now do you believe

mrmage · Post by **mrmage** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:03 am

thats it. confidence. this time they have themselves to thank for it, no Thierry to live up to. After RVP's special volley goal at CA, noticed Henry coming over to give him the big 'thats my boy' routine afterwards, and it seemed R didn't really want to hear it. You see TH shrugging after he leaves him as if to say 'oh these kids'. These kids are the fucking bollocks Thierry! Ciao big head

Gooners444 · Post by **Gooners444** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:03 am

We are top of the league, sure we are title challengers

proudtosaythatname · Post by **proudtosaythatname** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:23 am

Yes, let's get carried away and enjoy the moment - what a fantastic weekend! On Sky Sports 'Sunday Supplement' this morning all four journalists agreed Arsenal were the most entertaining team and they would even PAY to watch them! Echoed by the 'Goals on Sunday' crowd in the next programme. Of course there's a long way to go - marathon not a sprint and all that - but for the moment...

. Bring on Sevilla!

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:35 am

Cockerill's chin wrote: Fabregas is looking superb. How the hell did Micah Richards get player of the month above him?

Cesc isn't English. Kind of like how Rooney got Man of the Match over Jens or Ronaldo in that cup final.

Too early to say we can win it, I think we will challenge as I said at the start of the season but year too early. We have had a bit of luck so far and we have room for improvement but we have the cold winter months to get through first before we can start dreaming.

WengerKnows · Post by **WengerKnows** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:37 pm

still too early to talk of winning the title , but if we are within 3 to 5 points of the leaders at the halfway stage ( 19 games played ) , then we will certainly be contenders .

before the season started i thought any hope of us doing well would depend very heavily on RVP staying fit and being in top form , well he hasn't been playing that great but still we are doing brilliantly . that is very encouraging .

Post by **T.S** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 12:51 pm

Good God. So much I want to say, but I'm not going to bore you lot. Not surprised that Cus Geezer is "convinced". I'll be convinced when we're top after 38 games and have played teams other than ones which we are more than capable of beating.

TeeCee · Post by **TeeCee** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 2:57 pm

Great start but let's not get carried away. None of the teams we have played have been that great, last season we did great against the 'big' teams and badly against some lesser teams, this season might be the opposite.
I think a truer reflection of how good we are will be seen by mid November.

TC

tomkingsbury · Post by **tomkingsbury** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:32 am

yeah getting carried away does have its consequences. I think the mroal of the story is why do we always doubt what AW says? he has come out with many comments whihc have turned out to be true yet we doubt the teams ability more and more. Im still rather surprised that saturday was the first day (as the bbc kindly pointed out to us on numerous occassions over the weekend) since oct 2004 we have topped the league - far too long, but as many have said, lets see where we are in april/may

Post by **T.S** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:18 am

Tom,

I'm pretty sure that it's not that people are doubting AW because after all, Arsene Knows. However, I think that some people (well, I can only speak for myself here, but I think it applies to others) are just guarding against blind optimism. I'm not one of those people who, upon winning the league will say; "ah, I just knew we'd do it," because I didn't. I trust Arsene with the fortunes of Arsenal more than I would any other manager, but one step at a time, eh? Let's not all get left with egg on our faces.

augie · Post by **augie** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:22 am

TS may not want to say it but I will - we have played nobody worth talking about yet and while we are doing better than expected it is worth remembering that we are not even 6 games into the season yet

So many fools wrote off manure after a poor start and they are already back in the top four and that is how quickly things can change at the start of the season. Gunners Need Steel said it is only 11 v 11 and sadly this isnt true cos if it was I believe that we would have a right shot at winning this league. It is a squad game now and this area still needs to be addressed and will probably be the main reason why we will not quite make it.

The results and performances,while very encouraging, hides some serious problems -
1. The keeper situation. At the moment we have no clear number 1 with almunia capable of doing anything(good & bad) and jens who has made 2 woeful clangers thus far.
2. Pre-season I questioned the ability of RVP to be "the main man" up front as he would no longer have the chance to play in the shadows while opposing defences focused on henry. So far this season he has looked a shadow of the player most fans expected him to be and although it is still early in the season we have to be concerned here. The 1 attribute he lacks is pace and as he is now the no.1 striker he is being more heavily watched and has not got the pace to get free from these shackles. Correct me if I am wrong but 1 goal from open play isnt really enough for a player of his undoubted quality and we cannot expect our midfield to carry the bulk of our scoring threat - maybe ade will benefit from playing in persie's shadow ?

Anyway as I stated above I am well pleased with the start we have made but am not foolish enough to let me imaginations run away with me. Lets just enjoy this while it lasts, not put any unfair expections on the team and see where it all will take us.

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:51 am

I find it odd and a bit sad that there is such a gap that Blackburn, Spurs and Man City are not considered worth talking about. I have to agree with those guarding against thinking we we will win the league, while it is always possible, it is far from likely though we have kind Prem fixtures coming up, we have yet to play the big 4 or the poor teams we lost to last season while there are concerns like will Jens come back on form from his injury, will Clichy get on form, will Dudu adapt (I think yes to all three), do we have cover on the left and can Van Persie turn things around.

donaldo · Post by **donaldo** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:59 am

The start reminds me of the 89 season when we came flying out of the traps.But as we know from previous experience the title is won in March and April.Lets just enjoy ourselves for the moment.Next two home games our Derby and Sunderland 6pts is a must

Post by **SPUDMASHER** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 3:04 pm

There's no reason why we can't compete and be genuine contenders. Don't forget that Le boss normally prefers to add to his squad in January and I think Modric and Martins (Oberfami) look possibles. They would certainly add depth should Cesc or RVP need a break/get injuries. If we are still competing in the new year, and they come along, I think we could be on a winner.

Does anybody know if Martin Jol has a fondness for Coca-cola

myarsenal · Post by **myarsenal** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:30 pm

just hope we don`t get a few injuries up front ,it`s a long long season but i think we will at least be there or there abouts

lb7 · Post by **lb7** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:47 pm

RVP along with Cesc are the two players who all sides are scarred off!Ade will be at ACN for six weeks so Eduardo will have had plenty of time to settle by then.With all of his whinging who does Bendtner think he is Marco van Basten?