If Arsenal fans were hoping for a slip up or two over the christmas period from any of the other clubs in with a chance of challenging for the Premier League title, then we were left with just one hope and that was soon snuffed out last night as our north London rivals Tottenham ran out 4-1 winners over Southampton.
They were helped by a red card shown to the Saints star Nathan Redmond when the score was 2-1 but all that really matters is that they won, as did Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool and Man United, making that last gasp headed winner from Olivier Giroud against West Brom look even more crucial.
The Boxing Day win, however, has not made the league table look any better. In fact it looks a bit worse as the spuds now have the same goal difference as Arsenal while Liverpool’s is four better and Chelsea’s is seven better. Ours is much better than United’s and one better than City’s though, so a draw fopr Pep Guardiola and a win for us would take us back above them.
Looking at the next set of fixtures does not offer us all that much hope of things getting any better soon either, as Chelsea are at home to Stoke, Man United at home to Middlesborough and Tottenham go to Watford. What is worse is that all these games are played before we host Crystal Palace on new years day, so we could find ourselves out of the top four, 12 points off the top and just one point ahead of the sixth placed team when we kick off.
This would surely pile the pressure on Arsene Wenger and the Gunners, but there is one ray of light for us as Liverpool travel to Man City and so one or both of our main rivals will be dropping points. Can Arsenal use this as a goal to produce a performance and get a win or will the pressure tell?
Bob.
the pressure is on every1, it’s on Arsenal cos of Chelsea still top us with 9points.
We need to start tearing teams a new one!
I am never confident before any game anymore!
I hate this feeling!
true, I’m even scared for Crystal Palace game, after watching everyone take their 3 points, all pressure will on us and at the 5th place, 1 point just above Man U
Big Sam may just get the best out of Benteke against us! With his specialist long ball tactics.
Hate playing teams who have just appointed a new manager.
do arsenal really feel the pressure anymore?
I dont know because our performances say otherwise.
Chelsea are producing absolutely scintillating stuff.
Liverpool are flying.
Manure and tottenham arent giving up.
So what about us?.
The players seem to have gone early for their holidays and look to end late.
While chelsea and liverpool players are really hardworking and concentrating being professional.Ours are joking aroubd enjoying the hefty wages they steal from the club who are hustling the fans
Who would like to see a front three of Welbeck Sanchez perez/Walcott???
To me, we are in a dog fight for 4th with Man U and Spurs ATM. We have to win the next 5 games, no excuses.
Finishing outside of top four would certainly shake things up at Arsenal. Inevitably many AKB’s would join the WOB’s and put immense pressure on Arsene and the board – that in its own is a good thing because we need a new manager to take the club forward.
The downside to this is actually not worth it happening. We miss out on top four, and Sanchez, Ozil and who knows who else will leave. This leaves our club in a bit of a vulnerable place and a less likely destination for top players and more importantly a top manager to replace Arsene.
So yes top four is a must, not so Wenger can be given another contract extension, but so that our club can move forward with greater success post Wenger.
If a manager were keeping his job solely because he’s so good at finishing inside the the top four, well then finishing outside of it only once, over 20 years, would still mean he has a great record for doing it. Any fan that would jump ship because of that isn’t worth spit.
@Break-on-through
Seems as if many here have already jumped shit. They just come here to throw negativity into the pot and stir it up. Or gloat when we either lose or draw…