Claudius We are literally competing with City. Literally. We could finish on 89 and them on 91 at best - which incidentally I don't think they will. The challenge for Arteta is to maintain that from season to season, but in the here and now we're direct and dangerous rivals to their top spot.
As Goon said, we've not seen the 100 point edition of City for 5/6 years. I struggle to reconcile your points. On one hand we've to have perspective because this team is producing at historic rates, yet on the other we've to be realistic because we can't compete. You can't have it both ways.
I'm not wanting to be overly negative here. I love Arteta, and more importantly I love that he's given me back a club I can feel proud of, and which I have rediscovered a real affinity with that I wasn't even aware I had lost through the latter Wenger years and what followed. And even if we don't win the league, I'm bursting with excitement that we're still in with a shout with three matchdays to go and I'm genuinely of the belief it is within touching distance.
Despite all of that, it is reasonable to reflect on our failures and different aspects of our season that have had an impact on the outcome. It is reasonable to argue it is within our own hands to have done better with the resources at our disposal (in several ways). It is reasonable to believe we should not be accepting of a second place finish because City are in infallible machine that puts any hope of success beyond us.
I can, and will, accept falling short because we've given it a proper go and because we are a team and manager that are still learning. And City are still a brilliant team with unrivalled depth. There's no shame in it.
Still don't think that will be the case though. Trophy will be ours come May 19th.
