Sicario2 - Tier 1 my point is, regardless of events outside of our control, having a bad season where we perform below our level is just part of normal variance. That it happened when our nearest rival had a meltdown is frustrating but kinda irrelevant to the point I'm making.

Us limping out the champs league and stinky Spurs winning europa and thus qualifying for champs league would be hellish

    lorddulaarsenal that’s why we need to win a trophy asap.

    Aston Villa have a decent chance of ending their 29 year trophy drought this season (with Emery in charge). Clubs like Bournemouth, Fulham, Palace and Brighton could also win a trophy for the first time in their histories this season. Hell, Newcastle have a fighting chance of winning something for the first time in 70 years this season too.

    We need to wake up soon.

      Arteta and the coaches working hard to keep the mood light ahead of PSV. Probably reading too much into it, but it would suggest the coaches are aware how trying this season has been and that a little relaxation/positivity at this point is needed to keep us light ahead of PSV.

      Sicario2 - Tier 1 so what? None of that changes my perception of us. Whilst it's nice to win stuff, plenty of second rate teams have won the competitions you're talking about.

      I'd argue that if we start to judge our season based on the winners of those trophies, we're probably in a worse spot than we are now (and not a top tier team)!

        Don Pacifico second rate teams? Such as? Yes, Man Utd were shit last year but they are not a second rate club.

        Fa cup and league cup Winners last ten years:

        2015- Arsenal
        2016 - Man Utd
        2017 - Arsenal
        2018 - Chelsea
        2019 - Man City
        2020- Arsenal
        2021- Man City
        2022 - Liverpool
        2023 - Man City
        2024 - Man Utd

        2015 - Chelsea
        2016 - Man City
        2017 - Man Utd
        2018 - Man City
        2019 - Man City
        2020- Man City
        2021- Man City
        2022- Liverpool
        2023 - Man Utd
        2024 - Liverpool

        Which one of these are ‘second rate clubs’?

        You put your nose down on Fa cup but take this trophy away would mean we have won exactly nothing since 2004 😂

        We haven’t won anything in 6 years, we don’t have a right to pick and choose trophies.

        We have some of the most arrogant fans in the world lol.

          QuincyAbeyie it’s still 20 teams
          Like it’s always been for the last 30 years. There’s still 1140 total points in a season like there’s always been. All you’re seeing is that richer, deeper clubs are creating more high performance stability throughout a season. But that means they’re taking 5-10 points from the rest of the league in the process versus prior seasons. Point is, it’s not a given you get to 85 or 90 points. You need to invest in the squad to guarantee that mean output season after season.

          So if we beat them we play Real Madrid? I don't know man

            Sicario2 - Tier 1 cmon mate, you've not read what I said.

            I didn't say no top tier teams have won the cups. And I also didn't turn my nose up at a trophy.

            I responded to your post suggesting not winning a trophy was a disaster because Bournemouth could win the FA Cup. Let's also not forget that Portsmouth and Wigan have won the Cup. These teams winning the FA Cup and us not winning it has no bearing on how I perceive our club.

            Am so disillusioned I might not even watch this. Have something on at the same time and am making zero effort to reschedule that so I can watch the game. I usually try but can't be fucked this time.

            Good opportunity to get back on an even keel, this.

            PSV are 3/1, draw 5/2, Arsenal 21/20.

            After a relatively restful fortnight in terms of fixtures, a 2+ goal victory would combine a morale boost with a bit of extra breathing time while we wait on our injured absentees, especially Martinelli and Saka, to filter back into the reckoning.

            We have been rubbish without forwards, but if those two are healthy and we're lucky enough to still be in this thing, we'll be far better able to imagine going further. Both players might be getting back to fitness by around the QFs.