What would it take for Arsenal football club to become the pride of London again?
Yes you read that sentence right and I mean to win the league.
Most supporters see the Premier League as the highest pinnacle of the season, we are currently seventh in the league, twelve points behind the leaders Citeh.
We have been beaten by old enemies this year and made to look inferior, which makes my skin crawl, so what would it take?
Some of you would say that it would take a severe collapse by all of the sides above us as that would be the only way we’d catch up, or take over but that would be too good to be true.
We have already played some of these teams and were beaten but we are yet to face Man City.
Just say we play them twice and beat them in both games 6pts, United at home 3points, Spuds at home 3pts and the same against Newcastle.
You must be dreaming I can hear you say but can it be done? Yes it can.
Of course there would also have to be the odd dropped points from some teams and that happens all the time but our form would have to continue as it has been right up to the end of the season .
Remember last season when we were challenging on four fronts, many believed we could win the quadruple only to end up with only a Champions League place and boy we had to work hard to get that. Qualifying was tough but we did it and are now persevering through the group stages.
Last season we had the squad to win the quadruple of that I am sure but what went wrong?
We hyped ourselves up too much, we believed we could win almost every game and that was misguided. Top players went out injured, some hardly played at all. Vermaelen Fabregas Nasri just to name a few, Wenger was also guilty with bad selections at crucial times in the season.
When our side had just won a big game and a cup game came up, he fielded sides with up to eight changes killing any shape we had. Our style of play changed and bad results followed, the confidence that had been built up by good wins was lost by a bad one.
When a team is winning they need to keep on playing and gather that winning mentality. Sitting out games and then watching the picked team from the sidelines, tore whatever confidence they had away, until at the end, we made it to difficult for ourselves.
Desperate to get back the confidence we fielded players too early in crucial games only for those half fit players to breakdown, or let us down with a second class performance. You could call it bad luck to have players like Vermaelen out all season, you could also say the same about Fabregas and Nasri and of course you would be right.
Wenger again made a massive mistake by not buying in the January window when he knew Vermaelen was out. Had he brought in say for example, Cahill or Samba we may have had the stability we badly needed but as we all know he didn’t and our title challenge faded away as quickly as the FA Cup and Carling Cup did.
After a great run in the Champions League and a very hard home tie with Barcelona, the greatest side in the competition until they met us and lost but we were clutching at straws at that stage. Our troops were depleted, we had no reinforcements and the inevitable happened at Camp Nou after a battle by our weary troops and a dreadful decision from the UEFA referee.
Our season was over – players weary and deflated.
The disappointment was so bad that top players wanted out , tales of’ I want to win trophies’, got to be commonly heard and read but the ones that left (Fabregas apart) went to high wage paying clubs and I say we are better off without them.
Yes those players were disappointed but no more than you and me.
Was Wenger wrong for not buying, did he have any money at that time, who knows and it’s all water under the bridge now.
So it was no surprise that our season started as it did, the loss of big play makers and a solid defender had taken its toll, we can all point a finger at who or what had been done wrong but that doesn’t solve our problems. Whingeing and moaning never helped the team either, yes our season ended drastically and the start of this season just felt as if the nightmare was still happening.
We brought in new players, late yes and with no time to gel with their teammates, we soon had Vermaelen and Wilshere out injured and followed shortly after by Sagna breaking his leg. All was looking pretty grim….
Low and behold our players and manager have dug in, they have somehow managed to find some results and the defence has now started to gel. There is still the odd mistake of course but our Captain has been on fire, his amazing form in front of goal has some how lifted the dark cloud that was hanging over us. Belief seems to have set in and one or two good results have come forward.
Players are returning from injury and we have started to advance up the league, we are not there yet but we sure are in a better position than we were .
Hopefully by Christmas, Jack will be back and Wenger will buy in the January sales as we may just still be in a couple of competitions and need just a little bit more in the squad.
I can only see us getting stronger, Wenger needs good selections in the cup games, we must keep this momentum up and push on.
As I said before, can we change the top of the league? Yes we can and that would be Wengers biggest achievement since the Invincible’s.
Support your team and be loud and proud. Anything can happen in football and being a lifetime Arsenal supporter, I think we can put our mark on this season.
It started badly but could finish so well.
They have started believing, we have to aswell.
COYG
Written by Steve Palmer
Final word, just want to wish Harry Redknapp a speedy recovery after having surgery on his heart. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone….
Get well soon ‘Arry..
