Printable View
Defensively there are no teams stronger, inc City with Kompany back. Our midfield is superb, Ozil's presence ( hopefully soon to show his true talents ) & Ramsey's amazing form are the big difference from previous year. Its what we do in Jan that is important.
A quality striker that can either compliment Giroud or replace him along with a younger DM is all that it could take to do it. I'll beleive if we're in the hunt come Jan & Wumger blows the dust of the cheque book again.
We’re playing like league leaders but I believe we’re playing this way because we sense the opportunity. It’s really not the norm for three of your biggest rivals to change managers. If Fergie was still in charge at Man Utd with Mancini still at City, I wouldn’t fancy our chances.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fist of Lehmann
I pretty much agree with this, but it has to be recognised that we've come on leaps and bounds since last season.Quote:
Originally Posted by Özim
After last year when we were struggling to stay in the top 4 all season to even be having discussions about the title is a massive step forwards. The criteria for this being a successful season shouldn't be whether we win the title or not.
We're going in the right direction. That's enough, for now.
Hmmm.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
I am not sure I understand how this works. Are you suggesting that we are playing better because we believe our rivals are worse?
We've been playing this way for a while. There's no sudden change in the 12 games this season compared to the last 20 odd from last season. The young players are now getting to the age where they perform more consistently. Looking at this season, Gibbs, Szczesny and Ramsey have been terrific; much more mature performances and it's no coincidence. We've also got some experienced squad players like Flamini and Rosicky who fit like a glove whenever we need some extra energy. It helps that we haven't sold our best but actually bought a Rolls Royce player too.
If anything, he is non-committal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Power_n_Glory
That and that he hopes Arsenal will win the league. I don't really see what you're seeing PnG.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pod
http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...e-an-advantageQuote:
Originally Posted by Fist of Lehmann
That's a better one. Saw a couple of quotes like this early in the season. It's not a sure thing but the players and manager know that they're in a really good position. It's the perfect storm and it's helped our confidence. It's not the only factor but it helps. It's psychological like the announcement of our spending power and the signing of Ozil. It's had a positive effect on the club and I'm guessing they sense this is a massive opportunity. How could they not? It's like Murray not taking advantage at Wimbeledon when two of his biggest rivals are out if the competition and your in serious form.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Özim
the big four games won't decide who wins the title this year. it will be the team that is the most consistent. take a look at the season so far, how many games have city/united/chelsea/spurs lost that they really should win? city have put 10 goals past united and spurs at home, yet have lost to cardiff, sunderland and villa away yet we so far have been winning games the other big clubs haven't been.
the games against city and chelsea are very important of course, 4 points would be a dream. 3 would still be great but why are those two games now the test? how many tests do we have to have before we believe? we've beaten spurs, liverpool, dortmund away (first english side to do that) yet still we "haven't been tested" and your claim about failing when we have an injury crisis. we've already had one this season, and we're top. it doesn't matter if you have a huge squad or a small one, its about team spirit, hunger and desire. we have a small squad, we then had an injury crisis but the players never gave up and we kept winning. chelsea, city both have huge squads, so do spurs yet when the going gets tough, they bottle it so far this season.
It's all about belief. If there was a standout team sweeping everyone away, as there has been in previous seasons, then of course it can be demoralising and and it can affect your performances over a season. I know it's still early days but compare that to this season where, so far at least, there is no single outstanding team. Everyone's dropping points.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fist of Lehmann
It's as big an opportunity as we're likely to get and I think Wenger and the players sense that too.
I'll say one thing, mentally I believe in this team more than any other recent Arsenal side, the 07/08 side were very good but they lost their heads when the going got tough, bottlers.
This team appears to have bottle, experience obviously helps and this team has plenty of it.
If we are in and around the top 3 in January then I truly believe this team will challenge for the title. I think we are definitely good enough to challenge right to the bitter end, but we do need a few squad matters addressing to be totally stable.
I wouldn't listen to him. The guy wanted Michael Laudrup managing Arsenal! No thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fist of Lehmann
Podolski or PnG?Quote:
Originally Posted by She Wore A Yellow Ribbon
I think the only person who believes we can't win the title is Alan Hansen we are four points clear at the top of the league yes it's November but of course we can win the league, but there is a big league between can and will.
For me I don't believe we will win the league (this is not to say i definitley think we won't) but what i mean is i am not convinced that we will, if we are top after xmas and we buy a reputable striker in January than i would believe that we would go on and win the title.
If we give performances this season that are similar to the ones against Liverpool and Dortmund in Germany than i would be confident, performances like against Aston Villa and United we won't.
We really need to NOT lose to chelsea this december. A win against those scums will do our confidence a world of good! We come out of december relatively unscathed, I will surely start believing (and also buy my ticket to watch us play next year) :run:
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk
Fu*k off!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by fakeyank
:gp:Quote:
Originally Posted by milla
If you come over again, FY, go to a game we lose and it blows our title chances then I'll cut you.
Agree with FY though, if we can come through the Chelsea and City games relatively unscathed then I might just start to believe.
