Has not beating Everton further dwindled our Gunners title chances? After a challenging November in which our Gunners failed to win in 4 league games, they needed to embark on a winning run between now and the winter transfer window.
This winning streak would have ensured our gunners were in the optimal position to capitalize on Liverpool’s mistakes in the title race. Liverpool had, by the November international break, taken a commanding 9-point lead on our boys.
Liverpool has slipped; they have also dropped 4 points in their last 2 games, which were the 2-2 draw with Newcastle and this 1-1 draw with Fulham.
Had they been able to sustain a winning run, they would have gained 4 points on the Reds, but they haven’t.
Liverpool managed to maintain their advantage in the title race despite the 1-1 draw with Fulham last week and the 0-0 draw with Everton on Saturday evening.
Our only hope is for Liverpool to keep dropping points, which gives Arsenal a chance to win the league. However, winning the league isn’t as simple as the Reds dropping points; Arsenal must also improve.
January will determine the extent to which Arsenal can enhance its performance to win the league; without adequate recruitment, we can only dream of winning the league come May 2025.
Arsenal’s summer 2024 recruitment class was a disaster; none of those signings have proven to improve the team so far.
Mikel needs to show ambition in the winter. His statement that the winter transfer window isn’t a time to go all out and get players on board doesn’t resonate well with the Gooners.
He needs to identify a striker or a goal-scoring LW who is ideal for his project which we have now been discussing for over two years without any response. Arsenal should simply pay over the odds in January, if clubs saw Arsenal’s 90m offer for Raphinha, or our 120m for Gyokeres or Vlahovic, or even Isak, they may decide it is worthwhile doing some business with us. It doesn’t matter who it is as long as they are world class, but the club must make a significant effort to secure their services in January, ensuring the Gunners can compete until May.
What do you think?
As the champions wobble, it’s seems no one wants that big ears mug. It’s there for the taking
It’s not just Arsenal alone
Yet we ‘ always ‘ deliver when backs are against the wall ?
Are Liverpool not 10 points clear of tgem?
I think clueless Arteta needs to sling his hook
Where’s this money going to come from ?
Even if we did have a good healthy transfer kitty would the owners trust this manager to spend it wisely and on players that would improve the squad ?
You cannot keep throwing money at the problem (Arteta)and hope for a different outcome
Well, imo left wing is the most glaring weakness in the team now – the inconsistency there generally makes us very predictable and easy to deal with – stop or limit our right side and you’ve basically stopped us and we’re hoping for goals from corners.
Trossard and martinelli are good players to have in the squad but aren’t good enough to start for a side with title ambitions imo.
Similarly, but to a lesser extent, we can obviously get a better centre forward. Havertz has done well overall but he’s not a finisher and his ability to hold the ball is surprisingly poor imo. First touch not as good as I would have expected. He brings other things, but it’s clearly an area we can improve on significantly. If he gets injured we’re back to playing jesus, who doesn’t look up to it anymore. He seems to have lost his strength and has no confidence in front of goal at all.
Improving one or both of those areas would make us better equipped to challenge – at this point we’d only be looking to put ourselves in the best position to take advantage of a Liverpool collapse, which I don’t expect will come, but you never know. Wouldn’t it be hilarious if it did happen and Chelsea somehow nicked the title…
Everywhere else we have enough players, so I’ll be disappointed to see any defenders or central midfielders brought in (unless it’s to replace any leavers).
The left side has been highlighted and discussed so often that so many have bought into the idea that our left side is a weakness and we simply need to go out and get a replacement.
One of the issues is that Saka has been so outstanding for the most part that the left side looks weak by comparison.
If you look into things further, especially when you compare the metrics of the best left sided players there’s probably only 2 or 3 for whom there may be good arguments as replacements. They would also come at huge costs.
It’s not that they look weak by comparison – trossard and martinelli do play well on occasion, but when they’re not playing well, too much gets channelled down the right, or perhaps it’s more that moves break down too frequently on the left and we either lose it or recycle.
They don’t need to be as good as Saka – just consistently good. We probably do need to take a chance on someone to avoid spending silly money, but it’s a clear and obvious area of weakness – and I’m not into the whole “we need a better left back and left centre midfielder to make martinelli play better” (which is what I’ve heard most often in those discussions) – we just need better from whoever is playing left wing.
Its not ALL about enforcements. Its about the way we play and use players.
Reggie,
You make a valid point there. Although I think we’ve got some average players in amongst the good ones, your right the manager needs to play a better system to suit the players he’s got.
