The College Dropout

City 4th, really? They have three games in hand, and only need to win two of those to go top. Even if you don't think they'll win the league (they will), they definitely won't finish beneath Arsenal. This. Chelsea play 2 of the top 9 Liverpool 4/9 Arsenal 4/9 City 5/9 Yes they have games in hand but they have a harder run in and this season they seem more vulnerable when they pick up injuries. Only 5 of the top 9 have anything to play for. As the season winds down, us, Southampton & Spurs begin to look like dead rubber games. I wouldn't want to face the teams fighting for their lives.

The only time their midfield has steamrollered ours when Cabaye was here was when Fergie played a narrow diamond with 4 midfielders in central positions. Fergie knew 2v2 we had one of the strongest pairs in the league. I'm referring to the 0-3 at SJP when Evra scored two headers or something. Am I missing any other games?

What was the point in playing the kids?

Fuck is wrong with Sandro?

Fuck is wrong with Townsend? Seriously? Did he play for Spurs?

Benfica choking.

Borini

Deeper pockets = less patience. In football building sides is an advantage over 3-5 years.

It's weird.. quite like Benfica and the whole team.

Teams low on genuine confidence tend to go on the defensive when they are in the lead. While i'm not sure Man Utd and Moyes are a good fit, there's nothing wrong with being solid first and foremost. Tactically, that's Mourinho's modus operandi, a defensively strong counter attacking teams with pace and strength up front and wide. Mou is also good at getting the most out of certain attackers, that's what Moyes has always been poor at. #9 rarely do well for him.

Atletico Madrid have had Falcao, Costa & Aguero in recent years. Arsenal have produced plenty of world class players bought from other clubs. The right system it can work.

He missed something like the first 5 games. Sturridge has missed a fair few too. If it weren't for their cup exploits i'm certain Arsenal would have more points than they currently do. They've run a number of their side into the ground and they've picked up injuries. They've given it a go in every cup, even when they lost in the league cup they started Ramsey, Wilshere, Cazorla and others came off the bench.

Agreed. Man for man quality wise this is the worst Arsenal squad he's had. Great defensively though and still have that Arsenal way of playing.

Does anyone think this team is better than the one Rafa crumbled with and finished 2nd?

Don't really need the very best. They've rarely bought the finished article. A very good team with 2-3 world class players can challenge for all honours. Look at Arsenal - how many of theirs are world class? The most world class aspect is the manager.

Doubt Gomis would be coming.

SMH it would be unbearable. Hansen, Lawro, Carragher, Fowler, heck the whole media absolutely creaming themselves. Glory hunters 14-50 up and down the country, absolutely creaming themselves... the Nordic nations.. all over themselves and their laptops.

He's 72.

Tbf he came for trophies. At his age he doesn't have time to be part of a rebuild as the main man.

Galatasaray's marking at set pieces has been terrible.

Absolutely. While I think Moyes was bashing his head off his own glass ceiling, there's no doubt whatsoever that he laid down incredibly solid foundations within the first team, perfect for another manager with a bit more attacking nous. Martinez couldn't have picked a better job for himself, real test for him is when he has to start replacing the old guard with his own players, especially at the back. Agreed

dunno if Man Utd go out this week and a delegation of senior players goes to Fergie to complain about Moyes being useless etc and he gets the sack (wouldn't be the first time in Man Utd history) then who better as a caretaker until the wider selection of better candidates after the world cup. The man is 72. Let him relax.

0-0 all over it.

Same but I really can't see it. 1 result can change everything though. If Wenger breaks the Mourinho duck (very unlikely I know) it's back on in a massive way. The next 4 games before their semi final are massive as I fancy them to win their last 5. It's midtable sides and games against relegation teams that have 1-0 to the Arsenal written all over them.

FWIW I don't think this L'pool is very good. Fantastic to watch no doubt but I reckon the side that finished 2nd under Rafa are a better team. Of course the PL has regressed in quality since then and there's no SAF. They've benefited tremendously from not playing in Europe. Which is great for injuries, stamina but most importantly morale. They know they are as good as anything they've faced all season (even when they've lost). Their time is now as I think CL next season will cost them points.