and yet our form doesn't feel like we're a top 3 team since Christmas. What it does show is how congested a lot of teams are, a few good/bad results in the season are the difference of 4-5 places.
We're certainly not as bad as some of the results we've had this season, but Liverpool would say the same with some of their home defeats - and I'm sure anyone finishing 5th to 9th will point to 4 games where they really should have picked up another 10 points which would have had them in the top 4.

Arteta was very stern in his post match chat, calling out the media for misrepresenting his quotes. I think he took the reporter asking the questions by surprise because once he said what he did the reporter knew he had to keep asking him about that topic but didn't seem prepared and Arteta was just angry and silent waiting for the next question. I liked it. BUT, do it once and don't make it a running theme, because if you keep calling out the media they'll just come back twice as hard and you'll never win.

The margins are small right

If Xhaka didn’t get sent off at Burnley and the ref didn’t give that ridiculous penalty at Wolves we would be 5th right now and there would be a totally different atmosphere around Arsenal.

Despite our problems my feeling is our bad start was a bit of an anomaly and if we had Ødegaard and Emile Smith Rowe raring to go at the start of the season it might have been a different story.

The two Burnley games are the ones that really stick out for me. We were in control and looking likely to win the game at home, the red card cost us 3 points. Away from home a terrible error from Xhaka and then a terrible one from the ref to not give the penalty for handball.
We've only been well beaten 6 times I'd say, Villa at home, Spurs away and both games v Liverpool and City. The other 7 defeats have been touch and go, small margins - but equally we've had some wins that were very tight.

I suspect every team has their own 'nearly' or 'if only' moments this season so we are rightfully where we are on merit

So what is left to play for? The slim chance of 7th (or even 6th!) and Europa Conference League football next year?
To catch Spurs we need them to take a maximum of 4 points from the last 3 games v Wolves(h), Villa (h), Leicester (a). AND, for us to take 2 wins from Palace (a) and Brighton (h). If that happened we'd pip them by a point

We'd also need Everton to take only 6 points from their 4 remaining fixtures, Villa (a), Sheff Utd (h), Wolves (h), City (a)

if West Ham only take 3 points from their last 3 games Brighton(a), West Brom (a), Southampton (h) then we would overtake them as well if we win our 2 games

How much of any of that is feasible? I'd give that a very, very slim chance of happening and can see us finishing 9th as the most likely position

Next seasons away short is pretty smart

Arsenal have a 5 year contract on the table for Smith Rowe - lets hope we can get him signed up. Real break through season for him. We need to allow him to grow, same with Saka who is even younger, they have carried us too often this season.

Right now Smith Rowe and Saka have a bit of Charlie George about them. Came up through the youth system and are living their biggest dream.

However, at some point, they will want to win things. Kane wants to win things, so he's seriously considering leaving the club he loves. Not everyone is Le Tissier, where just playing for the club you love almost as much life is itself is enough.

An obvious connection eh ?

Hey ever wondered if Kanye West and Fred West are related ?

Charlie George (from Islington) and Smith Rowe (from Croydon) were boyhood Arsenal fans. Saka (from Ealing) didn’t support Arsenal. He actually supported Newcastle because his dad supported them.

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.

Good to hear. But I trust they come with two legs?

The shirt looks nice too.

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.

The fact that we've had two players from the academy establish themselves (Saka probably was 70% there already after last season) and a quite a batch more that really look promising, is also massive.

Getting on par with City, United Chelsea and Liverpool will be a tall order, mind you.

Very interesting.

Maybe it hurts us technically table wise, haven't bothered to look, but I always cheer for Liverpool over Man Utd.
The very first match I can recall ever hearing about in English football. I vaguely recall as a little kid on American news, the sports section, seeing cops on horses and masses of people having to walk down a gauntlet and the commentator saying it had to be done for safety. The commentator and all of us wondering why all this over a game. Like 'really? Is it that serious?'. Came to understand 'yes, it is'..lol.

This is correct. It doesn’t always have to be extremes, one thing or other. It’s perfectly reasonable to believe Arteta has made some mistakes but also has done a good job generally whilst dealing with impossible circumstances

The first half of the season was poor and yes the semi final exit disappointing but there’s certainly evidence with some restructuring we could surprise a few next season.

