Will we win the league this season?

[remember arthur mann]

The risks are injuries to major players. I think we are more exposed to that than Arsenal.

First they extolled Rodri, Arsenal were given the free hit to nobble him and freely obliged.
Khusanov was becoming one of the best fullbacks in the country and was targeted, Arsenal duly obliged. Now all conversation is on Mr Manchester City, Erling Haaland. He'll be targeted. Now whether he needs a Minder or handles it himself, only the Lord knows.
He will be taken out to hamper City.

 

[Berti No Show]

Honestly, I don’t see us winning it this year. Arsenal’s squad looks stronger right now. They’ve got Ben White not even getting a game, Madueke’s been their standout player when he was meant to be a very poor signing, and they haven’t even used Odegaard yet. Their summer business has pushed the players they already had up a level. It reminds me of when we had Laporte, Otamendi, Stones and Kompany at the back, and Sane, Sterling, Bernardo and Mahrez on the wings, proper depth everywhere which improved the performances of other players in the squad. Arsenal have that same thing now, with real quality coming off the bench.

For us, the new signings need to step up, and the lads around Haaland have to chip in with more goals. The defence doesn’t feel quite there either. Gvardiol is clearly a top player, but he’s shown he’s got a mistake or two in him. And Rodri - he just doesn’t look like the Rodri we know as expected. Can he even put three or four full games together right now? We might not see that for a long while. It's just very frustrating.

At the moment, I still think Arsenal and Liverpool will make up the top two. I’d take 3rd if I’m being realistic. But at the same time, it’s City and you never quite know what we could turn into if things start clicking. We have some very talented players, and in a way it makes it very exciting to see what we could become.

However, with the squad and manager we have, we should challenge for the title with the other 2 at the very least (even if we don't win it).

 

[Cobwebcat]

You don't think Arsenal have been a stand out team given the fixtures they've had ? Bournemouth and Palace have been very good too.

Depends what you mean by standout.

Do they standout as a good team? Yes
Do they standout as a team that will run away with the league? No

Bournemouth and Palace have been impressive.

 

[MarcIsTired1986]

I feel like we haven't really left third gear yet - with the Derby being the stand-out performance (for once).

I think if we keep improving, and continue actually playing to Haaland's strengths (eventually!!) we'll be too good to stop over 38 games!

 

[Bluearmy]

He plays for Bournemouth. I’m thinking more a do-it-now player. Maybe it is him, but I’d rather have a track record

He's a goal every 3 games wide player in the Premier League (not for one of the top clubs), over the last 3 seasons. He puts our wingers in the shade over the same period! We could do and we have on the books a lot worse!!

 

[Bluearmy]

Yep, would be a fantastic addition. Bournemouth would want silly money though

Yep, no doubt. Unfortunately signed a new contract in the summer also. The optimum play was to bite Levy's hand off for the £70 mil for Savinho and pluck Semenyo from Bournemouth before he signed that deal during the summer. Unfortunately we shafted ourselves!!

 

[citymad]

Honestly, I don’t see us winning it this year. Arsenal’s squad looks stronger right now. They’ve got Ben White not even getting a game, Madueke’s been their standout player when he was meant to be a very poor signing, and they haven’t even used Odegaard yet. Their summer business has pushed the players they already had up a level. It reminds me of when we had Laporte, Otamendi, Stones and Kompany at the back, and Sane, Sterling, Bernardo and Mahrez on the wings, proper depth everywhere which improved the performances of other players in the squad. Arsenal have that same thing now, with real quality coming off the bench.

For us, the new signings need to step up, and the lads around Haaland have to chip in with more goals. The defence doesn’t feel quite there either. Gvardiol is clearly a top player, but he’s shown he’s got a mistake or two in him. And Rodri - he just doesn’t look like the Rodri we know as expected. Can he even put three or four full games together right now? We might not see that for a long while. It's just very frustrating.

At the moment, I still think Arsenal and Liverpool will make up the top two. I’d take 3rd if I’m being realistic. But at the same time, it’s City and you never quite know what we could turn into if things start clicking. We have some very talented players, and in a way it makes it very exciting to see what we could become.

However, with the squad and manager we have, we should challenge for the title with the other 2 at the very least (even if we don't win it).

Great post!

 

[super_city_si]

If we can get everyone fit and firing then maybe, but we just cant seem to keep players fit for any extended period.

I think this season is a step too early and might be Arsenals but if we're still hanging around come January, then.....

 

[melrose40yarder]

If we are within 5 points with 8 games left who would bet against us.

 

[Bournemouth Blue]

If we can defend like yesterday, and get the new signings used to our system, it is entirely possible. Foden and Reinders could each have had hat-tricks yesterday in the first half. Brentford capitalised on our tiredness and I was surprised Pep left it so late to put on fresh legs. If we can get Rodri fit again, and keep Doku, Foden and then get a fit Marmoush firing, we are in with a chance.

