The Title race™

[Skinner]

Suppose you couldn't picture Leicester winning it either, Bilo! I know I didn't, right up until the sealed it.

Arsenal's quality in depth is definitely superior to Chelsea's. They've got capable back-up players in pretty much every position, their second XI would challenge for top 4, Chelsea's wouldn't imo. It isn't just man for man either, they've got a lot of versatile players that can comfortably play in numerous roles. Arsenal have gone from being the side that is thread bare/a load of dead wood, to a side that wouldn't miss injuries to key players too much. Obviously losing Sanchez or Özil for a lengthy amount of time will make a difference, as it would too any side, but the likes of Ox, Cazorla, Welbeck (when fit) etc can come in and fill a void, better than Chelsea's back-ups would if Hazard & co got injured.

Just my opinion mind, and I'm talking about Cazorla fitting into the #10 role rather than him being a bench player btw.

 

[smat]

Yes, earlier on I was reflecting on the fact that Gervinho played for us for two seasons, and now we've got Ozil and Sanchez. It is nicer these days.

 

[Forthright]

Arsenal are impressive this season. The only concern would be what normally happens..a mid season meltdown. There is that concern that the squad lacks the leaders of old.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Victor Moses has been one of your best players this season. No disrespect but it's p uninspiring compared to the might boasted by #afc and #mcfc. Mind you it's better than Liverpool's and I've put then second, so I wouldn't listen to anything I say.

That's Victor "wing-back wizard" Moses, to you, pal. But yes, what a strange career trajectory.

Beginning to think it would be mightily embarrassing to finish below United tbh given how PLEASINGLY WRETCHED they appear to be.

 

[Avatar]

Arsenal are impressive this season. The only concern would be what normally happens..a mid season meltdown. There is that concern that the squad lacks the leaders of old.

i would've agreed with you 2 seasons ago, but honestly, our squad is pretty solid with leaders. Cech, Sanchez, Mustafi, Xhaka, Ramsey, Mertesaker, Koscielny all solid people to have in a dressing room.

 

[Pagnell]

Arsenal haven't had their annual 3-4 key players long term injury crisis yet. It's going to happen soon enough and it will dictate their finish. Top 4 guaranteed as usual, I just can't picture them winning the title though.

 

[johnnytodd]

grasping at straws very prominent in this thread

 

[Forthright]

Injuries to key players would hurt Arsenal. But the same can be said of any team fighting for a top 4 finish. How would Liverpool fair without Coutinho or Firmino? Or Man City without Silva and Aguero?

 

[Pagnell]

Injuries to key players would hurt Arsenal. But the same can be said of any team fighting for a top 4 finish. How would Liverpool fair without Coutinho or Firmino? Or Man City without Silva and Aguero?

I wasn't indicating it would be more or less hurtful to Arsenal than any other team. It was more a (partially tongue-in-cheek) reference to the likelihood of it happening looking at previous seasons. The clichés about Arsenal players picking up injuries and struggling to shake them exist for a good reason.

http://www.arsenalreport.com/injuryroom/history

 

[thespus]

It is Man City's title to lose. Gundogan, what a player. His injuries lessened his reputation, he was the key man in BVB's run to the CL final. Sane will eventually render Navas an afterthought in the squad. De Bruyne, Sterling, Ihenacho, Nolito, and the incoming Brazilian give them a lot of goal threats. With a better defense, I think they're in the same tier as the Madrids, Barca, and Bayern.

If Man City falter, it's up to Liverpool, Arsenal, and perhaps Tottenham. We saw Leicester ride the momentum of key players staying fit last season. 8 of 11 starters made 30+ starts; Vardy, Mahrez, Drinkwater, Kante, Morgan, and Huth all made 34+. That's virtually unprecedented. Liverpool or Arsenal can win the title if they get 30+ starts from these cores: Matip, Lovren, Henderson, Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino, Mane; Koscielny, Mustafi, Cazorla, Özil, Alexis.

Liverpool look to have reached the Klopp pinnacle, and the underlying stats support that. A dynamic offense, and a team effort which is suppressing shots better than any side in the league.They don't defend as well as Tottenham or Arsenal, but I think they see positive regression re: goals conceded. They've had a very difficult schedule, yet remain joint 1st without European commitments looming. They have an immense core, but they don't have the depth of Man City or Arsenal.

This Arsenal squad has better depth than previous iterations, maybe more than 2002-2004. There is an argument we have a second XI stronger than some sides Wenger managed into the top 4 during the transition years. What do folks think is our strongest XI when everyone is available? Do we persist with Alexis as the CF despite a fit Giroud? I would. Alexis is arguably playing the best football of his career, and this more fluid attack challenges Özil to score more. Maybe Welbeck plays over Iwobi when he returns, since Monreal/Gibbs need more support and Welbeck looked great last spring.

