Arsenal's title credentials...

[gasmanc]

I suppose now we see their credentials, I do love that one though, "Giroud has ankle problem. Wenger says he's undecided how he'll reshuffle attack" having one recognised forward and him being out is a conundrum indeed. He's going to have to play this Arselona style.

 

[rio's upper lip]

Ridiculous number of injuries in such a short space of time.

Indeed, but if it was one time during the season you could choose to have those players injured it would probably be now. Arse have a very winnable set of fixtures coming up in the league and a ten day "break" after tomorrow. The FA Cup isn't meaningless of course, but it couldn't be coming at a better time even though it's against Spurs.

 

[Donaldo]

Hmmm...

Chesney
Sagna Mert Kos Jenks
Flamini Arteta Santi
Gnabry Bendtner Poldi

?

Erm.

 

[peterstorey]

I think that's too many out, I think you'll see Jack and Monreal at least.

 

[Melvyn]

At least Koscielny and Mertesacker are fit.

 

[Donaldo]

I think that's too many out, I think you'll see Jack and Monreal at least.

True, I'd wager a few were Wenger being himself....I expect Nacho, Jack and Rosicky back.

 

[marjen]

Impressive to go to Newcastle and win.

I think they'll be City's closest challengers this year but City's got too much and will win it at the end.

 

[RedSky]

Arsenal need some signings in January, regardless of their injuries their squad is still short of quality. If they're serious about the league, they'll be doing some business to reinforce themselves.

 

[peterstorey]

We only need a centre forward (but I can't see us getting the required quality)

 

[Ryan's Beard]

Can Podolski not do a job up front? He seems smart enough and good enough on the ball.

And by "do a job up front" I mean "adequately lead the line for Arsenal".

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

We only need a centre forward (but I can't see us getting the required quality)

We need a midfielder. A Macheda - Ramsey swap deal would greatly benefit both parties.

 

[peterstorey]

We wouldn't even swap Rambo for cuntface.

 

[peterstorey]

Can Podolski not do a job up front? He seems smart enough and good enough on the ball.

And by "do a job up front" I mean "adequately lead the line for Arsenal".

He was very poor playing there on a few occasions last season, both postionally and physically (though he played no.9 for Cologne for a season)

 

[marjen]

He was very poor playing there on a few occasions last season, both postionally and physically (though he played no.9 for Cologne for a season)

His goal return at Cologne was poor.

 

[Grinner]

Bendtner is more than capable of doing the job and might even grow into it. He's adequate at holding the ball and being an outlet. He can pass a bit too.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

His goal return at Cologne was poor.

Pretty sure he played out on the left for almost the whole time, but in his last season there he moved central and scored 19 odd goals.

 

[Grinner]

Could probably stick Vermaelen up there.

 

[Tarrou]

Bendtner is more than capable of doing the job and might even grow into it. He's adequate at holding the ball and being an outlet. He can pass a bit too.

He's a decent player but if Giroud goes down long-term, you wouldn't want to rely on Bendtner going into the final stretch of a title challenge, would you?.

IMO Arsene needs to find a striker good at leading the line but also comfortable playing wide. In recent years most of Arsenal's back-up strikers have become so frozen out of first team action that when they do get a chance, they are rusty as hell or just lacking in confidence.

If Wenger could pick up such a player (just as comfortable wide or up top) it would make it much easier to keep that player happy/involved with the first team, should they not supercede Giroud as the first choice striker anytime soon. I suppose the idea might have been for Podolski to fulfil this role, but whenever I've seen him as the lone frontman he hasn't looked good.

 

[gasmanc]

Could probably stick Vermaelen up there.

Could be a far better option than bend it like Bendtner.

 

[Irwinwastheking]

I don't understand Podolski. What is he?

 

[Grinner]

I don't understand Podolski. What is he?

He's always grinning so I love him.

 

[Irwinwastheking]

So he's a Grinner. We all know they're fecking useless.

 

[peterstorey]

If Wenger could pick up such a player (just as comfortable wide or up top) it would make it much easier to keep that player happy/involved with the first team, should they not supercede Giroud as the first choice striker anytime soon. I suppose the idea might have been for Podolski to fulfil this role, but whenever I've seen him as the lone frontman he hasn't looked good.

That's why I was keen to get Remy, even if he's not top quality, he's versatile and could play with Giroud rather than just instead of him. Same reasoning has always led me to prefer Benzema over Higuain.

