When do we start to believe ?

[fakeyank]

FY still owes all of us who went to the villa game our money back for our tickets.

Aye... I was at the bar with Adzz after the game to buy y'all a drink (or more) but no one showed up!

[She Wore A Yellow Ribbon]

Wasn't Cripps there? I heard he likes a drink.

[A Gunner]

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!

[Ollie the Optimist]

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.

[Xhaka Can’t]

[McNamara That Ghost...]

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.

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.

Their home wins will of course keep them fairly competitive though.

[fakeyank]

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.

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.
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!

[IBK]

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.

[Boss]

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

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.