Clrnc wrote:

It is probably because of how we are playing this season. Not creating much chances, but relying on scoring and then scrapping for victories compared to City who is steamrolling every team.

The last time we won the title in 2004, we steamrolled teams and created loads of chances in every match.

I think that's a misconception. Fair enough, we created a bag of chances each game, but the goals came from three players mainly and one of them was the best footballer on the planet at the time. Off the top of my head I think the most common result during the whole Invincibles run was 2-1.

Edit: Yep, looks that way. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invincibles_(football)#Matches_2

Not many freescoring results in that run. Looks like we only scored 4 goals or more on 4 occasions in 03/04. 73 goals in total. We're on for something similar this year, probably a couple goals more. The big difference is that we could kill off games early on back then. We don't do that anymore, and it creates this sense of frustration. At 0-0 in the 60th minute you start seeing the points slip away.

Hope wengy has just kept it quiet (not neccesarily draxler but in general our transfer activity). But the lack of urgency compared to last summer is a bit worrying. Has any good striker moved or looks like moving?

Yep. We nearly lost a few that season too.

Speaking dispassionately, I think this season's City would've given the Invincibles a run for their money head to head. Certainly at Eastlands.

Agreed. Whilst ripping into those United and 'Pool fans (for struggling in 8th or despite their boasting looking like they'll be fighting their neighbors for a top 4 position respectively) we still need to be able to admit that it does look increasingly likely that City will win it (whilst being hopeful we have an still have a shot). Otherwise we start looking like those deluded Spuds or Liverpool fans.

Loyan wrote:

Agreed. Whilst ripping into those United and 'Pool fans (for struggling in 8th or despite their boasting looking like they'll be fighting their neighbors for a top 4 position respectively) we still need to be able to admit that it does look increasingly likely that City will win it (whilst being hopeful we have an still have a shot). Otherwise we start looking like those deluded Spuds or Liverpool fans.

I'd be surprised if there is anyone on this forum that sees us as favorites.

Klaus wrote:

Clrnc wrote:

It is probably because of how we are playing this season. Not creating much chances, but relying on scoring and then scrapping for victories compared to City who is steamrolling every team.

The last time we won the title in 2004, we steamrolled teams and created loads of chances in every match.

I think that's a misconception. Fair enough, we created a bag of chances each game, but the goals came from three players mainly and one of them was the best footballer on the planet at the time. Off the top of my head I think the most common result during the whole Invincibles run was 2-1.

Edit: Yep, looks that way. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Invincibles_(football)#Matches_2

Not many freescoring results in that run. Looks like we only scored 4 goals or more on 4 occasions in 03/04. 73 goals in total. We're on for something similar this year, probably a couple goals more. The big difference is that we could kill off games early on back then. We don't do that anymore, and it creates this sense of frustration. At 0-0 in the 60th minute you start seeing the points slip away.

Agreed, a popular misconception is we played great football that season. We played far better attacking football in 02/03 & 04/05 but defensively we were suspect in those seasons. Like you say we killed teams off quickly and usually cruised the rest of the game

So, no Draxler this window?
Are we really sure?
I've not been expected us to do anything major this January and Draxler only interested me after we started getting linked with him.
I didn't come into January thinking we've got to sign Draxler or the league is lost.

Draxler is a long term player and I think some people are getting a bit ahead of themselves when they think signing him might win us the title. Experienced players come over from abroad and find it tough initially so there is no guarantee he will settle in quickly though I suppose if he came in now it will mean he should be quite settled off the pitch going into the new season.

Only reason I can see for us getting him now is if Schalke are desperate to sell meaning we can get him for less than his buy out clause which is active in the summer. So we will avoid competing with other clubs in the summer IF we really want him.

Burnwinter wrote:

once again we don't appear to quite have what it would take to close out a major trophy

Why do we not have what it takes to close out a major trophy? We've amassed 90 points from our last 38 league games, slightly misleading maybe but either way that's championship winning form. Despite all this talk of tiredness and fatigue taking it's toll, recent history tells us the last few months of the season is where we actually improve. Our form is also built on solid defending which looks unlikely to change barring an injury.

Of course, the standard response is "what if Giroud get's an injury". The same line we used to get when Thierry used to lead the line. Funny thing is, if we had van Persie playing up top and Giroud as his backup, we'd still probably hear that line. If it happens it happens, but this is a guy who's played 34 league games or more over the last 4 seasons, I don't see why it's seen as inevitable that he'll break down.

City look intimidating but they're still second.

otfgoon wrote:

The same line we used to get when Thierry used to lead the line.

Yeah but we had Bergkamp, Suker, Wiltord, Kanu, etc when Henry was out. Now we've got Bendtner.