 

[Cobwebcat]

If we are within 5 points with 8 games left who would bet against us.

 

[Rory Bluelow]

We’re right in the mix and can only see us improving as the season goes on. I’m hoping we’re in with a real shout this season.

 

[Marvin.]

Honestly, I don’t see us winning it this year. Arsenal’s squad looks stronger right now. They’ve got Ben White not even getting a game, Madueke’s been their standout player when he was meant to be a very poor signing, and they haven’t even used Odegaard yet. Their summer business has pushed the players they already had up a level. It reminds me of when we had Laporte, Otamendi, Stones and Kompany at the back, and Sane, Sterling, Bernardo and Mahrez on the wings, proper depth everywhere which improved the performances of other players in the squad. Arsenal have that same thing now, with real quality coming off the bench.

For us, the new signings need to step up, and the lads around Haaland have to chip in with more goals. The defence doesn’t feel quite there either. Gvardiol is clearly a top player, but he’s shown he’s got a mistake or two in him. And Rodri - he just doesn’t look like the Rodri we know as expected. Can he even put three or four full games together right now? We might not see that for a long while. It's just very frustrating.

At the moment, I still think Arsenal and Liverpool will make up the top two. I’d take 3rd if I’m being realistic. But at the same time, it’s City and you never quite know what we could turn into if things start clicking. We have some very talented players, and in a way it makes it very exciting to see what we could become.

However, with the squad and manager we have, we should challenge for the title with the other 2 at the very least (even if we don't win it).

I don't see Liverpool challenging. Their central defenders include Van Dijk, Konate and Gomez. Van Dijk's legs have gone. He ran from Caicedo at Stamford Bridge leading to the first goal, and Neto also ran past him.

 

[calumdown]

yes.

 

[supercity88]

In 2025 we've been the best performing team in the league. It doesn't count for anything, but it gives me optimism.

We're still miles off the points per game we would typically achieve, but Arsenal and the dippers have dropped off too.

We needed to convert that Brighton win to be top of the table (or 2nd on GD). But we haven't really played well and are still in this.

Injured players are back, confidence will be higher and what's to say we don't put together a run of wins?

Let's see where we are at the turn of the new year and go from there. We're not as far off as I thought we would be at this stage.

 

[supercity88]

I don't see Liverpool challenging. Their central defenders include Van Dijk, Konate and Gomez. Van Dijk's legs have gone. He ran from Caicedo at Stamford Bridge leading to the first goal, and Neto also ran past him.

They'll sign Guehi in Jan and that will transform them, but I agree that defensively I don't think they'll resolve their problems enough to win the title this year.

If we can keep the pressure on Arsenal it's very likely they'll fold too. This is Arsenal's best chance to win the league but those mental demons will appear once again if we can run them close.

Even with a much changed squad, with the bit between our teeth we have enough leaders to drive us to the title if we're there or there abouts in Jan.

 

[simon23]

I’m not sure that’s true, I just think he’s a miserable ****.

sensitive little petal aren't you

 

[simon23]

I'll be honest I thought the same, but I watched Barca when i watched a lot of La Liga, when they were average/ inconsistent and won league titles because of one player and I'm not saying Haaland is at that level as the little magician Messi but the way he is scoring and getting us points when if he's not there we wouldn't be getting those 3 points is Messi esque at Barca under Bartomeu. Or like a inform Suarez both got Barca points when they shouldn't really have gotten them.

Barca were average consistently average, but he dragged them to a league title, sometimes when you have an anomaly of a player like Haaland you can win major honours with players not at that level in the team. They drag you to major honours. Because they are that good. You don't have to play consistently well as long as you have them.

This Haaland is the best he's ever been the most complete he's ever been. We've got two anomalies in this team a striker that is probably going to go down as the best striker in Premier league history and Donnarumma who is the best goalkeeper in the world at stopping the ball going into his net.

those two players who are levels above anyone else in their postion can drag you to titles/trophies.

Id definitely agree that Haaland (and also Foden) are dragging us through at present.

Having said everythng previous however, if Pep can get Reijnders and Cherki to integrate quickly to the level where we hope both them can get to and we are lucky with injuries (especially around Rodri) and get Khusonov back then I think we will improve our play anyway.

It would also allow us to rest Haaland (having the likes of Marmoush available for cup games and to see games out as well which again will only help

 

[johnny crossan]

In other news Crewe have just taken a late lead at Harrogate - sulpherous suffering

 

[argyle]

Course we can, beat the toffees next time out and we’re top of the league

But according to some on here, if we win in a way that isn't pleasing on the eye... can it really be counted as a win?