Arsenal v. Fulham 4-0 9/May/10

Van Persie and Man Utd's newest signing, Smalling.
[Photo: Alex Morton/Action Images via Guardian]


In an evening full of diluted emotions the Gunners assured the third place after a practical walk in the park, hammering four goals past Schwarzer's goal. Even when there were particular and special moments throughout the match, the players and particularly the crowd left with the feeling of dissatisfaction. After the terrible run of results there was a clear hunch from the supporters as the qualification for the CL spot was in danger of being overtaken by Spurs.

The atmosphere was overshadowed by the anxiety and fear from the supporters. The best thing for the current squad is either have a long break in some tropical paradise or to get ready for the maximum tournament in a month's time. We couldn't expect much from Fulham since their sights were ser in the Europa League finale.



Carlos Vela, seals another victory.
[Photo: Alan Walter via Daily Mail]


Fabianski has made himself the legend of a comical keeper: he ratified his recent dodgy form in another set piece as Riise crossed looking for Dempsey. It was a miracle that the ball was not in the back of the net. In the following minutes Schwarzer was busy keeping Van Persie, Arshavin and Nasri at bay. The home team opened the score in the 21st minute: atrocious ball control allowed Arshavin to steal the ball from the Australian keeper to later poke it. Van Persie was alone expecting the ball in an unusual greedy act from the Russian.

The second goal came as the Fulham defence dozed off when Walctot crossed for Van Persie, who shot and hit the crossbar; in the following strike the Gunners had their second. This was a walk in the park for the Gunners: thirty seven minutes and Baird made a "clumsy clearance" that was in the back of the net. With few minutes in the clock, some nice footwork from an accuarte, well-oiled team attack made some fine impressions such as Walcott's run in the 40th Van Persie's shot deflected in the 43rd.

This was already poised to be a tranquil game since Fulham's mind was elsewhere in Hamburg. There was a feeling among suporters of something of a preseason day, with really nothing further to add rather than an effort on the final day and the cheer of the fans before the World Cup.



The captain and the Welsh, in the final lap.
[Photo: PA via Daily Mail]


In the first seconds of the following half, news came from Old Trafford as Chelsea were 2-0 up. A draw would suffice for the Gunners but the three points and the standing ovation was more likely to happen. Again we saw Arsenal's vice-captain Van Persie score in the last day of the campaign, as with Stoke's final game last year. Robin Van Persie missed a sitter in the 50th minute as Schwarzer double-saved. There were some worries for Fulham's European match as one of their defenders went out injured.

Johan Djourou finally ended his season-long spell and played his first game of the season -how odd does that sound! Silvestre finished his last shining unforgettable historic brilliant performance as an Arsenal player. After some clumsy defending from Campbell, who challenged Demspey, the American was substituted by Stoor in the 66th minute. After some penalty allegations, Eboué had another one as he blatantly dived again.

Again Fabianski made some strange things as he handed out a ball outside his box. More problems looked ahead in the near future for the North Londoners. With fifteen minutes to go, it was a real disgrace to see the Emirates with a lot of empty spaces; some fans left the building earlier the expected. Within seven minutes Carlos Vela did one of his famous lobs and in a day of "firsts," scored his first of the season -Nasri's pass broke the defence in two. Arsenal's season ended on a high note after four minutes added.