21 Dec 2017 08:16:33
The fixture schedule is really going to test our squad, as we have 10 matches between now and the end of January, incuding a 2 leg cup semi-final. As achieving a top 4 position is a priority, the cup competitions may take a back seat, with the first eleven rested and the remaining squad and young players playing.
Reports that Wenger is 90% certain not to buy in January, which doesn't surprise me as Wenger notoriously dislikes this window and has a very full squad numerically, with only one long term injury and two short term injuries. I belive that we need to buy in January as we potentially have many players leaving at the end of the season and in a World Cup year signings in the summer will no doubt prove difficult.
I would look to bring in at least a CB, a DM and if possible replacements for Ozil and Sanchez, if we are able to sell them during the window. A tall order.
21 Dec 2017 09:23:58
Top 4 priority?
Big mistake HUGE, as Julia Roberts said in Pretty Woman.
The top 4 battle is likely to end in tears and without any cups to hide behind the atmosphere will become ever more hostile.
Personally I wouldn't be putting all my eggs in a dodgy looking 4th place trophy basket.
21 Dec 2017 17:51:06
I would throw everything at The Europa League, including the kitchen sink.
Best chance of silverware, plus automatic qualification into next season's CL.
21 Dec 2017 18:25:22
Top four is a distant dream.
21 Dec 2017 19:47:08
It's not a distant dream steve. I see it as, it wouldn't surprise me either way.
21 Dec 2017 20:07:24
Agree Sano, i just don't see this team having the cajones for a prolonged fight in the league. There are lots of goings on that are not positive.
21 Dec 2017 21:08:56
I would agree if the immediate contenders weren't all so unpredictable.
21 Dec 2017 22:16:54
Lose tomorrow night and it's a very very long way back for us.
Liverpool are unpredictable but have shown when they get it right they can be totally unplayable and can totally blow teams away, I don't think we have that about us anymore.
We are very suspect at the back poor in the middle and a lot less than prolific in front of goal too, we can still play pretty football at times and enjoy a lot of the ball most games but everyone we play against gets a good fww chances to score against us including Newcastle last week and if like United did they take them we are done for simply because we are so wasteful in the final 3rd ourselves.
21 Dec 2017 22:47:47
Same again g62, if we lose tomorrow it just looks more unlikely not very, very unlikely.
21 Dec 2017 23:49:47
I guess so Sanogo mate but I agree with Dags, go for the europa league first and foremost because there is much more recognition in winning the europa than coming 4th in the premier league plus there is a trophy others can see too not just the Arsenal fans who share the same optician as Arsene.
22 Dec 2017 00:14:33
I think it says so much that in December we are debating Arsenals chances of 4th and not 1st place in the league.
For me that says it all about just how far we have gone in the wrong direction with no sign of anything changing in the near future other than possibly going further backwards.
Time for change?
How much longer and how much more do we have see before something finally brings the change that's so desperately needed?
Stale beyond the edibility in my view.