Arsenal

[shelfmonkey]

I'm still not gonna laugh at the feckers, yet!!

 

[DCSPUR]

just saw the short highlights. They should have scored 5 in the first half!
Chelscum got lucky

 

[Danners9]

First half hour or so Arsenal couldn't defend and couldn't shoot. So open at the back and wasteful at the front. Chelsea were also incredibly open throughout. Even right at the end, Arsenal were practically inviting Chelsea to score a 4th - although it's more understandable as they chase an equaliser.

Looking forward to Man City vs Chelsea in the league, whenever that is. Chelsea will need to tighten up. If they can. Tough games for Arsenal so far but they look... crap.

 

[allatsea]

First half hour or so Arsenal couldn't defend and couldn't shoot. So open at the back and wasteful at the front. Chelsea were also incredibly open throughout. Even right at the end, Arsenal were practically inviting Chelsea to score a 4th - although it's more understandable as they chase an equaliser.

Looking forward to Man City vs Chelsea in the league, whenever that is. Chelsea will need to tighten up. If they can. Tough games for Arsenal so far but they look... crap.

Disagree about Arsenal. They looked a little unlucky to me and it won’t take much to get them challenging for a top four spot in the next year or so. I expect them to beat easily teams outside last seasons top 6. That lad with the impossible name looks like a very good CM in the making just rather naive at the moment whilst coming to terms with the pace and pressure of the PL.

 

[Danners9]

Disagree about Arsenal. They looked a little unlucky to me and it won’t take much to get them challenging for a top four spot in the next year or so. I expect them to beat easily teams outside last seasons top 6. That lad with the impossible name looks like a very good CM in the making just rather naive at the moment whilst coming to terms with the pace and pressure of the PL.

the whole team looks rather naive, and that maybe extends to the manager. From Cech nearly scoring an OG last week and also not scoring, to the defence going missing yesterday and strikers not being able take any chances until 2-0, there are too many parts of their game that look really bad at the same time.

Unlucky or off their game, or just getting used to a new environment, they can't afford to be like that at both ends of the field. They need to smarten up quickly. Hope they don't though...

 

[hellava_tough]

Disagree about Arsenal. They looked a little unlucky to me and it won’t take much to get them challenging for a top four spot in the next year or so. I expect them to beat easily teams outside last seasons top 6. That lad with the impossible name looks like a very good CM in the making just rather naive at the moment whilst coming to terms with the pace and pressure of the PL.

I don't, because of their defence.

Certainly, there will be games where they smash the opposition, but there will be plenty of games where they drop points by conceding stupid goals (like Liverpool over the last few seasons, but probably worse).

Just look at how the back 2 fare against Arnautovic next week. Sure, you'd still think Arsenal would win the game comfortably as they're at home against woeful opposition, but this particular battle on the pitch will be indicative of things to come.

In my opinion...

 

[hellava_tough]

Were Arsenal 'unlucky', or were they just not good enough?

This is what I posted in the Newcastle match thread last week:

Once again we also saw how good our players are, compared to other teams' players. Football is a game of fine margins, where you have to take your chances and capitalise on your luck. Newcastle didn't have the quality to capitalise on their luck, but we had the likes of Dele, Jan and Lloris to capitalise on ours

I think the same idea applies with the Chelsea Vs Arsenal game yesterday; Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan didn't have the mental quality to finish their chances.

Arsenal have been at the top for so long and have spent a lot of money on certain players, that pundits and fans aren't entertaining the idea that the Arsenal squad simply isn't good enough. Further to that, fans and pundits aren't entertaining the idea that Arsenal aren't a Top 3, Top 4, Top 5 or even a Top 6 club (okay, perhaps this might be pushing it).

The next 4 or 5 fixtures for Arsenal are winnable on paper, so it will give us a better idea of how good they actually are currently.

However, having followed Spurs since 1990 and seeing the different stages of a team in development, from poor to mediocre to good to very good, I think this Arsenal side are where we were around 2005 to 2007. Back then we had a decent squad, played some good football and had a couple of very good players, but overall we just didn't have enough to break into the Top 4. Of course, since City weren't a force yet, 5th place back then is what 6th place is now.

Anyway, I've said it before; I think Arsenal are living off past glories and it'll take 3 or 4 seasons of investment to get them back into the Top 4...investment that Kroneke may not commit to.

 

[Mornstar]

just saw the short highlights. They should have scored 5 in the first half!
Chelscum got lucky

Dont be a spoil sport

 

[mckenz]

Them playing the high line with Sokratis at the back reminds me of when we had Fazio - although I think he was quicker.

 

[shelfmonkey]

Disagree about Arsenal. They looked a little unlucky to me and it won’t take much to get them challenging for a top four spot in the next year or so. I expect them to beat easily teams outside last seasons top 6. That lad with the impossible name looks like a very good CM in the making just rather naive at the moment whilst coming to terms with the pace and pressure of the PL.

My thoughts exactly. It's why I won't be taking the piss out of any goons I know.

 

[rossdapep]

Were Arsenal 'unlucky', or were they just not good enough?

