Arsenal Thread 2013/14

[gordondaviesmoustache]

Sad to see, but as I said Arsenal are suddenly a threat for all competitions. It's just plain stupid that someone did not come in from Ozil. When one of the LITERAL best players in the world become available you buy them.

I know Redknapp is famous for not using the word correctly, but I am not hence the joke and the emphasis on literally. Too often people and myself included call players the best in the world. The media are even worse. However, Ozil is really top 10 at worst and probably top 5.

Fair comment.

Your use was tautological rather than erroneous :-)

 

[daxman]

playing well at the moment, the fans who think they can win the league are deluded, they need a CB, Stiker, Keeper and CM. plus they need leadership, Ozil was a step in the right direction though.

To win the league, games have to be played. But to call those who see the step up in performance 'deluded' is silly. Ofcourse they can win the league. They have the most talented offensive player in the league. They have the most settled squad. The longest serving manager amongst the top 6, and they are walking the league and their Champions league group, with a quarter of their squad still injured, and they are doing it emphatically. To suggest it is delusional to extrapolate that a team with 6 of its top 12 players still on the mend Captain (Vermalen) 2nd best (Carzola) and 3rd best (Wilshere) best, fastest (Walcott) and super sub (Ox) and Backup striker (Podolski) all out, and yet they are still walking thru the league and CL with ease. To suggest it is impossible for such a team to win the league, is what is delusional.

Are they going to win? No one knows, but can they? Absolutely! And it looks like even they are beginning to believe it.

Folks keep on harping on their needs. But these are all mostly false needs based on prior history as opposed to present facts.

They need a striker: Well not if Giroud keeps playing the way he is, no they don't. He is currently on a confident high, and is making fodder of all comers. His hold up play is impressive, his touch has always been, his running is light years from last season. And he is scoring for fun. Behind him, they have Podolski (Albeit out till January), Bendter (average but a backup) Walcott who ca play there for a few games, and Sanogo. That is surely enough coverage, so long as Giroud doesn't get a long term injury. Take out the top striker for any other top 6 team and they too wouldn't win the league. Except perhaps Chelsea who doesn't have one. Aguero, Van Persie, Suarez, or Soldado out for 3 months and none of those teams win the league. So it is no different for Arsenal.

A CD needed? Again, another Fallacy. They have 3 very good ones. Sacker, Vermalean and Kolcieny. Could they use a 4th? Sure, but it is not a neccessity again all 3 can handle the role without any dropoff in performance. And Sagna also is a fantastic spot CD. They are OK at the position. Matter of fact, they can afford to lose any one of those guys, more so than we can afford to lose Kompany, United/Vidic, Spurs/Vertonghen or Pool Agger. So Saying they "need" a CD makes mockery of every other top teams need.

Goalie? At the moment, Szsysy does nothing for most of the game. They have been that dominant. He is not top class, but solid. On the same level with Hart and De Gea this season. So if they need one, so does City and United.

Need a CM? I mean this is the most laughable one of all. The have more compatible midfielders than any other team in the league. It is the one thing they have in abundance: Carzola, Ozil, Wilshere, Walcott, Ox, Arteta, Rosisky, Gnabry, Ramsey, Diaby, Frimpong, Flamini, Miyaichi, Park Ju Young. That is 14 players for 5 positions. They are 3 deep at every midfield position. It is a good thing some of them are injured at all times, as they wouldn't have spots in the stadium talkless the bench for some of their midfielders if they were all healthy.

This team will be there at the end of the season. To write them off is what is delusional.

 

[kanovic]

They are getting great chemistry and they are enjoying them selfs. I believe they have every chance to win the league.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

most impressive win so far, big win for their qualification chances. Their 3 hardest games to come. Dortmund are the toughest team in the group and Napoli away is a whole different kettle of fish to Napoli at home.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

Impossible.

Maybe, but they haven't dropped a single point in more than a month. I actually don't remember when a single player turned a team single handledly, world class.

