Will we win the league this season?

[Father Paul]

What a futile exercise. If everyone could predict the results of football matches we would all be winning the pools. City have had far better teams than this Arsenal side in the past and have been beaten by teams at home and away by sides that we didn't expect to win against us in that time. There is a long way to go nobody knows what will happen City have to keep going and stick in there. One thing's for sure if we give up we have no chance.

Nobody can predict outcomes with certainty. But past performance and the evidence of ones eyes are valuable tools to use. You are right that we are very much still in the race and usually finish strongly.Arsenal have a long list of failure in the second half of seasons streching back quite a bit now. However, currently Arsenal look a lot more consistent and stable then we do. It will not be easy to catch and stay ahead of them unless we quickly improve.

 

[K-Bo]

Another thought, could argue that apart from Donnarumma, none of our signings have hit the ground running they way they did in say 2018.

We probably needed at least a couple more to do so to challenge this year

 

[M18CTID]

I must admit that after those 3 home wins I thought we were starting to properly click and that in turn would see an upturn in results and performances away from home. Sadly that wasn't to be on Saturday - and Newcastle deserve a fair bit of credit for making it difficult for us to get any real kind of rhythm going - so it has to be said that we're not quite ready yet. Arsenal are the more complete article.....for now. I'm not writing our title chances off yet because we have an identical record after 12 games compared to the 2013/14 season and we went on to win the league that season, but I think we now need to go on a run of at least 4, 5, or 6 wins on the bounce before dropping any more points. Somewhat interestingly, during the treble season I think it wasn't until April before we won more than 3 league games in a row.

 

[K-Bo]

I must admit that after those 3 home wins I thought we were starting to properly click and that in turn would see an upturn in results and performances away from home. Sadly that wasn't to be on Saturday - and Newcastle deserve a fair bit of credit for making it difficult for us to get any real kind of rhythm going - so it has to be said that we're not quite ready yet. Arsenal are the more complete article.....for now. I'm not writing our title chances off yet because we have an identical record after 12 games compared to the 2013/14 season and we went on to win the league that season, but I think we now need to go on a run of at least 4, 5, or 6 wins on the bounce before dropping any more points. Somewhat interestingly, during the treble season I think it wasn't until April before we won more than 3 league games in a row.

We're getting nothing from difficult away games, and losing more often than not. This season 1 point away to Villa, arsenal and newcastle. A poor return against the better sides has been pretty constant since the treble win really.

 

[Danny Tiatto]

It doesn’t mean they will again though mate. If they keep knocking on the door they’ll get there eventually.

Also doesn’t mean it won’t heavily be playing on their mind mate. Maybe they are in a zone of tranquillity where they feel no pressure or maybe at the first wobble they start to think oh no here we go again.

It’s up to us to put up a challenge to find out and I think we will.

 

[MCFC1993]

We're better than last season, it at least feels like we're in a battle at these tough away grounds but I don't think we're dominate enough to have a run at the league just get. If there wasn't an outstanding team like the Leicester season we would have a chance.

Arsenal are comfortably the best and if we're honest their league title has been coming. Since they signed Rice I felt it was coming and not just saying it because he scored a hat-trick but I knew Eze was such a big signing for them as well.

We have a decent run of league games coming up now, put a few wins together, just be there incase the unthinkable happens and focus on our chances in the cups.

 

[Dax777]

Arsenal currently just looks way more complete and talented. They wre missing 5 players and it doesn't even matter. They are extremely deep.

And their confidence is rising.

They are missing their best 2 strikers, their best creator and captain and their best defender. And perhaps the best individual defender this season.

Yet, it makes no difference because they sre now that deep and their defense is very solid.


We still need to do our best to stay close by winning our games. Confidence is a funny thing. If they lose one and draw another They might get tight and things can unravel.


But right now, they are far and away superior to anyone else

 

[Tarzan Pancake]

We will improve as the season goes on. I just feel like Arsenal look like a team that will be hard to stop.

 

[hilts]

We’ll go top after beating Chelsea on the 4th Jan.

It will also be 6° degrees and cloudy, Haaland scores in the 47th minute Foden the 85th minute, 3 people will get the 1% question right, also there will be roadworks on the Mancunian way and Phil Collins will sadly pass away again.

 

[Bournemouth Blue]

Personally I think we are doing better than I expected this season, although we still look dodgy in defence. I would settle for second or third, but if Arsenal slip, we should be prepared to go for it.

 

[citytill1die84]

Leeds (H) Chelsea (A)
Fulham (A) Brentford (H)
Sunderland (H) Aston Villa (A)
Palace (A) Wolves (H)
West Ham (H) Everton (A)
Forest (A) Brighton (H)
Sunderland (A) Aston Villa (H)

Compare the next 7 fixtures and Arsenal have plenty of tricky fixtures. If they come out of those fixtures still 6/7pts clear of us I'll be very surprised. Get fucking Rodri back fit and maybe bring in Semenyo it's still definitely on.