This is what I posted in the Newcastle match thread last week:

Once again we also saw how good our players are, compared to other teams' players. Football is a game of fine margins, where you have to take your chances and capitalise on your luck. Newcastle didn't have the quality to capitalise on their luck, but we had the likes of Dele, Jan and Lloris to capitalise on ours

I think the same idea applies with the Chelsea Vs Arsenal game yesterday; Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan didn't have the mental quality to finish their chances.

Arsenal have been at the top for so long and have spent a lot of money on certain players, that pundits and fans aren't entertaining the idea that the Arsenal squad simply isn't good enough. Further to that, fans and pundits aren't entertaining the idea that Arsenal aren't a Top 3, Top 4, Top 5 or even a Top 6 club (okay, perhaps this might be pushing it).

The next 4 or 5 fixtures for Arsenal are winnable on paper, so it will give us a better idea of how good they actually are currently.

However, having followed Spurs since 1990 and seeing the different stages of a team in development, from poor to mediocre to good to very good, I think this Arsenal side are where we were around 2005 to 2007. Back then we had a decent squad, played some good football and had a couple of very good players, but overall we just didn't have enough to break into the Top 4. Of course, since City weren't a force yet, 5th place back then is what 6th place is now.

Anyway, I've said it before; I think Arsenal are living off past glories and it'll take 3 or 4 seasons of investment to get them back into the Top 4...investment that Kroneke may not commit to.

I think you are spot on. A lot of their players wouldn't get anywhere near the first team (or bench) of City, United, Liverpool or our team. They lack the mentality, they lack players who are consistent and they lack ability.

I've said this before but every time I watch them it rings more true. I was told by someone in the game who knows their new coaches very well that they were very concerned with the standard of players when they first went in and that Wenger's paws were everywhere. There is no quick fixing that. It'll take years, and maybe it won't be Emery who gets to fulfil it.

 

[hellava_tough]

I think you are spot on. A lot of their players wouldn't get anywhere near the first team (or bench) of City, United, Liverpool or our team. They lack the mentality, they lack players who are consistent and they lack ability.

I've said this before but every time I watch them it rings more true. I was told by someone in the game who knows their new coaches very well that they were very concerned with the standard of players when they first went in and that Wenger's paws were everywhere. There is no quick fixing that. It'll take years, and maybe it won't be Emery who gets to fulfil it.

So the first question is how good are Arsenal?

But the second question is are Everton, Burnley, Bournemouth (perhaps), etc, able to make the step up in quality and challenge them this season?

 

[TheChosenOne]

Just watched the MOTD highlights. Seems pretty much as what was said on here and in the media.

Any thoughts on BigRizla the new Chelsea GK ?

 

[rossdapep]

So the first question is how good are Arsenal?

But the second question is are Everton, Burnley, Bournemouth (perhaps), etc, able to make the step up in quality and challenge them this season?

I think only really Everton can step up and I think Leicester may do better than some think. So yeah, in that respect Arsenal probably won't falter more than sixth.

 

[hellava_tough]

I think only really Everton can step up and I think Leicester may do better than some think. So yeah, in that respect Arsenal probably won't falter more than sixth.

You're probably right

A lot will depend on Everton and their more creative/attacking players

Siggy, Tosun, Walcott, Bernard, Richarlson and Andre Gomes in the CM role

Very much a motley crew of players that the 'big boys' don't want, but still have a lot of raw talent to hurt any side...if you can get them playing as an attacking unit

And if Tosun is their main striker, you'd think he'd have to chip in with 15+ league goals this season to really put pressure on Arsenal

Finally, would I be going too far by saying that Everton's defence (including GK) is better than Arsenal's?

 

[hellava_tough]

Just watched the MOTD highlights. Seems pretty much as what was said on here and in the media.

Any thoughts on BigRizla the new Chelsea GK ?

Didn't see much of him tbh

Got a hand to one of Arsenal's goals, which he probably should have saved

I would imagine he will improve season after season, but right now none of the Chealsea fans or TV pundits are saying he's as good as Courtois, which means Chelsea will drop points this season that they wouldn't have last season

 

[nailsy]

City lost two games last season. Arsenal have lost two out of two this season. I think their title challenge is over.

 

[allatsea]

Just watched the MOTD highlights. Seems pretty much as what was said on here and in the media.

Any thoughts on BigRizla the new Chelsea GK ?

Not saying he is a poor goalkeeper but on what I have seen so far Chelsea have had their pants well and truly pulled down. If he had been say 15 to 20 million I would have said decent deal for Chelsea but for what they have paid dear oh dear. They have paid for the finished article that should be clearly world class and this lad is neither (yet?).

 

[Lighty64]

Next weekend is a big fixture for them











a six pointer

 

[nailsy]

Not saying he is a poor goalkeeper but on what I have seen so far Chelsea have had their pants well and truly pulled down. If he had been say 15 to 20 million I would have said decent deal for Chelsea but for what they have paid dear oh dear. They have paid for the finished article that should be clearly world class and this lad is neither (yet?).

Even Chelsea's manager said that he's not as good as Courtois and won't be for some time. The price seems ridiculous.

Not sure why were discussing this in the Arsenal thread