Morning all. Top clubs are always a work in progress and we stopped being that last year. Wenger has certainly been wrong in not strengthening when the team was crying out for it and I think that, at a club like Arsenal, the money could always be found. In adversity you learn what players are all about and I would cite Nasri as being a spineless individual who was very quick to blame the team for under-achieving while conveniently forgetting that he was part of it. Struggling on with Almunia was insanity as was not buying another striker when RVP has been injured over the years. This is going to be a top priority for January I think and a few bob is going to have to change hands to get the right man. No bargain basement buys like Chamakh. The game against Marseille showed how toothless we are without Robin.
Morning All…
Nice post Steve, Pride of London got me thinking of the beer and it’s far too early for that 😉
I think we could become the best team in London but I just can’t see us overtaking either of the Manc sides, not with our current squad….
Adam
I think we stopped being that a while ago, we have sold on too many great players and replaced them with less quality or just not replaced them..
Totally agree re Nasri, when it got tough, his head went and was awful in comparrison to before christmas but then i think he had already been tapped up and knew he was going….
Rico. Agreed, but that is the nature of football for all but the richest clubs and we have to get used to it I suppose. If RVP were to be sold I reckon it would be a watershed for the fanbase.
It doesn’t have to be though Adam, i actually wouldn’t say that Gervinho is any worse than Nasri right now, especially in his first season, it took Nasri a while to settle – and Gerv didn’t break the bank….
I don’t always believe that a price tag gets a great player, i’d rather a huge heart and passion for the game – a player who wants to play and is prepared to give his all for 90 mins, that is true quality imho…
Look at Jenks, i’d already say he is better than Eboue, he didn’t break the bank either.
You can’t replace the likes of Cesc, Paddy, Henry etc, no matter how much money is available but sometimes i think wenger gets it so wrong with the players he buys…. and we suffer having to watch them continue to play ….
I hope you understand my last Adam, i don’t 😉
Goddamn it rico…believe for pete’s sake. Sheeesh. what is football without its unpredictability. I ll rather watch WWE! We whupped chelsea at stamford bridge didn’t we? Am with steve on this one we can overturn this not so huge” deficit and you know why; cause we ve got the best crop of young players coming through add that to the experienced players we just acquired and we look unbeatable already. Point 2, we ve got robin!
Casualty open this morning?? 😆
Hahahahahaha…..morning HH.
Hi goonster
I’m just being honest, and i don’t think we can catch either of the Mancs, unless as Steve rightly says, we beat them and results go our way…
We are soon to play Citeh in both the league and CC so we will know more about how we are doing then
Prior to that though, we must continue our good run in the PL…
Yes, we have Robin, long may he remain fit too, it’s the International break soon – I hope the Dutch side do not play him….
I read the comments from last night this morning, is AK Quincy md in disguise??
😆 Lee
Hope not Quincy Lee – knowing what he does 😉
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ycmmpsqmmZo/TRK-EeSRMVI/AAAAAAAAAV8/rkBZ2cJM7_M/s1600/QuincyME.jpg
That must have been taken a while back Lee…
Off for a bit, catch up later…. I hate walking in the rain 🙁
Arsenal can be the pride of London, they have beaten chelsea, they can beat spurs at home, we can do the double over QPR, Fulham, but to be the overall pride of UK, we need to win the league and sadly this time it looks close to impossible. City, united, new castle, spurs all will drop points but for Arsenal to win the league, we have to recover from the deficit and then build on it, for which i think this season may not be possible. I still feel with this team we will finish top 4 and may go a long way in the UCL.
I totally agree Rico but we really need a goals corer of proven class I think. When Chamakh picks up the ball 25 yards out does he look dangerous in the way that Suarez, Tevez or Aguero do? I think not.
Morning all,
I am so glad that other gooners have got the same faith as me, i must admit i am looking at one game at a time for the moment, but i feel that we still need a lot of changes . less injuries better passing and taking the chances that we make. we have had problems in defence and now players are starting to gel. Santos is a weakness and that needs sorting. if we sort these things out, were well on the way up
Nice touch to mention Harry I hope he is on the mend soon. Puts football into perspective.
There is nothing wrong with believing in something, providing it’s realistic – however the various scenarios involved in this article that need to transpire for us to win the league are unlikely to happen .
There is something metronomically like ominous about the way that City are going about their business this season that gives them the look of Champions.
On the other hand our defence , as we saw in the last two games just played , is not as good as the City one. To suggest otherwise is ridiculous. Most supporters would take 4th place if offered it right now , and so would Wenger who needs to sign another striker in January and probably a goal keeper also because our back up oes to not inspire any confidence that they are good enough to step forward should Szcesny be ruled out for awhile.
good morning
Arsenal in the last few years were be always in the top three until January/February.
