Arsenal and Liverpool in trouble?

[hellava_tough]

With the emergence of Man City as a footballing super-power (did I just write that?) how do think it will effect Arsenal and Liverpool - if they fail to make the Champions League, that is?

Is Champions League football needed to pay off their respective debts?

Will certain top players leave for greener pastures?

Will Wenger ever get arrested for unsavoury behaviour in the cemetery overlooking that school-yard?

What do you guys and girls think?

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Man City aren't that good. Maybe they will buy some players in January and be very strong but for now I don't see it. Personally I think Robinho is an odd signing, especially for the amount of money they paid for him.

 

[TheChosenOne]

It was stated in either the Guardian or The Times last week that Liverpool's late entrance into the CL group stage courtesy of that late goal was a must - It would be worth £20m and would have meant if they failed they were technically insolvent and unable to service their debts

 

[Hoowl]

City haven't had time to strengthen enough to really be considered a major threat but once they've had the January window and next summer then I agree with you.

I'm really surprised Wenger didn't get another midfielder in. They've lost Gilberto, Flamini and Hleb and replaced them with Nasri. That's a big downgrade for me and I don't think their fans will be happy. As long as they have Wenger they will always be a force but they do look weak this year an a long term injury to Adebayor or Fabregas could really derail them. I don't know if it's pride or lack of finances that stop Wenger spending. Maybe he's worried about the added pressure on his team but surely a couple of experienced heads could make a huge difference to his team.

As for Liverpool, I watched the Villa game and it seems that if you take out Torres and Gerrard they look fairly ordinary. Benitez does have a habit of signing players that don't really improve the quality of the squad. His tactics are crazy sometimes (Kyut and Keane wide?!?) but it's hard to argue with a man who's won the Champions League.

I still think Arsenal and Liverpool with join Chelsea and United (who are clearly now a top two) in the Champions League places but this is largely on the strength of their managers and existing players. I don't think either team have gone forward and with teams like us, Man City, Villa there is a chance they will be knocked out of the top four. As Arsenal and Liverpool have been regulars in the Champions League I imagine it is figured into their estimeation of income and I would be very interested to see the implications of either teams missing out. However, there is always the possibility that if either get into trouble they are just bought up, like city.

 

[spurslenny]

too early to say at the moment.

one things for sure though, if the goons and liverpoo don't sort out their respective problems now (arse- small, young squad. too much reliance on wenger producing gems every season. Pool- strained relations between benitez and owners, squad rotation early in season), come this time next season City will be a real threat to their cosy membership in the top four

 

[CaptainCat]

When is this 'top 3 and FA Cup winners' thing coming in? That'll make things even more interesting.

 

[Wu_Tom]

When is this 'top 3 and FA Cup winners' thing coming in? That'll make things even more interesting.

Never heard of that. Will that be the 4 who qualify for the Champions League, instead of the top for of the league

 

[Azrael]

I do believe that Arsenal are in for a rocky few years that may well lead to the eventual departure of Wenger, but, aside from a managerial change, I think Pool will be ok as out of the two of them I think they are riper for a takeover. They just sell more overseas. You can go to Boston, New York, LA, Tokyo and so on and see fans in Liverpool shirts. You don't see that for Arsenal. Arsenal isn't an international brand and won't be as attractive to foriegn investors.

 

[fieryjack]

It wont affect arse at all. Nothing ever does. Potions, voodoo dolls, spells, nothing.

 

[KeaneIsKeane]

I think Liverpool, not Arsenal are in trouble. Wenger is a GREAT manager, whether we hate him or not and I saw Arsenal play Newcastle on the weekend. Arsenal were playing gorgeous football, Nasri looks like a great signing, and they will always be a top club. I don't give a shit who Manchester City buys. I hate them, but you have to respect what Arsenal are doing without splashing too much cash on players.

 

[CaptainCat]

Never heard of that. Will that be the 4 who qualify for the Champions League, instead of the top for of the league

Yeah. Though maybe it was only a rumour. :???:

 

[Defsta]

Man City aren't that good. Maybe they will buy some players in January and be very strong but for now I don't see it. Personally I think Robinho is an odd signing, especially for the amount of money they paid for him.

Agree again, but their Brazilian trio can work wonders Jo and Robinho up front and Elano as AM. Sounds good though :think:

 

[Legend10]

If DIC buy Liverpool Arsenal are in massive trouble.

Man City will splash huge in the summer and are probably nailed on to finish in the top 4 next season along with Chavs and Man Usa. If DIC get control of Liverpool as well I really believe Arsenal are fucked and will go down quicker than the titanic and will certainly pass us on their way down.

 

[brasil_spur]

On paper City now have a very strong 1st team:

Hart

Richards | Ben Haim | Dunne | Ball

SWP | Elano | Johnson/Kompany | Petrov

Jo | Robinho​

However in terms of back-up players they aren't so strong, with a second team of something like:

Schmeichel

Zabaleta | Onuoha | Glauber | Garrido

Etuhu | Ireland | Hamann | ?

Benjani | Vassell​

Up until January they may struggle if they can't keep their 1st team players fit and injury free, however i would imagine their 2nd team to look a lot different come Feb.

 

[llamafarmer]

I do believe that Arsenal are in for a rocky few years that may well lead to the eventual departure of Wenger, but, aside from a managerial change, I think Pool will be ok as out of the two of them I think they are riper for a takeover. They just sell more overseas. You can go to Boston, New York, LA, Tokyo and so on and see fans in Liverpool shirts. You don't see that for Arsenal. Arsenal isn't an international brand and won't be as attractive to foriegn investors.

You could have said the same of Man City, only much more so. Usmanov is still sniffing around the goons too.

 

[yawa]

Man City aren't that good. Maybe they will buy some players in January and be very strong but for now I don't see it. Personally I think Robinho is an odd signing, especially for the amount of money they paid for him.

At the moment no and January wont see many people come in as alot of players wont want to leave champions league clubs.

However next summer I can see them spending huge amounts of money and bringing in 5-6 world class players.

Next season could be really interesting.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

To be honest that side they have looks like a we'll concede 5 and try and score 6 type of team. Looks a little soft. I have a feeling Robinho will have to improve his end product a lot to make the kind of difference people are suggesting. Petrov is as lazy as Berba, SWP isn't going to defend that much and they are a little suspect at the back.

As for 'Pool and Arsenal. Surely Liverpool are more vulnerable, they aren't actually that good. I think they could have a struggle with or without Man City buying their way into the mix.

 

[TheChosenOne]

David Dein has resigned from Red & White holdings
(Usmanovs gig) strange.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/arsenal/article4699550.ece