for all to see and must be improved.

I want more from Arshavin too, because he is capable of it. I laugh at his lack of fitness, bent over with exhaustion after each run he makes, it's part of his character. However, it is a thin line between suffering the artist and not tolerating such indulgence. He has more to offer. He has to decide more games, because he can. He's good enough. Anyone who saw the video clip of Arshavin in pre-season training will know he hardly gives his all in that environment. A friend who played against him in the Barnet friendly said after "Arshavin couldn’t have been less bothered" by the game. Such an attitude has, at times, crept into matches that actually matter, and it's not been good enough.

F**kin injuries. Everybody gets them. F**k that they don't all get this many:

Djourou, Nasri, Gibbs, Gallas, Fabregas, Ramsey, Song, Van Persie, Diaby, Clichy, Vermalen, Rosicky, Eduardo, Walcott, Arshavin, Bendtner, Vela. There's probably more. Do we really miss Gary Lewin this much, or are we just unlucky? It seems steps are to be taken this summer into ensuring all is done to prevent the list from being so long next season. If the 'GPS' system works, Arsene might even declare it to be 'like a new signing'...

The defeat at Spurs. Finally. They had to beat us again one day, despite their best efforts not to since 1999 and the Justin Edinburgh era. What a player. They almost threw this one away too, following the reintroduction of Van Persie. Scenes of great joy followed the final whistle as Spurs secured three points and the marketing team went to press on the commemorative DVD. I've still not seen the trophy presentation that Sky missed. The win pushed them towards that all important fourth spot and the opportunity to play with the elite next season.

Hoodies in the Champions League? Let’s hope not. I'll take their crowing all summer long if it means they take a stumble at the first jump in August.

***For more of my Arsenal based ramblings, follow me on Twitter @TheArsenal_

Tomorrow – The Ryan Shawcross

(Ed’s note – just as this seemed an apt place to put this, we received an email relevant to one of the views above – ‘we did little to change the opinion of players in both opposing camps that we are a soft touch’. It came from Chris (no surname given) and reads as follows…)

Just though you would like to know what Kevin Davies said about Jack Wilshire on Sky Sports.
'A tremendous talent.'
'As he came from Arsenal we thought he would be a bit soft, but as well as having great technique he likes to get stuck in.'
Are you listening Arsene?
'As he came from Arsenal we thought he would be a BIT SOFT!'