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.

Can we get MOTD to get their scream-ometer out for that Bruno Fernandes scream just then. He was back up on his feet within seconds!

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?

I think Smith Rowe is a no10 who can also play effectively from the left in tighter bigger games. Would make sense to sign a more experienced no10 to rotate with him and share the load. A massive part of our problem is when we get a injury to a key player we can’t replace them so try numerous different solutions to a problem that can’t be fixed.

Think the club view Partey as the no8 and want another player to come in at the base of our midfield.

The Chelsea win has obviously bought Arteta some time for now. If the decision is already made then it really doesn't matter but assuming it hasn't, it's game by game I'd imagine.

My worry if they have decided to get rid of Arteta is not having anyone who will do any better on deck. We'll do what we did last time, invite some people for an interview or take CVs and have a sit down and discuss what they envision. My fear is we won't do much better. Emery had a good CV, Arteta worked with the best manager in the Prem. Anyone we interview will have a good CV and accomplishments. But will they be the right fit?

Rodgers is who I would want and who we should be focusing on. I hear calls for Gerrard but the SPL is a bit of a conundrum. It's a 2 team league for the most part. I'd like to see how Gerrard does in a league that has more competition and quality up and down the league. The Bundesliga is a one team league but they have good teams throughout.

The one thing Arsenal has to figure out and by Arsenal I mean the ones in the club who have some semblance of power, are not happy with the current ownership. The thing they need to figure out is how to be successful in spite of Kroenke. I've always said if we win anything it would be in spite of not because of Kroenke.

My hope is these voices within the club speak to each other.

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.

I think Luiz has been a decent buy, the best of the 3 chelsea retirement buys (Willian, Čech)

There’s a possibility we could miss his passing out from the back unless we strengthen in defence and midfield.

I really hope we have a change in policy though and stop offering these older players the most expensive final contract offer they get when they are passed their best. Type of thing spurs did in the 90s

Joe Willock misses a penalty






then scores on the rebound. 3-2 Newcastle beating Man City.

Two minutes later City score now 3-3

If Saliba comes back and is even remotely as good as he was first reported to be, then a Gabriel, Saliba and Holding is a pretty good core of central defenders that is pretty solid. Throw in decent selection of full backs led by Tierney and the defense looks good with Partey in front of it.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football ... z-24114104

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

Hmmm....at the risk of sounding like a conspiracy theorist.

At his best he was still very good. The performance he put in to beat city in the fa cup semi final was as good as any modern CB for Arsenal. Then did it again in the final.
He’s a player who might have 8/10 good games but then make 1 mistake and that is the only thing people will remember.
Its the right decision to not renew we need to build for the future but we will miss his leadership on and off the pitch

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

Still, it's interesting to discover that AG believes Kroenke has no love of the game. I wish AG would post more often, to keep us better informed of his views.

FA Cup final day. I remember how it felt to lose in 2001 against Liverpool - it was an absolute travesty. Stephane Henchoz's handball, a billion shots on and off target etc. Nonetheless, had God had a quiet word after the match - 'Don't worry, cobber,* Arsenal are going to appear in seven FA Cup finals in the next two decades and win every last one of them' - I think I'd have settled for that. Thanks, God.

* God is Australian. It's obvious if you really know your Bible.

On the other hand, the idea that Kroenke might "see the table" and revise his views radically, is something I'm sure we can relate to.

Burnley v Leeds ought to be interesting. Leeds are a decent side. I don't think we can say they can't catch us, a game in hand and "only" 5 points behind. The way our season has been going, the 2 remaining games aren't a given.

Hadn't noticed this before but we're actually the most in form club at the moment. 3 PL wins in a row.

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.

I am sure we can all also relate to being completely ignorant of Arsenal's form. 99.9% of the world population, perhaps including such luminaries as Trump and Kroenke, are probably unaware that we won our last 3 games. Kim Jong-Un probably thinks of something else entirely if the word 'arsenal' comes up in conversation.