Arsene Does it Again (4/2)

[gooner.ed]

http://www.onlinegooner.com/editorial/index.php?id=96

usual thread starter… at times, I think I must be dreaming. There is no way we should be challenging teams who have splashed the amount of cash that our principal rivals have. It simply doesn’t make sense. We were all disappointed with a solitary point at Fratton Park, but neither Utd or Chavski have done any better, so in hindsight, a decent result. Of course there is a long way to go, but I am starting to believe this bunch of players could actually do it. Momentum is everything, and I feel we’ve got it back and are playing with a renewed confidence. Come on you Gunners!

[Sammy Mooner]

Has to be said I reckon only a super-optomistic Gooner would have bet on us finishing in the top three prior at the start of the season. Now I doubt if any would bet against us doing just that.

Even every tv pundit I saw make a prediction at the half way stage of the season still went for Manure or the Chavs. Meanwhile back at Ashburton its a continual onslaught towards the ultimate goal from a really young team. That said they no longer lack experience and they have that fearless attitude that yoofs always seem to carry.

You're not dreaming Ed. Logically we shouldn't stand a chance - but we do because its a funny old game football. Made even funnier when all the pundits are proved wrong. One thing that is fairly certain about the league is that the top three teams will accumulate massive points totals, so we've still got a very long way to go.

Any minute now however old bluenose will start his drivel about us not being able to cope with the pressure in the final stages. This time I think AW should respond with a sly dig at all the old men at manure not being able to cope with the pace when it come to twitchy bum time.

[QuartzGooner]

I agree too.

Start of season I felt we would be better withot a clearly unhappy and slowing down Henry, but never expected this sharpness of oftball so sonn.

I looked at Man Utd (Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani) and Chelsea (Malouda plus others) and Liverpool (Babel and Benayoun whom we were both linked with) and felt that we would finish fourth.

All credit to Wenger! Arsene knows.

[donaldo]

The article is spot on

But there is another player you left out The captain William Gallas.My favourite player of all time was Henry but he was not a leader.When Gooners were talking about a captain to replace Henry the two names put forward were Gilberto and Toure.Gallas never got a mention.But Wenger choose Gallas and what an inspired choice that was.Gallas has brought the team together.The man is a winner.He has passion. And his last minute goal v Manure could prove to be the most important of the season.

[proudtosaythatname]

And what about Eduardo? Not up to it, only scores v weak opposition...? Hmmm. Yes, it's true, Arsene knows.

[Galasso]

When Gooners were talking about a captain to replace Henry the two names put forward were Gilberto and Toure.Gallas never got a mention.

Ahem....no-one?

And the mention of Hleb, Flamini and Adebayor in this way really gets my back up. Your either a donkey or a title-winning player. Where is the perspective? During a period when the team where finding it difficult, Adebayor's work rate shamed others (particularlay his little criticised partner RvP), Hleb eventually found his natural position and was allowed to dictate play. And Flamini - judging him on 20 mins in a Final, after he played with distinction at left back (and look at the ground he covered in that position, one in which he also had displayed good awareness).

It's a surprise to me that we are top at the moment but no surprise that these players are playing as they are. Remember when they began, we were at the back end of our previous team.

[26may1989]

Has to be said I reckon only a super-optomistic Gooner would have bet on us finishing in the top three prior at the start of the season.

I (and others) did predict we'd finish in the top three, but I didn't think we'd do any better than 3rd. I thought that because Liverpool just don't have balance to their side - they look excellent through the centre but on the flanks (both at FB and on the wings) there's nothing. I thought we'd be able to do better than them.

And we massively underachieved last season, given the great results over the big sides and the shit results against those in the middle and at the bottom (losing at Fulham and Sheff United, twice to West Ham etc). It looked like we could do better.

I also thought Man U of 2006-7 were catchable, since they still had some very mediocre players getting regular games, even though their teamplay, though their summer signings made me think we'd still finish below them this season.

But the basic point of the article is exactly right - none of us thought we could possibly be at the top in February. And that's against the backdrop of United and Chavski also being very consistent. Last weekend aside, I've had so many weekends this season where we've got a result only to see one or both of the other two (plus until November, Liverpool) follow suit. It's felt like we haven't been able to shake them off.

Wenger's delivered this year, we're competing and hopefully will be able to hold it together till the end of the season. We may still finish 2nd or 3rd, but it's going to be tight....