Arsenal.....

[Guest Gillespie]

....as a gooner.......what think you scousers on their chances this season?

[Gunga Din]

its hard to tell with Arsenal, Wenger's teams have been written off a few times only to prove everyone wrong. to be honest, i dont think you have enough experienced players in the side now, and i think this could be a transition year. where you will finish is anyones guess, you could win it, you could end up as low as 6th or 7th, but my guess is you'll be 4th again.

[M4TTA]

was interesting to hear Fergie say that he was more adamant that Arsenal would be in the top 4 this year than any other because of the departure of Henry (whilst being interviewed about the Tevez situation).

 

Not that i dont think they would be (I agree with JH, could be anywhere really)... Just interesting to hear from a manager who obviously rates their chances....

[Guest RedLegend]

....as a gooner.......what think you scousers on their chances this season?

 

I'm guessing 4th.

[Paul]

I think they'll surprise a few people this year.

 

Last season they had a bit of upheaval with moving to a new stadium and injuries to key players like Henry, Gallas and Van Persie. They also blooded a lot of youngsters whom should be better prepared this year.

[Rimbeux]

Momentum counts for a lot. Arsenal have good enough players in all departments to finish top of the pile, as do three maybe four other teams. The main issue is of course experience and leadership which has not really been replicated since Vieira and Campbell. Four seasons ago Arsenal thought they were unbeatable and did a good job convincing the rest of that, now everyone knows they are beatable; maybe it's time that could work in their favour with less spotlight and pressure, but the Nth London issue could keep things high profile. Head on the block, 4th again

Edited August 3, 2007 by Rimbeux

[Benitez]

I thought they'd do really well last season, and got that one completly wrong, so I ain't guessing this time round

 

But, I do think that it's a big season for them in the sense that Wenger needs to get 'em back on track. The boring youth excuse is wearing thin. And I suspect it's wearing thin with many of the fans as well.

[Cobs]

I expect you guys to be battling us for 3rd again only closer to the front 2 this time around.

 

Like us i think you are a season or two away from a proper assault on the title but also like us you are building very solid foundations for the next decade or so.

[Guest JV]

Top 4

[Leo No.8]

I think Arsenal are a bit of a wild card, in terms of if they click and the hugely talented young players they have gain confidence early on they could do exceptionally well. However if they have a poor start lack of experience could count against them and they could struggle.

 

For me the first five games are incredibly important for both Arsenal and Liverpool - too often in recent years both sides have been out of it very early on and neither club can afford to let that situation come about again.

 

If both teams start well then it could be a more open race which would be fantastic for everyone (except Chelsea and United!) who follows English football. Two horse races aren't comparible to the situation that came about in Spain last season where all four of the top teams were in with a chance coming into the last few games. I'd love to see that happen here.

[Bailo]

I wouldn't be surpirsed to see Spurs overtake you I'm afraid in 4th. That is unless RvP has an Henry-esque season, which he's capable of, or this new Croatian chap has a flyer. Think you're a bit light at the back.

[The Hitman]

Again,I think this is a transition season.I think you'll be the team most affected by the African Nations Cup,with Eboue,Adebayor,Toure all in for that I think.

I'd like to see Denilson being given a run of games for you,I think this could be his breakout season.

[Guest Gillespie]

Thanks for the comments

 

I tend to agree with many of you ie definitely top 4 but a bit of an unknown quantity

 

I loved TH14 but watching him last year brought some concerns......he didn't seem quite the player he was (I know he was injured for much of the season) and when he did play his occasional impatience with some of the young players I think often inhibited their play.......especially poor young Walcott who seemed overawed by the great man

 

This year the young players will be freer I think to express themselves and having an extra year's experience should help

 

I also agree the excuse of youth is wearing thin and they must perform this season

 

Positives so far are playing Eboue right midfield in front of Sagna looks excellent beefing up our midfield and exciting pace going forward with Sagna apparently better defensively minded than Eboue.

 

A lot will be expected of Eduardo but now the team is built around Fabregas (as it was last season,too) rather than Henry a box player like Eduardo shouldn't complain of la ack of chances.

 

I can also see RVP11 take on the mantle of top striker for the team

 

Overall,my views are positive - maybe the title is a stretch but I am more excited this season than last because the team seems better balanced unhampered by the dominant personality of its erstwhile superstar

[Zoob]

I think Arsenal will do well this season. Great player though Henry was, I think he inhibited some of Arsenal's other players. Without Henry to be the focuss of 80% of their attacks, I think they'll play better as an all round team - they won't have Henry's 20+ goals a season, but could well have 4-5 players each scoring 10-15 goals.

[PaulLFC]

think your club is a spent force...hmmm thinking about it a bit of joke in general.

[McBain]

think your club is a spent force...hmmm thinking about it a bit of joke in general.

 

Let me guess though. Spurs are on the way up yes?

[Zoob]

think your club is a spent force...hmmm thinking about it a bit of joke in general.

