9 games into the PL season, and we currently sit where we finished last season - 5th.
Already 9 points off top - although some credit has to be given to City for their peerless start.
5 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses mean we also are 4 points off Manchester United and Spurs in 2nd and 3rd.
The losses were pretty typical Arsenal. A hammering away to a "top 6" rival, and 2 defeats to teams "we should beat" with poor performances plus the rub of the green against us.
Realistically our rivals this season are Chelsea and Liverpool, fighting for 4th (United could be in the mix as well tbf) The 0-0 draw at the Bridge was both a relief and frustrating at the same time - 3pts wouldn't have been underserved, but at least we didn't fold.
Liverpool's form since smashing us has been pretty dreadful. Little surprise these two are finding the league a bit tougher than last season, with the extra games and pressure the Champions League brings.
United have had some big wins, but don't look to truly have shaken off their negative style that led to so many draws last season. Even their 4-0s have been tight affairs going into the last 10 or so minutes. Remains to be seen if their start was a false dawn.
The Europa and League Cup have allowed youngsters like Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles get games. It has also allowed Jack Wilshere play himself into form, and keep Giroud, Walcott and others in action. 4 wins from 4 for our "shadow" team isn't too bad.
Of the summer signings, Alexander Lacazette hasn't really hit top form yet. - but 5 goals already is a promising start.
Sead Kolasinac has grown into the team, especially now he is utilised exclusively in the left wing back role after playing in the 3.
Both will hopefully improve as they come more and more accustomed to the league and the club.
Nacho Monreal would be my "Player of the first Quarter". Another who has stepped up after moving back to his best role in the formation. Also has a little bit more fight than many of his team mates.
Hopefully we will see more Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in top form, both have had slow starts to the season but came alive yesterday.
First Quarter of the Season . ..
posted on 23/10/17
We were top of the league 377 days ago, a year ago, last Saturday morning a year ago
posted on 23/10/17
It's going to be very important we get into the CL next year. With Ozil and Sanchez going We'll need as much pulling power as possible to find good replacements. It's going to be tough ask. We're competing with much harder teams then in previous years. Spurs and city obviously look nailed on for top 4 finish. Then out of Chelsea and Man U, I can't see either of them getting enough poor results to finish outside top 4. We really have to step it up, can't rely on other teams dropping points. Which will probably mean we're going to have to beat Chelsea and Man U at some point to stand a decent chance. Chelsea and Man U look a bit vulnerable, (not as much as us) but they'll probably strengthen in January if results get worse as well.
Going to be a hard challenge. Which is why it would be good if we could win Europa!
posted on 23/10/17
I'd agree with Monreal as our best player this season so far. I think some assumed he'd be back up to Kolasinac this season but he's so well suited to that role in the left side of the back 3.
It was nice to see Sanchez, Lacazette and Ozil play together and get a glimpse of what they're going to be capable of this season. We'll have to enjoy it as best we can over the course of the season.
posted on 23/10/17
That stoke loss is especially annoying, couldn't finish our dinner that day.
posted on 23/10/17
The defeats to Stoke and especially Watford annoy me as we should have buried both teams with the chances we created.
posted on 23/10/17
Watford game is the one.
Should have killed that game off before the dodgy pen
We have City and Spurs coming up back to back which will tell us exactly where we are.
City game in particular game will be the one. Against their firepower and our vulnerable defence, it will be a hell of a test
posted on 23/10/17
Stoke, Liverpool and Watford all pressed us hard and we couldnt cope. Leicester did as well but have an utterly crap defence so we still got the win. We are getting worse at dealing with the rough stuff so I expect more losses to the physical teams that press us.
We might lose Ozil and/or Sanchez in January (although I think they will both want to stay until the end of their contracts). Even if they go I think our biggest need is to replace Xhaka with good defensive midfielder who can pass a bit and start attacks. IN fact I'd prefer to pay £100m for a CM who can do that and use the players we have to replace Ozil and SAnchez than spend the money on more attacking players.
posted on 23/10/17
Neither Stoke nor Watford pressed us particularly well. Had more than enough opportunity to win both games.
posted on 23/10/17
comment by WOKO - thats Wenger out, Kronke out. Xhaka is crapper (U16927)
posted 6 hours, 44 minutes ago
Stoke, Liverpool and Watford all pressed us hard and we couldnt cope. Leicester did as well but have an utterly crap defence so we still got the win. We are getting worse at dealing with the rough stuff so I expect more losses to the physical teams that press us.
We might lose Ozil and/or Sanchez in January (although I think they will both want to stay until the end of their contracts). Even if they go I think our biggest need is to replace Xhaka with good defensive midfielder who can pass a bit and start attacks. IN fact I'd prefer to pay £100m for a CM who can do that and use the players we have to replace Ozil and SAnchez than spend the money on more attacking players.
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I thought we hammered Stoke but they had the rub of the green. Watford - If Iwobi and especially Ozil had their shooting boots on, I think we would have gone at least 2-0 up and changed the game, but Watford are a game side at the moment. We could have beaten Chelsea to be honest.
Oh well..we have Spurs and City coming up...after those games, we will have a a very good idea as to where we are at. yet, it would be COMPLETELY like us to get points from both games and then lose to a team in the bottom 6 shortly after. Sigh.
posted on 23/10/17
I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Lacazette so far.