Every season Arsenal do have a good run before December and then one defeat and you implode. Hopefully that will be after the international break.
Arsenal should be doing well this season. There is no Europe distraction. We almost won the league under Rodgers because we had no Europe and then a couple of years later Leicester did win it.
Dusan Vlahovic is what we should get. He is young (21) and has the skills and goal threat that can elevate this team to challenge even this season.
We must not depend on Lacca until summer if we want to cement our top 4 ambitions. This Arsenal side have a good foundation defensively could do wonders if we upgrade CF position from Lacca to Dusan.
We can offer Fiorentina Uruguayan Torreira who is at Fiorentina on loan plus cash, come on Edu get the last puzzle for this team.
We're doing ok. I wouldn't go overboard because in big games it's still evident that not only do we lack the necessary qualities, but our game tactics is still not quite there (although that is one area in which Arteta has improved us).
We're getting nothing away at Anfield, so anything from a good performance to actual points would be a big positive. The remaining 3 games after are winnable and we should be looking at maximum points.
AFCON will begin in Jan, but it looks like we'll lose players before then, notably Aubameyang and Partey. These are huge losses, so it'll be interesting to see how we cope.
We need to replace both our strikers. I said it before but handing Auba that contract was a mistake and it was likely to backfire on us. Although he hasn't been that awful, he's nothing like his form 2-3 seasons ago. I'm gutted Victor Osimhen moved to Napoli, a few seasons ago, because he's the ideal PL striker. Pace, technique and finishing.
We also badly need a midfielder. But progression of Sambi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles would dictate who we would go for. Hopefully, both players carry on their progression and soon both would be serious first team contenders, replacing Xhaka and Elneny.
We've had promising patches of form that end in disaster so many times lately that I'm not going to get my hopes up.
I just find it hard to believe that after setting up so poorly for much of his time here that Arteta suddenly knows what he's doing. For one, his hand was forced with Xhaka but he'll probably reappear at some point to ruin the midfield again soon.
That said I think the squad is capable of top 5 and if United have a shocker then top 4 becomes open to several clubs (Chelsea, City and Liverpool being a different level to everyone else).
Arsenal are a young side. If I were you I would just look for continuing development of the team. League position not as important as continued growth. You have some fantastic young players, but dontvyet overburden them with huge expectation.
TBOS
Unlike the underlying Pepball framework to his Artetaball system, he personally spent most if not all of his playing career actually playing in the systems and way he has his team now playing. His experience lvl in what he's teaching them is so much higher now. verything they hear from him now sounds very different to the players to the stuff he was saying before. They can't hear self doubt in his voice anymore. Be sure everything he says now is ten times easier for the players to buy into because now he sounds like he actually knows what he's talking about.
Add to that the fact it's how they want to play, the way that's best for the strengths/weaknesses they have and the way the fans have been wanting the team brought back to playing. It shows just had bad the choice to go with Artetaball. Arrogance and Artetaball the two critical errors he made. Results you're seeing this season really, are what you would have last year if he'd just left both of those things at the door when he stepped in to start 20/21
OP
4TH PLACE MINIMUM!
But I'm only saying that because because we have no European football so will likely be playing one game a week less than the top 4 maybe 6. Vs those opponents, hell you might as well be doping the team all season. Weaker/developing team and AFCON or not, there's still no excuse for this team finishing less than 4th (barring mass injury woes too). The one game less just gifts too big an advantage to justify a lower expectation or demand of this team than that.
comment by WB2 {Tackle Like Tierney} (U8276)
posted 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
TBOS
Unlike the underlying Pepball framework to his Artetaball system, he personally spent most if not all of his playing career actually playing in the systems and way he has his team now playing. His experience lvl in what he's teaching them is so much higher now. verything they hear from him now sounds very different to the players to the stuff he was saying before. They can't hear self doubt in his voice anymore. Be sure everything he says now is ten times easier for the players to buy into because now he sounds like he actually knows what he's talking about.
