Arsenal to challenge for title?

[JimJams]

On the plus side you're the only team to beat the league leaders so far this season...

 

[smat]

I know, plucky old Arsenal eh.

 

[Storzy]

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.

We've beaten City away last season and don't have the worse record in Liverpool either do we? Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me.

Not at all convinced that we're the champions or anything like that, but we're in a good position and if we're still in with a real chance to win the league come the end of the season I'll be happy with the steady progress shown over the last couple of seasons.

I still look at that Man City squad though and wonder why they're not smashing this league to pieces.

 

[smat]

I still look at that Man City squad though and wonder why they're not smashing this league to pieces.

 

[thespus]

The corresponding fixtures list is useful to look at, but we've also conceded fewer and scored more in that time while converting chances at a lower % than last season. We've taken 16/18 points from the sides currently in the top 7 - the 3-0 at Watford and victory at Leicester look particularly impressive.

I still look at that Man City squad though and wonder why they're not smashing this league to pieces.

When everyone is fit, I don't think their squad is any better than ours. Two world class GK's, but I think Cech edges it. We have the better defense. Coquelin - Cazorla is better suited as midfield two than Yaya - Fernadinho, despite the latter two possessing more natural talent. Alexis - Özil - Walcott/Ramsey is just as good as Sterling - Silva - de Bruyne. They have the edge at ST, but Giroud has also scored more goals than anyone in the league bar Harry Kane in the calendar year.

I think price tags are conflated with quality depth. I'd rather Campbell and Welbeck than Jesus Navas, for instance. Though, given our injuries, we'd be mad not to buy a midfielder in January.

 

[Storzy]

Aguero is certainly the big difference between the two.

I do agree regarding the price tags and should probably rephrase that if you look at the cost of their squad they should be doing much better. No way should two centres backs that costs £60m-£70m between them be as bad as they have been.

 

[mistermagic]

The corresponding fixtures list is useful to look at, but we've also conceded fewer and scored more in that time while converting chances at a lower % than last season. We've taken 16/18 points from the sides currently in the top 7 - the 3-0 at Watford and victory at Leicester look particularly impressive.



When everyone is fit, I don't think their squad is any better than ours. Two world class GK's, but I think Cech edges it. We have the better defense. Coquelin - Cazorla is better suited as midfield two than Yaya - Fernadinho, despite the latter two possessing more natural talent. Alexis - Özil - Walcott/Ramsey is just as good as Sterling - Silva - de Bruyne. They have the edge at ST, but Giroud has also scored more goals than anyone in the league bar Harry Kane in the calendar year.

I think price tags are conflated with quality depth. I'd rather Campbell and Welbeck than Jesus Navas, for instance. Though, given our injuries, we'd be mad not to buy a midfielder in January.

This post is very biased.

 

[thespus]

What do you disagree with, MM? This a Man City squad that finished four points behind us last year and is currently four behind us this year. Arsenal have not lost to Manchester City in the last five meetings. In 2015, Arsenal have 10+ more points, 10+ fewer goals conceded, and a better record against the big sides. I think there is a significant overrating of how good they are (largely thanks to prices paid for players like Jesus Navas), i.e. the thread where you awarded them the title in September

 

[JimJams]

Well you say you have a better defense than them, but youre presumably deliberately forgetting the Kompany factor. In the 8 games hes played this season they conceded 1 goal. So his absence plays a large part in their record. Im sure if you had Kos out for as long youd want his absence factored in. But then again, your defensive record with your best defender in the side is nowhere near as good as citys with theirs.

 

[thespus]

Well you say you have a better defense than them, but youre presumably deliberately forgetting the Kompany factor. In the 8 games hes played this season they conceded 1 goal. So his absence plays a large part in their record. Im sure if you had Kos out for as long youd want his absence factored in. But then again, your defensive record with your best defender in the side is nowhere near as good as citys with theirs.

8 games is a small sample size. In the calendar year 2015, 36 games, we've conceded 13 fewer goals. I'd imagine Kompany and Koscielny have played a similar amount of games in that time.

Besides, we're talking about squad strength - isn't being able to cope with injuries part of this?

 

[smat]

how many do we have to lose by to southampton and bournemouth for city to be better than us in 2015

because that's what's going to happen thanks to you, thespus

 

[thespus]

Well it wasn't going to happen until you came along with your curse.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

If it's going to happen under Wenger then it'll probably have to be a season when everyone else is useless, so maybe you have a chance.

 

[smat]

Well it wasn't going to happen until you came along with your curse.

ahem

 

[smat]

Top at the halfway stage!

Our next 6 away games might kill us tho... Liverpool, Stoke, Bournemouth, Man United, Spurs, Everton. We got three points from those last season (excl Bournemouth obviously).

 

[BlueBee]

They've already set a date for the title parade. Unbelievable.

 

[Whitechapel]

They've already set a date for the title parade. Unbelievable.

We've all but won the title. The remaining games are just a formality.

 

[Pagnell]

Arsenal could have a 4 point lead with 1 game remaining and somehow fail to lift the title.

 

[Whitechapel]

Arsenal could have a 4 point lead with 1 game remaining and somehow fail to lift the title.

That's mathematically impossible. If you were to pick a 1 or 2 point lead for example, then yes there's a good chance we might blow it.

 

[Pagnell]

That's mathematically impossible.

 

[Whitechapel]

 

[Pagnell]

Woosh.

 

[Whitechapel]

I thought you would have become accustomed to my sarcasm by now.

 

[Stagat]

 

[Whitechapel]

I'm not going to post a link to the shit rag that released the article, but just look at this for a click-bai headline...

"Arsenal won't be a title-winning side even if they win the league"