 

[coolredwine]

Bendtner is more than capable of doing the job and might even grow into it. He's adequate at holding the ball and being an outlet. He can pass a bit too.

Agreed. He will woo you all and then earn his much wanted transfer to Real Madrid or Barcelona.

 

[marjen]

That's why I was keen to get Remy, even if he's not top quality, he's versatile and could play with Giroud rather than just instead of him. Same reasoning has always led me to prefer Benzema over Higuain.

If you get a top class forward in you'll not give a damn about Giroud. He can play second fiddle until he's leaving. I suspect he would be quite happy to do so for quite a while as well, as long as the results keep coming.

 

[Siorac]

So he's a Grinner. We all know they're fecking useless.

Ba-dum tish

 

[Guy Incognito]

Comeback against Hammers, ground out a win at Newcastle and got a win today at home.

It's been a good Xmas for them.

 

[Nighteyes]

Surprised by them. I did not expect them to pick up 6 points from their away games prior to this.

 

[Jacob]

I am fairly certain they will finish above us. I'm also 100% positive they won't win the title.

 

[JaffyJoe]

A friend of mines stands by Wilshere. Says he will have Ramsey on the bench in the next year.

 

[Red Dreams]

Comeback against Hammers, ground out a win at Newcastle and got a win today at home.

It's been a good Xmas for them.

showing character....that's what its about.

 

[Rooney in Paris]

Now wasn't their most trying time, it'll come soon enough. Still, they've done very well during the festive period.

 

[JazzG]

Comeback against Hammers, ground out a win at Newcastle and got a win today at home.

It's been a good Xmas for them.

Much needed as well after a dodgy spell before that, think that the games just caught up on us and didn't have enough of our players back so couldn't rotate much. Important as well after our bad spell we got back to winning quite quickly and put it behind us.

 

[Dumbstar]

The return of Podolski and Walcott cannot be underestimated. They will play a big part in the goals scored this half of the season.

Saying that their Feb-April run of games is shocking. Top drawer shocking. If they win the league (or any silverware) this season they will have truly deserved every inch of it.

 

[crappycraperson]

Much needed as well after a dodgy spell before that, think that the games just caught up on us and didn't have enough of our players back so couldn't rotate much. Important as well after our bad spell we got back to winning quite quickly and put it behind us.

I don't think it was dodgy spell persay. Loss at City away and draw at home to Everton and Chelsea are not bad results. But those results do put pressure to avoid any slip ups what so ever against weaker teams.

 

[Grinner]

What's our next litmus test?

 

[alastair]

This season our fixture list dictates that we will have some easier games followed by some very hard games. It makes for some good runs and poor runs. Inevitable and means it's been very difficult to gauge where we are as a team.

What we've done so well this season is beating the worse teams at home and away. Crucial.

 

[alastair]

What's our next litmus test?

You should watch MOTD. They don't even mention that we're top. It's completely ignored. It's like we're in twelfth.

 

[JazzG]

I don't think it was dodgy spell persay. Loss at City away and draw at home to Everton and Chelsea are not bad results. But those results do put pressure to avoid any slip ups what so ever against weaker teams.

Was kind of like a dodgy spell because in four games we drew 3 and lost one heavily. The Everton game was disappointing, we didn't deserve to win but being 1-0 up with less than 10mins to go I think we should of held on, especially as we have been defending well. Like I mentioned before I think playing Everton(h), Napoli(a) & City(a) in 6 days was just too much for us, three tough games, a lot of travelling, very little recovery time and not enough rotation, a bad combo! Good thing we had a little rest before Chelsea but you know Mourinho, when he sets his team up for draws it can be incredibly hard. It was a bad spell mainly because City gained 5 points on us but like you say it was important to respond and we have, next three games were not easy but we have looked solid and resolute throughout that period.

 

[alastair]

I said before the Everton game that we'd have shown excellent resilience and quality to be top on New Year's Day. We are, and that's principally down to how well we've done in the three games that champions have to win. Getting a result away at Newcastle is really hard. The other two should have been more comfortable than they were, but fatigue at this stage of the season does kick in.

With the way our fixtures look in March, the next month is crucial for us. I don't think being 1 point clear at the end of January will be enough for us to win the league. We're going to have to build a lead but it's so difficult to do.