Arsenal

[Exiled_red]

I would rather it was United or Chelsea though.

[Mostar]

I still think Spurs have had some easier away games (the ones they've won, i mean) and it's showing them in a slightly better light than they actually are.

And Adebayor has a habit of doing great for the first 2-3 months at a new club and then fading.

We're favourites for 4th with the bookies and i'd have to agree with them based on what i've seen so far.

Spurs will not go away this year without the fight and will give us the run for the money.

They will be contending for top 4 no doubt about that.

They haven't invested heavily this past window but they kept their best player and improved in the areas where they were weak (goalkeeper, CM, striker)

Under-fire Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly planning a move for Ajax pair Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen in the January transfer window.


Hope they both come to us instead. Both are quality.

Aye. I liked them both though Vertonghen had a poor game by his standards vs Real Madrid.

[Pablo]

This thread is the gift that just keeps on giving

[Assassin]

Two words......Big Gap

[dww]

Mertesacker may get better as he gets used to the game, but for me his big problem seems to be that he is painfully slow at turning, which I can't see improving much with time.

I think that has to be balanced by an understanding with a partner who covers behind him. Also look at Sol Campbell's last stint in the PL - he did well despite being very slow on the turn. I don't think he was the ideal candidate short term to solidify Arsenal's defence as he was always going to require players to adapt to him - all their other defenders are notably mobile for all their other faults. Also think the switch from zonal to man marking can't help get any continuity going.

[Exiled_red]

I think that has to be balanced by an understanding with a partner who covers behind him. Also look at Sol Campbell's last stint in the PL - he did well despite being very slow on the turn. I don't think he was the ideal candidate short term to solidify Arsenal's defence as he was always going to require players to adapt to him - all their other defenders are notably mobile for all their other faults. Also think the switch from zonal to man marking can't help get any continuity going.

Good point

[dom9]

I don't remember Hyypia being particularly fast either. Nor Carragher for that matter.

[Norbs]

I actually feel sorry for them. A little bit.

I've got no sympathy with them at all, Dom. They've been ultra cautious in the transfer market for two decades and have never really re-invested in big signings. Wenger takes so much smug pride from turning a profit on a player and then finding a young starlet for peanuts but it's starting to backfire on them, finally. The ground development allegedly made them more than £200m and none of it ever seems to find it's way back to the squad.

They've had a good run, they've shown that you can tread water for years if necessary but now they need to put their hands in their pockets or face a few years just outside of the european places competing alongside Stoke and Everton for 'top half' status.

I like their fans though, and they have a healthy respect for us which I think is mutual on the mostpart

[little dave hedgehog]

if it's arsenal with their gigantic stadium we need to push out of the way to secure fourth, and they hire benitez, i'll be livid.

[Norbs]

Livid to 'cut snake' proportions?

[little dave hedgehog]

totally.

[Rich]

I don't remember Hyypia being particularly fast either. Nor Carragher for that matter.

We sat deep with Hyypia in the team though, no idea if Arsenal are doing the same with Mertesacker.

[Bender]

We sat deep with Hyypia in the team though, no idea if Arsenal are doing the same with Mertesacker.

Arsenal don't have any idea either

[Exiled_red]

Arsenal don't have any idea either

[Craig_H]

Arsenal don't have any idea either