EYEWITNESS: Richard Osley's view on Arsenal 4 Fulham 0
FA PREMIER LEAGUE: ARSENAL 4 FULHAM 0
EYEWITNESS report by RICHARD OSLEY
at THE EMIRATES STADIUM
THE nightmare has been avoided. Arsenal have stayed clear of Tottenham and held onto the third place. And that's all this match was really about. A rather drab encounter in which Fulham had their minds in Hamburg and their place in the Europa League final, and Arsenal seemed from the first minute to just get it over with - with the proviso of course that whatever result turned up here, they didn't slip to fourth and behind Spurs.
Tottenham's eventual 4-2 defeat to Burnley meant they could have lost 8-0 and still placed third. As it was, pride kicked in and the Arsenal fans were given a Carlos Vela goal to savour, a late strike which saw the Mexican clip the ball over Mark Schwarzer with a Messi-esque brainwave. That was the fourth. Schwarzer had already been beaten by Andrei Arshavin, Robin Van Persie and a Chris Baird own goal in the first half.
When the final whistle went, Gunners fans were asked to stay in their seats as the players would return for a end of season parade. Again, rather drab. The supporters waited with a drab U2 song playing over the PA and there didn't seem much enthusiasm among the players for this traditional send-off. Maybe, they felt it would have been better to give it a miss after another season without a trophy.
There were players in the crowd circling the ground who won't be there next season. Mikael Silvestre is probably finished up here. Arsenal fans must be praying that Cesc Fabregas, for different reasons, won't be off too. The players had a look of uncertainty as they waved to their crowds, as if they know new faces are necessary - and likely. Not once this season did Arsenal provide its supporters with a glorious victory against one of the big teams to brag about. There was the night that they summoned up such impressive resolve to draw with Barcelona at the Emirates, but they were whitewashed by Manchester United and Chelsea and lost so many key tests away like at Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.
They finish third in what has been a weak league. Chelsea, in relation, are champions despite losing several matches this season.
So who should come in? A solid goalkeeper is a must even if Arsene Wenger says an improvement in that position isn't a priority. There is room for another central defender, more grit in midfield and a livewire striker to work with Van Persie, the latter is likely to be Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh. But does Wenger see it that way. He should move swiftly and decisively, it might be the only way to avoid another slow march around the stadium at this time next season.