People keep forgetting how well Arse finished the season. It's not just the Ozil factor!

Manure, Chelsea and unfortunately us have dropped a level and Arse have improved. It's a long season so there's plenty of time to f@ck up. Chelsea had 16 points after 6 games last season!!!!!!!!!!

Manure, Chelsea and unfortunately us All have new managers and are getting used to new systems, apart from the rags,
who are just shite. Arsenal have had a good start, and are playing some nice football, but there's a long way to go yet.

 

[thenabster]

playing well at the moment, the fans who think they can win the league are deluded, they need a CB, Stiker, Keeper and CM. plus they need leadership, Ozil was a step in the right direction though.

To win the league, games have to be played. But to call those who see the step up in performance 'deluded' is silly. Ofcourse they can win the league. They have the most talented offensive player in the league. They have the most settled squad. The longest serving manager amongst the top 6, and they are walking the league and their Champions league group, with a quarter of their squad still injured, and they are doing it emphatically. To suggest it is delusional to extrapolate that a team with 6 of its top 12 players still on the mend Captain (Vermalen) 2nd best (Carzola) and 3rd best (Wilshere) best, fastest (Walcott) and super sub (Ox) and Backup striker (Podolski) all out, and yet they are still walking thru the league and CL with ease. To suggest it is impossible for such a team to win the league, is what is delusional.

Are they going to win? No one knows, but can they? Absolutely! And it looks like even they are beginning to believe it.

Folks keep on harping on their needs. But these are all mostly false needs based on prior history as opposed to present facts.

They need a striker: Well not if Giroud keeps playing the way he is, no they don't. He is currently on a confident high, and is making fodder of all comers. His hold up play is impressive, his touch has always been, his running is light years from last season. And he is scoring for fun. Behind him, they have Podolski (Albeit out till January), Bendter (average but a backup) Walcott who ca play there for a few games, and Sanogo. That is surely enough coverage, so long as Giroud doesn't get a long term injury. Take out the top striker for any other top 6 team and they too wouldn't win the league. Except perhaps Chelsea who doesn't have one. Aguero, Van Persie, Suarez, or Soldado out for 3 months and none of those teams win the league. So it is no different for Arsenal.

A CD needed? Again, another Fallacy. They have 3 very good ones. Sacker, Vermalean and Kolcieny. Could they use a 4th? Sure, but it is not a neccessity again all 3 can handle the role without any dropoff in performance. And Sagna also is a fantastic spot CD. They are OK at the position. Matter of fact, they can afford to lose any one of those guys, more so than we can afford to lose Kompany, United/Vidic, Spurs/Vertonghen or Pool Agger. So Saying they "need" a CD makes mockery of every other top teams need.

Goalie? At the moment, Szsysy does nothing for most of the game. They have been that dominant. He is not top class, but solid. On the same level with Hart and De Gea this season. So if they need one, so does City and United.

Need a CM? I mean this is the most laughable one of all. The have more compatible midfielders than any other team in the league. It is the one thing they have in abundance: Carzola, Ozil, Wilshere, Walcott, Ox, Arteta, Rosisky, Gnabry, Ramsey, Diaby, Frimpong, Flamini, Miyaichi, Park Ju Young. That is 14 players for 5 positions. They are 3 deep at every midfield position. It is a good thing some of them are injured at all times, as they wouldn't have spots in the stadium talkless the bench for some of their midfielders if they were all healthy.

This team will be there at the end of the season. To write them off is what is delusional.

Great analysis.

 

[mancity1]

They are getting great chemistry and they are enjoying them selfs. I believe they have every chance to win the league.

Long overdue for their suffering masses.

Funny though how all their ex players / officials that wanted Wenger gone after the Villa game are now saying he is the best thing for the club to take them forward after 10 wins on the spin.

Imagine if they finished second this year how quickly they would turn on him again.

As for Ozil I am sure he was farmed out to a number of other clubs but Arsenal were prepared to give him the best deal at least of all the premiership clubs.

