I'm guessing American Gooner hasn't looked at the table recently.

More generally, its actually silly how people buy into particular narratives, and just stick to them, regardless of facts. Flat-earthers and conspiracy junkies aren't the only ones who do this.

Spurs have to win two of their last three to be sure of finishing ahead of us. Everton likewise. They just dropped another 2 points thanks in part to Martinez's heroics. And I wouldn't bet against us winning both of our remaining games.

Sure we're still third favourites to finish 7th, but even if we miss out, we're probably going to end up very close to Spurs and Liverpool in the table. We had a terrible first half of the season, and shot ourselves in the foot in Europe, but actually we haven't been nearly as poor this season as people make out.

Exactly, which is why I disagree with your argument that we need a major squad overhaul. I think we are evolving in the right direction.

.

Depends on what we want to achieve really ? Compete for a title or top 4 ?

For me our absolute essentials are 2 midfielders (no10 and CDM) and a better right back

That might get us a place closer to top 4

Nice to haves ..... left back cover, another creative midfielder to provide cover from the bench and maybe a new centre back.

Then consider replacements if somebody leaves.

We need top quality signings at CM and rightback. We need to find a good up-and-coming left back and resolve the keeper situation too.

As for the rest, it depends on how you see our current lot. What about Emile Smith Rowe? I agree with you that his Emile Smith Rowe's dynamism and footballing brain give him the edge over Ødegaard. If Emile Smith Rowe is the business (although with young players you always have to be wary about making big decision after just one good season) what is his best position? no10? Should we be getting another 10? Or an 8?

Club officially parting ways with Luiz at the end of the season. It’s the right call. Give Saliba a chance.
Luiz at 34 can’t be offered a new deal. He’s made mistakes, and often big ones with red cards and penalties, but from what I’ve read he seemed a positive influence on the club, was very good with the young players and showed some leadership when we were crying out for something. With the amount of flak he takes, much of it very undeserved, he’s mentally incredibly tough.

As you say he’s made mistakes. But overall I consider him to have been a good signing.

Note: "has been told" because Kroenke has no idea, no knowledge and my supposition, no love for the game.
He's advised to keep Arteta, but my question is were other voices in the club saying to sack him or did Kroenke see the table and ask if he should stay? I'm sure there are regular (likely monthly) meetings Kroenke has about Arsenal. He's given an update on finances, the clubs fortunes, good or bad and what it means and recommendations.

https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/kroenke-strong-arsenal-message-arteta-20599158

"Has been told" by a former United player being interviewed by a betting site, you nutter.

"Has been told" by a former United player being interviewed by a betting site, you nutter.

Some eery similarities. Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Tottenham. Burnley and Soton very close to where they are now.


First Division 1967-68
Pos Team P W D L F A W D L F A GD Pts
1 Manchester City 42 17 2 2 52 16 9 4 8 34 27 43 58
2 Manchester United 42 15 2 4 49 21 9 6 6 40 34 34 56
3 Liverpool 42 17 2 2 51 17 5 9 7 20 23 31 55
4 Leeds United 42 17 3 1 49 14 5 6 10 22 27 30 53
5 Everton 42 18 1 2 43 13 5 5 11 24 27 27 52
6 Chelsea 42 11 7 3 34 25 7 5 9 28 43 -6 48
7 Tottenham Hotspur 42 11 7 3 44 20 8 2 11 26 39 11 47
8 West Bromwich Albion 42 12 4 5 45 25 5 8 8 30 37 13 46
9 Arsenal 42 12 6 3 37 23 5 4 12 23 33 4 44
10 Newcastle United 42 12 7 2 38 20 1 8 12 16 47 -13 41
11 Nottingham Forest 42 11 6 4 34 22 3 5 13 18 42 -12 39
12 West Ham United 42 8 5 8 43 30 6 5 10 30 39 4 38
13 Leicester City 42 7 7 7 37 34 6 5 10 27 35 -5 38
14 Burnley 42 12 7 2 38 16 2 3 16 26 55 -7 38
15 Sunderland 42 8 7 6 28 28 5 4 12 23 33 -10 37
16 Southampton 42 9 8 4 37 31 4 3 14 29 52 -17 37
17 Wolverhampton Wanderers 42 10 4 7 45 36 4 4 13 21 39 -9 36
18 Stoke City 42 10 3 8 30 29 4 4 13 20 44 -23 35
19 Sheffield Wednesday 42 6 10 5 32 24 5 2 14 19 39 -12 34
20 Coventry City 42 8 5 8 32 32 1 10 10 19 39 -20 33
21 Sheffield United 42 7 4 10 25 31 4 6 11 24 39 -21 32
22 Fulham 42 6 4 11 27 41 4 3 14 29 57 -42 27

Hmm, City followed immediately by United is interesting maybe ... to fans of those clubs. Four out of the rest of the division doesn't seem that much of a coincidence.

Doesn't quite send shivers down the spine but is actually moderately interesting which improves AG's batting average slightly.

Maybe its a sign from the football gods we'll win the double in 3 years time.

Leeds made easy work of Burnley. I would still put us down to finishing ahead of Leeds but not stating that with a lot of confidence.
We have a decent amount of rest till our next match so lets see what happens.

Hey LTG did you get a notification of a 3pm ko today v CP, you remember previous conversation huh. I got one and I think the problem is one or all of Outlook, Edge or Microsoft, but how nor why I don't know.

Actually, looking at it again, it's first and second in the same positions, but also with both Fulham and Sheffield United relegated again. That is pretty creepy. It's odd that AG buried the lead - well, kind of the lead.

Hey LTG did you get a notification of a 3pm ko today v CP, you remember previous conversation huh. I got one and I think the problem is one or all of Outlook, Edge or Microsoft, but how nor why I don't know.

Watching the cup final (come on Leicester) have turned over from BBC to BT because of Jenas and his non stop utter drivel, unbearable.

He really is awful. He'll have such a wrong take and be really vociferous about it. I saw him do some brilliant analysis of Leeds early this season against Liverpool, but he's generally miserable, a bit angry and just wrong.