Divided loyalties beckon as the Gunners face the former full-back’s hometown club Sevilla on Tuesday but, he tells Sid Lowe, Mikel Arteta’s side are close to being an all-conquering force
Yes, but you can only play with fire so many times before you get burned. We still have some incredibly tough fixtures coming up. Old Trafford, Etihad, TH Stadium, and both Liverpool matches, for starters. And this is to say nothing of the Cups and CL.
It’d be one thing if we were playing like we did after the second goal, except all game. But we just looked lost out there till the second goal galvanized the team into action. We can’t do that and expect to come away unscathed.
we have no good striker, can’t win header, can’t finish unless it’s wide empty, and can’t outrun defender. We just depends on saka and Martineli too much
Those incredibly tough fixtures aren’t “coming up” in the immediate sense, so there’s plenty of time for the team to find form. We haven’t even played 15 games in the season yet, so once we get into a more established rhythm of playing every 3 or so days without breaks I think we’ll see form pickup.
Okay, well then what about @Newcastle, @Sevilla, @Villa, @West Ham, @PSV (which we lost last year), and home to Brighton (which we also lost last year)?
Those are six of the thirteen matches between now and @Liverpool. They may not be as tough as the ones mentioned, but to pretend like tough matches aren’t happening until months down the line is extremely overconfident. They will be tough matches. Favorites in all of them we may be, but we can’t afford lapses in concentration in any of them, except maybe West Ham (EFL Cup).
I’m not saying to be extremely overconfident or that we can afford lapses in concentration. I just think those critical matches you’re so doom and gloom over aren’t in the short term future — which is good, because that allows us to build up momentum and consistency heading into them. How this is a controversial take I’m not sure
I’m more concerned about sleepwalking through easier fixtures and dropping points. The key to the title is doing just enough in the big matches to get by and wiping the floor with the other 15 teams. It’s those random 5 or 6 matches where you waste opportunities that come back to bite you.
Based on the sample size, yes. In reality, probably not. We already challenged for the title last year so we automatically go into that bracket until proven otherwise
Actually no. Because the sample size is far too small to make an accurate depiction of the reality. They are massively overachieving while Arsenal haven’t hit the heights of last season’s peak form. I’m not concerned yet, but the team really needs to start clicking into gear soon if there’s any aspirations of another solid title challenge. We’re 2 months away from midway point of the season.
We have one of the best defences in the league, we wont lose too many games for that reason alone.
He is right, we all too frequently dont show up and thats been the case this season for too many games now. Offensively we are far too emotional and hot & cold with performances
You say that as we sit joint first unbeaten lmao
But do you honestly think we are ready ?
Nope
Only god knows.
Sounds like you are not convinced that we are ready.
Okay, Kyle.
Yes, but you can only play with fire so many times before you get burned. We still have some incredibly tough fixtures coming up. Old Trafford, Etihad, TH Stadium, and both Liverpool matches, for starters. And this is to say nothing of the Cups and CL.
It’d be one thing if we were playing like we did after the second goal, except all game. But we just looked lost out there till the second goal galvanized the team into action. We can’t do that and expect to come away unscathed.
we have no good striker, can’t win header, can’t finish unless it’s wide empty, and can’t outrun defender. We just depends on saka and Martineli too much
Those incredibly tough fixtures aren’t “coming up” in the immediate sense, so there’s plenty of time for the team to find form. We haven’t even played 15 games in the season yet, so once we get into a more established rhythm of playing every 3 or so days without breaks I think we’ll see form pickup.
Okay, well then what about @Newcastle, @Sevilla, @Villa, @West Ham, @PSV (which we lost last year), and home to Brighton (which we also lost last year)?
Those are six of the thirteen matches between now and @Liverpool. They may not be as tough as the ones mentioned, but to pretend like tough matches aren’t happening until months down the line is extremely overconfident. They will be tough matches. Favorites in all of them we may be, but we can’t afford lapses in concentration in any of them, except maybe West Ham (EFL Cup).
I’m not saying to be extremely overconfident or that we can afford lapses in concentration. I just think those critical matches you’re so doom and gloom over aren’t in the short term future — which is good, because that allows us to build up momentum and consistency heading into them. How this is a controversial take I’m not sure
Bro is talking about matches that are months away TF?
He’s also just saying we need to play better than we have done, how can you argue with that? Ffs this place has learnt nothing
I’m more concerned about sleepwalking through easier fixtures and dropping points. The key to the title is doing just enough in the big matches to get by and wiping the floor with the other 15 teams. It’s those random 5 or 6 matches where you waste opportunities that come back to bite you.
Totnum are a point behind with game in hand, does that make them true title contenders?
Based on the sample size, yes. In reality, probably not. We already challenged for the title last year so we automatically go into that bracket until proven otherwise
Actually no. Because the sample size is far too small to make an accurate depiction of the reality. They are massively overachieving while Arsenal haven’t hit the heights of last season’s peak form. I’m not concerned yet, but the team really needs to start clicking into gear soon if there’s any aspirations of another solid title challenge. We’re 2 months away from midway point of the season.
We have one of the best defences in the league, we wont lose too many games for that reason alone.
He is right, we all too frequently dont show up and thats been the case this season for too many games now. Offensively we are far too emotional and hot & cold with performances
It will only be worth if we actually achieve major silverware this season or next, else might as well say goodbye to this season.