We've finished above Arsenal for the last 2 seasons...

[alias75]

Arsenal have finished 4th the last 2 seasons behind us, this season their currently 5 points clear at the top of the league, for those that are all doom and gloom at the moment they should think about this, and maybe realise we're not that far off.

 

What has happened to Arsenal this season to take them from 4th the last 2 seasons to 1st this season? Well player wise not a lot has changed Adebayor has obviously stepped up and Galls has been a great player for them but not a lot else has changed, i think this clearly illustrates the fine line between success and failure at the very top level.

 

Yes this club is in a bad way but even during this tough time if you look at our results and analyse each game theres a very fine line between us drawing half a dozen games and winning them. Most games we've drawn this season we could have won with better finishing. Turn 6 of the draws into wins and thats an extra 12 points and all of a sudden we're not too far off.

 

I understand its very easy to say what if, but i do think because things are so bad at all levels at the club its very easy to get down but when you analyse things on the pitch i don't think we're that far off.

 

So what would it take for us to do an Arsenal and go from 4th to 1st, well obviously better players would help, most of the draws have been caused because we havent taken our chances so another top striker is a priority as is another attacking midfielder. Yes there are probably 5 or 6 players we could change, but the knock on effect a couple of top attacking players would have may mean other players suddenly raise their level and play closer to their maximum.

 

Injuries to key players has also hit us hard this season, Agger being the obvious one, Alonso also hasnt been right since his injury.

 

So while im not pretending everythings rosy if we look at what Arsenal have done this season it is possible to make a huge leap almost out of the blue, i think the most important thing we need is stabilty off the pitch and stability with the manager whether thats Rafa or a new man, the players need to know whoevers in charge has the backing of the owners and they need to perform for him.

 

So lets keep the faith if 1 or 2 positive things happen in the coming weeks im sure we'll all be excitingly talking up our chances again in August!

[Romario]

Mate we are miles off the pace. The last two seasons ManU and Arsenal have progressed while we are

no better than we were when Ged was in charge.

The gap this season for me is bigger than it has been in 4 years for me.

[Bailo]

Mate we are miles off the pace. The last two seasons ManU and Arsenal have progressed while we are

no better than we were when Ged was in charge.

Apart from one FA Cup, one European Cup and one European Cup final?

[Hassony]

Mate we are miles off the pace. The last two seasons ManU and Arsenal have progressed while we are

no better than we were when Ged was in charge.

The gap this season for me is bigger than it has been in 4 years for me.

 

we are not that much worse than Arsenal

[Romario]

Apart from one FA Cup, one European Cup and one European Cup final?

We were always a good cup team under Ged too. It's in the league that we're constantly failing in.

[alias75]

Well the games against Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal this season haven't suggested we're miles behind, only the Arsenal game where we outplayed and even then we might have won that game with a bit more luck. I think those games illustrate my point and thats the balance between winning and losing is very fine, it usually comes down to very small details, 1 missed chance an injury at a bad time.

 

What those 3 clubs have that we don't is stability off the pitch and managers very much in control of their teams. If you look at the way we started the season and compare it to how we're currently playing theres no similarity. The players started the season working hard, closing down in packs and playing at a tempo other teams couldn't match, thats gone and you can only summarise as soon as Rafa had his position questioned that gave certain players an excuse, and some players are using it.

 

If the current squad was all behind Rafa and playing like we did in those first few weeks of the season, im positive we'd have many more points now, so stability off the pitch is important if we're going to improve next season. As i said we need new owners so that mess is resolved and we need those new owners to either back the manager so the current squad knows hes here for the forseeable future or appoint a new manager and back him in the transfer market.

 

Arsenal are the example we must try and follow they were 4th 2 seasons in a row but a lot of their younger players are now blossoming, we too have a very young side with 1 or 2 key additions and harmony off the pitch theres no reason why things can't turn around very quickly.

[floyd]

we are not that much worse than Arsenal

I wish I could share you’re rose tinted optimism.

[Romario]

we are not that much worse than Arsenal

Arsenal fans have given Wenger time as they know he's got what it takes to win the league as he's done it before. It's the same with Rafa in Europe. That's where he's trusted.

With Arsenal I believe the fans give the manager time as they can see their is a plan. With us after 4 years I've no idea what the plan is, short or long term regarding the league.