Rather than the player’s adapting to his system, which some of the player’s are clearly not being able to do.
Derek, why has Jesus and Zinchenko become so poor, they have won leagues? Why has Martinelli got even worse with his decision making and keep making the same mistakes time after time? Why has Tierney disappeared off the face of the earth? Why are these players worse under Arteta, when he is supposed to have been big in nurturing Sterling etc at City.
Reggie,
Tierney hasn’t disappeared off the face of the earth.
He’s on the bench, but our silly manager won’t play him.
What a waste of a good player, but as usual Arteta would rather put squares in round holes.
Reggie,
In answer to your question, Arteta is just one big myth.
Yes he’s done a good job over the last two seasons, but now the club are going backwards under him.
While I’m not a big fan of stats, they do have there place and can be a guide to how your teams performing. And if you look at the stats, were now going backwards.
Why Arteta is trying to win the league playing negative football I’ll never know. We didn’t win the league in the last two seasons, but the football was good. And all that was needed was to stop dropping silly points.
Our defense has been good even when we’ve played more positive football, and I don’t really see the need for Arteta to have changed that.
Players like Martinelli and Trossard were playing well back then, but now look a shadow of their former selves.
People have a pop at me for my sniping at Arteta. But maybe its time for them to start sniping at Arteta and not me. After all, it’s him whos now taking this club backwards not me. 🤦♂️
Derek
Haven’t you got writer’s cramp/smart phone thumb yet?
Lately it seems JA is becoming Just Derek…
Seriou6 DEREK, why don’t you just send me an article so we can discuss your unvarying opinion and get it out of your system and we can talk about football matters for a change?
Admin Pat,
Apologies, I was unaware that there was a limit to how many comments you could have.
I like reading the comments and I like to answer some to. Even if my thoughts are not always agreed with.
But wouldn’t it be a boring forum if we always agreed with each other. 😉👍
It would be boring if everyone wrote the same comment over and over wouldn’t it.
For instance, this article is about Arsenal desperately needing a striker. That means the writer is asking for opinions on that subject, but your EVERY comment is ‘Arteta is an idiot’
Hardly intellectual discussion on the subject is it?
Admin Pat,
There’s no rule that says I have to be intellectual.
And your right, Arteta is an idiot.😂🤣👍
That comment just confirms you really are narrow minded
SueP,
I’m using my desk top, I use more than one finger. it’s my way of saving energy.🤣😂😁😊😉👍
@Sue P
😂
@Reggie
👆🏾
Reinforcements?
Does that include the manager?
Probably not.
Yet another trophy less season awaits.
How seriously will Arteta take the League Cup and FA Cup. (We may have a sniff of a chance in them).
But as for the League and Champions League, don’t make me laugh.😂🤦♂️
Are we top 4 inspite of Arteta or because of Arteta? Are we not League winners or CL winners because of Arteta or because he hasn’t got the quality.
I don’t believe we are top4 inspite of Arteta. Much is made of his one and only trophy and how they were Wenger/Emery players. Looking back, those players ultimately cost both men their jobs.
Everything after that was the slow process of weeding out where possible or paying off players who were not up for the task.
Arteta has obviously not been without his flaws but neither do I believe he has been a poor manager overall.
It wasn’t pretty listening on the radio but I honestly think that the level of forensic analysis at this stage in the season is only helpful as a conduit to let off steam.
If the wheel is beginning to fall off then the wringing of hands will be more than justified – I’ll be throwing in the towel myself- but it’s too soon for me to judge at this stage of the season
@DEREK. Did you hear that Josh Kronke was at the Emirates to witness the debacle. Surely he musta heard the disgruntled supporters at half time and at the final whistle. I heard the press conference Arteta held on the eve of the match, and the post match press conference. Arteta tends to speak in riddles. Comes up with new terminology each week. Talking about “NEW UNITS AT THE CLUB”. He’s starting to become, “SUPER DOOPER MIKEL THE SPIN DOCTOR “. Not is only taking the p#ss outta the Arsenal Supporters with his bullsh#t, he has the ability to bullsh#t himself
He’s a champion talking that’s for sure PJ .
I find him untrustworthy and a Cringe Meister if I’m being honest .
Problem i see is the club won’t get rid even if we have a poor season as they have given him a stupid new contract and probably won’t be able to afford to pay him off after all the money he’s spent .
