Yes, we had a terrible summer. Did we strengthen? I'd say yes, because we got rid of players who did not want to play for the Arsenal. In came some highly experienced, strong individuals who do want to play for Arsenal. Combine that with the talent we have, the young talent coming through, all the poor results plus the hunger and desire... I'd say the teams recent defensive displays have been great. If we can focus, stay together, keep a decent run going, get some luck in the draws, I feel we can do something good this season. Of course ultimately only ONE team will win the carling cup, or the FA cup (same goes to PL & CL, but realistically our chances are much lower in those than the cups for obviou$ reasons) but i feel we are really starting to gel and we certainly are still top 4 material. Its down to the Club now to perform and get the job done.
I'd be careful about knee-jerk reactions in either pole, losing or winning. Your last 4 games, since the defeat to Tottenham, have been against Sunderland at home, Marseille away, Stoke at home and Bolton in the League Cup. Granted, 4 wins out of 4 is a much better run of results than previously being witnessed but you shouldl ook at them with a degree of scepticism. Sunderland are wofeul this term and, frankly, Steve Bruce's management is an embarassment. Marseille was the biggest "hit'n'run" I've seen all season whilst Stoke have won just one of their league fixtures following a Europa League tie, plus you had a days rest on them. Botlon, are pretty poor this year. In fact, they're propping up the table at the moment. I'm not taking away aything from Arsenal here, just giving an alternative account of their form. I still think you're behind United, Chelsea, Tottenham, City and Liverpool in terms of squad strength.
Really ? so you think that losing Fab and Nasri strengthened the squad ? You might well be celebrating for strengthening when RVP goes next summer.
Arsenal are no longer in relegation form so that is a big improvement. It seems to me that the only player who is scoring for them is Van Persie. It is a bit risky to be so reliant on a player who is probably the most injury prone forward in the Prem. Arsenal have Chelsea coming up soon. Should be interesting.
I'm going to stick my neck out here a litte bit and predict not that Arsenal will lose to Chelsea, but they'll get tonked, good and proper. Torres will tear Mertsacker apart if he gets a run at him. Arsenal's midfield simply isn't up to the job of getting past Chelsea's, never mind stopping it and I don't fancy Arsenals defence stopping either of Anelka, Drogba or Torres. Neck; stuck out.
Let's not try to over analyze why Arsenal is now moving back up the table. It's one reason: RVP. Clearly Gernvinho deserves credit also, but without RVP this team would still be near the bottom. RVP looked great coming in fresh off the bench, but Chamakh proved he is just not good enough to cut it out there.
when arsene used to spend money, he won leagues. he stopped spending money on mature players and they stopped winning. this summer he brought in 9 new players. he has said he 'wont rule out' spending more in the winter, and i pressume he will be spending in the summer again. he is back to being a buying manager . i think it is generally fair to say that the ream that finnishes ahead of united will be champions, and the arse are only 7 points off. they are also at 50-1 for the league. i think it is worth at least a pound.
i might put a tenner on it, but there is a big difference between 'arsenal will put on a run and be conteders in may' to 'arsenal will finnish in first place'. whilst i am convinced the first is possible, even if it were to happen, i still think they would end as gallant nearly winners than as actual champions.