Allow me. zzzzz....

Arsenal aren't seen as title favourites cos they (and Wenger) haven't won it in donkeys and have a very repetitive habit of not having the bottle to compete for a whole season. And there's no point in nauseating over the other well documented problems that go unresolved year after year.

Man Utd, while not having been at the races for the last few years, won the Europa League last year. They've built what would appear to be a pretty good first team and have a manager who most would view as being more successful than Wenger and therefore, more likely to do it again.

The FA cup semis and finals and the second win over Chelsea in a matter of only a few months in a match that matters, tells me we are capable of top 3. Especially that we have improved at the striker position. Lacazette will only get better in the league as he gets more minutes. We still have Sanchez and until that changes, top 3 looks promising.
Smart money would bet on Man Utd being in the mix. No guarantees obviously and its sort of a 'make or break' season for Mourinho. Big money spent, a season under his belt. His reputation is on the line. It will be interesting to see how he responds on the pitch.
Pep and Klopp are the ones who I am surprised to see they have under performed.

Disagree with that as well. Citys is better, and so is ours. We have players in our second string eleven that would start for Man United (Monreal/Kolasinac, and Bellerin/Ox, and an argument could be made for Welbeck as well ironically).

I think Top 3 or 4 sounds about right.

Performances in the domestic one-offs against major rivals has probably been where Arsenal have improved. But it's the consistency to sustain a go at the League and CL that's been lacking.

All the top 6 are in either CL or Europa League so I don't see a huge advantage not being in the CL unless Arsene sends the 2nd team off for the EL.

I think City would be favourites, followed by Chelsea, Man Utd, then Arsenal. Totts / Liverpool / Everton too hard to say.

I agree with that. Not on the forum, but someone actually said we're not playing in Europe this season. We have, or should have, a more than decent chance of winning the Europa League and if our Premiership campaign falters, and it might, I think we have to take it seriously because it could get us into next season's Champions League.

https://twitter.com/glenntamplin/status ... 0464354304

bet no one can get all the way through this...

It’s a bit of a dilemma because it’s a title we should be the favourite to win (we’re clearly the strongest team in it), but at the same time it’s tempting to rest our best players. I think it’s clear that mid-week games in Europe affect league performances on the weekend, so that could be a big advantage for us compared to our rivals. Hopefully we’ll get an easy group, we should be able to beat most of the teams without our best players.

Australians tell it like it is, we all know that right. Here's a 1990s AIDS awareness VHS...

Tottenham are a conundrum. No money spent, playing away from WHL but still have the same quality side minus a starter that has seen them do very well the last couple seasons. Is it sustainable with everyone else spending? I'd 'looove it' if they sputtered. But its so hard to tell. Injuries could be their downfall this season if that happens.

I have to see much, much more out of Liverpool to consider them anything better than 5th. They benefited from us and Man Utd having very off seasons.

How we do away from home against the big rivals is key. Can we get draws? I am not counting on a win but its not impossible to nick a win at any of them if we show up.

As you say, consistency...we simply don't have it over the course of the season. Keep the losses to 5 or under and goals against hovering around 30ish ought to do it. Do we have it in us?

Kiwi, They have changed the trophy for the Bledisloe Cup. The winner gets to take Barnaby Joyce home.

As you imply, a nice easy draw should enable us to get through the group as winners even if we rest our better players. I think the further we get in it, the more Arsenal need to consider putting sides out that give us the best chance of winning the competition.

Getting ahead of myself, but the final is in Lyon. Familiar territory for Lacazette.

Didn't realize there is a big London derby this weekend already. Early test for both. No matter the result it will be to early to garner anything more from it. It will be interesting to see how Tottenham and Chelsea play each other. I'm going to guess a draw. Not much between the sides, even with Tottenham not spending. If no major mistakes are made, a draw is likely in order.

Keep an eye on Milan in the europa league. They have spent huge amounts of cash this season, it will be interesting to see how they go.

I'd agree with using the europa early rounds to rest 1 or 2 players but equally we could do that in some of the 'easier' prem games. We're effectively resting Sanchez, kos, mustafi and others at the moment

High praise indeed from someone of the quality of Shearer. Not unexpected though. The Sol comment was the surprising thing.

http://www.squawka.com/news/alan-sheare ... PSc2ze1.97

Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer said: “I didn’t mind playing against Sol Campbell, I felt as if I could drag Sol where I wanted to.

“The best defender I’ve played against and I always say when people ask me was Tony Adams. He would be one that I would definitely put in there.

“His job was to defend and he was the best defender I’ve played against. The best defenders are the ones that defend.”

I like Jack a lot. Love his personality and fighting spirit and how he hates sperz and he's a proper gooner. I hope he can make it with us. It seemed a sure thing a few years ago and a probable future captain. Now, its uncertain at best. I hope Wenger uses him more than he otherwise might given Jacks recent issues.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ ... e-10998622

...if Villa don't get him.
http://the72.co.uk/89567/arsenal-mid-on-avfc-radar/

Oh it'll be hot one.

Juve sign Matuidi for £18m. That's a fair price for him I'd say, 30 years old so no real sell on. And when I say fair price that kind of translates to a bargain in the current market. Juve have signed 10 players this summer, obviously not all for the first team but this is a team who won the league and were runners up in the champions league. I wish we could see a greater turn over of players. It seems we've parked any in comings until we get some players out

West Brom reject an £18m bid from Man City for Jonny Evans.

