In London. Again!

Yes, the Champions League final which you just saw Chelsea sensationally win today in Munich will return to London only two years after the English capital hosted the showdown between Manchester United and Barcelona in 2011.

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The 2013 UEFA Champions League Final which will be held on May 25, 2013, will take place at Wembley Stadium, London. Therefore, it will be another ‘Road To Wembley’ theme for the upcoming campaign and yet another reason for the Gunners to gun for that European crown.

Arsenal are yet make fond memories from visits to the ‘new’ Wembley Stadium though. Arsene Wenger’s men have lost 2-1 on the two occasions (2009 FA Cup semi-final vs Cheslea and 2011 Carling Cup Final vs Birmingham City) they have visited that ground, but if the Gunners were to make it all the way to the Champions League Final next year, could it be third time lucky at Wembley?

Who knows!

Until then, let’s await the draw for the 2013/14 Champions League group stages in August with some comfort, since for once, the Gunners will not face another nervy qualifier to ensure their participation in Europe’s elite competition.

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The indifferent Andrey Arshavin could step aside for this man.

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Another dreadful home display saw Arsenal held to a 3-3 draw by Norwich City at the Emirates stadium. That result could prove very costly.

Yes, very costly because third place which Arsenal seemed so destined for in recent weeks after making a mesmerizing run to climb up the table, is now in danger of being gifted back to Tottenham or Newcastle who are both just two points adrift of the Gunners with as many games in hand.

Arsenal have chosen to it the hard way.

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And if they had won today,Wenger’s would have done it the hard way after Norwich gave them a real run for their money. The visitors went behind to Benayoun’s terrific curler only 66 seconds after kick-off but Norwich responded and got their reward with an equalizer after 12 minutes courtesy of a half-blunder from Szczesny who failed to keep his grip on saved shot as the ball creeped into the net.

On 27 minutes, it was even more terrible scenes at the Emirates. Holt found a lot of space upfront and his shot at goal was deflected by Gibbs before the ball chipped over Arsenal’s on-rushing goalkeeper and into the net. Norwich were 2-1 ahead at half-time.

The hosts did show their expected fight back after the break, but in truth, Norwich’s equal efforts made it an even contest. But after Oxlade-Chamberlain and Chamakh were introduced midway through the second-half, Arsenal sparked the fire again as Van Persie pounced on a trademark long pass from Alex Song to level matters at 2-2. And with just ten minutes and injury time left, VanPersie capitalized on a mistake from Norwich’s defense to net his 3oth league goal of season and put Arsenal back ahead. But the Gunners’ own defensive woes gave Norwich the last laugh as Gibbs and Vermaelen went missing on the left side of defense to hand Morrison the chance to race past Koscielny and score a dramatic equalizer.

Arsenal’s miserable run

16 April – Arsenal 1 Wigan 2

21 April – Arsenal 0 Chelsea 0

28 April – Stoke 1 Arsenal 1

5 May – Arsenal 3 Norwich 3

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Yes, Jose Antonino Reyes and Andrey Arshavin may argue that statement but neither were as accomplished – 43 goals in 95 international appearances – and more promising – at 26 years old – as Lukas Podolski when they arrived in north London.

We have come to expect astute and ‘out-of-the-blue’ signings from Arsene Wenger over the years involving players whom we have never heard of until they were linked to the club. But this is not one of them. Podolski is is no Laurent Koscielny or Eduardo da Silva. His name will not leave you guessing or researching for too long because he is indeed one of the household names of football.

The Polish-born striker has been under the spotlight since he was 18 when he earned a call-up to Euro 2004 after a fantastic debut season with home club Cologne, scoring 10 goals in 19 Bundesliga appearances in the 2003/04 season. His career saw its lagging phase at Bayern Munich but he remained a star figure on the international stage for Germany where he beat Cristiano Ronaldo to the FIFA Young Player of the World Cup award in 2006. And four years later, he impressed again at the 2010 World Cup where England witnessed him score against them in Germany’s 4-1 win.

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And to top all that  off, Podolski showed up in this campaign with his best ever season in the Bundesliga, netting 18 times for FC Cologne thus far. That may be what has effectively attracted Arsenal to his signature but Lukas is not just about recent exploits. He has been around for a while. We know him and we know he is good. Arsene Wenger won’t have to tell us this time.

