2023 ended in extremely disappointing circumstances, but on a positive note we are just 5 points off the top and into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
January is a bit of a strange month, with just 2 PL games and a winter break.
Premier League
We get back into league action on the 20th as we host Crystal Palace. The Eagles managed to end an 8 game winless streak last time out, and with Eze and Olise in their team they are a dangerous opponent.
10 days later we travel to Nottingham Forest. Another team who have just ended a winless run, and have had two big scalps in the Uniteds of Manchester and Newcastle in their last 2 games.
Both are must wins, and should wins.
FA Cup
We host Liverpool on Sunday, and the visitors have hit their stride recently. Our draw at Anfield was the only dropped points from their last 4.
The fourth round is scheduled for the weekend of the 27th, where if we are through we hope for a kinder draw. Defeat on Sunday leaves a lot of time between games - with a 2 week gap between Liverpool and Palace for the winter break.
Transfer Market
Off the field is as interesting as the action on the pitch.
A striker is obviously on top of everybody's wishlist.
Second to that a defender may be needed depending on when Timber is back. With Tomiyasu going to Qatar and injury issues surrounding Zinchenko and White, plus rumours linking Kiwior with a transfer out, a defender seems inevitable.
I guess the future of Ramsdale is up for conversation. If he did go then we could either risk Hein, recall Okonkwo or would have to buy a back up.
It remains to be seen if Thomas Partey will be back anytime soon. Ghana have left him out of their ACON squad due to his injury, so it is unlikely he will play before February. I don't think we need to strengthen the midfield this window, as the summer will see a few changes in that area, but the Partey injury may change this.
As with Ramsdale, there could be interest in the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah. I would imagine any sale would be to fund signings and the likelihood is pretty low.
It is likely going to be a frustrating month with little action and a lot of speculation. Good luck to all!!
January for Arsenal...
posted on 2/1/24
Been a good first half to the season for Arsenal despite the recent blip.
My feeling is that you will knock us out the cup. We will have half an eye on that Fulham league cup game a few days later. That competition looks much more winnable from our perspective. Having to win at the Emirates just to get to the 4th round where we would inevitably get another tough draw. Looks pretty tough to go all the way.
posted on 2/1/24
Hard to assess the FA Cup game, given that Klopp usually plays total B/C teams in the domestic Cups.
posted on 2/1/24
Let’s be honest, this side massively over achieved last year and is now at its true level in my opinion. You are the 3rd best side in the country for now - CL qualification again will allow you to push on in the summer and address some of your issues.
I get the last 2 results have been disappointing, but overall, you are doing fine and well on course for the CL again.
posted on 2/1/24
comment by Striketeam7 - There used to be a football club over there (U18109)
posted 28 minutes ago
Let’s be honest, this side massively over achieved last year and is now at its true level in my opinion. You are the 3rd best side in the country for now - CL qualification again will allow you to push on in the summer and address some of your issues.
I get the last 2 results have been disappointing, but overall, you are doing fine and well on course for the CL again.
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Yeah that's about right. We are a top striker away from challenging.
posted on 2/1/24
Winning the league is looking difficult from here but it comes down to what they do in January. If we were to get a decent forward and possibly a left sided defender then I think there is still a chance. Arteta has got to recapture what we did last season in terms of attacking patterns down both flanks it was one of the best aspects of the team, do that with a new striker and Jesus to supplement either flank and we are looking better.
posted on 2/1/24
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 1 hour ago
comment by Striketeam7 - There used to be a football club over there (U18109)
posted 28 minutes ago
Let’s be honest, this side massively over achieved last year and is now at its true level in my opinion. You are the 3rd best side in the country for now - CL qualification again will allow you to push on in the summer and address some of your issues.
I get the last 2 results have been disappointing, but overall, you are doing fine and well on course for the CL again.
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Yeah that's about right. We are a top striker away from challenging.
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I think you need cover/comp for Odegaard as well - you look lost at times when he is not at it, it seems to fall on Declan Rice to produce something from deep
posted on 2/1/24
comment by Striketeam7 - There used to be a football club over there (U18109)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 1 hour ago
comment by Striketeam7 - There used to be a football club over there (U18109)
posted 28 minutes ago
Let’s be honest, this side massively over achieved last year and is now at its true level in my opinion. You are the 3rd best side in the country for now - CL qualification again will allow you to push on in the summer and address some of your issues.
I get the last 2 results have been disappointing, but overall, you are doing fine and well on course for the CL again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah that's about right. We are a top striker away from challenging.
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I think you need cover/comp for Odegaard as well - you look lost at times when he is not at it, it seems to fall on Declan Rice to produce something from deep
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Ode, Marti and Jesus all scored more last season. And they are snatching at their chances because of that pressure to do it again. That's disrupting their games. They hold onto the ball a millisecond too long or pass when they should shoot or try to walk the ball into the net rather than taking an early shot!
If you have a striker to score the consequential goals (1st goal, or goal to tie or take the lead), would all them to relax and click back into form.
At the moment, we're relying too much on a 22-year-old Saka.
posted on 3/1/24
I guess the future of Ramsdale is up for conversation. If he did go then we could either risk Hein, recall Okonkwo or would have to buy a back up.
....
Or, and here's a mad thought, we could reinstate Ramsdale and make Raya the backup, with Hein third. Or is that too crazy?
posted on 3/1/24
I don't think there is anything to suggest Arteta will do that.
posted on 3/1/24
Arteta very rarely goes back on a decision, so better just to sell and use the money.