Our Man in the North Bank has had his season ticket withdrawn. Nick MacWilliam takes over as regular columnist at the Home of Football.

It’s been a painful season for Gooners everywhere. After the euphoria of last year’s unbeaten run, we rode the crest of the wave into this season with huge belief and expectations, only to come crashing down to earth at Old Trafford in October. Since then, the team has looked a pale shadow of its former self. Too many players underperforming has resulted in maddening inconsistency, which has seen Arsenal drop out of contention in the league and in Europe. In the meantime, a bunch of West London spivs, masquerading as a football club with pedigree and tradition, are seemingly disappearing into the sunset with our title and who knows what else. And on top of all that, they’ve tried to nick our left-back (and only established home-grown player) to boot.

At the time of writing, the Premier League is conducting its enquiry into Chelsea’s approach to Ashley Cole. While Cole has undoubtedly been one of Arsenal’s best players, it seems more and more unlikely that he’ll be at Highbury next season. However, with a more than adequate replacement in Gael Clichy waiting in the wings, it seems to be good sense to cash in on a player whose heart appears to be no longer with the club. While Cole may have angered many fans during this sorry tale, it’s worth remembering that he had apparently agreed a new contract and was ready to resign until the board changed the terms of the deal. While everyone appreciates that the move to Ashburton Grove has meant funds are limited, this smacks of taking the player for granted. It’s hard to imagine the board acting this way with Thierry Henry or Patrick Vieira. If Cole does leave, it should be his achievements at the club which are remembered rather than the manner of his departure. 

So, who else is heading for the exit door this summer? One player who seems fairly certain to depart is Jose Reyes, possibly in exchange for Michael Owen. Reyes may have started the season like Henry Mk2, but since getting caught up in the Luis Aragones racism row and receiving an almighty kicking from the delightful Neville brothers at Old Trafford, his form has been woeful. Coupled with his regular vocal flirtations with Real Madrid, he’s hardly endeared himself to Gooners, virtually all of whom afforded him an unprecedented hero’s welcome when he first signed. While Owen may make a wet Tuesday in Woking seem illuminating, his record speaks for itself. Arsenal desperately need to relieve some of the goalscoring burden from Henry, and signing Owen would achieve this. His age and pace should ensure that he slots comfortably into Wenger’s vision.

There are also big question-marks over the heads of virtually all the established midfielders. Edu will surely jump ship, while Pires and/or Ljungberg may be pushed. Pires has been a major disappointment this season. Freddie has worked hard but with little productivity, and the time could be right to change things on the right side. This would allow Wenger to bring in Shaun Wright-Philips, a boy who is clearly destined to play for the Arse. And what of Vieira? The captain and rock of the team has been way below his best, leading to accusations that, if not his body, his mind is in Madrid. I think most supporters would be sorry to see Patrick leave and would ideally like him to stay, but only on the condition that we see a level of commitment that has been all-too lacking at times this season.

The whole world and its dog know of our problems at the back and the need for change, with a new keeper and centre-back or two vital. We’ve gone from the legendary back -four to a defensive laughing stock in a short space of time and, seeing as we’re the Premiership’s top scorers, it’s patently obvious that this has cost Arsenal the title, as well as European elimination. It appears that a terminal lack-of confidence has beset our few defensive players, and injuries have badly affected the team, particularly those to Sol Campbell and Gilberto (remember the stick we were giving him last year? Bet you’d do anything to have had him in the side this season).

Among those linked with moves to Highbury are Bayern’s Sammy Kuffour, Hatem Trabelsi of Ajax and Ledley King from someplace or other. In goal we’ve been as bad as in defence, with neither Jens nor Almunia cutting much mustard. Rumoured replacements include Carlo Cudicini (although it’s unlikely that Chelski’ll sell to Arsenal, unless it involves Cole moving to the Bridge), Norwich’s Robert Green and the Cameroonian Carlos Kameni of Espanyol in Spain. 

So, has this season been all doom and gloom, a clear indication that Arsenal are on a downward spiral to football oblivion while Chelsea are set for years of domination?
Well, frankly, no. There are many promising signs for the future, not least of all the emergence of several young players who all look special. Fabregas has been a revelation, along with Flamini, while the likes of Senderos, Justin Hoyte and the boy Quincy have all shown huge promise. Under the guidance of Arsene, and once the experience is added to the undoubted talent, we’ll have a serious bunch of quality footballers. Arsene’s stance of promoting young players should be applauded, even though this may have been born out of necessity.

It all bodes well for the future. As for Wenger being a second-rate coach alongside Jose Mourinho (a man who thinks he’s Michael Corleone, but is really Kevin The Angry Teenager)… come off it! Do people really think that if Arsene had access to Abramovitch’s bottomless pockets, he wouldn’t be running away with everything?

The fact that Arsenal have competed at the top so consistently in recent years is testimony to the man’s abilities, despite the fact we’ve spent less overall than the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Spurs (a fact I never tire of reminding my scumma mates of).
This Gooner strongly believes that next season we’ll be back up there at the top, albeit with a number of changes in personnel. And those of you who are still unconvinced, just remember one thing... Arsene knows!

Mike Cohen runs General Woodwork Supplies, one of the oldest businesses on the High Street.

What brought you to Stoke Newington?

The business has been going for 60 years. My parents opened the first shop back in 1945. My grandfather was a renowned wood carver and cabinet maker, and my Dad worked with him for a bit, but then wanted to set up on his own. He and my mother built this into a successful business, with three shops. Today I run the shop with my brother-in-law Jeffrey and three fulltime staff. My brother David and our family and friends also help out. 

What keeps you here?

We’re well established now. I think people like our old fashioned approach. It’s all about a personal touch. You won’t find the self-service, takeit-or-leave-it approach here. Once we even got an order from the Falkland Islands, for special clothes pegs.

What frustrates you about Stoke Newington?

The neighbourhood has changed a great deal under Hackney council. It’s much less personal and a lot more bureaucratic. There’s no free parking anymore, which is a real problem. We can’t display goods outside the store. Even putting Christmas lights up seemed to upset the council.

What is your most popular service?

Our timber cutting service is always in demand, and the MDF sells pretty quickly, too. People also come to us for obscure cabinet fittings or special hardwood, because they know we’ll be able to help.

Where would we find you on a Saturday night?

After six days of graft and frustration, I’d like to put my feet up at home in Barnet and do nothing until Monday. But dogs need walking, gardens need pruning and wives need taking out. Still, I do find time to build and fly large model aircraft.

Future hopes and dreams?

I dream of retiring with my wife Susan and daughter Kate, and taking life at a slower pace. The shop will have to close at that point. There’s no second generation to take over.