It's squeaky bum time

Post by **Chippy** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:10 am

Sorry to quote the red nosed *word censored*, but i'd like to get your views on the next 8 weeks. It looks to me like, if we are still top or within a point or 2 by the time we get our Xmas present from the Scum 22/12, then we really are going to be in with a mega shout at the title.

Next 2 games are away to Pool and home to Mancs (end of the "we havent played any of the big boys yet"), hopefully 6 points from Reading and Wigan, then 3 difficult aways on the trot in 8 days against Villa, Geordies (the game in hand) and Boro before we finish off at home to chavs and scum.

In between all of that we have to finish qualification in the CL and lets not forget the Carling cup ( oh all right then let's).

One thing is sure, by the time Xmas comes we will know the answer to a number of questions that are causing some arguments on this Forum.

have we got the forwards/goalkeepre for a prolonged title bid? Did AW cock up by letting Djourou out on loan? what is the best midfield combination? Is there a God or has he gone to barca? Sorry getting silly now.

Is it going to be a merry Gooner Xmas or will it all end in tears?

My guess for what it is worth is that we will be second 2/3 points behind Manure. We then have a pretty easy Jan, Feb and early march to get back in front before the short strokes in April.

charliegeorgewhocanhitem · Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:23 am

I think the next two league games will be a massive pointer as to whether we're going to sustain our challenge. I'd be happy with a win and a draw from the two and if we can come out of those with at least 4 points it'd be a massive confidence booster for the young team we've got. Obviously we're going to have a problem in the new year with Toure playing in the African Nations Cup, he's going to be a massive miss and I think Djourou will be back in the new year to cover for him. I think we really need to have Gallas fully fit and on form for that period too as his experience is going to count for a lot then.

Cus Geezer · Post by **Cus Geezer** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:28 am

And November is coming up, often when Arsenal's title hopes disappear with the hours of daylight.

And Mr. Adebayor looked a bit wobbly yesterday.

Magic Hat · Post by **Magic Hat** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 1:21 pm

Oh those two games could be great or they could be painful, I'm still praying we go to Anfield playing 4-5-1, Gilberto and Jens playing in both games or else I think we will lose. Those games will be important, we must try to get a win at home and perform well in both. We will need to do well against the big teams

I expect a defeat somewhere down the line before Jan and how we respond will be important, respond well and we can still make a challenge, struggle to pick up form for a bit and we will be languishing behind others.

stats · Post by **stats** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 9:09 pm

Cus Geezer wrote:And November is coming up, often when Arsenal's title hopes disappear with the hours of daylight.

And Mr. Adebayor looked a bit wobbly yesterday.

Dam November blues (thinking off the old gooner mag)
I'm worried about the Man Utd game but not so much Liverpool for some reason

proudtosaythatname · Post by **proudtosaythatname** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:13 pm

Oh ye of little faith!

We'll beat Liverpool with this team and possibly United too, though that admittedly will be more of a challenge. It's the spirit that will carry us through - and on that basis I prefer Almunia to the unpredictable Jens who seems to unnerve our 'kids'.

dbrien · Post by **dbrien** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 10:21 pm

I have a feeling we will win at Anfield and draw at home to United (I know logically it should be the other way round).

26may1989 · Post by **26may1989** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 12:44 am

A draw against United would be great if we can get it - our form has faltered a little recently, while United are coming on very strongly now. The situation is made worse by van Persie's injury, especially given the lack of a strong alternatives to him (much as I like Dudu, Bendtner and Theo).

Having Rosicky and Gallas back will help, and you never know, we could beat United. I certainly didn't fancy us to win at Old Trafford last year and look what happened.

I agree with Magic though, playing a bit of 4-5-1 and getting Jens back would help a lot.

The Liverpool game is there for the winning though. Every one of their players looks short of confidence, and they were very lucky to get a win against Everton.

Re the run-in to Xmas, getting Champs' League qualification sorted early would help. I also think that the current bunch of players will deal with the winter blues better than their more skilful but more delicate 2002-2004/Invincibles predecessors. They show more resolve and team cohesion. I also think they'll deal pretty well with defeat, when it comes.

delgooner · Post by **delgooner** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:45 am

Why is it we've got to have the squeaky bum?

We're top, we're winning even when not playing particularly well. Why all this fucking shit about manure. I bet they're more loose bowel syndrome about playing us as we took six points off them last season when we didnt play at all well like this season. I noticed the bloated alcoholic blue veined red nose crunt hasnt been shouting his gobshite off about us yet. Liverpool are riding their luck at the moment as Saturday showed, the jammy bastards, so I dont think they are looking forward to playing us. I dont know why people think, and that includes some of you gooners that if we're second around xmas, why fucking second! we have every chance of staying top so stop thinking second best, its the rest that are shitting themselves knowing they gotta play us.

My attituded is your fucking problem

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:01 am

Well said delgooner.

I feel exactly the same.

Although we must be reasonable in regards to the the results against Manure and 'pool. I certainly think we are capable of winning both, but I'd be happy to get 4 points from the two.

Still, I think we do have the potential to be top at Christmas.

Have faith doubters! Stand resolute!

Post by **Chippy** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 7:20 am

I said second at Xmas cos we have a really difficult run coming up and manure don't. After New Year we have a pretty easy run where we can make things up.

To be honest I think we'll get 4 points from the next 2 games but strangely it's the 3 in December that worry me. All away.

1/12 Villa
5/12 Newcastle
9/12 Boro

I agree early CL qualification would help. Hopefully that will be don in the second Prague game.

donaldo · Post by **donaldo** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:22 am

Until saturday Manure haven"t played well but have been getting the results.Our last two games we haven"t played well but have got 6pts.The art of winning titles is to pick up maximum points even when you dont play well.
I would take 4pts from the next two games.Here"s hoping

Cus Geezer · Post by **Cus Geezer** » Mon Oct 22, 2007 11:51 am

My expectations for the season were to improve on 4th place and reach a cup final, so to be where we are now has exceeded that.

This is probably the first real test of the season coming up.

Against Liverpool the only other unbeaten side. Anyone remember 1 December 1990 when we were both the only two remaining unbeaten sides and we spanked them 3-0? I'd fucking love to see that repeated, but I'd be happy with a draw.