Add to that the fact it's how they want to play, the way that's best for the strengths/weaknesses they have and the way the fans have been wanting the team brought back to playing. It shows just had bad the choice to go with Artetaball. Arrogance and Artetaball the two critical errors he made. Results you're seeing this season really, are what you would have last year if he'd just left both of those things at the door when he stepped in to start 20/21
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sorry but that's pure speculation. It may be happening but no way we can know that.
Maybe things have changed, hopefully things have changed. One thing that definitely has happened is Arteta has been financially backed to a huge level since taking over so that should have an effect (although I'll be the first to admit I was very sceptical about most of our transfer business of late).
Agree with SWTN though about the youth of this squad, I certainly don't have an issue with us not making top four/five if we're seeing a real system with attacking flare develope and those young players progressing.
What worries me is Arteta falling back on those tried and failed methods that have largely defined much of his Arsenal career so far. The lack of an attacking plan, the infamous "Doughnut of sadness", Xhaka being anywhere near the squad, comedy defensive errors etc.
He's had excellent spells before and then reverted back to that nonsense outlined above. A couple of injuries or players heading off to the ACON are no excuse for completely losing all football ability for instance. It can definitely effect results but to completely undo any semblance of football structure is unacceptable and that's what I fear over the next few months.
We shall see, I really hope I'm wrong. I was very wrong about Ramsdale for instance and it seems Ben White too.
My thoughts on his personal tone may be speculation but the system fitting the team better, that being how they wanted to play and what the fans wanted to see isn't speculation, all of those things are true. Those three things have made the world of difference to the team and the atmosphere around them and the club. The players are most all happy and their moods and attitudes will be positive toward what they're doing. When you translate that to on pitch effort and performances, it makes a huge difference.
People have to stop buying into this idea that the finish last season had anything to do with the squad being so poor it couldn't have done better, it never. We finished so badly last season because the team and fans spent the whole season MISERABLE due to Artetaball. Players didn't wanna play and fans didn't wanna watch. NO TEAM can get anywhere drowning in the negativity we were last season, regardless of ability. If your squad's unhappy, you aint winning sh!t or competing with anyone whom is. Team sport just doesn't work that way and never has.
I don’t think we’ll be consistent enough for top 4. Will be interesting to see how we respond to a defeat, we’re likely to lose at Liverpool so let’s see how we respond in next games. if we win the games after I’d get a little more hope we could be in with a good shout of 4th, you don’t need to beat the top teams for 4th, just be consistent beating the teams beneath you.
However with us just playing 1 game a week, there is an argument the club should really try push for 4th this year and go and add some more quality in January. Because next season if we get Europa again the challenge to get top 4 and play more games will be harder. So would be great if we could capitalise on this one game a week thing while we have it.
comment by A Catalyst For Change (U7080)
posted 53 minutes ago
I don’t think we’ll be consistent enough for top 4. Will be interesting to see how we respond to a defeat, we’re likely to lose at Liverpool so let’s see how we respond in next games. if we win the games after I’d get a little more hope we could be in with a good shout of 4th, you don’t need to beat the top teams for 4th, just be consistent beating the teams beneath you.
However with us just playing 1 game a week, there is an argument the club should really try push for 4th this year and go and add some more quality in January. Because next season if we get Europa again the challenge to get top 4 and play more games will be harder. So would be great if we could capitalise on this one game a week thing while we have it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes...how we respond to defeat will be key. I dont think we should expect top 4. i think top 6 is a reasonable target, with the goal being to pounce on top 4 should we be lucky enough to play once a week and if teams like Spurs, United, Leicester and West Ham falter.
I am not yet bought into Arteta but I want him to succeed. I think Vlahovic or Jovic in January would be massive. I think we are one/two strikers from being an almost complete team and those 2 fit the age profile. Add a proper CM to partner Partey and the future would be rosy. But would want Lokonga to grow and also AMN.
comment by WB2 {Tackle Like Tierney} (U8276)
posted 17 hours, 52 minutes ago
OP
4TH PLACE MINIMUM!