The final third of the league is that performance has been far from the first two. Of course, it could have taken certain decisions that could have been targeted enforcement (or not …).
These seven teams seem to me to be the best and most regular teams in the league. We’ve lost games with them. It’s boring but you have to accept. Incredible is Blacburn lose with that one third of the league has played a single victory. Of course, it was with Arsenal. The “pride of London.”
Afternoon all….
Adam, i agree re the striker, i dread the day we hear rvp has suffered an injury – we arelready relying on him too much and it’s not even half way into the season…..
Afternoon all,
Steve, if we end up being the top london team this campaign it will be a feat in itself and will guarantee us champions league football next season.
As for winning the league there’s more chance of dracula getting out of his grave and asking for a few chips with his stake !
There was a little bit on the box last night about a certain mr christian ronaldo, they were saying he has scored 100 goals in a 105 games for real madrid and they have never lost when he has scored for them, they are unbelievable stats, I seem to remember wenger saying we nearly signed him at one time, another one that slipped the net.
Micko if we had got him we would never had kept him, the guy is a phenominon he was a special player he would score anywhere we may of made a few bob on him though.:)
Afternoon Gooners
Afternoon Rico.
Hooray for SteveP. Always looking for the positives.
Is the glass half empty? Or half full..?
Make mine a half……. 😀
most of u guys are going on about bad buys and selection and Nasri, the same people who can’t get over him leaving for money but said he was a waste of space two seasons ago.The EPL is different and takes time to get accustomed to plus there is a squad system you can’t play the same team all the time so changes are required or a Wilshere occurs. The other squad players who come in require support to build their confidence but because they may not be super stars or household names or probably a previous mistake, we slag them off thereby helping to erode their confidence then we criticise even more.They may be professional but they are human as well and we need to encourage them when they are down not kick them in their own backyard. Eboue 2 seasons ago fell victim to that but came back strongly.Most of these players are international and perform well for their countries; why? because they get the support not the negativity instigated by the media and most if us escalate it.Just support them through thick and thin and they will show their appreciation no matter who plays and who we play.
No doubt he would have moved on steve, just didn’t realise how well he was doing over in spain, its a weaker league than the premiership but you still gotta bang them in.
Lee, just take one tablet with water 3 times a day.
Come back and see me again in a week…. 😉
How you doin AK?
While your at it kev, the tickerling stick on my giggerling arm is giving me some jip, any advice ?
was pissing myself on the train at 5.30 this morning reading it…. 😆
sounds like a touch of Stanley Unwinitus, Micko!
Well said Ziggy, The trouble is that we get excited when new faces turn up, and when they don’t make a diference from the off, we talk about household names. well known players also need time to adjust Torres being one of them. Our trouble is we are impatient we have been down shit street and don’t like it Ready made players come at a price and do not always come up to scratch at another club. how the hell Wenger picks the good from the bad i’m sure is down to luck, but our luck is changing and i’m keeping my fingers crossed.
Lee, do you do a bit of shift work, thats an early start, you must be about ready to drop off about now.
Hi Micko, Ziggy, Steve, Lee and AK
when did you all sneak on 😉
Is that Half of London Pride AK 🙂
Evening Doc
Evening rico.
http://www.jamati.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/quincy-owusu-abeyie.jpg
Lee….. Quincy MD….
I live 60 odd miles outside ldn (Colchester) and have an early start in the financial mkts…so the early start! Killer if you’ve been on the piss…meet myself coming home!!
Cheers Rico…. 🙂
Steve, gotta say, your looking well…. 😉
Evening Ricolicious!
I wasn’t with the programme this morning re Quincy!!
5.30………………. My God.
Mind you i used to have to be up at 4.30 to get to work in the Post Office for a 6am start.
And no, i don’t miss it….
The Pakistan team have issued a statement expressing their shock
at the involvement of three Pakistani players in match fixing and promised to clean up their act before the 2-1 series defeat to the West Indies next year.
Mick, a couple of pints of Guiness should do the trick. 😉
My bills in the post……. 😉
I took one of everything you said last night and the old woman has only just stopped running now im Knackered
Hi rico,
No problem getting a seat that time of the morning lee.
Ziggy, i’m with you, i swore i would never smile again when we sold eboue but I found i got over it quite quickly.
Lee, it made me laugh as Quincy works on the dead ones 😉
That is bloody funny too, they are going to get a few years inside….