FY still owes all of us who went to the villa game our money back for our tickets.
;)
I think we should all agree to NOT facilitate the purchase of any ticket for FY to see a game ever again, tbf.
In fact, someone needs to write to the club and have him banned.
Agreed.
Gary, tell him to fuck the fuck off if he asks again kthxpls.
FY should be killed.
Racist <_<
anybody who gave a ticket to FY should probably be banned also. we all know his record so no excuses to giving him a ticket
In December, we play 4 of the top 6. Still ahead by more than 3 points. We will win it.
If we are still top come January then I may even have a cheeky punt on us winning it.
There's 21 points to play for this month so things will begin to shape up.
We lost when I got you a ticket. :whistle:Quote:
Originally Posted by Letters To Santa
When we get our Christmas names <_<
Well...just...stop getting tickets for people then. :sulk:Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve French
I gotta say, Man City are starting to really worry me, they are our biggest threat IMHO. Over the next month I think it's absolutely essential that we beat the likes of Everton and Chelsea at home, Chelsea at home is very hard to call, I don't actually rate Chelsea that high but Maureen has Wenger's number.
I am confident we can see off Hull at home and West Ham away, Newcastle away will be very very tough, though I think we can nick a point there at worse. the game that worries me is City away, they have the potential to thrash anybody in the league including us IMHO, I would take a point right now.
Aye... I was at the bar with Adzz after the game to buy y'all a drink (or more) but no one showed up! :(Quote:
Originally Posted by the ollie and the ivy
Wasn't Cripps there? I heard he likes a drink.
So who wants tickets? Because I'm a Silver member but not in UK, who's a red member and would like me to add them to my group? Obviously, you would need to transfer money back in my UK account!
Arsenal away wins this season - 5. scoring 13 conceding 3
Liverpool, city, chelsea away wins COMBINED - 5
but apparently stats like this don't count in favour of Arsenal because its universally known that the league is decided on whoever beats chelsea and city and as we haven't done that. no one can consider us title contenders.
seriously, when you see stats like that, it really does enforce the belief that we are ready and by far the best team right now. yes it could all unravel like previous years but right now it looks like it won't. i know everyone says we have a small squad and we won't cope with injuries and city/chelsea will be much better because of the size of their squads but look at those results. their fringe players don't give a shit, they don't play well away from home, they have a big squad but whats the point if they just don't perform? we might have a small squad who are one injury crisis away from imploding, however, we've had a huge injury crisis already this season and guess what. we are top. by four points.
Not concerned about Man City unless they actually start winning away games. Until that happens and of course it might this week, I don't really think they can properly be counted.Quote:
Originally Posted by selassie
Their home wins will of course keep them fairly competitive though.
Ollie, come on mate.. you know that most on here are cautiously optimistic. We were 49 games unbeaten in the league, lost one and completely flopped after.. we had one loss up until February in 08, had dudu's leg break and we flopped again. We have had false dawns many times and while the stats look impressive this year, I really think avoiding defeat against the c*nts from Chelsea will be a major high, just because they are managed by one of the biggest pricks of all times. City on the other hand will be extremely tough.. losses in both or even one of them will mean our lead is cut to 1 point or we might even be in 2-3rd place.Quote:
Originally Posted by the ollie and the ivy
Let's go into New years with the same level of confidence and hopefully a new striker to boost morale (like Ozil) and trust me, everyone will actually start believing! Right now, let's just bite our lips, cross our fingers and keep it on the low!
We are 6 points ahead of Citeh which gives us important breathing space over them. Personally, given their home form I can see us losing at their gaff - but if we can maintain consistency, that shouldn't be our main concern.
However, 3 things need to happen for me to truly believe.
1. We need to show that we can function without Giroud playing. Maybe Wednesday will be the opportunity to see this. Giroud has become so important for us, both in holding the ball up in the opposition's third, and making space for others by drawing the opposition's defenders. I have doubts about whether we will be as effective with, say, Walcott or Podolski as our front man. If we can adapt and be effective with Giroud not on the pitch, that will give me a lot of faith.
2. Chelsea. I think it is absolutely essential that we win on 23 December. They cruised to victory against us in the Carling Cup. For me - it is more important as far as our credentials are concerned to reverse this result at home than to win at the Etihad because it will show that we can win against the best tactical manager in the league. Lose, and it may expose us.
3. We need to win with Vermaelen, and even Jenkinson in the back 4. Left back we can be confident with Monreal, the other defensive positions are more questionable. One of Kossy; Merts or Sagne will be injured/suspended at some stage. Can we avoid mistakes when this happens?
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Most Gooners I know still aren't convinced that we will last the pace - although every game that goes by these days is providing encouragement.
Personally, as long as we don't implode over the next couple of months I will be delighted with the real progress our team has made whether or not we prevail ultimately. Its telling that the likes of Sp*rs and Liverpool have now revealed their weaknesses, while we have surprised everyone with our consistency so far.
Trouble is, we may spend soo long on top spot, that if we suddenly finish 2-4th or God forbid even lower it will be the bitterest pill to swallow ever.