I'm not sure what is the most riduclous part of that?

There's a video released by Valencia that is titled 'we're getting it ready' and it shows the shirt printers getting a name and number on a shirt, it looks like Gabriel to go along with a few rumours that Valencia were after him. A few people on twitter think it's a done deal.

Not sure he ever reached the standard we hoped for him so depending on the fee it is a decent move, Holding has maybe taken his place in the squad. However, I will say for Gabriel that he looked more comfortable on the right side of our new back 3.

One would assume that Chambers won't go now otherwise we are only left with 4 true CB's + monreal for a 3 man defence

Interesting questions and answer..

https://www.facebook.com/Emirates/videos/1268919653217781/?hc_ref=ARSlUuITwDGFK6qnEQNx8ba--WUhmdgdnIHRdcdfawfKKhCcJDkLbUOhZxG-rcoq1PU

Asensio is some player for Madrid. Do they even need Mbappe?

Magic ... if they are going to deport Barnaby because his ' old man' was a Kiwi ; then I'm booking a flight tomorrow to come over and drain your good old Aussie pension dry ........ because my father was born in Seeed- nee .

If it was a straight swap I would welcome you.

Hmmm....worth a punt?

http://www.football365.com/news/draxler ... -he-can-go
Draxler up for grabs as PSG tell winger he can go

a sensible post at last. I'd say yes but the price would be important.

With Ribery and Robben so old now, I'll be surprised if Bayern don't go for him.

Would AW go for him and maybe the midfielder others previously mentioned in a deal for Sanchez? Mind you they're reported as having offered 35 million so maybe it's Sanchez's wage demands that is putting them off bidding more?

Surprised Bayern didn't go for him when he left shalke and when he left Wolfsburg. Exciting young player and scores goals unlike so many wide men who just chip in 4-5 goals a year. PSG will want their money back as a minimum and I'd hand them £30m immediately for him.

Carvalho West Ham offer rejected. He has a £40k buy out clause.

AW has gone after him before, at 25 must be worth a punt?

But do we need another DM surely we need to replace Santi Cazorla. Alternatively a world class CB or a winger but not a DM?

I would bite psg hands off if we could get draxler and rabiot for sanchez.
They are clearly looking to offload after their massive outlay on neymar and we should be driving this deal to make sure we come out on top.
If sanchez doesnt want to stay then surely rather than cash we should be looking to get 2 quality young players in return.
Draxler seems to be surplus to requirements. We should be in there sniffing around and offering sanchez but only if we get those 2 in return.
18m for matuidi as well. Absolute no brainer!

Interesting that Draxler is so quickly surplus to requirements. He was quite a popular choice just couple seasons back. Wenger should go get him. I believe the German connection at Arsenal, including Lehmann, should tempt him towards Arsenal. That is if Wenger would go for him.

The thing is Wenger wanted to make him a striker and I think long term he's better at striker but that wouldn't serve our needs. We can find better wingers. Lemar is a better winger. Draxler has size and pace and that is always a good asset in the EPL. Lastly, we need other positions filled like defense, maybe a playmaker like Santi as well (although that's what Özil should be doing).

I like his potential, always have. Also what wouild be the fee? At least recovery of their 30 mil.

Thought the same Rich on both parts of it. Man City with more money than sense.

There never seemed to be a specific system and reason for City. No plan for the most part. I love seeing that blatant buying of the game fail. I have always hated Man Utd more but now not sure which one I despise more. Historically Man Utd or the incarnation of City becoming a disgusting money pit.

Rabiot and Draxler fit the profile of player we should be looking at perfectly.
For years we had an experience imbalance in the squad, that has been addressed albeit we are still sometimes accused of lacking leadership.
For the long term prosperity of the club these talented 21-23 year olds in exchange for a player who doesn't want to be with us and is set to leave for nothing next year is the right aim.
I don't like the idea of taking a step back (and it's hard to see how losing Sanchez would be anything but a step back) but if it meant we could take two steps forward over the next 18 months then we should do it.

Morning Rich,

I don't see anything happening now apart from a couple of sales.

It would be very difficult to prise any top players away from their clubs with such little time for the selling clubs to find replacements.

PSG might be looking to offload a few but I suspect we will not be quick enough off the mark as per usual. I can't seem them offering both Draxler and Rabiot for Alexis.

People always talk about the hectic last few days of the transfer window but it always seems a bit of a damp squib.

Some rumours linking Mustafe with Inter. Bit of a strange one. Swap for Kondogbia anyone?

What's your evidence that "Wenger wanted to make him a striker"? I know you wanted him to be turned into a striker, but did Wenger ever say that's what he would have done if we signed Draxler? Perhaps you wanting something automatically means Wenger thinks the same way.

Also, what makes you think Lemar is a better wide player than Draxler? Myself, if Sanchez leaves, and I think he should this summer because it's very likely he will otherwise have to be replaced in a year with no income having been received via a transfer fee for him, then I would have thought that Draxler fits our needs very well.

He seems happy to play for any team - As long as it's not Arsenal ...

Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez INCLUDED in Chile squad for World Cup qualifiers... despite missing Premier League opener with injury

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4801148/Arsenal-striker-Alexis-Sanchez-INCLUDED-Chile-squad.html

The Telegraph had a go at mapping the support of all the Premier League clubs.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk.football/201 ... s-support/