But I'm only saying that because because we have no European football so will likely be playing one game a week less than the top 4 maybe 6. Vs those opponents, hell you might as well be doping the team all season. Weaker/developing team and AFCON or not, there's still no excuse for this team finishing less than 4th (barring mass injury woes too). The one game less just gifts too big an advantage to justify a lower expectation or demand of this team than that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nah...4th is not an expectation for this season. 5/6 is the target with 4th being a bonus if we are in a position to capitalize on others falling
Next Xhaka will be back and we will return to the slow build up.
comment by MaineGunner (U10130)
posted 3 days, 17 hours ago
comment by WB2 {Tackle Like Tierney} (U8276)
posted 17 hours, 52 minutes ago
OP
4TH PLACE MINIMUM!
But I'm only saying that because because we have no European football so will likely be playing one game a week less than the top 4 maybe 6. Vs those opponents, hell you might as well be doping the team all season. Weaker/developing team and AFCON or not, there's still no excuse for this team finishing less than 4th (barring mass injury woes too). The one game less just gifts too big an advantage to justify a lower expectation or demand of this team than that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nah...4th is not an expectation for this season. 5/6 is the target with 4th being a bonus if we are in a position to capitalize on others falling
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If we had European football to contend with then yes but without it, we HAVE to expect and demand nothing less than 4th. Think about it 5/6th with a slim outside chance of 4th was the expectation of Arteta and the squad last season WITH EL to contend with. People would have been happy with that. So we're a season on from that, Arteta's been given 150 mil to spend and has strengthened the team.
So if "Maybe if we're real lucky 4th but probably 5th or 6th," was the bar last season then there's no way that this one with a 150 mil stronger squad, a year more experience and no european football interfering with the league schedule, that we should have such a low expectation for this season. All the so called big teams who've had a euro qualification hiccup one season have followed it with a title win or at least challenge the next season, by virtue of the 1 game a week advantage. Arsenal FC must be no different in that respect. They CERTAINLY have to achieve at least 4th if anybody wants to credibly brag that we're still a "Big" team.
Page 1 of 1
First
Previous
1
Next
Latest
Sign in if you want to comment
Improving steadily...what next?
Page 1 of 1
posted on 8/11/21
Every season Arsenal do have a good run before December and then one defeat and you implode. Hopefully that will be after the international break.
Arsenal should be doing well this season. There is no Europe distraction. We almost won the league under Rodgers because we had no Europe and then a couple of years later Leicester did win it.
posted on 8/11/21
Dusan Vlahovic is what we should get. He is young (21) and has the skills and goal threat that can elevate this team to challenge even this season.
We must not depend on Lacca until summer if we want to cement our top 4 ambitions. This Arsenal side have a good foundation defensively could do wonders if we upgrade CF position from Lacca to Dusan.
We can offer Fiorentina Uruguayan Torreira who is at Fiorentina on loan plus cash, come on Edu get the last puzzle for this team.
posted on 8/11/21
18 points would be good.
posted on 8/11/21
We're doing ok. I wouldn't go overboard because in big games it's still evident that not only do we lack the necessary qualities, but our game tactics is still not quite there (although that is one area in which Arteta has improved us).
We're getting nothing away at Anfield, so anything from a good performance to actual points would be a big positive. The remaining 3 games after are winnable and we should be looking at maximum points.
AFCON will begin in Jan, but it looks like we'll lose players before then, notably Aubameyang and Partey. These are huge losses, so it'll be interesting to see how we cope.
We need to replace both our strikers. I said it before but handing Auba that contract was a mistake and it was likely to backfire on us. Although he hasn't been that awful, he's nothing like his form 2-3 seasons ago. I'm gutted Victor Osimhen moved to Napoli, a few seasons ago, because he's the ideal PL striker. Pace, technique and finishing.
We also badly need a midfielder. But progression of Sambi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles would dictate who we would go for. Hopefully, both players carry on their progression and soon both would be serious first team contenders, replacing Xhaka and Elneny.
posted on 8/11/21
We've had promising patches of form that end in disaster so many times lately that I'm not going to get my hopes up.
I just find it hard to believe that after setting up so poorly for much of his time here that Arteta suddenly knows what he's doing. For one, his hand was forced with Xhaka but he'll probably reappear at some point to ruin the midfield again soon.