Of course, a player is judged only after he has performed on the pitch, and therefore, only time will tell whether Lukas Podolski will excel at Arsenal. His ability to adapt to Arsene Wenger’s tactics and keep up with the demands of Premier League football are all factors to consider, but there is no doubt that Lukas Podolski is a player who has what it takes.

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That may come as a surprise to many who feel the Moroccan striker is a spent force at the club after a very indifferent season which has seen him start just one game in the Premier League.

Chamakh has also registered just one goal in his ten league appearances – a majority of which have been as a substitute – but his decline in form is mostly down to the fact that PFA Player of the Year Robin van Persie has been untouchable in the Arsenal line-up this season.

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With Lukas Podolski bound to join the Gunners this summer and bolster Wenger’s options in attack, Marouane Chamakh has been deemed as the favourite to lose his place to the German star.

The former Bordeaux man hinted of a desire to return to French football earlier this year while there have also been reports that his old club may be willing to welcome him back. But when questioned of the uncertain future of Chamakh after yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Stoke City, Arsene Wenger seemed indecisive.

“He (Marouane Chamakh) did well. Nothing (about his future at Arsenal) is definite at the moment” Wenger said.

The Arsenal boss has also revealed that the biggest surprise of the upcoming summer could be the lack action in the transfer market.

“At the end of the season I think you will have big surprises because there will not be a lot of movement in football.” he added.

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But that is now reality as the 41-year-old announced his decision to leave the Catalan club at the end of this campaign on Friday, leaving his once cheerful Barca dressing room almost in tears.

Already troubled by defeats to Real Madrid and Chelsea in La Liga and the Champions League respectively, here was the look on the faces of Pique and Fabregas – who once said Guardiola is his hero – as the Barca boss revealed his decision.

So what impact do you think this dramatic movement at one of the world’s biggest clubs will make on the game?

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Arsenal retained their grip on third place with a 0-0 draw against Chelsea on Saturday, but having played more games than their closest rivals for the Champions League spots, the Gunners might have to do it the hard way to ensure they finish where they are at the moment.

After Chelsea had grabbed the lion’s share of the football in the first half, it was Arsenal who could have grabbed the goal as Van Persie first squandered a gilt-edged chance from close range before Koscielny hit the cross bar with a free header.

The blues, missing the in-form but injured Dideir Drogba made eight changes to their side from Wednesday and kept the home side on their toes for much of the opening period but Wenger’s men did make it a more even contest as the game lasted and they actually carved out the better chances in what was indeed a lackluster affair at the Emirates stadium.

The Israeli midfielder has spent this season at the Emirates stadium on loan from Chelsea and will be saying goodbye to the Gunners in the summer.

Despite being denied regular action by Arsene Wenger, Benayoun has made his presence noticed in almost every appearance he has made in Arsenal colors, netting four goals in 11 starts for the club.

The 31-year-old further endeared himself into Arsenal’s interest by scoring in yesterday’s 3-0 victory at Wolves.

And with the Gunners possibly set to bid for his stay at the club while Chelsea demands that he returns in the summer, Benayoun admits that he is not too sure over which side of London he will playing for next season.

“I think it is difficult to speak now about the future.” he told The Evening Standard

“It is better to concentrate on the five weeks that are left and do my best for the club. I am fully committed to Arsenal and after we will see.

“After June 30, I am going back to Chelsea and then the club and I need to decide. Each one has to think what is best for them.”

Whether he is on the West or North side of London next season, Benayoun’s decent displays will ensure that he will not be without a club next year, but the Israeli ace still has an affection for his parent club.

“I will not lie, I love Chelsea, because I have a good relationship there. I didn’t play much, because I had a big injury,” he continued.

“I still have a lot of friends there I talk to every day. Of course I want them to do well, but it is difficult.”

Chelsea are understood to be in desperate demand of Yossi Benayoun’s return, after several fans – including blogs  – rued the decision to allow the former Liverpool man out on loan while there was a minor midfield crisis at Stamford Birdge.

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Every week, a trivia question will be presented to test your knowledge as a gooner. So take your guesses below in the comments section, and in the middle of the guessing excitement, the correct answer to the question will be posted.

Today’s question:

Robin van Persie,Fulham and Manchester City…

What does the Arsenal striker have to do with those two clubs?

By the way, it is something to do with stats and records and not any transfer rumours.

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