[tomasjj]

We were always a good cup team under Ged too. It's in the league that we're constantly failing in.

 

 

that argument does not hold water.

 

Do you remember how we won the UEFA cup and the leauge cup and which teams we played against?

And add the Owen magic final when we were played off the park.

 

Then consider what teams we have knocked out to win the cups under Rafa. Major difference.

[Romario]

Well the games against Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal this season haven't suggested we're miles behind, only the Arsenal game where we outplayed and even then we might have won that game with a bit more luck. I think those games illustrate my point and thats the balance between winning and losing is very fine, it usually comes down to very small details, 1 missed chance an injury at a bad time.

 

What those 3 clubs have that we don't is stability off the pitch and managers very much in control of their teams. If you look at the way we started the season and compare it to how we're currently playing theres no similarity. The players started the season working hard, closing down in packs and playing at a tempo other teams couldn't match, thats gone and you can only summarise as soon as Rafa had his position questioned that gave certain players an excuse, and some players are using it.

 

If the current squad was all behind Rafa and playing like we did in those first few weeks of the season, im positive we'd have many more points now, so stability off the pitch is important if we're going to improve next season. As i said we need new owners so that mess is resolved and we need those new owners to either back the manager so the current squad knows hes here for the forseeable future or appoint a new manager and back him in the transfer market.

 

Arsenal are the example we must try and follow they were 4th 2 seasons in a row but a lot of their younger players are now blossoming, we too have a very young side with 1 or 2 key additions and harmony off the pitch theres no reason why things can't turn around very quickly.

What about last season? We were s**** then too in the league?

[alias75]

Arsenal fans have given Wenger time as they know he's got what it takes to win the league as he's done it before. It's the same with Rafa in Europe. That's where he's trusted.

With Arsenal I believe the fans give the manager time as they can see their is a plan. With us after 4 years I've no idea what the plan is, short or long term regarding the league.

 

Wenger also has a group of players that completely trusts him and want to play for him, we clearly dont have that at the moment, we need stability off the pitch and the players need to know whoevers manager is going to backed by the owners, so if they dont want to play for him they know where they can go.

[johngibo YPC]

that argument does not hold water.

 

Do you remember how we won the UEFA cup and the leauge cup and which teams we played against?

And add the Owen magic final when we were played off the park.

 

Then consider what teams we have knocked out to win the cups under Rafa. Major difference.

 

Unfair that. Take the Uefa for example. We beat some very good teams on the way to the final. Barcelona, Roma and Porto spring to mind. Roma were unbeaten all season when we played them. And Alaves were there on merit

The 2000-2002 Houllier side were a decent team

[Romario]

that argument does not hold water.

 

Do you remember how we won the UEFA cup and the leauge cup and which teams we played against?

And add the Owen magic final when we were played off the park.

 

Then consider what teams we have knocked out to win the cups under Rafa. Major difference.

That arguement works both ways. We beat Milan in a final and look who we lost to yesterday.

 

 

My main problem is we simply have no idea at all if we're going to win lose or draw against any opponents these days. We could lose 6-0 tomorrow or win 1-0 and either result won't surprise me, and although the latter would make me very happy it also asks far to many questions.

[Stew F]

Arsenal fans have given Wenger time as they know he's got what it takes to win the league as he's done it before. It's the same with Rafa in Europe. That's where he's trusted.

With Arsenal I believe the fans give the manager time as they can see their is a plan. With us after 4 years I've no idea what the plan is, short or long term regarding the league.

Seriously? You can't see Rafa's long term plan?

Wow!

[Falconhoof]

You could see the method in Arsenals recruitment and development. You could see them investing in strong athletic players with good touch and they were playing them. They must do a whole lot more work on passing and close control in training and they recruit players for that. Its very different and they were a joy to watch when we drew with them. I hate admitting it but I was envious of their football and the way they do the simple things so well. Their passing and movement, support of the man on the ball was great and what we used to be renowned for. I don't need silky skills or gung ho Sky fan entertainment but just to see us pass the ball about well on a regular basis would be good.

I don't see anything like that coming together for us, maybe at reserve/u21 level but its years down the line because these players aren't getting in the first team squad like they did at Arsenal.

[alias75]

What about last season? We were s**** then too in the league?

 

I think the signs at the start of the season were good, Torres was obviously a huge improvement and Mascherano is a world class player, the way we started the season suggested there had been improvements in the team, im not sure what happened but something changed.

