The long and winding road ends on Sunday

This season has been a long and winding road.

For one reason or another, the club and its supporters have endured countless twists and turns this campaign.

Here’s what I mean…

Arsenal opened the Premier League season with three straight loses, followed by a nine-game unbeaten string in the league. This was followed by the Gunners losing three out of four, then winning five straight, etc, etc, etc. You probably get my point.

If Mikel Arteta can find someone from somewhere to help deal the following problems, then Arsenal could become a serious contender next season for trophies.

First, he needs to find at least two strikers to put the ball in the back of the net. This season’s goal production was awful.

Second, he needs to build a squad that can turn defeats into draws. Now, I know draws do not win titles, however, they can help. The Gunners lost too many matches this season that could have been draws, earning us at least earned a point.

And finally, the manager must begin beating the Top 5 clubs in this league. This season the Arsenal record against Tottenham, Man City, Man United, Tottenham and Chelsea in all competitions was: 3 wins, 1 draw and 8 defeats. Simply, not even close to being good enough.

So, here we are at the end of the season. We still have a little hope for a 4th place finish, but the fat lady is backstage preparing to sing. Arsenal has won their last ten matches of the season, including the last 16 without a defeat. That’s good news historically, however, Everton will present a big challenge that we will have to deal with in the present.

On the other hand, news reports from Tottenham indicate several Spurs players, including Harry Kane, are suffering from food poisoning. I’m sure Norwich City would rather see a Kane-less side on Sunday, however, the relegated Canaries would still have their hands full with Son Heung-Min who needs two goals to pass the injured Mo Salah to win the Premier League’s Golden Boot.

Of course we can hope for miracles, and we will right up to the final whistles at both the Emirates and at Carrow Road.

Now, on to other things. It looks like Thomas Partey, Emile Smith Rowe, Gabriel and Ben White are back in training. Will they be ready to play on Sunday? Let’s assume they will, so let’s adjust my previous starting 11 v Everton.

Here it is…

[4-2-3-1]

Lacazette

Martinelli, Odegaard, Saka

Xhaka, Partey

Tavares, Holding, White, Cedric

Ramsdale

COYG!

Gunner1953