Winter Transfer Missed Opportunities and Regrets

[IBK]

I think the problem here is you seem to be describing what you think is most likely, and I’m describing what is possible.


I assume nothing, my explanation has been to provide evidence why it cannot be assumed we have secured top four let alone can launch a sustained title challenge. And the fundamental rationale I provide is that it’s just too early, the season isn’t old enough to assume that Arsenal’s form isn’t just anomalous based on a) our previous seasons and b) the previous seasons of the teams we are ahead of in the league.
I don’t believe anything I’ve said is fatalistic, or even suggests that the likelihood that “reality will assert itself” or some such thing. It’s simply to say we are 18 games in, it’s far too early to make any confident extrapolation.

Do I accept that it’s possible that the indifferent form of other sides will continue where as we will remain reasonably consistent? Yes because as you’ve stated there is evidence for that. Our form has actually followed a pattern, five wins…points dropped, four wins, points dropped, five wins, points dropped…now if that pattern continues you could maybe expect us to win the next three league games before we lose or draw.

But when I said anomalous I also mean unprecedented and it’s hard to predict the future without at least some reference of what has gone before, and whilst the short term future suggests our form will continue in that we seem to have avoided long winless runs…I don’t think there’s enough to suggest with any degree of confidence that will continue. But equally there’s also nothing strongly to say it won’t.

I don’t think we are favourites for the title purely because we’ve played 18 games. There’s too many variables and uncertainty out there.

I don't either. I also happen to think that before this season started our aim was top four and that this aim should be achievable, and probably remains the club's priority. CL football will of itself change things fundamentally as regards future transfers.

[HCZ_Reborn]

I don't either. I also happen to think that before this season started our aim was top four and that this aim should be achievable, and probably remains the club's priority. CL football will of itself change things fundamentally as regards future transfers.

Oh Champions League is eminently achievable. I’m simply stating the fact that we haven’t yet achieved it


If you’re asking whether I think we will get it. The answer is yes…whilst possible I think it incredibly unlikely we will finish lower than 4th.

What has changed is that winning the title is now a laudable goal, it’s not unrealistic. I still think it unlikely but as I’ve said that opinion changes and evolves with time

[IBK]

Oh Champions League is eminently achievable. I’m simply stating the fact that we haven’t yet achieved it


If you’re asking whether I think we will get it. The answer is yes…whilst possible I think it incredibly unlikely we will finish lower than 4th.

What has changed is that winning the title is now a laudable goal, it’s not unrealistic. I still think it unlikely but as I’ve said that opinion changes and evolves with time

Nothing to disagree with here ; )