You are so correct Dan Kit. He ain’t going anywhere. Arteta has Joshy Boy eating outta his hands. Had to laugh the other day. We’ve had the strangest of weather in Japan of late. The weatherman has stuffed up big time with weather forecast predictions. Someone pointed out to me that the weatherman can make as many stuff ups and not ever get sacked. Arteta fits into that category. It’s certainly looking that way
pjennings,
I totally agree with you. Some of the things that come out of Arteta’s mouth beggars belief at times.
He’s talked about light bulbs at one point. and he even had his players pockets picked while at dinner, which begs the question on the company that he keeps. Knowing pick pockets, the mind boggles.
Your absolutely right about his new terminology’s, it sounds like he’s saying a lot, when he’s not really saying much at all.
Time and time again when Arsenal have not performed this manager has come out and said the most ridiculous things. And when he does this, it’s a real insult to the fans.
And yet you watch, you’ll still get fans come on here to defend him. Which is their right to do, but it does make me wonder what he has to do before those fans begin to see through his rubbish.
Come on people, look what he’s doing to the club. Were now going backwards.
Jeeezus Derek, last I looked we were unbeaten in our last 8 games and are 3rd in both the EPL and the Champions League.
Yeah you’re right that’s going backwards alright IN YOUR NARROW MINDED OPINION
Admin Pat,
Your right unbeaten in our last eight games.
The last two have been draws, in this League that’s fatal if you want to win it.
The very week Liverpool drop two points, what do the mighty Arsenal do, the same thing.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, we won’t win major silverware while Arteta is in charge.
And I stand behind that quote 100%.
And if I’m wrong, I’ll be more than glad to have been proved wrong, and I’ll hold my hands up.
But I’ve got no worries there, because it’s just not going to happen.
There are at least 16 sets of fans in the EPL that would say that they won’t win a trophy with their current manager but it doesn’t stop them supporting their team. It seems to me that Wenger spoiled lots of fans that became trophy hunters that don’t even enjoy watching good football unless they can brag about it.
It’s embarrassing to be honest.
Admin Pat,
You say watching good football, have you been watching Arsenal this season.
I don’t think we’ve been playing good football all season.
But unfortunately some fans seem to get influenced purely by the result alone.
Not me, yes winning is the end goal obviously. But the performance needs to be assessed to.
I look for the positives and negatives from a game, not just the result.
And your right, we were spoilt by the early Wenger years. But at least with Wenger, win or lose we were entertained on game day.
Something that’s sadly missing from this team. under the managers system of play.
I disagree.
Arsenal have played some good football this season. What is also true is that we haven’t been consistent.
In Wenger’s later years we played some terrible football at times.
Wenger left the club, so are you saying that Arteta should be treated in the sane way David?
@ Derek
Do you know there are other clubs you can support that will guarantee you trophies every season?. PSG is an option.
Do you know that there are fans that support their clubs without expecting any trophy at the end of the season?
The most a fan could ask from his club is to be competitive and consistent.
Mate to be fair to any Arsenal fans , it will
be 21 years this season since we last won a title
I think that’s being patient ?
Dan,
👍👍👍👍👍
Chronicle,
I’m not a glory hunter, I’ve supported Arsenal since I was 6 years old. So I’ve seen their lack of success for many years.
But my support never wavers, and yes of course they’re not going to win every season, and yes the best you can hope for is them to at least compete, and if they knock at the door enough eventually you hope it will open. And that they will finally win the League.
But Its been 20 years since Arsenal won the league. And having missed out the last couple of years, I believe they’ve missed their chance.
And when you look at the squad, it’s weaker than in the previous two seasons, and the way there being told to play is also different to the way they were playing.
And as for your, some fans don’t expect the team to win a trophy at the end of a season, while I can see that being the case for the smaller clubs. Who are more intent on staying in the League and maybe having a Cup run if their lucky.
Your talking about Arsenal here, one of the most successful teams in this country over the decades.
Whoever the manager is at the time, they’ll be expected to produce trophy winning teams. Which also brings with it, the fans expectations of trophies to.
So, please in any future remarks about me. Don’t level the words glory hunter at me, because its not the case. I expect the team to win trophies because of who they are.
It’s all about perspective isn’t it. We are not going backwards, but are we moving forward? It feels like we had a window of opportunity and we have missed it. Chelsea will continue to improve, Liverpool are in a good place, City will reboot and Utd can’t be this bad forever. We have not had the rub of the green so far this season, but that aside, we have generally lacked the necessary quality in our creativity and finishing. However, our season is far from over, and we have a lot to play for. Yesterday’s performance was dominant but flat and dull. In isolation you could argue that Everton were fresher due to the two week break, but when you group it with other lacking performances the situation is disturbing if not alarming. However, for the time being I think we should put the pitchforks and torches away and keep the faith that Arteta is not blind to the deficiencies.
