Match Reaction: Arsenal 3 Zagreb 0

[Niall_Quinn]

We haven’t dropped to the level of our opponents, more that they’ve dropped to our usual level of performance so far in the league. The level in the Premier league has dropped season on season for the past 4/5 years, to the point where we may still scrape four teams in the knockout stages of the CL but three of them are relying on the last group games to qualify, all four of them may finish second and none of them have a hope of progressing deep into the competition.

So for that reason alone, we still have a chance of winning the league. I could list all my concerns over Wenger but I covered that at the start of the season. Now I'd rather just sit back at takes the games as they come, rather than drowning myself in pesimism about where we'll be at the end of the season. Otherwise it's just pointless turning on any game.

It's not a pessimism about where we'll be at the end of the season. The vast majority can already work that out based on a repeating pattern over a decade. It's the frustration of knowing that one change at this club, albeit the crucial one, and we've got a squad that could win the PL and actually compete in Europe. That's all it would take, somebody at the board level with a set of balls. But that's not going to happen so you are right, on our way to the inevitable outcome there will be ups and downs and we take whatever is on offer.

[Kano]

It's not a pessimism about where we'll be at the end of the season. The vast majority can already work that out based on a repeating pattern over a decade. It's the frustration of knowing that one change at this club, albeit the crucial one, and we've got a squad that could win the PL and actually compete in Europe. That's all it would take, somebody at the board level with a set of balls. But that's not going to happen so you are right, on our way to the inevitable outcome there will be ups and downs and we take whatever is on offer.

I was there at the start of the season if you remember. And I see many of the same patterns and issues but if I want to enjoy my football and sitting down to watch the team I support, I find little point in assuming where we are going to be anymore. I spent a lot of time debating it on here from a similar point of view but I've come to the point now that even if I end up having the same frustrations at the end of it, I'd prefer to make the most of that weekend pre-match hope of bagging three points. Especially as the world around us falls deeper into shit. These escapes of ours are ever more precious. We're stuck with Wenger for at least one more season after this so I'm swallowing my medicine a bit more than I was.

[fakeyank]

It's not a pessimism about where we'll be at the end of the season. The vast majority can already work that out based on a repeating pattern over a decade. It's the frustration of knowing that one change at this club, albeit the crucial one, and we've got a squad that could win the PL and actually compete in Europe. That's all it would take, somebody at the board level with a set of balls. But that's not going to happen so you are right, on our way to the inevitable outcome there will be ups and downs and we take whatever is on offer.

[Letters]

I was there at the start of the season if you remember. And I see many of the same patterns and issues but if I want to enjoy my football and sitting down to watch the team I support, I find little point in assuming where we are going to be anymore. I spent a lot of time debating it on here from a similar point of view but I've come to the point now that even if I end up having the same frustrations at the end of it, I'd prefer to make the most of that weekend pre-match hope of bagging three points. Especially as the world around us falls deeper into shit. These escapes of ours are ever more precious. We're stuck with Wenger for at least one more season after this so I'm swallowing my medicine a bit more than I was.

I find it interesting that the people who early season were predicting we'd get off to a bad start and not challenge are still so confident in their predictions. Whatever. I'm with you. While we're in the mix I'll believe we have a chance and enjoy the ride. If and when we fall out of contention we can have the post mortem.

[Power n Glory]

It's not just about where we'll end up this season. I think people are just tired of it all and losing interest.

[Xhaka Can’t]

All I can say is that I hope we go on to do the business in the last match. I don't think I can face the Uefa league/cup/whatever they call it this season.

[Letters]

It's not just about where we'll end up this season. I think people are just tired of it all and losing interest.

I'm losing interest with football generally tbh.
Part of that is growing up, getting married, having other priorities.
Part of it is the way the game has gone, it's not as much fun as it used to be now it's increasingly about the money.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Good win but make no mistake they are nothing special, so this results is only what we should expect.

We should beat Olympiakos as again they are nothing special but you never know with us, having said that when 4th place or last 16 is up for grabs we always manage to scrape home so it wouldn't surprise me if we do, once we get there though expect the customary spanking from one of the games giants.

Have to say to have lost 3 games and performed as badly as we have done and still qualify would reflect poorly on the competition, a side that has performed as badly as we have shouldn't have the opportunity to advance.

I like how you write off Olympiakos as nothing special when it suits you in this instance, but if anyone questions Joel Campbell you point to his success there as how he succeeded in a good club/league and deserves his chance. That is top quality goal post shifting

[Power n Glory]

I like how you write off Olympiakos as nothing special when it suits you in this instance, but if anyone questions Joel Campbell you point to his success there as how he succeeded in a good club/league and deserves his chance. That is top quality goal post shifting

But are Olympiakos a special club? That's a silly argument Ollie.

[Kano]

A couple of things to remember about that away game. Firstly our away record in the CL is hardly the best and we've never beaten them away in a few attempts. We should have enough in to get the right result but with the crowd right behind them it won't be an easy game at all.