 

[Corky]

Leeds (H) Chelsea (A)
Fulham (A) Brentford (H)
Sunderland (H) Aston Villa (A)
Palace (A) Wolves (H)
West Ham (H) Everton (A)
Forest (A) Brighton (H)
Sunderland (A) Aston Villa (H)

Compare the next 7 fixtures and Arsenal have plenty of tricky fixtures. If they come out of those fixtures still 6/7pts clear of us I'll be very surprised. Get fucking Rodri back fit and maybe bring in Semenyo it's still definitely on.

If you were to pick them it would be 4 of Arsenal's and 3 of ours.

 

[bluegaz13]

I am still quietly confident for a top four finish and hopefully a good run in one of the cups….but we are not strong enough in squad depth and even in physicality to challenge for the league.

We have improved on last season but Arsenal (just like Liverpool last season) have not got to deal with the pressure of two other teams pushing them all the way…unfortunately!

We need to sign at least another 2 top notch midfielders and a wide man for next season plus a fit Rodri and also hope Bah, Kushanov and Reis develop into Premiership defenders to give depth and competition to the defence.

We probably also need to sign a right back to complete with Nunes who has been a revelation this season.

 

[roy.or.r]

Leeds (H) Chelsea (A)
Fulham (A) Brentford (H)
Sunderland (H) Aston Villa (A)
Palace (A) Wolves (H)
West Ham (H) Everton (A)
Forest (A) Brighton (H)
Sunderland (A) Aston Villa (H)

Compare the next 7 fixtures and Arsenal have plenty of tricky fixtures. If they come out of those fixtures still 6/7pts clear of us I'll be very surprised. Get fucking Rodri back fit and maybe bring in Semenyo it's still definitely on.

Looking at those fixtures, I am not very optimistic. We have been terrible away from home and there are some very tricky away fixtures in there, especially Palace, Sunderland and Forest. I do see us winning every home game though. Next week will tell us a lot. If Arsenal win then it will give them a huge confidence boost and will probably be enough to pull ahead of the rest imo.

 

[Roachy]

Looking at those fixtures, I am not very optimistic. We have been terrible away from home and there are some very tricky away fixtures in there, especially Palace, Sunderland and Forest. I do see us winning every home game though. Next week will tell us a lot. If Arsenal win then it will give them a huge confidence boost and will probably be enough to pull ahead of the rest imo.

Definitely some tricky games in there and who knows what will happen. In the recent seasons prior to the last one we'd be looking to get some serious points on the board from those fixtures.

 

[bridgeno1]

Leeds (H) Chelsea (A)
Fulham (A) Brentford (H)
Sunderland (H) Aston Villa (A)
Palace (A) Wolves (H)
West Ham (H) Everton (A)
Forest (A) Brighton (H)
Sunderland (A) Aston Villa (H)

Compare the next 7 fixtures and Arsenal have plenty of tricky fixtures. If they come out of those fixtures still 6/7pts clear of us I'll be very surprised. Get fucking Rodri back fit and maybe bring in Semenyo it's still definitely on.

I predict;

City/Leeds - City Win. Chelsea/Arsenal - Draw
Fulham/City - City win. Arsenal/Brentford - Arsenal win
City/Sunderland - City win. Villa/Arsenal- draw
Palace/City - Palace win. Arsenal/Wolves - Arsenal win
City/West Ham - City win. Everton/Arsenal - Arsenal win
Forest/City - draw. Arsenal/Brighton - Arsenal win
Sunderland/City - draw. Arsenal/Villa - Arsenal win

Total points from next 7 games- City 14, Arsenal 17

Not sure these 7 games are the ones to catch Arsenal. Chelsea and Villa away earlier in the run are tough but Palace and Sunderland away are tough as well. Basically 2 of Arsenal's next 3 games are tough and I cas see 2 draws for Arsenal meaning City close the gap to 3 points but thereafter the next 4 should be routine Arsenal wins whereas City have some bastard fixtures against physical sides who will know they can be more physical in the midfield than City.

Realistically (and I know it never works out like this) the one game left where Arsenal won't be favourites is away at the Etihad. City still have to go to Klanfield, Old Toilet etc. So it's not a case of thinking the next 7 games is where Arsenal get reeled in, it's saying from now on City win every single match and keep relentless pressure on which causes the mind to do strange things and ensure they are in a position to win against Arsenal at the Etihad and overtake them there.

Going to be tough. I'm saying this knowing I'm a Gooner on a City forum and not wanting to come about as smug and instead just wanting to be real about it (and not be polite for the sake of it either) but I think the foundations have already been laid for Arsenal, there won't be a bottling as the squad is far bigger so City need to start their run NOW as New Year will be too late. City absolutely can do it of course (IMHO the only team that can) but it needs to start immediately and against some tough teams - it's not like Arsenal are away at the big boys for the rest of the season and City are playing relegation fodder. These are tough matches where there is no margin for error.

