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.
quick question,, in the pub on sun got in to a row with a liverpool fan about arsenals title chances,, gav him everything i had and said of course we will win the league,, best team,beautiful football etc,,
couldny say no we cant now could i
i know sundays match will tell us more but and i hate to say it but i still think we're a bit lightweigh and anymore injuries we could be rightly fcuked,, and as for the keeper well i hav little faith that almunia will be good enough for the rest of the season
Is your question "Are we good enough to win the league?" or is it "Will we win the league?".
Are we good enough to win the league?
Yes I believe we are good enough to win the league.
Will we win the league ?
Depends on how we cope with the away games in December. If we come through those matches and are still within a couple of points of United then I think we will have a real chance.
Another big question yet to be answered is "how will the kids cope with and respond to defeat when it comes?"
yeah agreed Wayno I think the first loss will be the biggest test of this team.
Although the kids that were getting blooded in last year have already tasted disappointment, so hopefully it wont be such a fall when we do lose for the 1st time this season.
We're definitely a better bet for the league than Liverpool, I hope you told your scouse-loving drinking buddy that rebel. Although I think we should be disappointed not to have won on Sunday (cue IHH telling me off for being over-demanding), our squad is significantly better than theirs.
Wayno's right, we certainly have enough quality and we have a fantastic team dynamic. There's also a ruthlessness in our game this year that is refreshing (evidenced by goals from set pieces, bite in the tackle and a really excellent defensive line). We've already seen strong performances from a range of players, some unexpected: Flamini, Fabregas, Sagna, Toure, Clichy, van Persie, Clichy and arguably Walcott and Ade. There are suggestions that Diaby, Diarra, Eduardo, Gallas, Gilberto and Bendtner could weigh in with significant cameos too.
But will we finish ahead of United and Chelsea? As with United's victory last year, a lot will turn on luck.
RvP's current injury could turn out to be a big problem for the games in the next month or so, but if we aren't hit by too many injuries to important players through the season, I think we could still be up there in March/April. The African Nations' Cup will clearly be important: Chelsea will be affected more than us (Toure and Eboue, versus Essien, Drogba, Mikkel and Kalou), but United and Liverpool will hardly be affected, if at all.
I agree, the keeper situation continues to be a worry. If Lehmann can come to terms with his bruised ego, I still hope that he will have a major contribution to make. I don't believe sticking with Almunia through the season or trying to find a replacement in January is going to work.
I agree that we are a bit lightweight in attack, but only a bit. A lot still depends on Eduardo, Ade, Rosicky, Walcott and perhaps Bendtner putting in some big performances up front and on the wings. I would still like to have one more attacking option (ideally, a left-footed winger who could also play striker), but I don't think Wenger will make a significant January signing to provide that option.
I don't agree with those that say we have big problems at centre back. Djourou will be coming back match-toughened, and (whatever people say) Gallas and Senderos have plenty to offer. Behind them, Gilberto and Song both offer good alternatives. We may not be as good at CB as United or Chelsea but I think we're good enough (esp given strong coordination of the defensive line) and we compensate in other areas of the pitch.
In midfield and full back, we're in great shape. Can't wait to see Diarra get a run, and I'd also love to see more from Denilson and Diaby.
Another factor that will help is the fact that we're going to get Champs' League qualification sorted early, without some of the drama of previous years. We'll therefore be able to focus much earlier on league games.
I agree coping with defeat will be a big test but I think this bunch of players is equipped to deal with it. (That may be tested very soon... Saturday for example.) I'm not one to say we shouldn't ever criticise players; as the fans who fund their extraordinary wages, it is our right to do so; but if and when the kids do lose, it is important we continue to back the team.
I don't think we will win the league, I still think United will prevail, but we can compete to the end for the first time in a long time and we can finish above Chelsea and Liverpool. And you never know, with that bit of luck, we could do it!
Great post 26may1989 I think in the whole I agree with you. Now this may come as a surprise to many on here but I am not entirely convinced that our central defensive cover is as good as it should be. I will say this very quietly in case Smoothie hears, I think Senderos is a liability and we need a replacement
tonysaunders wrote:I'll believe when we're top in May.
I'm old skool like TS. I think the quality is there, but it's a long hard season and realistically the squad is thin.
A couple of key injuries and we could be looking at an Arsenal side with Song and/or Senderos starting, going up to Old Shatford needing a win against the manure filth... that scares the living bejaysus outa me .
I know Swiss Tony has his admirers on here but (no aspersions against the man) he is NOT good enough to be a top centre half. Shame, but it's the truth...
Its much to early.We are going to have a dodgy patch like Manure did at the start of the season.They won about 6 games in a row 1-0 even though they weren"t playing well.And how will our young side cope with a defeat
Every game we play we get stronger! If we will saturday I can see us winning our next 5 at least. Trouble is we have Howard Plebb Saturday and someone will be dismissed. Arsenal vs Man USA is always a passionate game so Mr Webb will wanna make a headline for himself even if he sends Rooney off he will still be a twat!
sorry,, just asked how do we feel at this moment,, dont think any of us were over optimistict during the summer
im not going to say we will win the league but believe we can win the league,, but we need a lot of luck with injuri etc
but it is nice to ram some comments back down the throat of some critics who said we wouldnt even get top four this year
well i hav little faith that almunia will be good enough for the rest of the season 
I think in the whole I agree with you. Now this may come as a surprise to many on here but I am not entirely convinced that our central defensive cover is as good as it should be. I will say this very quietly in case Smoothie hears, I think Senderos is a liability and we need a replacement 
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