Arsenal

[Gb160]

On another note - am I the only one who's still worried they might finish above us?

We need 11 points from the final 7 games to make it mathematically certain, but Bournemouth this weekend is the only one that I'd call a "banker". We only took 9 points from our final seven last season and history suggests that an end of season burn out from the double training sessions is imminent...

After 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2016, surely we all know not to count our chickens before they've hatched. Could really do with Boro taking some points off them on Monday to kill them off before they start to smell blood.

Mate Palace is one thing, but Boro?...they really are shite.
I was feeling pretty confident until I read your post...

 

[WalkerboyUK]

On another note - am I the only one who's still worried they might finish above us?

We need 11 points from the final 7 games to make it mathematically certain, but Bournemouth this weekend is the only one that I'd call a "banker". We only took 9 points from our final seven last season and history suggests that an end of season burn out from the double training sessions is imminent...

After 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2016, surely we all know not to count our chickens before they've hatched. Could really do with Boro taking some points off them on Monday to kill them off before they start to smell blood.

Arsenal have beaten three teams in the last two months - West Ham, Lincoln & Sutton... Two non-league teams and a tin-pot pikey club.
Odds of them suddenly going on an unbeaten run and overhauling our 14 point advantage would be close to that of Leicester winning the league last season.
They're shot.... Mentally they aren't up for games, and Wenger has lost his players.

With regards to the double training, pretty sure I read a while back that they identified as being a potential cause of burn out, so they were removed from the schedule mid-season and kicked back in more recently.
Mentally our players were somewhat immature last season when it came to the run in.
We had the likes of Kane posting on Twitter that we were chasing Leicester. The players were focussing as much on the other teams as about our own performances.
Son said in Sky interview that this season the players think only about the team, and aren't looking at Chelsea etc.

 

[jari17]

If they don't finish in the top 4 than Sanchez and Ozil are jumping ship plus half their team have their contracts running out with the other half near or over their prime. If they don't get it right this summer they're in deep shit.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Arsenal have beaten three teams in the last two months - West Ham, Lincoln & Sutton... Two non-league teams and a tin-pot pikey club.
Odds of them suddenly going on an unbeaten run and overhauling our 14 point advantage would be close to that of Leicester winning the league last season.
They're shot.... Mentally they aren't up for games, and Wenger has lost his players.

With regards to the double training, pretty sure I read a while back that they identified as being a potential cause of burn out, so they were removed from the schedule mid-season and kicked back in more recently.
Mentally our players were somewhat immature last season when it came to the run in.
We had the likes of Kane posting on Twitter that we were chasing Leicester. The players were focussing as much on the other teams as about our own performances.
Son said in Sky interview that this season the players think only about the team, and aren't looking at Chelsea etc.

The only thing I am worried about is we lose focus

 

[WalkerboyUK]

The only think I am worried about is we lose focus

Difference between this year and last year will be mentality.
Last year there was the hope/belief that Leicester didn't have the winning mentality to see it through, would suddenly lose games and we will capitalise.
Chelsea are a completely different beast.
The attitude will be that we do the best we can and the rest may take care of itself.
From this point in the season last year we were always playing catch-up, with fixtures taking place on Sunday/Monday.
This year we are playing Saturday/Sunday, Chelsea usually after us, and Arsenal seemingly now the favourites for Monday nights.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Difference between this year and last year will be mentality.
Last year there was the hope/belief that Leicester didn't have the winning mentality to see it through, would suddenly lose games and we will capitalise.
Chelsea are a completely different beast.
The attitude will be that we do the best we can and the rest may take care of itself.
From this point in the season last year we were always playing catch-up, with fixtures taking place on Sunday/Monday.
This year we are playing Saturday/Sunday, Chelsea usually after us, and Arsenal seemingly now the favourites for Monday nights.

I think we have the one of the toughest if not the toughest run in of the top eight, every game will be tough, but it does feel different, I think we have a good foundation and we can finish the season strong just need the players to take each match uber seriously.

 

[thebenjamin]

On another note - am I the only one who's still worried they might finish above us?

We need 11 points from the final 7 games to make it mathematically certain, but Bournemouth this weekend is the only one that I'd call a "banker". We only took 9 points from our final seven last season and history suggests that an end of season burn out from the double training sessions is imminent...

After 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2016, surely we all know not to count our chickens before they've hatched. Could really do with Boro taking some points off them on Monday to kill them off before they start to smell blood.

I don't see much sign of burnout, very few players have played the whole season. With Kane and Rose to come back...I think we'll come second.

 

[noggen]

WTF is this? Oh dear, lol!

Sorry if posted before.

 

[HailKingLevy]

I think it's time for a mod to change the thread title now. Something along the lines of 'Let's all laugh at Arsenal' ?

 

[riggi]

I think it's time for a mod to change the thread title now. Something along the lines of 'Let's all laugh at Arsenal' ?

Not yet...

 

[Shadydan]

Err no let's just leave it as Arsenal

 

[Drink!Drink!]

I think it's time for a mod to change the thread title now. Something along the lines of 'Let's all laugh at Arsenal' ?

