Arsenal to challenge for title?

[thespus]

Brandish this like a medal? how exactly?

You were patronising towards MM, who I quite like. Save it for Chelsea fans. I don't disagree with what you said.

I agree with Smat. This is the first summer in a decade I've had expectations to be neck and neck for the title. We've been building momentum the last two seasons; it should be the expected progression. Even if we didn't add anyone on top of Cech (I think, and hope, we will) I would expect us to close the gap on Chelsea and improve from last season. There is something to be said for improvement within in terms of individuals like Coquelin and Bellerin, along with an improved squad belief and mentality. I hope the likes of Welbeck, Wilshere, Debuchy, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Gibbs recognise they need to fight for their place in the squad, much more in the starting XI, and work that extra bit harder to improve. Alexis, Özil, Cazorla, Cech, and Koscielny are really the only players guaranteed to be picked when fit.

The best sides are confident, if not cocksure. Cech adds to the winning culture as well as improves our defense. In addition, the ruthlessness of Wenger shipping of Ospina for Cech shows the players they shouldn't feel complacent.

 

[BlueBee]

Sounds like TFF bet in the making lol.

Aaaanyway Chelsea should still win the league this year. Arsenal will be closer if they can stay more injury free and strengthen the squad more. United need to turn the form from about 6 or 7 games through the season into 36 or 37 games and Pray Michael Carrick stays fit or we get someone to replace what he brings to the side when he's not fit. Not having the stupid amount of injuries might help too although this seemed to get a bit better post Christmas. City should be more concerned with Spurs overhauling them for fourth if Sterling is their answer to what went wrong last season.

See I would do a tff bet but May Next year I'll be travelling up the east coast of Australia or dead.

SC49 isn't going about this the correct way. Usmanov has zero say in the club's day to day policy. The board voted to keep him from having a seat or having any influence around the club. He owns stock in Arsenal Holdings, plc., a parent company to the football club as well as other subsidiaries related to Arsenal. He and a business partner, via his holding company Red and White Holdings, bought stock on a regulated exchange. He (holding company) actually gained significant value on the investment whereas Abramovich has invested personal money of his into the signings of players on top of the money he used to buy control of the club, thus artificially raising the club's value (something Usmanov would have done had he successfully taken over). SC49 is technically right, but is going about this in an asinine fashion, and it's really just splitting hairs. Stan Kroenke is a cretin for what it's worth. I don't really mind that Chelsea is owned by Abramovich, I just enjoy giving Blue_Bee shit about the recent history which swayed the priority of his football allegiances. When he first began at TFF, he was a regular at Barnet. Now he's a ST holder at Stamford Bridge. This is something he takes great pride in despite residing in North London.

When I joined the forum I was a season ticket holder at both clubs. Sooo..

 

[Storzy]

Coquelin was very good last season. Only Matic had a better season of the various holding midfielders. He made more successful tackles and interceptions than anyone in the league for the second half of the season; during that time period Arsenal also conceded the fewest goals in the league. His only weakness is limited technical ability. It remains to be seen if he can put in a repeat performance, but I don't think we need to invest too much in a top CDM unless someone like Javi Martinez is available due to his ability on the ball and to partner with Koscielny should Coquelin pick up where he left off. We certainly do need another body there as I don't trust Flamini. A younger player to challenge Coquelin would be ideal.

That's a little harsh isn't? He got a lot better on the ball as the season progressed.

Here he is making a mug out of England midfielder Delph in an FA Cup Final:

 

[thespus]

That's a little harsh isn't? He got a lot better on the ball as the season progressed.

Here he is making a mug out of England midfielder Delph in an FA Cup Final:

True. Nothing that says he can't improve technically training with players such as Özil and Cazorla and under the guidance of Wenger. Just look at Alex Song. I still think it's his current weakness, but I am firmly among the believers he can keep this form up. We do need to look for someone better suited to challenge him than Flamini, though.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Well we're in a decent position going into the international break. I think it will be close between ourselves and City.

 

[JaseTheVillain]

I'm standing by my pre-season prediction of Arsenal taking the title. Was between them and Chelsea before the season started for me, and unless Chelsea basically win every game for the rest of the season, they're not winning it. City have surprised me, but are always liable to fuck up. Standing by Arse for now.

