The Margin for Error is closing but we’re still only in gameweek 11.
A lot of us Arsenal fans have been very worried, worried and frustrated at the same time due to the current form of the Gunners. The form has been momentarily put to a halt due to to the current international break, but Arsenal finally putting it to an end to it will be all want to see at the moment.
The Gunners are currently on a run of two wins out of our last seven games in all competitions with none of those wins coming in the Premier League. Indeed our last win in the League came against Southampton over a month ago with the Gunners remaining winless in the following four games ever since.
This form has led to many including some sections of our own fan base writing us off for the title and I’m sure no one would blame them. The form we’re on currently is not the form of champions, that’s the sad reality, but looking at it from a different perspective,then it’s most likely too soon to write ourselves off from winning the title.
Firstly it’s only gameweek 11, even Southampton who are currently rock bottom of the pile cannot be mathematically written off to win the title. Now I understand that may sound foolish but you cannot be definitive about anything in football terms even though you can make an educated assumption on Southampton being out due to a number of factors.
Now the point is it’s too early to judge even though we’re nine points off the top. Furthermore I just don’t see the PL being won this season with over 90 points, the reason this would be of any boost to us is that there are 81 points remaining to play for this season. If Arsenal were to win all our remaining games, we’ll end up on a century of points and if the League was to be won on let’s say 91 points then it will still provide us with a margin for error. The reason why I don’t even think it will take the 90 points mark to win the league is because of the vulnerability of Man City this season, and just because I don’t see this Liverpool team continuing this amazing run of form, they will surely have some sort of blip sooner or later.
This should just tell you that 9 points may not be too much to surmount in a season that is gearing up to be the most competitive in recent years. Supposedly “lesser” teams are getting more competitive, we are seeing more comeback wins than ever before, even the upper to lower mid-table sides are being managed by some of the best managers in Europe. This should tell you how hard it will be to win this League with over 90 points and that will be a boost to the Gunners.
It’s a boost only if we can take advantage, and to do that we must certainly improve. We cannot kid ourselves, we have been nowhere near good enough and even though the fixtures haven’t favored us one bit, we must certainly be making improvements as soon as possible. Some players have been scapegoated, but we have to remember how good we were playing as a collective before the run so I have no doubt that things can only get better from here.
BENJAMIN KENNETH.
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I don’t think Arsenal’s title chances are over, but they aren’t as bright as they were only weeks ago and certainly not as they were when the season started. Then it was less a title race and more Arsenal’s coronation as champions judging by many JA posts and a not a few articles either.
The article seems to be relying upon “…the vulnerability of Man City” and “…this Liverpool team will surely have some sort of blip sooner or later.”. If it’s not impossible to rule out Southampton in the title race as the article mentions then it’s equally possible City will make a “comeback” from their current, relatively poor” form and Liverpool will just keep driving on. Who knows?
I think that the article is really the equivalent of comfort food in that it’s looking for a return to good form for Arsenal yet searching for reasons that the form of two of our rivals either won’t improve (City) or will deteriorate (Liverpool) at the same time.
The bottom line I think is that Arsenal has got to start winning games very quickly now and not hope for the best as far as other teams are concerned. It’s going to be a big test for the coach and players.
We need a nice long winning streak. I know its easier said then done but MA needs to use the right tactics and not experiment too much Also getting recruits in January could help too.
True – and it’s likely to be a lot easier said than done.
I don’t hold out much hope of January recruits though, not quality ones anyway, because who will sell their better/best players mid-season?
Although Arsenal could go on a long winning run, as they have in the past.
I just can’t see Liverpool dropping enough points along the way, to give us any real encouragement.
And when City hit there stride, which no doubt they will, then our chance’s appear limited.
I think our best chance of silverware is one of the domestic cups, to be honest.
This season is a write off, we are poor and unless a miracle happens let’s just focus on top 4 and a mickey mouse cup.
Since I don’t believe in miracles the season is over.
Sws,
To call them mickey mouse cups is a bit harsh.
As to be fair our lack of recent success, were hardly in any position to pick and choose what trophy to win are we.
And at the end of the day with four trophy’s to go for, if we can get our hands on one and as you say finish in the top four, then it would have been a more successful season that we’ve had in a long time.
Our start to the season has not been encouraging but since we’ve played all the top 8 teams bar Man Utd in our first 11 games with only middle table and relegation threatened teams left to play, as well as the return of captain Odegaard, I think we have a big chance of getting back to the title race.
Rodri is out for the season and he is the pivot of the Man City team so they won’t be as formidable as in the past seasons.
Liverpool have been impressive but can they sustain this form for the next 27 Premier league games?? I doubt it because they have a derby match against Everton, yet to play Spurs, Newcastle, Man City plus the resurgent Bournemouth. Also injuries, suspensions could happen to key players as well as loss of form.
Arteta knows what’s at stake, I don’t think he will let this season EPL title slip away without putting up a strong fight.
Don’t write us off yet.
I remember when we went on a run that saw us beat manure not so long ago.
If the injuries are kind to us from now on and we strengthen in the January window, who’s to say we can’t do it again?
Yeah we can’t do it mate
Not playing well enough
Yes, if Man city n Liverpool drop points like us.
l expect we will be in the running until the end of the season, but I don’t think we have enough up front to win enough games to win it. I do think less points will win the title this season though, and that’s why we have an outside chance.
We are definitely in with a chance. Still not convinced about Liverpool, and think City don’t seem to have their usual clinical intensity. My hypothesis regarding City’s lackluster form is that perhaps the players know that F.A.’s verdict will be punishing so their hearts aren’t totally in it. Just saying. At the same time, am I the only one who has lost interest in this campaign due to the stop start international breaks? I hope players and fans do something about it to curb FI FA’s demands. Regarding Arsenal, I think we have the basis for a strong Cup team. Big defenders, and in Saka, Martinelli and Trossard three opportunists who can snatch a one off victory, however in terms of consistently accumulating points, our squad is not good enough.
If we do not get reinforcements in January and because I do not believe in miracles, I thing our maxima priority should be to keep our Top 4 position, without that we will have a black and chaotic near future.
Yep, that’s my fear as well. A glass a bit more than half full but things will fall apart quickly if we don’t continue to play in the Champions League.
There is no cause for alarm! There are still a lot of twists and turns ahead. For one, Liverpool has had it all smooth going with no injuries but soon things may turn. Secondly, their manager is new to the Premier League and he may get shocks which could put him off course. Liverpool’s 9 point difference with 27 games to go is a mere drop in the ocean! Just 2 draws and 2 losses and things will change. Nobody should imagine this is insurmountable.
Why am I confident about Arsenal’s ability to recover? The main reasons are: some of our key players were out injured; we got three consecutive red cards which cost us seven points; we have refused to be beaten at our major rivals’ home grounds. The good news is that many of our injured players have either returned or are about to return. When we have a fully fit squad we are difficult to play against. Soon we shall be raring to go again.