*Official* English Football Season 2013-14

[wpdavid]

Haha, appreciate the sentiment, but we already know we're definitely not. Just want that Champions League spot so bad, need it to keep Luis at the very least.

I can't see that you're not contenders this year, especially given the regular failings of Chelsea and both Manchester clubs. Granted, if Arsenal keep going at this rate they'll win it by miles, but that's one huge 'if'.

 

[Eds]

What's annoying me now is the idea that we can fix the season by signing more players in January. Fans always talk about that but has it every actually happened? A top ten club makes a January signing and immediately steps up to the next level? I can't think of a single time it has.

Liverpool pre-Sturridge and Coutinho was a bit of a shambles tbf. Been running at top four pace ever since they signed though.

 

[Furball]

Yeah you have a wretched run away coming up. Should find out if you are genuine title contenders by end of the year though.

Hint: they're not.

 

[Furball]

What's annoying me now is the idea that we can fix the season by signing more players in January. Fans always talk about that but has it every actually happened? A top ten club makes a January signing and immediately steps up to the next level? I can't think of a single time it has.

The problem is partly RVP's fitness but mostly just Moyes. There's no obvious replacement so we sort of just have to hope he gets better. But if they do miss out on the top four he'll surely go.

It's the same with Arsenal, so many people keep on hitting out with the 'they need to spend big in January to be contenders' line. It's complete nonsense.

 

[MW1304]

Glenn Hoddle: "Sometimes it's better to be lucky than unlucky".

Cutting edge punditry.

 

[BoyBrumby]

It's the same with Arsenal, so many people keep on hitting out with the 'they need to spend big in January to be contenders' line. It's complete nonsense.

It's not much we need to spend big, more that if we don't strengthen in a couple of keys areas (centre-half and up front) we're leaving ourselves hostages to fortune. If Merts or Koscielny or, more terminally, Giroud gets crocked after the window closes we're up against it.

We don't need to spend per se, but it'd be nice if we did.

 

[Burgey]

Moyes out!

 

[Furball]

It's not much we need to spend big, more that if we don't strengthen in a couple of keys areas (centre-half and up front) we're leaving ourselves hostages to fortune. If Merts or Koscielny or, more terminally, Giroud gets crocked after the window closes we're up against it.

We don't need to spend per se, but it'd be nice if we did.

Centre half doesn't need strengthened at all. That's just spending money for the sake of it.

Obviously if a top class centre half became available it's different but top class centre halves are rarer than hen's teeth and there's certainly no-one available in January for a reasonable fee.

Ditto up front. It's why I think Arsenal should seriously run at Klose.

 

[Uppercut]

Liverpool pre-Sturridge and Coutinho was a bit of a shambles tbf. Been running at top four pace ever since they signed though.

Yeah but it didn't do much for Liverpool's season. Great advertisement for buying players in January for the following season though. Give them six months and a full pre-season to settle in.

 

[Uppercut]

It's not much we need to spend big, more that if we don't strengthen in a couple of keys areas (centre-half and up front) we're leaving ourselves hostages to fortune. If Merts or Koscielny or, more terminally, Giroud gets crocked after the window closes we're up against it.

We don't need to spend per se, but it'd be nice if we did.

Can't see a new centre-half immediately improving the team. Co-ordination too important in that position. Vermaelen's pretty OK.

Klose's definitely along the right lines. Similar style to Giroud and he's played with a few key players before. But then he might just be plain not good enough at this stage.

 

[Cevno]

If Arsenal get a couple of Injuries together at CB which is pretty normal at some time during the season when you are in all competitions, then they have Sagna and Vermaelen as backup with Jenkinson at Right back.

They can manage the odd game or when the team in front of them is in form, but it becomes a problem when/if they have to grind results out.

Plus at some time fatigue is bound to catch up with regards to certain players. They are definitely contenders now though with others floundering.

 

[Furball]

If Arsenal get a couple of Injuries together at CB which is pretty normal at some time during the season when you are in all competitions, then they have Sagna and Vermaelen as backup with Jenkinson at Right back.

They can manage the odd game or when the team in front of them is in form, but it becomes a problem when/if they have to grind results out.

Plus at some time fatigue is bound to catch up with regards to certain players. They are definitely contenders now though with others floundering.

You know, I'd never considered that Arsenal (or anyone else) might suffer a downturn in form if they suffer loads of injuries in one area.

Thanks for that insight.

 

[Furball]

Can't see a new centre-half immediately improving the team. Co-ordination too important in that position. Vermaelen's pretty OK.

Klose's definitely along the right lines. Similar style to Giroud and he's played with a few key players before. But then he might just be plain not good enough at this stage.

Klose might be total crap these days but I'd be signing him as insurance and as someone to give Giroud the occasional rest. He's surely still good enough to be effective in the odd home game against Crystal Palace etc, we won a game with Niklas Bendtner starting for Christ sake.

Come summer we'll have a run at Suarez when Liverpool fail to finish top 4.

 

[Pothas]

I don't think they will get top 4 either but assuming you are ruling Spurs out then who will make it, Man Utd still? Everton? I actually think they might be a chance.

Anyway, lovely results today even if I missed all the matches.

Uwe gone and Bees out the FA cup, don't really care about the latter we had our cup fun last year.

 

[Furball]

Also depending on what Chelsea do themselves either in January or in summer, I'd have a run at Lukaku.

 

[Cevno]

You know, I'd never considered that Arsenal (or anyone else) might suffer a downturn in form if they suffer loads of injuries in one area.

Thanks for that insight.

2 Injuries in one area is hardly loads tbf in a long season with different competitions. Particularly at CB or even 1 at Centre forward.

 

[Pothas]

Surley Chelsea would not sell to Arsenal. Benteke maybe? Having a bad time at the moment but he is still an excellent prospect.

 

[Furball]

I don't think they will get top 4 either but assuming you are ruling Spurs out then who will make it, Man Utd still? Everton? I actually think they might be a chance.

Anyway, lovely results today even if I missed all the matches.

Uwe gone and Bees out the FA cup, don't really care about the latter we had our cup fun last year.

The top 4 won't change from last season, Liverpool are the new Spurs in terms of being over-hyped on the back of beating dross and being carried by their one class player.

 

[Cevno]

Also depending on what Chelsea do themselves either in January or in summer, I'd have a run at Lukaku.

Will he fit into the Arsenal system though ? Wenger likes more rounded footballers technically even as center forward, i think.

 

[Furball]

Surley Chelsea would not sell to Arsenal. Benteke maybe? Having a bad time at the moment but he is still an excellent prospect.

With regards to Lukaku, it depends on what Chelsea do. They're rumoured to be in for Falcao and their strikers have scored a grand total of 0 goals away from home in the league in 2013. Should they splash the cash on a big name forward you'd have to wonder if Lukaku would be happy to go back to Chelsea and sit on the bench. So he might just be available.

Benteke is simply not worth the money it would cost Arsenal to sign him. Ditto Michu.