That takes me back to the Ashes series in 2005 when Warne trod on his own wicket to get out, we won that test and the series, i wondered at the time and still do now……
Steve 😛
Ronaldo Micko, we would never had got Theo had we bought him 😉
thats a result then rico, anything for a cough AK
Hmmm, is it a dry cough or a chesty cough?
Lee, are you on the train?
Not yet mate, I’ll be on the 5.08 Colchester Express…ruby tonight!!
Yum, Lee that sounds just the medicine…
what do you prescribe AK? Jalfrezi?
Lee, stay away from those curries, you’ll only end up with a dodgey tikka ! apologies in advance.
accepted Micko!
Steve, it could have been eh 😉
Have a hot one Lee, Madras is my fav… hoot hoot 😳
That’s just the ticket Lee.
Mick……………. very good mate 😉
I was expecting a straight red for that one kev.
Never Micko, no red cards for good old humour… 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmLt5ubN3jg
Enjoy Mick…. 🙂
Is Emmerdale on……?
Not until 7pm AK….
You got me all wrong, I’m more of a showaddywaddy man !
Shamrock rovers on the menu tonight, catch you all later.
See ya Mick.
Just listening to some sounds from You-Tube as we’re chatting, and everyone buggered off…. 🙁
What’s going in the microwave tonight Rico.. 😉
Enjoy Micko…
3 Bean Chilli tonight AK, no microwave involvement 😉
I’m here but just going through Shenfield…shit signal!!
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/features/2011-11-02/picture-arsenal-star-aaron-ramsey-poses-team-gb-supporters-shirt
Hope he plays. Nevermind what the Welsh FA say, as he’ll never get to a World Cup or European Championships with Wales, sadly.
Wow, that sounds really tasty Rico.
If you see Stowmarket, Lee, you’ve gone too far.
But my cousin makes a great cuppa.. 😉
Boo! Hello, all.
steve, I’m looking forward to playing Citeh. I think we’d get a result. I doubt we’d win the prem, but I have no doubt about a top 4 finish. None. (gulps) Actually, I don’t mind finishing outside the top 4 cos we’ll win the CL, anyway. 😉 CL berth sorted out. 😀
AK, who knew you were a doctor? 😀 Such an expert, you are. 😛
All this being online on the move baffles me Lee 🙁
AK, bit warm though 😉
You can trust me agag, i’m a…….. driver…
Hello, or is it boo, btw… 😉
Hi agag, win the CL…. 😆
rico, the table will finish Citeh, Manyooo, Chavs, Tiny Totts. Then we’ll win the CL. 😉 Spuddies bumped off the CL then. 😀 😀
“Boo” sounds scarier, AK. 😉 No wonder you were prescribing goonster all those chill pills. You know your stuff. 😛
Agag, i’m all shook up…. 😀
As for Stan, he just needs to learn transendental meditation….
CL….. with our defence…. 😯
Gave you a fine fright, did I? 🙂 Goonster just needs to breathe so that he doesn’t smash screens. Hah.
Why not the CL? I think it’s doable. If we buy Hazard (for me) and Cahill (for rico); with Sagna coming back (vdW could be his understudy), our Belgian staying fit, Kozzer keeping his form, Per improving his… Definitely doable.
Oh and RvP to remain injury-free of course. 😉 Messi who? Ronaldo who??
Offski, see ya lata Rico/agag
Nah agag, i don’t think the totts will make the top four, i think it will be Citeh, Manure, Us then either the Chavs or the dippers at 4th…. 😛
Have a good evening AK 🙂 It’s your tomorrow…..
But it would be so much nicer to rain on the Totts’ parade, rico. 🙂
I’m predicting a Barca v Citeh CL final agag….
Citeh have such depth……
Bye, AK. I am off, too, rico. Will catch you tomorrow. I love chili. Save me some. 🙂
It would be nice agag, but i’d rather we won it and came 3rd 😉 With the tiny ones about 8th….
Nite agag, have a good sleep 😉
Citeh also have such egos. They will lose form if they lose Silva or Dzeko. Fingers crossed, lol.
I don’ want Barca to win. They keep winning. I want us to win; it would be a lovely little reminder to Cesc that he made the wrong decision. Haha. 😀
I know agag, I agree with all of that but sometimes we have to be honest and accept that right now, Citeh have a squad to win all four comps 🙁
Off for dinner….
All quiet here so i’m off to catch up on the soaps,
nighty night all…..
rico, the final is in Munchen and Bayern is very strong this season. Bayern, Madrid or Barcelona two of them maybe reach the final. For the moment, they don’t draw in the next leg.
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