 

[smat]

Reasonable start, but we can't afford to lose too many more games. Can't rule out United (or probably even Chelsea) either. Tbh no one team has been that convincing yet. Everyone's looked really good in the odd game and rubbish in another (except Chelsea who have looked exclusively rubbish).

 

[Pagnell]

Well we're in a decent position going into the international break. I think it will be close between ourselves and City.

Up until about the 33rd game. Then Arsenal will do what they normally do when they make a decent start.

 

[mistermagic]

I enjoy their occasional ruthlessness. It happened last season against Man City and now today against Utd. Do this every week and few sides can beat them.
I do hope they at least make a challenge otherwise City will have it won by Easter.

 

[Stevencc]

I enjoy their occasional ruthlessness. It happened last season against Man City and now today against Utd. Do this every week and few sides can beat them.
I do hope they at least make a challenge otherwise City will have it won by Easter.

Easter? You said it was over 4 games into the season!

 

[BlueBee]

For 60% of last season we were probably one of the 3 best sides in Europe. Our small squad started to struggle with 3/4 months to go but we still managed to go unbeaten up until we won the league. What I'm saying is, we're only going to add to the superb squad we already have.... It's going to take a superb effort to stop us winning it again.

Fuck sake.

 

[Stevencc]

To be honest Jose is making a fucking superb effort to keep that Chelsea side down in 16th so you were spot on.

 

[Mustard]

I think we're better equipped to win the league than two years ago but obviously still not favourites. Adding players like Gabriel, Alexis and Coquelin seems to have injected some steel and passion into the side that should help us in the big games. The mentality in those fixtures has definitely improved. My main worry now is, as always, injuries. An injury to Alexis or Aguero could easily define this season but I think we're slightly less prepared than City.

 

[JimJams]

City have already had a set of injuries to key players in Aguero, Silva and Kompany this season. Perhaps they've got their injury woes for the season out of the way early, and they're still top!
I suppose it helps when you can spend a hundred billion on reserve players though.

 

[Avatar]

City have already had a set of injuries to key players in Aguero, Silva and Kompany this season. Perhaps they've got their injury woes for the season out of the way early, and they're still top!
I suppose it helps when you can spend a hundred billion on reserve players though.

Seems to me that City are as injury prone as us, United too. It will probably come down to that.

 

[johnnytodd]

Can someone add Liverpool to the poll please........it's all over apparantley already.

 

[SALTIRE]

#obsessed

 

[G-Dragon]

Martial does not seem to think so..'I think we can win the Premier League and the Champions League this season. Both of them. We are among the top five clubs [in Europe]'

 

[Christian Slater]

He should be dropped.

 

[Whitechapel]

He should be dropped.

On his head, again.

 

[Georgi Georgiev]

Martial does not seem to think so..'I think we can win the Premier League and the Champions League this season. Both of them. We are among the top five clubs [in Europe]'

Too soon for him to talk like that.... Very good player with veeeery big dreams

 

[Avatar]

City still have the best squad. What a pair of signings De Brunyne and Sterling are. It will take some luck with injuries for us to compete.

 

[johnnytodd]

 

[Sideshow Bob]

Can anyone stop us now?

 

[JimJams]

No.

 

[Storzy]

Can anyone stop us now?

Yes. You jinxing us.

Well done Bob, you ruined it for everyone. My only surprise is that it wasn't Smat.

 

[Whitechapel]

Cech is a great keeper but some saying his signing will make Arsenal favourites is beyond hilarious. They'll start pooly get a shit load of injuries and their title dreams will be over by mid February.

For 60% of last season we were probably one of the 3 best sides in Europe. Our small squad started to struggle with 3/4 months to go but we still managed to go unbeaten up until we won the league. What I'm saying is, we're only going to add to the superb squad we already have.... It's going to take a superb effort to stop us winning it again.

Pure. Gold.

 

[Sideshow Bob]

This has to be our best chance to win for a few years.

United, City and Chelsea will all have new managers next year and probably get their heads out of their collective arses.

 

[SALTIRE]

Your best chance aye but you still won't win it. It's between Spurs, City and Leicester for the spoils.

 

[smat]

We have only got two more points than we did from the corresponding fixtures last season. Still have to play away to Liverpool, Spurs (neither of whom we beat at home), United, City and Everton. The lack of decent form from City and United makes us look better than we are imo... I'm sceptical.