Well said JBG, and another perspective is that this was Arsenal’s third game since Everton last played, and they set up with ten fresh men in defence.
I think the lads will look forward to a rest in midweek…
Yes we missed the window of opportunity, just like we’ve done on winning the league in the last two seasons.
But lets wait another five years for Arteta to get it right.
I’m sure he’s got some more phases for us to go through.
You can’t make this stuff up🤦♂️.
You make it up all the time Derek.
I’ll make a bet with you that Arsenal will win a trophy in the next 5 years and I would expect to collect on the bet much sooner than that
You keep forgetting that not everyone agrees with every idiotic OPINION you continually Spout.
Ome day someone will call you out to actually demand WHO we bring in to replace Arteta.
I couldn’t make it up, but you can every 5 minutes it seems
Admin Pat,
I wouldn’t be totally surprised to see us win the League Cup or FA Cup along the way. What I’m saying is that we’ll never win major trophy’s, like the Premier League or Champions League with him in charge.
The League Cup yes maybe, the FA Cup maybe, but you only need a good run of 6 games to do that. (I mean come on, even the great Ten Hag managed that).
That said, he’s more successful than Arteta isn’t he, trophy wise. (And then he got sacked).
But here we are, still backing Arteta to the hilt.
And you call my opinion idiotic, isn’t it you who always tells me that everyone opinion is valid. (Not mine apparently).
And as for your me being called out one day on who should replace Arteta, well that’s not for me to decide. That’s the clubs decision, but if and when it happens, (which I hope is sooner rather than later), then I will give my idiotic opinion according to you in due course.
Fans tend to be more critical of their team, more so than neutrals and pundits (bias pundits excluded) and you are no exception. That said, the common criticism of Arteta by neutral pundits is that he has either not recognized we need a striker or has ignored it and failed to act on it. I wouldn’t disagree with that. Yes, from time to time we play well without one, but that does not diminish the need IMO. Who would you replace Arteta with?
JBG5,
He’s been blind to them for the last three seasons.
Keep the faith you say, how long do we have to keep the faith for?.
I think this season will be the last, if we do not win something the pressure will be much more than the present discontent from both the fans and the upper management.
As if clubs are going to sell their World Class players in January 😂, they need them for their challenges.
Maybe we should have bought them in the summer then HD rather than wasting 100 odd million on dross again
Admin Pat, 5 times I’ve tried to reply to Dk, but my replies aren’t showing. Any idea why ?
Arsenal and Mikel made it easy for Fulham and Everton defences. It’s a pity Mikel didn’t notice we had shooting chances in the games whenever someone made a late run.
We are not good enough to win the title, why are we still talking about it. Other than Saka and Odegaard we have no title class forwards. Martinelli has had his chances in abundance, Trossard is an impact player and Jesus is a ghost. January is not going to cure that anemia. We are fight for top four – not the title.
With the exception of a recognised striker, I believe we DO have the players. I believe we may not have the manager. It isn’t anti Arteta, its been my opinion since we got Arteta. I had no doubt he would improve us, my doubt was his ability to actually win the league. I still have doubts, nothing I have seen changes that. In fact, it reinforces it.
By the way, I am pro Arsenal.
Aren’t we all?
Some say, some aren’t. I am Arsenal through and through Not Bertie Mee, George Graham or Wenger, they were employed to do a job. Arteta the same, If he can, I will congratulate him all the same but Arsenal is what counts.
I’d have thought that should be the prerequisite for supporting Arsenal
You virtually refer to me as an Arteta apologist but I’m nothing of the sort because I do believe he has done a good job.. so far. You get very jumpy if you are thought of as anti Arteta so it works both ways Reggie.
It seems to be a sad reflection on being an Arsenal supporter that these tensions exist, but exist they do. Having HH enjoying the prospect of the likes of me having a bucket load of egg to wipe off my face at the end of the season, then I rest my case.
I have never called you out personally as an Arteta apologist Sue (at least i don’t think so) you do see the fuller picture unlike some. You are obviously more tolerate than some and are more patient than some. The apologists Sue are those that can’t or won’t recognise his mistakes and always have an excuse.
You don’t see yourself like that?
Reggie
This is where the problem lies
As I am largely in favour of Arteta- and will be until I see it going Peter Tong – I assumed that in your posts referring to Arteta apologists it does include me. Person to person I can’t imagine that you have referred to me that way – but it is a perceived criticism in general. Dear Derek has ramped up the rhetoric to insane levels which only makes having a pro Arteta opinion seem totally foolish in the present circumstances. When we win there is barely a murmur. I recognise that you always post after matches but generally the silence is deafening. When the boot is on the other foot it open house to slag off all and sundry. It’s not a very gracious way for fellow supporters to interact.
