Bullets from the Ashes: A different Arsenal Story

APRIL - The Final Hurdle

Geoff Keeling was anxious coming up to the final month. He was really feeling the pressure.

1.4.12 - Pat Rice gives some Advice

Pat Rice wanted to tell something to Geoff Keeling so they organised a meeting.

Keeling
Rice

-Hello Pat, what brings you to my office today then?
-Hi Geoff, well, I've got something I want to tell you.
-Go on,
-I..I..I am going to retire at the end of this season, I feel my time is up.
-Well, I can't say I'm not bitterly disappointed, but I understand.
-Ok Thanks, I hope you can find my replacement easily!
-Haha. Pat, can I ask you for some advice?
-Sure, what is it?
-Well, I'm the pressure has been really getting to me recently.
-Ahhh, I see, lets go for a walk

The two walked out of Keeling's office and took a walk around the Emirates, neither uttering anything. They stopped at this point.



-Right ok here we are, now Geoff what do you see?
-I see Herbert Chapman, watching over the Stadium.
-Good now would you consider him to be the greatest ever manager?
-Of course, I'm a Gooner.
-Now, please tell me, how many titles did he win?
-Well, he won two league titles.
-Now, how long was he at Highbury for?
-9 years.
-See? He didn't win the league every year did he? Now my point is that it's not the end of the world if we slip up this month, we will just have to come back stronger next year. Look at the player's on the stadium, all Legends including me! No one of us on there won the title every year.
-I see your point Pat, thanks for this, I really appreciate it.
-No Problem, think of it as my leaving gift to you.
-I will give you a leaving gift Pat, The Premier League Trophy
-Don't Forget the Champions League and F.A. Cup!

4.4.12 - - Arsenal 2-0 Manchester City (3-2 Agg) - The Moon wasn't shining

Champions League





Yossi Benayoun

An entertaining brace from Yossi Benayoun gave the Gunners the result they needed, overturning the deficit. They marched on into the Semi Finals where they were given Barcelona.

7.4.12 - - Sunderland 0-1 Arsenal

Premier Division

Aaron Ramsey 71'

Nicolas Otamendi

11.4.12 - - Arsenal 3-1 Everton

Premier Division

Royson Drenthe 38'
Theo Walcott 45+1'
Jonathan Dos Santos (pen) 90'

Theo Walcott

With this win it meant that the Premier League could be won by the Gunners in their next game, at White Heart Lane!

14.4.12 - - Arsenal 2-2 Portsmouth (2-1 Pens)

FA Cup

Mapou Yanga Mbiwa 51'
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain 91'

A very disappointing result, however the Gunners did not have long to dwell on it as they had to travel to Barcelona soon.

18.4.12 - - Barcelona 1-2 Arsenal - Unbelievable!

Champions League





Well, well, What an incredible result! Unbelievable! The Gunners did know however that the Emirates would still be very tough, and they could still get beaten. However their minds quickly turned to their next match, at White Heart Lane...

21.4.12 - Spurs - Arsenal - Pre Match

Geoff Keeling woke up very early. He immediately felt butterflies in his stomach, he trudged around his house, trying to behave normally. He didn't know what to do with himself. He decided to go over what he was going to say to the players, and he cast his mind back that meeting he had with Pat Rice, and remembered Herbert Chapman. He was ready.

As the players made their way into the disgrace that Spurs called the Away Changing rooms Keeling gave his normal Team talk. After the talk he said

"Ok lads. We can all try and pretend that this is only a normal game - but it isn't. This could be one of the most important matches of your career. You will feel the pressure. However I would like to quote an Arsenal legend, Pat Rice. We were standing in front of the Herbert Chapman statue, he was giving me some advice.

"See? He didn't win the league every year did he? Now my point is that it's not the end of the world if we slip up this month, we will just have to come back stronger next year. Look at the player's, all Legends including me! No one of us on there won the title every year."

"That is it, Pat is a hero, and he will be leaving us at the end of season. But when you feel the pressure, or make a mistake, just remember Pat's words. You'll all be fine, now go out there and WIN US THIS LEAGUE!"

And with the word's of Pat Rice in the players head's, they walked out into the "Lion's Den"

- Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Arsenal - THEY DID IT!

Premier Division





Theo Walcott

THEY DID IT! THEY WON THE LEAGUE. Their was mass celebration in Holloway, Islington, Highbury,etc. They players delighted as they had won the league at the enemies' ground.

25.4.12. - Arsenal 1-1 Barcelona (3-2 Agg)

Premier Division





Carlos Puyol

Another Amazing Result! The Gunners got exactly what they needed and the draw was enough. They has to face the other Spanish Giants Real Madrid in the Final.

28.4.12 - Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea - One Last Hoorah

Premier Division





Shinji Kagawa

What a good way to end the season. They Gunners still had the Champions league final to play though.

Month Review

Well, the Gunners kept their nerve. What a way to end the season.




N.B I will do a full season review after the champions league final!