When do we start to believe ?

[Dein-machine]

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.

[Power n Glory]

I'm getting at a few things really.

Those include but are not limited to:
a) the fact that irrespective of other other teams, our form to date is consistent with 12 game league leaders in previous years, albeit at the lower end of the scale
b) that if this isn't a normal season, how many points we are likely to need
c) where 12 game leaders tend to end up

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.

[Letters]

I don't believe yet, yes we're top and 4 points clear but we've got a lot of hard fixtures to come and for me how we do against City and Chelsea will be very important.

I think as we get into the 2nd half of the season we'll tire as well with our lack of depth (due to the usual suspects being injured), I think City and Chelsea will have too much for us and may well beat us in our fixtures against them (might get a draw at home against City).

I pretty much agree with this, but it has to be recognised that we've come on leaps and bounds since last season.
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.

[Fist of Lehmann]

We’re playing like league leaders but I believe we’re playing this way because we sense the opportunity.

Hmmm.

I am not sure I understand how this works. Are you suggesting that we are playing better because we believe our rivals are worse?

[Power n Glory]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8811670/

[Syn]

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.

[Fist of Lehmann]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8811670/

If anything, he is non-committal.

"You don't know how the season will work out. A few of the other teams all have new managers, so it's difficult to say.

"But they will be strong and equally, Arsenal will be strong.

That and that he hopes Arsenal will win the league. I don't really see what you're seeing PnG.

[Power n Glory]

If anything, he is non-committal.



That and that he hopes Arsenal will win the league. I don't really see what you're seeing PnG.

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-arc...e-an-advantage

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.

[Ollie the Optimist]

I don't believe yet, yes we're top and 4 points clear but we've got a lot of hard fixtures to come and for me how we do against City and Chelsea will be very important.

I think as we get into the 2nd half of the season we'll tire as well with our lack of depth (due to the usual suspects being injured), I think City and Chelsea will have too much for us and may well beat us in our fixtures against them (might get a draw at home against City).

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.

[Penguin]

Hmmm.

I am not sure I understand how this works. Are you suggesting that we are playing better because we believe our rivals are worse?

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.

It's as big an opportunity as we're likely to get and I think Wenger and the players sense that too.