Utd 's pulling power has diminished a bit due to Fergie calling it a day.

 

[Jumanji]

playing well at the moment, the fans who think they can win the league are deluded, they need a CB, Stiker, Keeper and CM. plus they need leadership, Ozil was a step in the right direction though.

To win the league, games have to be played. But to call those who see the step up in performance 'deluded' is silly. Ofcourse they can win the league. They have the most talented offensive player in the league. They have the most settled squad. The longest serving manager amongst the top 6, and they are walking the league and their Champions league group, with a quarter of their squad still injured, and they are doing it emphatically. To suggest it is delusional to extrapolate that a team with 6 of its top 12 players still on the mend Captain (Vermalen) 2nd best (Carzola) and 3rd best (Wilshere) best, fastest (Walcott) and super sub (Ox) and Backup striker (Podolski) all out, and yet they are still walking thru the league and CL with ease. To suggest it is impossible for such a team to win the league, is what is delusional.

Are they going to win? No one knows, but can they? Absolutely! And it looks like even they are beginning to believe it.

Folks keep on harping on their needs. But these are all mostly false needs based on prior history as opposed to present facts.

They need a striker: Well not if Giroud keeps playing the way he is, no they don't. He is currently on a confident high, and is making fodder of all comers. His hold up play is impressive, his touch has always been, his running is light years from last season. And he is scoring for fun. Behind him, they have Podolski (Albeit out till January), Bendter (average but a backup) Walcott who ca play there for a few games, and Sanogo. That is surely enough coverage, so long as Giroud doesn't get a long term injury. Take out the top striker for any other top 6 team and they too wouldn't win the league. Except perhaps Chelsea who doesn't have one. Aguero, Van Persie, Suarez, or Soldado out for 3 months and none of those teams win the league. So it is no different for Arsenal.

A CD needed? Again, another Fallacy. They have 3 very good ones. Sacker, Vermalean and Kolcieny. Could they use a 4th? Sure, but it is not a neccessity again all 3 can handle the role without any dropoff in performance. And Sagna also is a fantastic spot CD. They are OK at the position. Matter of fact, they can afford to lose any one of those guys, more so than we can afford to lose Kompany, United/Vidic, Spurs/Vertonghen or Pool Agger. So Saying they "need" a CD makes mockery of every other top teams need.

Goalie? At the moment, Szsysy does nothing for most of the game. They have been that dominant. He is not top class, but solid. On the same level with Hart and De Gea this season. So if they need one, so does City and United.

Need a CM? I mean this is the most laughable one of all. The have more compatible midfielders than any other team in the league. It is the one thing they have in abundance: Carzola, Ozil, Wilshere, Walcott, Ox, Arteta, Rosisky, Gnabry, Ramsey, Diaby, Frimpong, Flamini, Miyaichi, Park Ju Young. That is 14 players for 5 positions. They are 3 deep at every midfield position. It is a good thing some of them are injured at all times, as they wouldn't have spots in the stadium talkless the bench for some of their midfielders if they were all healthy.

This team will be there at the end of the season. To write them off is what is delusional.

Spot on that, Dax. I concur with your sentiments.

 

[Ducado]

It's far to early, sure they have been playing well but teams can have bad runs of form there is a lot of football to be played

 

[Chris in London]

You would have to be incredibly one-eyed or know very little about football not to acknowledge what a tremendous player Ozil is, how quickly he has settled in and how he has improved arsenal immeasurably.

Incidentally, does the Emirates still have that banner above the away end saying 'you can't buy class'?

 

[jlc09]

I had them down to struggle in this group of death and their efforts to effect their prem form.
Then along came Ozil.

Have Dortmund home, Dortmund away, Marseille home in the next 3. If we can get 6 pts from there, we are fine.

Napoli away is the final game so who knows what the case will be then, might be crucial, might not matter at all.

 

[pee dubya]

This media wide Ozil wankfest is becoming tiresome already. Great player as he is I'm sure a lot of it is to do with their constant 'Arsenal must spend, Arsenal must spend, Arsenal must spend' reports, now they have and this part of their 'I told you so' reaction.