Rant over
Hopefully the sell out crowd on Wednesday enjoy an extended cup run in the Carabao Cup – however low down the pecking order it is. It might revive our fortunes
Sue, you are mainly tolerant (not tolerate) of Arteta and his mistakes. But you never try to gloss over them with foolish excuses. Thats my personal opinion of an AA. I and many others on here would rather he be a success for Arsenal, than come up short.
The. Big danger is that Rteta will rest all our first team but Palace will play their first team.
It won’t be easy….
I hope he goes strong guys
Chance for a cup.
Sue, I don’t see spending near on 1bn and winning the reserve team cup a success. Win or lose the Carribou cup will not bother me. Its not a priority. It was so low, you never got a European place , for winning. I don’t know about now. It for me, is a competition for the up and coming players and a day out.
If I had a choice and I had to pick which game against Palace I had to choose to lose (theoretically, I want to win both) I would without any hesitation choose Wednesday.
It’s still a trophy 😁😁
It does but I wasn’t looking at it from that perspective
I considered going on Wednesday but with inter city train fares so close to Xmas being extortionate I decided against it. There was virtually nothing on the ticket exchange service £50 for a so so seat, so the full house crowd should hope for a decent starting 11 and for it to be taken seriously.
It is a distraction from the league and generally I’d adopt your view. I hope at the very least Arteta doesn’t put out a weak team. It’s important to show some intent. However, as Xmas approaches the fixture list piles up.
I think this season will be the last Arteta will get the support of fans and the upper management.
I may agree….Unless he delivers of course
What deliverables are acceptable to you at this point? We are not Sp*urs, so the Caribou cup will not cut it for me or the majority of fans. I would hope we can go far in the Champions league, stay in contention for the EPL title down to the wire. That would not necessarily be success, but it may just keep the wolves at the door and give confidence we can step up another gear next season.
That may well be the case JGB5. It will become clearer in May. I have often said, be careful what you wish for and there are also reasons to start afresh if it’s a poor finish.
What I can’t stomach is the relentless griping and it’s not even Xmas yet
It’s not all doom and gloom and you are right in saying be careful what you wish for. If it becomes clear Arteta has reached his ceiling, I am open to change. But I will only be open to such a change if the alternatives are also clear. We have improved the team and the squad each transfer window, but we are only as strong as our weakest link/s. At this time I think we need a striker, a left winger and a creative midfielder. With regards to the latter, we are too dependent on Odegaard’s creativity and it’s too early to expect Nwaneri to step up as needed. Furthermore, not just any striker will fit in, we starve number 9’s of service, ask Lacazette.
I agree we need to improve the team. The striker position and creative options seem to be the main thing for me. It is also far too early to write off the season at this point.
JB, That goes without saying. For me I don’t include the Carribou cup in that. Its the league or CL. The problem with the FA cup, it hides a lot of the faults because it is the end of season. Wenger won the FA cup which allowed him 18 months grace after. The FA cup, didn’t change the bread and butter league form, in the future.
I have always maintained the FA cup and lesser so the carribou cup are just great days out and a jolly for the fans. It doesn’t rubber stamp how good a league team you are.
I don’t disagree. Cups, other than the Champions League, are consolation prizes for clubs whose intent and expectations are to win the EPL. If we finish in the top four it’s not enough, it’s a prerequisite, but it can’t be considered success. If we came second again and within two points of the winner, maybe that would be acceptable if we win a domestic cup. Otherwise, I would say it’s not good enough considering all the investment, even though we are not the finished article.
👍 agree.
The reserve team cup. I never get upset, if we lose in it. It is what it is.
I can bet it have seen you post of Arteta’s horrible cup performance
Never mentioned the Carribou cup once, get your facts straight. I have only ever said the Fa Cup and European cup. It still doesn’t alter his poor record though. I don’t get your point either. His poor record has nothing to do with me.
Plus you won’t find ever a moan about us going out of the Carribou cup, all the time, I have been on here. Its a reserve cup and means little.
JBG5,
With our lack of success, were hardly in a position to pick and choose what trophy we prioritize are we?.
Maybe if they win one trophy in whatever form, who knows they might just get the taste for it, just saying.😉👍
Well, we agree on something Derek
A trophy of any description would be a fillip to the team