 

[citytill1die84]

Looking at those fixtures, I am not very optimistic. We have been terrible away from home and there are some very tricky away fixtures in there, especially Palace, Sunderland and Forest. I do see us winning every home game though. Next week will tell us a lot. If Arsenal win then it will give them a huge confidence boost and will probably be enough to pull ahead of the rest imo.

Sunderland will be without 7 1st team players due to ACON. Palace tough but I fancy us to beat Forest. It'll will be an interesting few weeks

 

[simon23]

There was a time when all we talked about was a lack of left back.

Now we have problems all over the pitch.

The positive is we have been much better at home. Entertaining to watch and look like it is becoming a a bit of a fortress again.

Away - not great. Lots of work to do.

i think our style has significantly improved on last year...it looks like we have an identity back to our football, but as you say there are weaknesses in various parts of the pitch and at present it doesnt look like any of the new purchases have addressed these. The one i was hoping would was Reijnders but he looks the furthest away of all of them at present...a player that maybe suited to CL but not premier league games.

 

[Dax777]

I predict;

City/Leeds - City Win. Chelsea/Arsenal - Draw
Fulham/City - City win. Arsenal/Brentford - Arsenal win
City/Sunderland - City win. Villa/Arsenal- draw
Palace/City - Palace win. Arsenal/Wolves - Arsenal win
City/West Ham - City win. Everton/Arsenal - Arsenal win
Forest/City - draw. Arsenal/Brighton - Arsenal win
Sunderland/City - draw. Arsenal/Villa - Arsenal win

Total points from next 7 games- City 14, Arsenal 17

Not sure these 7 games are the ones to catch Arsenal. Chelsea and Villa away earlier in the run are tough but Palace and Sunderland away are tough as well. Basically 2 of Arsenal's next 3 games are tough and I cas see 2 draws for Arsenal meaning City close the gap to 3 points but thereafter the next 4 should be routine Arsenal wins whereas City have some bastard fixtures against physical sides who will know they can be more physical in the midfield than City.

Realistically (and I know it never works out like this) the one game left where Arsenal won't be favourites is away at the Etihad. City still have to go to Klanfield, Old Toilet etc. So it's not a case of thinking the next 7 games is where Arsenal get reeled in, it's saying from now on City win every single match and keep relentless pressure on which causes the mind to do strange things and ensure they are in a position to win against Arsenal at the Etihad and overtake them there.

Going to be tough. I'm saying this knowing I'm a Gooner on a City forum and not wanting to come about as smug and instead just wanting to be real about it (and not be polite for the sake of it either) but I think the foundations have already been laid for Arsenal, there won't be a bottling as the squad is far bigger so City need to start their run NOW as New Year will be too late. City absolutely can do it of course (IMHO the only team that can) but it needs to start immediately and against some tough teams - it's not like Arsenal are away at the big boys for the rest of the season and City are playing relegation fodder. These are tough matches where there is no margin for error.

You don't come off as smug. I'd have said the exact same. And i think you are being a bit conservative with Arsenal's chances in the next 7 games.

That said, City has to overperform and stay close. If its a 3 point game after the next 7. Arsenal will not feel very comfortable

It shouldn't be. The gap should expand or stay the same over the next 7. But form is a strange thing. A dip in performances or a string of unusual results and Arsenal will get tight.

I think Arsenal's success is dependent on having a sizable lead. They need what Liverpool had last season.

If Chelsea and City start running them close. Say Chelsea is a point behind in January ( I don't think they'll be) but let say they are and City are 2 or 3 points back. Arsenal will get likely get tight.


But give them a 10 point cushion and they'd play freely into March knowing their is a buffer and the pressure will be on the chasing pack to not drop any points.

We really need to over perform the next 7 games and hope Arsenal underperforms.

For the record, I think Arsenal will beat Chelsea easily next weekend. Im hoping they drop points in unexpected places instead.

 

[bridgeno1]

You don't come off as smug. I'd have said the exact same. And i think you are being a bit conservative with Arsenal's chances in the next 7 games.

That said, City has to overperform and stay close. If its a 3 point game after the next 7. Arsenal will not feel very comfortable

It shouldn't be. The gap should expand or stay the same over the next 7. But form is a strange thing. A dip in performances or a string of unusual results and Arsenal will get tight.

I think Arsenal's success is dependent on having a sizable lead. They need what Liverpool had last season.

If Chelsea and City start running them close. Say Chelsea is a point behind in January ( I don't think they'll be) but let say they are and City are 2 or 3 points back. Arsenal will get likely get tight.


But give them a 10 point cushion and they'd play freely into March knowing their is a buffer and the pressure will be on the chasing pack to not drop any points.

We really need to over perform the next 7 games and hope Arsenal underperforms.

For the record, I think Arsenal will beat Chelsea easily next weekend. Im hoping they drop points in unexpected places instead.

TBH Chelsea are too inconsistent, and defensively suspect. They'll finish 4th. Realistically it's only City who can challenge Arsenal I think.