can we win the leauge

As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
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Pav
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Post by Pav »

Don't want to rain on this parade of optimism but I am wholly under whelmed about the forthcoming season.

We finished third last year - the three teams above us (with the exception of Liverpool) were miles better than us and they have strengthened their squads greatly and ours is much weaker and looks rather bare in parts.

Van Persie may score bucket loads - but I doubt it, Adebayor is a second striker, Walcott is too lightweight at present and who knows what Eduardo will contribute in his first season.

I don't understand the transfer policy - linked for months to Ribery and Babel (who was practically begging to join) and we've missed out on both, and these are quality players.

We were by far the best in 2004 - I have serious concerns about where we will end up come May 2008.

We pay good money for season tickets - I think it's about time the club showed us the same commitment we show them and buy some bloody established players.

ARSENE GET THE CHEQUE BOOK OUT NOW!

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Pav
Posts: 65
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:10 pm
Location: Enfield

Post by Pav »

Don't want to rain on this parade of optimism but I am wholly under whelmed about the forthcoming season.

We finished third last year - the three teams above us (with the exception of Liverpool) were miles better than us and they have strengthened their squads greatly and ours is much weaker and looks rather bare in parts.

Van Persie may score bucket loads - but I doubt it, Adebayor is a second striker, Walcott is too lightweight at present and who knows what Eduardo will contribute in his first season.

I don't understand the transfer policy - linked for months to Ribery and Babel (who was practically begging to join) and we've missed out on both, and these are quality players.

We were by far the best in 2004 - I have serious concerns about where we will end up come May 2008.

We pay good money for season tickets - I think it's about time the club showed us the same commitment we show them and buy some bloody established players.

ARSENE GET THE CHEQUE BOOK OUT NOW!

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demzy
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Post by demzy »

All_Arsenal_1886 wrote:
Arsene Knows Best 8)
I agree. arsene has done it in the past, so i for one am not worried. it happened with henry replacing wright, so who's to say that eduardo da silva will not go on to surpass henry's goalscoring record. I believe in wenger, and always will!!

Red Carpet
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Post by Red Carpet »

I think its just too early to say .. there may (we would like to think) be a couple more signings before the start of the season that could make things a little clearer.
The positives are arguably..
We showed with our results against the top three that its not the case that we are not good enough, just inconsistant, which was a combination of too many draws at home in the new stadium and being outfought away from home. We should be over the new ground issue now and the players are a year older and wiser and battle hardened.
Henry was not a great captain and I think the side suffered as a result when he played. I expect us to be more of a "team" next season.
Eduardo's signing is clearly AW addressing a problem that we have all witnessed over the last 12/18 months. Yes he is unproven in the Premiership but with the chances we create the opportunity is there for a player of his ilk to make a significant contribution.
The negatives are arguably ..
Defending is still a worry, especially set pieces. Gallas and Toure as a partneship should be as good as any. It wasn't. We need to defend much better as a unit.
Henry's class as a player will obviously be a loss, that cannot be denied.
Despite the undoubted potential of our team/squad we are still top heavy
with youth and a better balnce is required to succeed at the highest level.
Midfield dwill still not contribute enough goals.

Depending which side of the fence people sit on the above arguments are generally the main issues. I amy have overlooked one or two granted.
I at the moment see both sides as being valid and so am neither overly bullish or doom and gloom, but I am quietly confident that we could surprise a few people this year.
What we do need is a bit of luck, RVP being fit for a whole season (he hasn't played a full season yet due to not being picked or injury) and one or two other key players remaining fit is key, as it is for all sides.
Above all I trust the manager.

Hagbard 23
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Post by Hagbard 23 »

Red Carpet wrote: What we do need is a bit of luck...
Totally agree with you there mate, lady luck was not with us at all last year. If we can stay relatively injury free and the new-boys settle in ok, I see no reason why a serious title challenge won't be on the cards.

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donaldo
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Post by donaldo »

Maybe

Who would have thought we would do the double at the start of the 97/98 season.You need lots of luck and to avoid major injuries. We need to hit the ground running like Manure did last year.we can"t afford to drop silly points against shit teams like last season. We have to make Ashburton Grove a fortress and thats where the fans have to play their part.We finished level on points with Liverpool without our main strike force for 3months.Top 3 finish definately,can we do better?Maybe .But i still think we need to buy a centre half

Red Carpet
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Post by Red Carpet »

A good start is imperitive ... our first away game at Blackburn (notoriously difficult the last few seasons) could shape our away form. Win that and we could be flying. Lose it and the old doubts will remain.

