Gunners on the cusp of challenging for the Title
|It could have been a great weekend.
At halftime Villa was losing and Man United and Chelsea were tied. Then Stoke took the lead and in an instant visions of Arsenal vaulting ever closer to the top started churning in my mind. Villa’s comeback was annoying, but I found myself cheering on Bolton, the team I’d hated so intensely last week. As time ticked by it all seemed too good to be true, Man United and Chelsea dropping points, and then it all came to an end. A defensive error by Bolton and Tevez found Berbatov.
I felt like kicking the poor dog lying by my fireplace. And then … word came of Chelsea’ s miracle comeback. Bloody Hell. All my hopes and dreams came to naught. Well, at least Everton came back and forced a draw on Liverpool. There was a little consolation.
What this does mean is that the Gunners are six points out of first place (nine if Man United wins their game in hand)? Several weeks ago they were ten points back, so they’ve managed to slide back into contention.
However, the big game for the Gunners is next week’s clash with Everton at Goodison Park. Everton have managed to hang around on the edge of the title race, much like Arsenal, and probably have visions of finishing in the top four. A loss and all the good work the Gunner’s have done over the past weeks could come to naught. A win against Everton would boost their confidence and perhaps take them ever closer to the top. Following Everton the Gunners have a long stretch of games with teams they should beat, teams who are almost all vulnerable to relegation. Looking over the fixture list for the next two and a half months one can see that Arsenal could challenge for the title if they play consistently and if their players really lift their games.
What is encouraging is that several players appear to be finding their form. Van Persie and Nasri are playing well, Bendtner is suddenly producing, Sagna is looking like he did a year ago, Eboue is reproducing his form of a year ago where he only gave the ball away outside the opponents box rather than giving it away in his own half as he did a month ago … Eduardo could even be on the bench this weekend, the Arsenal defence never panicked against Hull as they have in recent months, Andrei Arshavin could even be a Gooner soon (maybe … hopefully …), Djourou has helped the Arsenal defence deal with high balls, Rosicky and Walcott could even be in training soon. In other words there are some encouraging signs.
We’re almost through two-thirds of the transfer window and Arsenal have yet to purchase anyone. They’ve sent two of our youngsters out on loan, there are rumours that they may purchase a Hungarian youngster (Arsene Wenger can never resist buying a teenage prospect), and there are constant rumours of the impending purchase of Andrei Arshavin. We also now hear that Man City may turn to Arshavin if the Kaka offer falls through. In other words they need to finish the purchase as soon as possible if they are serious about buying him. We’ve yet to hear any solid rumours about Arsenal buying a defensive midfielder, a purchase I feel is necessary.
One can only hope that they start concluding deals as time is starting to run out. They are only six points back right now with a string of winnable games approaching. It’s more than possible that this motley group that struggled in October and November could challenge for the title. They just need to keep winning.
I actually think a defensive midfielder will be purchased (knock on wood) before the end of the transfer window. This player will come in just as Eduardo or Sagna did…out of nowhere and add instant quality to the team. If Arshavin is purchased as well, I can see us challenging for the title. The only issue will be the number of games we have left to pick up points.
This article was written before the Kaka news, that’s why it seems a bit out of date.
Great work as usual Michael.
Agree 100% good article mate, come on The Arsenal give us some hope
kinda had enough on the arshavin thing now, been following it as closely as possible last few days n its getting kinda boring now, just want it to end one way or the other
Great article mate, I dont think we can truly say that we have a chance of winning the title but we can make a fight of it. I find it extremely frustrating the way that Man Utd constantly grab the winner against lesser teams in the final minutes, I guess thats what champions are made of 😉 To win the title though we will basically need to win every game, well nearly every game
I should also mention that if Arsene Wenger really looks at his squad he’ll have to admit to himself that they haven’t been that impressive over the past month even though they’re winning. They’ve gone through a spell of only a game a week and this soon ends. The wear and tear of all of these coming games will start to build up and the squad’s strength will be tested.
Lastly, regarding Arshavin. It seems like only we choose teams to negotiate with who happen to be obstinate and annoying (Marseille for Nasri, Zenit for Arshavin). Is it them or us? One has to admit that Wenger is cheap and we are trying to pry these teams best assets from them at a discount. If only our transfers were cut and dried and we concluded it in a day or two, rather than the convoluted dance we seem to always go through.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1126799/Arshavin-finally-set-Arsenal-Zenit-accept-improved-15m-offer.html?ITO=1490
what do you think about it, chris?
lol Michael , its Brilliant Mate Cheers! Btw Has anyone got any Idea any Idea about Other Possible Signing Though? and any News on Welcot and RVP’s Contracts though? Thanks again For the awesome Blog Gooner_Chris.
We rejected an offer for Eboue, I understand we need squad players but I just think we could use the money to beef up our Arshavin bid a bit more. Eboue isnt really adding much to our squad anyway..
Upson? Where do you know this Michael Jung?
Looks like Zenit have turned down AFC’s “final” offer. Are they that tight they’d be happy to see him leave for a fraction of the price in November.
Anyways, lets move on. Provided we keep our shit together we should manage without him till the end of the season. Would like to see him come to the Emirates eventually though. He’s wasted talent playing in that Gulag League.
stupid Zenith!! Stubborns!!!
but lets see and wait as the official spokesman from this shit club said it should be done until 48 hours
hehehe :DD Let’s wait and see. I think Arshavin will be a Gooner until the end of the winter window.
it really pisses me of that zenit would reject this bid i would say the highest we should bid is 16.5 million but he is no way worth 20million oh and great blog chris once again as usual:)
stupid zenit..no-one else seems to want him, so they are prepared to lose him for something like 2.5million in november, altho ive heard they are run by a bunch of mega-rich assholes who dont know that much about the football side of things and what hes actually worth etc..
Guys chill out, we will sign him, no doubt. Zenit are just trying to hold out for as long as possible in case another club comes in with a better offer… its shameful really
Where did you get the info zenit rejected the offer?It isn’t on SSN and if you read it off goal.com, they make stories up 90% of the time..
goal.com are showing an article like that, but its been coming out from russia for the last hour or so that is been rejected, arsenalinsider also have something on it but i dont think the rejection has completely been confirmed just yet
On sky sports news, Zenit have lowered their asking price and are waiting for a response from Arsenal on it.
Arshavin AND Upson. Thats a serious change in policy for Wenger if its true. But, as many have said before I’ll believe it when i see it. I’m getting off this merry-go-round till then. My head hurts.
Michael Jung you seem pretty confident… do you know something we dont.