How many here would still be pretty content to take the spot one ahead of ManUre in the league table at the end of the season? Probably an odds on bet each year for the title if you ask me. They only finished third last year because the couldn't finish first. I hate em' as much as any other red blooded Gooner, but they are still a great side. They just put 3 goals past Everton in the final four minutes of what had been a scoreless draw. Liverpool showed last season that they do have some staying power, but when they are in-form, ManUre is every bit as dominant as our glory, glory Gunners. So, the cynic in me just asks that we all keep a bit of perspective on Arsenal's current run of good form and remember that winning the League may be every bit as difficult as the CL, especially with the wounded animal that is ManUre clawing its way out of the hole it had been in.
*yawn* Please, my days of bowing to Manchester United are over. Wait, I take that back, I never deigned to bow to them, I would never give them the satisfaction. Please man, who the hell can't beat Everton 3-nil. And taking that long to do it! HA!
Gotta agree with Kane. ManUre are still a tough outfit, and for all their problems they've still got a helluva lot of talent. Keeping perspective is hard to do right now, especially when the English press are falling all over themselves to praise us, something new for a bunch used to getting ripped for boring football, too many foreigners, and our disciplinary record. But the same group of journalists will be the first in line to rip us when we stumble, so let's not pretend for a minute that these folks are genuine in their praise.
If we manage to go undefeated in league this year (quite possible), how many points do you think we'll win by? My guess would be by less than five. Both ManU and 'Pool could very well push us all the way. They are both very good sides. The truth is that the drop off after the top three in England is quite severe. You see that in the Champs League where Newcastle are currently crapping in their pants.
Not to give anything away on the next preview but Everton are not as bad as one may think. Moyes is one hell of a football mind and has that team working well as a unit. That said, ManU are suffering from a problem in finishing and if they cure it they certianly can make a decent run. The defense is the weak point and an Arsenal team running on all cylinders should be able to score several on them.
Don't worry fellows. I have every respect for what Man United are still capable of. I was just trying to strike back at Kane and his quaking in the boots routine. I'm under no allusions as to how tough any title win is, no matter how well we're playing as long as Liverpool and several others continue to grind out results than it doesn't matter what we do. You don't win the title on style points. But, I am adamant in my assertion that we have no reason to fear anyone. If Arsenal fail to win the league championship next May it will be due to their own failings, not the superiority of another team. And on this issue, "I am in earnest-I will not equivicate-I will not excuse-I will not retreat a single inch-And I will be heard."
ManU's chances of winning the league are no greater than Liverpool's. Arsenal will most likely win it, but I hardly think United is a shoe-in for second. Some may disagree, but they seem to have a defeated attitude about their immediate future, and until they get over it, I see them finishing third or possibly fourth, should things get worse. Everytime they have a victory now that back in the day they would have done in their sleep, people act like their mediocre year last season never happened. ManU 3-0 Everton should be a given, but we act surprised. I think they're a sinking ship, no matter how long it takes them to drown.
I know enough not to count them out, but they don't look that great this year. 'Pool have a better chance at taking use than United. Just look at thier results so far: W1-0 West Brom - A game where they didn't look good. T2-2 @Chelsea - Ok so we did the same. T1-1 @Sunderland W1-0 Boro L0-1 Bolton - At OT no less L0-1 @Leeds - And didn't look good in this one. W1-0 Spurs - Without the Pen it would have been 0-0 W3-1 @ Charlton - Came back from 1-0 down. Scored the winner in the last 10 min and didn't look good through the game. W3-0 Everton - All 3 goals in the final 10 min. Thier results as well as what I've seen from the games I've watched hasn't convinced me. Neville got one thing right about what was different between the United and Arsenal teams of 4 years ago and now.
I think we are all agreed that Man Yoo cannot be written off and I wouldn't write of Liverpool at this point either. While we are playing great football at the moment and sweeping all before us, I can't see us going through the entire Premiership season unbeaten. It only takes one bad day on our part or a great performance by another team. On any given day any Premiership team can beat any other. Gary Birtles has been going on about how we won't beat Forest's 42 game unbeaten record, I'd like to beat that one just to shut the old has-been Man Yoo failure up. The real test will be when we do lose that first game, the reaction in the next game will be all-important. To be able to pick ourselves up and go out and win the next game will show if this team has the character to go on and win another title. Of course, if Arsene and the boys want to shove these words down my throat by not losing, that's fine by me.
Michaec, you have the exact point I've been thinking about all season. What happens in the game where a) Arsenal don't score and/or b) Arsenal lose? Does the team bounce back or does it lead to a self-destruction of their confidence? I would find it hard to believe that Arsenal will go through a season unbeaten, but look at the last several season where they've only lost 3-5 times...The issue is draws - just ask Chelsea. Even last season where Man Utd lost 8 games or something like that, they were there at the end because the team didn't draw. Getting 3 points over 1 point is significant. A team could go through the season "unbeaten" but still get relegated if they just drew each and every game... BTW - the only ones seeming to tout Arsenal as the "best team ever" are the press and we all know what bandwagon jumping wankers they are!