 

That's comedy gold coming from a Spurs fan, who have been big jokes for many a year, with their delusions of being at the same level as Arsenal, their 'nearly signing players' and their poor football

[PaulLFC]

That's comedy gold coming from a Spurs fan, who have been big jokes for many a year, with their delusions of being at the same level as Arsenal, their 'nearly signing players' and their poor football

 

poor football side wouldn't have 3 strikers over double figures a season, or finish 5th twice in a row. Take a honest look at their squad and try to tell me besides the centre of Midfield they have anything hugely over Spurs, there are not as many winners in that side as there was a few years back...... I'd take Gallas, Fabregas, maybe Lehmann, Eboue is decent along with Toure but Chimbonda and Dawson and King aint exactly step down at premiership level.

 

consistency and a Manager willing to make key decisions on the pitch is the difference...Consistency does not happen over night mind.

[Herbie von Smalls]

Thanks for the comments

 

I tend to agree with many of you ie definitely top 4 but a bit of an unknown quantity

 

I loved TH14 but watching him last year brought some concerns......he didn't seem quite the player he was (I know he was injured for much of the season) and when he did play his occasional impatience with some of the young players I think often inhibited their play.......especially poor young Walcott who seemed overawed by the great man

 

This year the young players will be freer I think to express themselves and having an extra year's experience should help

 

I also agree the excuse of youth is wearing thin and they must perform this season

 

Positives so far are playing Eboue right midfield in front of Sagna looks excellent beefing up our midfield and exciting pace going forward with Sagna apparently better defensively minded than Eboue.

 

A lot will be expected of Eduardo but now the team is built around Fabregas (as it was last season,too) rather than Henry a box player like Eduardo shouldn't complain of la ack of chances.

 

I can also see RVP11 take on the mantle of top striker for the team

 

Overall,my views are positive - maybe the title is a stretch but I am more excited this season than last because the team seems better balanced unhampered by the dominant personality of its erstwhile superstar

 

i've felt henry, for all his brilliance at arsenal down the years was becoming a millstone. i totally agree with your assertion that certain players felt inhibited by his presence - and i'm not just talking when he was on the field, all this stepping on to the pitch when he was injured smacked of limelight-hogging to me and i think even wenger was wary of bursting his balloon.

 

for arsenal, i think it was the right time for him to go. van persie and adebayor have the makings of a formidable partnership and hanging on to fabregas was crucial this summer.

 

i suspect arsenal will drop out of conention by the end of january and might just slip out of the top four if they're unlucky with injuries. this will be a season of transition and if they come through it, the future looks bright. if they drop off significantly it may call for a further rebuild and some of the brighter prospects (fabregas, van persie, toure, gallas et al) might find the lure of foreign clubs too great to resist.

[Zoob]

Take a honest look at their squad and try to tell me besides the centre of Midfield they have anything hugely over Spurs, there are not as many winners in that side as there was a few years back...... I'd take Gallas, Fabregas, maybe Lehmann, Eboue is decent along with Toure but Chimbonda and Dawson and King aint exactly step down at premiership level.

 

Given the choice, I'd rather have Clichy over Bale and Eboue over Chimbonda (even though I'd really want to give Eboue a good kicking). Toure and King are about the same level, but Galas is a whole lot better than Dawson.

 

Robinson makes some great saves, but I don't think it's just down to your defence that you conceed so many goals, and the fact that you conceeded so many from outside the area says a lot about Robinson's attempt to pay homage to a 46 year old Neville Southall.

 

I think Van Persie is better than any of your strikers - I rate Berbatov, but it will be interesting to see how he does in his second season.

Edited August 4, 2007 by Zoob

[_00_deathscar]

poor football side wouldn't have 3 strikers over double figures a season, or finish 5th twice in a row. Take a honest look at their squad and try to tell me besides the centre of Midfield they have anything hugely over Spurs, there are not as many winners in that side as there was a few years back...... I'd take Gallas, Fabregas, maybe Lehmann, Eboue is decent along with Toure but Chimbonda and Dawson and King aint exactly step down at premiership level.

 

consistency and a Manager willing to make key decisions on the pitch is the difference...Consistency does not happen over night mind.

 

van Persie is better than all your strikers, Lehmann is miles ahead of Robinson.

[PaulLFC]

stats say otherwise.

 

Van Persie

Berbatov

Bent

Keane

Defoe

 

technically gifted but he still has it all to prove unlike Berbatov, Keane, less so Bent and well Defoe...yeah ok he's s**** you win there.

[Rimbeux]

Spurs are clearly better up front, player for player, as a group, stats or otherwise. There's a case for saying Spurs have the best squad of strikers in the PL.

[McBain]

Spurs are clearly better up front, player for player, as a group, stats or otherwise. There's a case for saying Spurs have the best squad of strikers in the PL.

 

They do but they're useless at the back. Sort of the Anti-Liverpool

 

Jol is in the same boat as Rafa this season. Improve or move on. He's had s***loads of backing and now's the time to deliver a cl spot or a trophy

[Rimbeux]

They do but they're useless at the back. Sort of the Anti-Liverpool

 

Jol is in the same boat as Rafa this season. Improve or move on. He's had s***loads of backing and now's the time to deliver a cl spot or a trophy

 

Aye. Think they'll get another centre half in as well, they can no longer rely on King, they've got big time expectation now and 'Ledley wasn't fit' wont wash any more than Roeder's 'Owen was out'