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Camden New Journal - by RICHARD OSLEY and SIMON CHARTERTON
Published: 15 May 2008

Gunners misfired, and top flaw Tottenham forgot all about Jol

SO that’s it for another year.
Arsenal won nothing meaningful. Top Four Tottenham won nothing meaningful. Arsenal won the recognition and admiration of all fans of attractive football. Top Four Tottenham won the disgust of the rest of the league for the way they ousted their manager behind his back. Arsenal lit up the Champions League. Top Four Tottenham botched another attempt at winning the Wafer Cup.
Arsenal beat Top Four Tottenham home and away in the league. Top Four Tottenham got over-excited about beating the Arsenal Reserves in the Rumbelowes Cup.
Arsenal gave up on Jens Lehmann. Top Four Tottenham players were told to give up on tomato ketchup and chips.
Arsenal gave Theo Walcott the chance to shine. Top Four Tottenham gave Darren Bent the chance to shine.
Arsenal never forgot Eduardo. Top Four Tottenham fans forgot Martin Jol in a couple of days.
Arsenal beat Milan in the San Siro. Top Four Tottenham lost to Getafe.
Arsenal went unbeaten at home. Top Four Tottenham lost six times at home and another eight away. Arsenal were first choice on Match of the Day. Top Four Tottenham’s two second lowlights came after Blackburn v Middlesbrough.
And, most importantly, Arsenal finished in the top four. Top Four Tottenham came 11th.

NOW the season is over we have the opportunity to consider the real legacy of former England manager Steve McClaren.

Whenever a big international football tournament like Euro 2008 comes around, we’re all supposed to lay down our tribal allegiances and support the greater cause. In the past, Spurs fans would have prayed for Seaman to save a penalty, while Gooners would have done likewise with Robinson.
This time, with no domestic national flag to rally around, there will be pockets of support spread among the various countries whose players ignored their own hype and concentrated on qualification.
So some Gooners will support France and some Spurs fans will have a new interest in Croatia.
You have to feel sorry for the England players, missing out on the opportunity to update and repackage their autobiographies, while their wives will be deprived of a summer’s gratuitous tabloid coverage.
No doubt certain key members of the not-so-golden generation will be paid huge fees for their analysis on the telly.
Sadly there will be no great anthemic song to stir everyone up, no embarrassing video and no dodgy rapping to complain about.
So thanks, Steve, at least for sparing us that.

• Simon Charterton is a Spurs fan who lives in Belsize Park

• The New Journal is inviting readers to tackle Osley in The People’s Perch. Send your column and a photo to The Crow, 40 Camden Road, NW1 9DR or by email sports@thecnj.co.uk

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