In response to the earlier cry of "Arsene get the cheque book out", when has any of our success under AW been as a direct result of him "getting the cheque book out"??. All the most important signings AW has made obver the years have never had that "sensational signing" feel about them.
We all should know by now that he signs quality players that he can see something in to become world beaters. Bergkamp remains the only "world class" player we have ever signed, and that was under Bruce Rioch.

GoonerBen
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Location: North London

Post by GoonerBen »

Sorry to go on about needing a winger but if we get 1 im pretty confident that well be in the top 2 agin if not surprise every1 with a win. hate to say so but ManUre look very very strong though, especially if they sign tevez aswell, anyway ive got 20 squid on us winning the league next season with my chelski supporting mate (and if u think im cheap - im skint and its hardly a dead cert bet) so CUMMON U GUNNERS

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U.F.G Anfield '89
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Post by U.F.G Anfield '89 »

20 quid aint cheap, what odds did you get?

Gunnerz4life
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Post by Gunnerz4life »

I think the left winger for us next season will be Eduardo. Arsene had previously stated that he is not a one dimensional player, he can play in any position up front. So Arsene is more likely buy Martins instead of a winger.

GoonerBen
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Post by GoonerBen »

hmmm interesting 1 there with Dudu on the left, that would guarantee us a few goals from midfield in which case a striker would be obviously desperately needed
UFG Anfield - no odds its with a mate so whoevers right i.e either we win or we dont gets the 20, im an eternal optimist if you hadnt realised especially when it comes to the arse

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I Hate Hleb
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IT'S SO EASY FOR YOU TO LOSE MONEY, I BET!

Post by I Hate Hleb »

GoonerBen wrote:hmmm interesting 1 there with Dudu on the left, that would guarantee us a few goals from midfield in which case a striker would be obviously desperately needed
UFG Anfield - no odds its with a mate so whoevers right i.e either we win or we dont gets the 20, im an eternal optimist if you hadnt realised especially when it comes to the arse
GOONERBEN,

LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT. DID YOU JUST BET THAT ARSENAL WOULD WIN THE LEAGUE? :shock: :o OR IS THE BET WHICH TEAM FINISHES HIGHER BETWEEN US AND CHELSEA? :?

IF IT IS THE FORMER, THEN I CAN'T HELP THINKING YOU HAVE MISSED A TRICK THERE OLD SON. :shock: :roll: IF YOU HAD PLACED THE BET AT A BOOKIES YOU WOULD HAVE GOT 12/1 (BRINGING A WINNING RETURN OF £240), RATHER THAN THE EVENS YOU ARE NOW GETTING (£20 RETURN) FROM YOUR FRIEND. :oops: :roll: :wink:

IF IT WAS THE LATTER, THEN AGAIN - ALTHOUGH THIS BET IN THEORY GIVES YOU BETTER ODDS THAN THE FIRST ONE - YOU COULD STILL HAVE DONE BETTER AT A BOOK-MAKERS. :wink:

GoonerBen
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Post by GoonerBen »

damn didnt know that, but im no betting man, this was just the result of idle chat in the pub -going something like this - fuck chelsea your all overpaid wankers who are gonna win fuck all wenger knows best and wer gonna win the league next season, alright put ur money where ur mouth is, errr ok then 20 quid? this wasnt for money more for pride though i might start paying a little more attention to bookies' odds now! :roll: :oops:

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I Hate Hleb
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RIGHT BET FRED?

Post by I Hate Hleb »

GoonerBen wrote:damn didnt know that, but im no betting man, this was just the result of idle chat in the pub -going something like this - fuck chelsea your all overpaid wankers who are gonna win fuck all wenger knows best and wer gonna win the league next season, alright put ur money where ur mouth is, errr ok then 20 quid? this wasnt for money more for pride though i might start paying a little more attention to bookies' odds now! :roll: :oops:
I TAKE IT FROM YOUR ANSWER THAT IT WAS THE FORMER THEN!! :roll: :lol:

ONE WAY AROUND IT IS TO HAVE A FURTHER £5 EACH WAY BET, BUT THIS TIME AT THE BOOKIES, ON ARSENAL TO WIN THE LEAGUE. THAT WAY, AS LONG AS ARSENAL FINISH IN THE TOP 3, YOU WILL STILL BE AHEAD (£80 RETURN IF ARSENAL WIN LEAGUE; £20 RETURN IF THEY FINISH 2ND OR 3RD).

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U.F.G Anfield '89
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Post by U.F.G Anfield '89 »

(£80 RETURN IF ARSENAL WIN LEAGUE; £20 RETURN IF THEY FINISH 2ND OR 3RD).
they give railway tickets out at the bookies now? :wink: :lol:

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