I wonder if Giroud gets injured whether the wisdom of spending so much on another attacking midfielder will be questioned when they're playing Walcott up front on his own.

Anyway, I think Flamini's return, less headline grabbing and exciting, was probably something they needed more than Ozil.

Obviously they've improved the team on recent seasons and I don't think any other teams really stand out this season so they'll be in the title race, but we'll see how things go when the Ozilphoria wears off.

 

[bluethai]

W W W W W D W D W W W L W W W W W W W W W W

Last 22 games played, very good indeed.

 

[Matty]

W W W W W D W D W W W L W W W W W W W W W W

Last 22 games played, very good indeed.

But, domestically, Spurs aside, this season they've played no-one of any real note (yes, I'm aware, United aside, neither have we). Villa, Fulham, Sunderland, Stoke, Swansea, it's entirely possible none of those sides will be in the top half of the table come May. You can only play the fixtures you're given, and to win all of those matckes (Villa aside) is great, but lets see where they are after having to play the likes of Chelsea, City, United, Liverpool or Everton. Over the last 2 seasons Arsenal have picked up 30 points from the possible 72 available in the games against Liverpool, City, United, Chelsea, Spurs and Everton, compare that to the 44 points from 72 that City have picked up in the same period. Put it another way, last season City won 3 of their 6 matches against the other sides who qualified for the Champion's League, Arsenal won none of their games against those 3 sides. Arsenal need to pick up points against their rivals, beating Spurs at the Emirates is a decent result, but in terms of improving on previous seasons it doesn't help, as Arsenal beat Spurs at home each of the last 2 years, comfortably, yet finished nowhere near winning the title.

 

[BlueTG]

I think they are going to be up there at the end of the season, but I think(hope) that they will eventually fade a little from the title race, after all this is the same side that have not challenged plus a couple of players, granted Ozil is a fucking belting signing.

I just hope the burden becomes too much for Giroud and Ozil and that injuries/suspensions/tiredness takes them out of the race.

But on the other hand, this season looks like its shaping into a very competitive and tight league, with more teams holding a challenge for longer. So they may well mount a very serious title challenge.

 

[supercity88]

Everyone is talking about Arsenal being the same side, but they have a fantastic collection of young players who have played together for a while now and are improving all the time. Ramsey has really kicked on a gear this season and no one predicted that. Whilst I think they will fall short because of their lack of striking options people need to sit up and pay attention. Their form in the last 22 games is incredible. We started our title winning season in a similar fashion and then had a major dip but it set us up so that we were still close enough to win the league, although in exceptional circumstances. I don't think City have ever put on such a run of form where we beat so many teams home and away in all competitions. The head to head form against the other top 4, 5 or 6 teams is obviously crucial because you put a gap to them by winning, but this season, things will be so tight that it is about winning as many games as possible. We can win all the head to head games but our form in the others will not see us win the league.

I think Arsenal will suffer a dip of form, it is inevitable and whilst Ozil is class and a game winner and their other players have matured and developed, they lack that strength in depth to win the league - provided they need it. Should their main players stay fit that wont be an issue. I still feel that the City side without Aguero, Yaya or Kompany is a very different prospect. And we have seen in our away games this season that we struggle to control games as we do at home. Whilst I have faith Pellegrini will resolve this in time, it still means that there is a gap that has developed between us and Arsenal that will mean the big games become even bigger.

 

[Tikirocker]

playing well at the moment, the fans who think they can win the league are deluded, they need a CB, Stiker, Keeper and CM. plus they need leadership, Ozil was a step in the right direction though.