I think the midfield pairing has to remain Cazorla - Coquelin. I have faith Ramsey - Xhaka can be an immense partnership in the future, but they will need to be patient. Hopefully Oxlade-Chamberlain's end product continues to improve, he has loads of potential to challenge Walcott/Iwobi/Welbeck. Lucas looks a decent wing option, too.

Tottenham have an excellent coach and the best defense in the league, but without Kane they don't look capable of scoring enough goals to win the title. I think they're a better side than Chelsea, Man Utd, and Everton, though.

 

[Stevencc]

Injuries to key players would hurt Arsenal. But the same can be said of any team fighting for a top 4 finish. How would Liverpool fair without Coutinho or Firmino? Or Man City without Silva and Aguero?

They would do just fine, De Bruyne can do all Silva can and more and Sterling is coming into his own. Their attacking midfield isn't as reliant on Silva as it used to be.

 

[thespus]

They would do just fine, De Bruyne can do all Silva can and more and Sterling is coming into his own. Their attacking midfield isn't as reliant on Silva as it used to be.

This. Previous iterations of City could be disrupted by marking Silva out of the game. Coquelin and Cazorla did this at the Ethiad in the 2-0 Arsenal win a few years back. Now, there is De Bruyne and Gundogan. Silva is still class, but those two are more effective players at this time. Silva's role, much like Cazorla's after the arrival of Özil and Alexis, is to be the key link between defense and attack, capable of eliminating pressing midfielders with both dribbles and passes.

 

[Forthright]

Any Man City team without Aguero and silva would be weaker. Yes they have other players in there. But clearly Aguero is the man to get their goals.

In response to other users comments about Arsenal, the signings save for Xhaka have hardly been eye catching. Xhaka adds abit more steel to their middle but their are question marks as to the strike force.

But as Leicester have shown, they can win it. Their woeful record against top 4 rivals may be crucial this season.

 

[Leewilson]

Chelsea have well and truly thrown themselves in the mix now after that performance. I think most people (myself included) thought they'd be battling for 4th this season, and whilst that could still happen, they look like the ruthless Chelsea of old. If they keep the key men fit, they have a chance. It's said more about Liverpool, but no European commitments could well be used to their advantage as well.

Also, hardly the boldest prediction in the world, but I think the top 4 stays as it is. It's just the order that may switch. Spurs, for me, are going to be exhausted by March. The style of football they play combined with the fact a large amount of their first team suffered a physically and mentally challenging summer doesn't bode well either. Hope I'm wrong as I like Poch, but I think they could slip back to 6th this season. Think they need an addition or two in January to help with squad depth. Doesn't help that i thought their summer business was average at best.

 

[Forthright]

Too many on here had ruled out Chelsea. They humiliated Man Utd and yesterday Everton. Yes, the two teams may be midtable teams but the manner of the wins was impressive.

And Man City showed yesterday that they will drop points when least expected.

 

[Relentless]

It's nice being the underdog for once going by this topic

 

[Bilo]

Hard not to be a bit optimistic as a Liverpool fan.

 

[Forthright]

Yes you've won the title already.

 

[merseyboyred]

Yes you've won the title already.

Get in

 

[johnnytodd]

I'm going to enjoy this Liverpool collapse like no other..........tick tock

 

[SALTIRE]

I'm going to enjoy this Liverpool collapse like no other..........tick tock

Meh, we'll always have next year to challenge once more. Everton on the other hand...

 

[johnnytodd]

Meh, we'll always have next year to challenge once more. Everton on the other hand...

You could feed the 3rd world for life with the money you have spunked trying to win it......it will not happen

 

[speker]

I think most Reds are just enjoying the ride right now. We'll end up wherever we end up but right now the football is fantastic and fun to watch. Loving it

 

[SALTIRE]

You could feed the 3rd world for life with the money you have spunked trying to win it......it will not happen

Thats another difference between Liverpool and Everton fans, we are optimistic, whilst you lot are always a dour bunch.

 

[SALTIRE]

I think most Reds are just enjoying the ride right now. We'll end up wherever we end up but right now the football is fantastic and fun to watch. Loving it

Indeed, nothing is won right now; we are on to have a good season so we should embrace it; we've had too many shite seasons over the years so enjoy it when its here.

 

[johnnytodd]

Thats another difference between Liverpool and Everton fans, we are optimistic, whilst you lot are always a dour bunch.

I'm a supporter and you are a FAN remember that Salty.

 

[smat]

Hard not to be a bit optimistic as a Liverpool fan.

That didn't take long!

 

[SALTIRE]

I'm a supporter and you are a FAN remember that Salty.

Tetchy there Johnny, its been a rough weekend for you mate, I'll let it pass.

 

[Bilo]

That didn't take long!

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

 

[smat]

not a criticism!