Klaus wrote:

Not many freescoring results in that run. Looks like we only scored 4 goals or more on 4 occasions in 03/04. 73 goals in total. We're on for something similar this year, probably a couple goals more. The big difference is that we could kill off games early on back then. We don't do that anymore, and it creates this sense of frustration. At 0-0 in the 60th minute you start seeing the points slip away.

We only scored 4 goals twice this season too, against a piss poor Norwich and League 1 Coventry. That, plus the fact we always playing back against the wall, hanging on to a single goal victory this season has lessen our confidence quite abit.

There are plenty of matches where we don't create many chances and look devoid of ideas to score. We can only hope that changes when Podolski starts playing more regularly. It could have changed when Theo came back but...

otfgoon wrote:

Burnwinter wrote:

once again we don't appear to quite have what it would take to close out a major trophy

Why do we not have what it takes to close out a major trophy? We've amassed 90 points from our last 38 league games, slightly misleading maybe but either way that's championship winning form. Despite all this talk of tiredness and fatigue taking it's toll, recent history tells us the last few months of the season is where we actually improve. Our form is also built on solid defending which looks unlikely to change barring an injury.

Of course, the standard response is "what if Giroud get's an injury". The same line we used to get when Thierry used to lead the line. Funny thing is, if we had van Persie playing up top and Giroud as his backup, we'd still probably hear that line. If it happens it happens, but this is a guy who's played 34 league games or more over the last 4 seasons, I don't see why it's seen as inevitable that he'll break down.

City look intimidating but they're still second.

Recent history tells us we get quite a few injuries throughout the season

Recent history tells us we've lost out on promising positions due to lack of squad depth

Recent history tells us we've not won a trophy for 9 years

So I'd rather spend a bit of money when we have a promising situation going on here rather than deal with what if's again

Yes, we've had injuries throughout the last 38 games too, still got 90 points haven't we?

We've got plenty of depth too, more than the invincible's ever had.

I do realise we've not won for 9 years but I don't think even City's money can afford to change that, unless they have a time machine lying around.

Most importantly though "a bit of money" and the sort of players you'd like us to bring in isn't going to change anything.

qs! wrote:

otfgoon wrote:

The same line we used to get when Thierry used to lead the line.

Yeah but we had Bergkamp, Suker, Wiltord, Kanu, etc when Henry was out. Now we've got Bendtner.

If Henry got injured for 6 months you reckon we'd have still won the league in the invincible's season? Or in 2002?

tbh, i'm not too fussed if we sign him now or not. we have plenty of options on the wings. he's ours in the summer if we want him.

think a guy like vucinic could have a greater impact for us in the next 4-5 months.

If we defer this to the summer , no way we are getting him. Needs to be in this window. A lot can change in 6 months, possible that a few other clubs may be interested .

That's obviously not true though. Which major events are supposed to take place within the next 6 months, which will mean that we will no longer be able to buy him?

otfgoon wrote:

Yes, we've had injuries throughout the last 38 games too, still got 90 points haven't we?

We've got plenty of depth too, more than the invincible's ever had.

I do realise we've not won for 9 years but I don't think even City's money can afford to change that, unless they have a time machine lying around.

Most importantly though "a bit of money" and the sort of players you'd like us to bring in isn't going to change anything.

qs! wrote:

Yeah but we had Bergkamp, Suker, Wiltord, Kanu, etc when Henry was out. Now we've got Bendtner.

If Henry got injured for 6 months you reckon we'd have still won the league in the invincible's season? Or in 2002?

More depth than the invincibles?

Reg the bolded who's making assumptions now?

I think the majority of forum members and a current two time serie a winning manager would agree that the likes of Vucinic represent more capable options than Bendtner.

We certainly have more depth all over the field than we had in 20043/ 04 other than in the forward position. It isn't something to laugh at. Gilberto played right wing when Ljungberg was injured. We have managed extremely well with the injuries we have had this season, something we would not be able to do in any season before this.

Bosscielny wrote:

Loyan wrote:

Agreed. Whilst ripping into those United and 'Pool fans (for struggling in 8th or despite their boasting looking like they'll be fighting their neighbors for a top 4 position respectively) we still need to be able to admit that it does look increasingly likely that City will win it (whilst being hopeful we have an still have a shot). Otherwise we start looking like those deluded Spuds or Liverpool fans.

I'd be surprised if there is anyone on this forum that sees us as favorites.

Wasn't talking about the forum. Generally see such extreme views by other teams fans and our own. Many other fans try arguing with me we have no chance which is absurd. On the other hand a lot of arsenal fans I know absolutely believe we'll win the title with no problem and talk as if it's already in the bag.