That said I think the squad is capable of top 5 and if United have a shocker then top 4 becomes open to several clubs (Chelsea, City and Liverpool being a different level to everyone else).
posted on 8/11/21
Arsenal are a young side. If I were you I would just look for continuing development of the team. League position not as important as continued growth. You have some fantastic young players, but dontvyet overburden them with huge expectation.
posted on 8/11/21
TBOS
Unlike the underlying Pepball framework to his Artetaball system, he personally spent most if not all of his playing career actually playing in the systems and way he has his team now playing. His experience lvl in what he's teaching them is so much higher now. verything they hear from him now sounds very different to the players to the stuff he was saying before. They can't hear self doubt in his voice anymore. Be sure everything he says now is ten times easier for the players to buy into because now he sounds like he actually knows what he's talking about.
Add to that the fact it's how they want to play, the way that's best for the strengths/weaknesses they have and the way the fans have been wanting the team brought back to playing. It shows just had bad the choice to go with Artetaball. Arrogance and Artetaball the two critical errors he made. Results you're seeing this season really, are what you would have last year if he'd just left both of those things at the door when he stepped in to start 20/21
posted on 8/11/21
OP
4TH PLACE MINIMUM!
But I'm only saying that because because we have no European football so will likely be playing one game a week less than the top 4 maybe 6. Vs those opponents, hell you might as well be doping the team all season. Weaker/developing team and AFCON or not, there's still no excuse for this team finishing less than 4th (barring mass injury woes too). The one game less just gifts too big an advantage to justify a lower expectation or demand of this team than that.
posted on 8/11/21
comment by WB2 {Tackle Like Tierney} (U8276)
posted 1 hour, 36 minutes ago
TBOS
Unlike the underlying Pepball framework to his Artetaball system, he personally spent most if not all of his playing career actually playing in the systems and way he has his team now playing. His experience lvl in what he's teaching them is so much higher now. verything they hear from him now sounds very different to the players to the stuff he was saying before. They can't hear self doubt in his voice anymore. Be sure everything he says now is ten times easier for the players to buy into because now he sounds like he actually knows what he's talking about.
Add to that the fact it's how they want to play, the way that's best for the strengths/weaknesses they have and the way the fans have been wanting the team brought back to playing. It shows just had bad the choice to go with Artetaball. Arrogance and Artetaball the two critical errors he made. Results you're seeing this season really, are what you would have last year if he'd just left both of those things at the door when he stepped in to start 20/21
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm sorry but that's pure speculation. It may be happening but no way we can know that.
Maybe things have changed, hopefully things have changed. One thing that definitely has happened is Arteta has been financially backed to a huge level since taking over so that should have an effect (although I'll be the first to admit I was very sceptical about most of our transfer business of late).
Agree with SWTN though about the youth of this squad, I certainly don't have an issue with us not making top four/five if we're seeing a real system with attacking flare develope and those young players progressing.
What worries me is Arteta falling back on those tried and failed methods that have largely defined much of his Arsenal career so far. The lack of an attacking plan, the infamous "Doughnut of sadness", Xhaka being anywhere near the squad, comedy defensive errors etc.
He's had excellent spells before and then reverted back to that nonsense outlined above. A couple of injuries or players heading off to the ACON are no excuse for completely losing all football ability for instance. It can definitely effect results but to completely undo any semblance of football structure is unacceptable and that's what I fear over the next few months.
We shall see, I really hope I'm wrong. I was very wrong about Ramsdale for instance and it seems Ben White too.
posted on 9/11/21
My thoughts on his personal tone may be speculation but the system fitting the team better, that being how they wanted to play and what the fans wanted to see isn't speculation, all of those things are true. Those three things have made the world of difference to the team and the atmosphere around them and the club. The players are most all happy and their moods and attitudes will be positive toward what they're doing. When you translate that to on pitch effort and performances, it makes a huge difference.
