End of Proper Season

While watching the 4-0 win over Fulham in the last game of Proper Season 09/10, I wasn't quite sure whether to just thoroughly enjoy the win or to view it as an almost non-contest between two teams just hoping to put the league behind them. Arsenal needed a point, Fulham needed to get through the game without conceding injuries.

It was good to see Arsenal's subs, though. Johann Djourou returned to the Premier League after a year, Henri Lansbury made his impressive league debut in the last fifteen or twenty, and Carlos Vela finally broke his PL duck - and quite a chip it was, too.

And with players like these in the wings, it's easier to understand Arsène Wenger's youth project and his seemingly absolute faith in the squad. It's now, on the eve of Really Silly Season, hard to imagine the manager breaking the piggy bank for another midfielder. Or to buy a defender without anyone leaving first.

However, Lukasz Fabianski again demonstrated his insecurity in the role as last man. Like Almunia, he's a magnificent shot stopper. It's "just" dealing with crosses, opposition players and slippery gloves which remain lacking in his all-round game. It might very well be a confidence issue, and this time not helped by the downright sarcastic cheers from Arsenal "fans" every time he touched the ball.

There will be quite a lot of goalkeeper rumours coming up now. Every international agent with any half decent glove-wearing foreigner on his books will use Arsenal to tout ther clients on the market. "You know, Arsenal are interested, you need to make your move now." Like trying to sell downmarket condos.

Wenger has stated that he might not buy a goalkeeper at all. I, for one, doesn't think it will happen. One of the reasons is the manager's pig-headedness. Another is that any goalkeeper Wenger might sound out, would demand higher salary, signing-on fees, agent fees, transfer fees and bonus deals - because everyone thinks Arsenal are in desperate need.

But can Fabianski do an Eboue and regain his confidence? Stranger things have happened.

Soon, I'll do another rundown of the new squad rules in the Premier League. For next season, all is well for Arsenal, but something needs to give for the season after...