Hold your fire! .......have that man whipped sergeant....no one fires until I give the order

 

[Mr.D]

I remember travelling back from Sussex on the night they won the league 2-0 at Liverpool, listening to it on the radio and I was cheering for them. I was so sick of Pool being spoken of like all conquering gods and winning year after year.

Sorry guys. Do I deserve a lifetime ban???

I've not spoken about this ever before but something similar happened to me. Was round my mates waiting to go out (ritzy, websters, pzaz etc) and muffled a 'get in' when Thomas scored. I felt good that Liverpool hadn't won the league again but dirty for wanting Woolwich to beat them.

 

[spursfan77]

Those saying that Arsenal need a midfield enforcer are missing the point surely, what they need is a complete overhaul in their mentality. They've needed midfield enforcers (Xhaka, Elneny, Coquelin) They've needed players with winning mentalities (Cech, Sanchez), They've needed an experienced defender (Mustafi) and yet here we are yet again. The same fans saying that they need Benzema and they'll win the league, no it's totally missing the point. What they need to do is to rid of their mediocre mentality and lack of fight and address that first and foremost and improve the players who are already at the club to turn them into leaders. Throwing money at the problem isn't going to fix it...if it does fix it then it's temporary.

Its almost like we've seen similar somewhere else close to home!

 

[Buggsy61]

WTF is this? Oh dear, lol!

Sorry if posted before.

What a f**king train crash - I only understood about 5% of that. If Robbie wants to enhance his service to his ever growing viewer base a sub titles option would be nice!

 

[ardiles]

On another note - am I the only one who's still worried they might finish above us?

We need 11 points from the final 7 games to make it mathematically certain, but Bournemouth this weekend is the only one that I'd call a "banker". We only took 9 points from our final seven last season and history suggests that an end of season burn out from the double training sessions is imminent...

After 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2016, surely we all know not to count our chickens before they've hatched. Could really do with Boro taking some points off them on Monday to kill them off before they start to smell blood.

That's only if they win all their remaining league matches. If their fans are not confident of them winning all their remaining games, I don't see why we should too.

Based on current form, the likely scenario would be that we would win more of our remaining league games than they would theirs.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

I wonder if no Europe at all would actually do the Woolwich the world of good. With or without Wenger, right now they need an excuse to shift at least half of that squad out the door, including Ozil who's a weight around their neck if you ask me - too much expectation on one player who's shown no consistency and a tendency to go missing when the chips are down. Don't get me wrong, when they're all firing he quite noticeably perks up and has had some brilliant games, but he's not a motivator, he's a melt.

Sanchez looks like he's just riding out the season, practically no emotion when they conceded no. 2 the other day, but their biggest concern should be keeping hold of Koscielny. You can see he's the absolute heartbeat of that squad when they're on the pitch - it's rare you see one player make such a difference to a team. They lose him, they need to rebuild the defense entirely.

 

[WalkerboyUK]

I wonder if no Europe at all would actually do the Woolwich the world of good. With or without Wenger, right now they need an excuse to shift at least half of that squad out the door, including Ozil who's a weight around their neck if you ask me - too much expectation on one player who's shown no consistency and a tendency to go missing when the chips are down. Don't get me wrong, when they're all firing he quite noticeably perks up and has had some brilliant games, but he's not a motivator, he's a melt.

Sanchez looks like he's just riding out the season, practically no emotion when they conceded no. 2 the other day, but their biggest concern should be keeping hold of Koscielny. You can see he's the absolute heartbeat of that squad when they're on the pitch - it's rare you see one player make such a difference to a team. They lose him, they need to rebuild the defense entirely.

As it stands they would need to finish 8th to miss Europe altogether, maybe 7th if Utd win Europa.
FA Cup spot no longer goes to runner up if winner qualifies for CL, it now goes to league.
Same with League Cup - United in EL for winning but if they finish 5th then 6th also goes in.
That means if Chelsea, City or us win FA Cup and finish top 4 then 7th place in league gets EL.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Club and fans are a laughing stock really.

 

[Spurger King]

That's only if they win all their remaining league matches. If their fans are not confident of them winning all their remaining games, I don't see why we should too.

Based on current form, the likely scenario would be that we would win more of our remaining league games than they would theirs.

In previous seasons they've stuttered a bit whilst distracted by the CL, then pulled themselves together to go on a run. This season definitely feels different. They've looked off all season, and Walcott's recent comments show that from a psychological point of view they seem to have become accustomed to having some season-saving performance that galvanises them...except it isn't working this time.

I'm confident we'll finish in the top three, and above them. One big factor is this being our last season at the Lane. The atmosphere in the last NLD and last ever game at the Lane v United will be incredible, and I'd expect the team to go hell for leather to perform well.

We'll beat Arsenal and put another three points between us, with one less game left to play.

Quick point on the Wenger sympathy doing the rounds on here. Personally I can't stand him. I'll never forget his shit-eating grin as he unveiled Judas to the media, as well as his complete inability to acknowledge any fault of himself or his team of smug fucks.

However, despite all of that I can certainly see how the abuse he's getting from his own fans is pretty pathetic. Considering their limits, Wenger has done a great job squeezing blood from that stone (or should that be blud?). Plus such sympathy is both a pop at their fans, and also patronising faint praise for a guy we used to universally despise.