People have to stop buying into this idea that the finish last season had anything to do with the squad being so poor it couldn't have done better, it never. We finished so badly last season because the team and fans spent the whole season MISERABLE due to Artetaball. Players didn't wanna play and fans didn't wanna watch. NO TEAM can get anywhere drowning in the negativity we were last season, regardless of ability. If your squad's unhappy, you aint winning sh!t or competing with anyone whom is. Team sport just doesn't work that way and never has.
posted on 9/11/21
I don’t think we’ll be consistent enough for top 4. Will be interesting to see how we respond to a defeat, we’re likely to lose at Liverpool so let’s see how we respond in next games. if we win the games after I’d get a little more hope we could be in with a good shout of 4th, you don’t need to beat the top teams for 4th, just be consistent beating the teams beneath you.
However with us just playing 1 game a week, there is an argument the club should really try push for 4th this year and go and add some more quality in January. Because next season if we get Europa again the challenge to get top 4 and play more games will be harder. So would be great if we could capitalise on this one game a week thing while we have it.
posted on 9/11/21
comment by A Catalyst For Change (U7080)
posted 53 minutes ago
I don’t think we’ll be consistent enough for top 4. Will be interesting to see how we respond to a defeat, we’re likely to lose at Liverpool so let’s see how we respond in next games. if we win the games after I’d get a little more hope we could be in with a good shout of 4th, you don’t need to beat the top teams for 4th, just be consistent beating the teams beneath you.
However with us just playing 1 game a week, there is an argument the club should really try push for 4th this year and go and add some more quality in January. Because next season if we get Europa again the challenge to get top 4 and play more games will be harder. So would be great if we could capitalise on this one game a week thing while we have it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes...how we respond to defeat will be key. I dont think we should expect top 4. i think top 6 is a reasonable target, with the goal being to pounce on top 4 should we be lucky enough to play once a week and if teams like Spurs, United, Leicester and West Ham falter.
I am not yet bought into Arteta but I want him to succeed. I think Vlahovic or Jovic in January would be massive. I think we are one/two strikers from being an almost complete team and those 2 fit the age profile. Add a proper CM to partner Partey and the future would be rosy. But would want Lokonga to grow and also AMN.
posted on 9/11/21
comment by WB2 {Tackle Like Tierney} (U8276)
posted 17 hours, 52 minutes ago
OP
4TH PLACE MINIMUM!
But I'm only saying that because because we have no European football so will likely be playing one game a week less than the top 4 maybe 6. Vs those opponents, hell you might as well be doping the team all season. Weaker/developing team and AFCON or not, there's still no excuse for this team finishing less than 4th (barring mass injury woes too). The one game less just gifts too big an advantage to justify a lower expectation or demand of this team than that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nah...4th is not an expectation for this season. 5/6 is the target with 4th being a bonus if we are in a position to capitalize on others falling
posted on 11/11/21
Next Xhaka will be back and we will return to the slow build up.
posted on 13/11/21
comment by MaineGunner (U10130)
posted 3 days, 17 hours ago
comment by WB2 {Tackle Like Tierney} (U8276)
posted 17 hours, 52 minutes ago
OP
4TH PLACE MINIMUM!
But I'm only saying that because because we have no European football so will likely be playing one game a week less than the top 4 maybe 6. Vs those opponents, hell you might as well be doping the team all season. Weaker/developing team and AFCON or not, there's still no excuse for this team finishing less than 4th (barring mass injury woes too). The one game less just gifts too big an advantage to justify a lower expectation or demand of this team than that.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Nah...4th is not an expectation for this season. 5/6 is the target with 4th being a bonus if we are in a position to capitalize on others falling
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If we had European football to contend with then yes but without it, we HAVE to expect and demand nothing less than 4th. Think about it 5/6th with a slim outside chance of 4th was the expectation of Arteta and the squad last season WITH EL to contend with. People would have been happy with that. So we're a season on from that, Arteta's been given 150 mil to spend and has strengthened the team.
So if "Maybe if we're real lucky 4th but probably 5th or 6th," was the bar last season then there's no way that this one with a 150 mil stronger squad, a year more experience and no european football interfering with the league schedule, that we should have such a low expectation for this season. All the so called big teams who've had a euro qualification hiccup one season have followed it with a title win or at least challenge the next season, by virtue of the 1 game a week advantage. Arsenal FC must be no different in that respect. They CERTAINLY have to achieve at least 4th if anybody wants to credibly brag that we're still a "Big" team.
Page 1 of 1