To win the league, games have to be played. But to call those who see the step up in performance 'deluded' is silly. Ofcourse they can win the league. They have the most talented offensive player in the league. They have the most settled squad. The longest serving manager amongst the top 6, and they are walking the league and their Champions league group, with a quarter of their squad still injured, and they are doing it emphatically. To suggest it is delusional to extrapolate that a team with 6 of its top 12 players still on the mend Captain (Vermalen) 2nd best (Carzola) and 3rd best (Wilshere) best, fastest (Walcott) and super sub (Ox) and Backup striker (Podolski) all out, and yet they are still walking thru the league and CL with ease. To suggest it is impossible for such a team to win the league, is what is delusional.

Are they going to win? No one knows, but can they? Absolutely! And it looks like even they are beginning to believe it.

Folks keep on harping on their needs. But these are all mostly false needs based on prior history as opposed to present facts.

They need a striker: Well not if Giroud keeps playing the way he is, no they don't. He is currently on a confident high, and is making fodder of all comers. His hold up play is impressive, his touch has always been, his running is light years from last season. And he is scoring for fun. Behind him, they have Podolski (Albeit out till January), Bendter (average but a backup) Walcott who ca play there for a few games, and Sanogo. That is surely enough coverage, so long as Giroud doesn't get a long term injury. Take out the top striker for any other top 6 team and they too wouldn't win the league. Except perhaps Chelsea who doesn't have one. Aguero, Van Persie, Suarez, or Soldado out for 3 months and none of those teams win the league. So it is no different for Arsenal.

A CD needed? Again, another Fallacy. They have 3 very good ones. Sacker, Vermalean and Kolcieny. Could they use a 4th? Sure, but it is not a neccessity again all 3 can handle the role without any dropoff in performance. And Sagna also is a fantastic spot CD. They are OK at the position. Matter of fact, they can afford to lose any one of those guys, more so than we can afford to lose Kompany, United/Vidic, Spurs/Vertonghen or Pool Agger. So Saying they "need" a CD makes mockery of every other top teams need.

Goalie? At the moment, Szsysy does nothing for most of the game. They have been that dominant. He is not top class, but solid. On the same level with Hart and De Gea this season. So if they need one, so does City and United.

Need a CM? I mean this is the most laughable one of all. The have more compatible midfielders than any other team in the league. It is the one thing they have in abundance: Carzola, Ozil, Wilshere, Walcott, Ox, Arteta, Rosisky, Gnabry, Ramsey, Diaby, Frimpong, Flamini, Miyaichi, Park Ju Young. That is 14 players for 5 positions. They are 3 deep at every midfield position. It is a good thing some of them are injured at all times, as they wouldn't have spots in the stadium talkless the bench for some of their midfielders if they were all healthy.

This team will be there at the end of the season. To write them off is what is delusional.

Thank you sir ... as a 3rd Generation Arsenal supporter whose family have been collectively supporting the Gunners since the 1920's ... you saved me a post, Your commentary was good enough to bring me out of permanent lurking mode here in order to make my first post; well done that man ... ;)

Cheers!

 

[GunnerGer]

Theres a lot to be said for confidence, momentum, and having players on form, and Arsenal have all 3 of these just now.

 

[Salford_Blue]

One player arguably won manyoooo the League last year.
As we are seeing now, the rest of the squad is mediocre bar Rooney.

Arsenal have a more talented player and have signed their "RVP", so they are more than capable.

Unless we start putting teams away before the break, we could get cut adrift.

Think Spurs could be the dark horses TBH.

 

[thenabster]

This media wide Ozil wankfest is becoming tiresome already. Great player as he is I'm sure a lot of it is to do with their constant 'Arsenal must spend, Arsenal must spend, Arsenal must spend' reports, now they have and this part of their 'I told you so' reaction.

I wonder if Giroud gets injured whether the wisdom of spending so much on another attacking midfielder will be questioned when they're playing Walcott up front on his own.

Anyway, I think Flamini's return, less headline grabbing and exciting, was probably something they needed more than Ozil.

Obviously they've improved the team on recent seasons and I don't think any other teams really stand out this season so they'll be in the title race, but we'll see how things go when the Ozilphoria wears off.

I will agree that bringing back Flamini has been top class. He's been tremendous.