 

All of a sudden some of the players aren't playing with the same intensity, there have been form dips and the injury to Agger i think has been key too. Now the off the field problems should be the main concern but im confident if DIC do buy the club, that will bring the stability we need, and whoever's managing the team has a good base to work from, Reina, Agger, Carra, Mascerano, Gerrard, Alonso, Torres thats 7 very good players for the spine of a team.

Edited February 18, 2008 by alias75

[Eskimo]

Apart from one FA Cup, one European Cup and one European Cup final?

 

More like one FA Cup, one European Cup, one Super Cup, one Charity Shield...plus we reached the finals of the Carling Cup and the European Cup. Not bad for just over 3 years...

[Hassony]

More like one FA Cup, one European Cup, one Super Cup, one Charity Shield...plus we reached the finals of the Carling Cup and the European Cup. Not bad for just over 3 years...

 

and reached the final of the world club cup

[Eskimo]

and reached the final of the world club cup

 

Oh aye forgot that one....I also love the argument that we are nowt more than a cup team under Rafa, well considering that apart from the league every other competition is a fecking cup competition, makes it a pretty daft argument in my book.

[Rimbeux]

You could see what was going on at Arsenal. You could see them developing and you knew that once they learnt to deal with being bullied on the road, they would take a big kick on. They are simply too high tempo for many of the sides to deal with and they dont do conventional things like sling cross after cross in the box, they even mix it up now, going long as well as short. One big thing this year is how aggressive they've been in central midfield. Fabregas and Flamini have really got stuck into the oppo and taken the initiative, pressing really high up the pitch and kicking before they get kicked. There is a lot of bluff about Henry lifting some cloud of intimidation by going, it works as good motivation for them, but the reality is he hardly played in his last season, was on the slide and was being carried.

[chliverpool7]

agreed....arsenal this season realised there short-comings of last season. They were bullied away from home last season, hightlighted with away losses to portsmouth, bolton, newcaslte.....also think confidence breeds confidence...they've just gone from strength to strength....it will be interesting to see what happens in the next few days now.....they were totally bullied by man u on saturday, given no time/space on the ball and there famed passing went to s***. There season could still fall apart

[Mikey]

Arsenal have a ridiculously quick back 4, all the replacement players bar Senderos are as fast as well, their fullbacks Sagna and Clichy are two of the quickest most attacking defenders in the league. They play on the halfway line most of the game and can catch EVERYONE if its played long.

 

We have the slowest back 4 in the PL without Agger, Skrtel is fast and a good signing but our fullbacks are still light years behind the other 'top' sides and both Carra and Sami are slower than me.

 

Arsenals midfield has a phenom in Fabregas, Flamini extremely mobile and playing out of his skin, Hleb settled and looking less like the joke we all said he was by the day. When they're in possession you can see all 4/5 of their midfielders in and around the opposition box.

 

We play with Alonso and HK who are far too static and immobile, Masch just in front of our slow, deep sitting back 4 adding extra protection, Gerrard trying to get up and down the pitch as he's the only one in there with the legs/engine to do it and half the posters on here want to sell him. Yossi scores a few, gets 'rotated' for a few etc etc.

 

Upfront they have Adebayor who is in 'Drogba' form, Eduardo on a hot streak and Bendtner who looks like he can do a job.

 

We have Torres who is simply f***ing brilliant and £20M of players totaly unsuited to the pace of the PL or sulking round not giving a rats a*** because Kuyt/Voronin keep getting picked ahead of them.

 

Arsenal treat the ball with respect and place great emphasis on pass and move, keep the ball.

 

We seem to treat each match as a competition for who can kick the ball the farthest and the highest, usually a close fought affair between JAR and CARRA.

 

Not miles away at all mate.

 

Firmly believe that new 'modern' fullbacks would make more diference to us in the short term than 'world class wingers'.

[Guest GrandpaSimpson]

Seriously? You can't see Rafa's long term plan?

Wow!

 

 

What is his plan so? Not to take the league seriously at all EVERY SEASON. To scrape 4th place. To win more European Cups than Bob?

[yellow jumper]

are arsenal actually going to win anything this season?

[Mikey]

are arsenal actually going to win anything this season?

Are we?

 

If they don't will that make you feel better about our s**** season?