Assuming that they lose Fab and Nasri (with Clichy already gone), and assuming also that we lose Moddy, will we be stronger than the Gooners next season? I expect us to strengthen by buying at least one quality striker and one CM to act as playmaker, and with THudd back to full fitness, and VDV having rested up, I think we will still be a formidable side, even without Moddy. But will we be stronger than the Gooners? Every season, many us predict that we will finish above them, and yet we seem to lack what it takes to trounce them, even though they always bottle it in the last quarter of the season. Will next season be our season? Will we finally see the power-shift in North London that many of us have been predicting?
i don't know,they have already started buying top players,and we have'nt unless you put our new keeper as one
Errrr. NO. I don't. But thus far I haven't been impressed with either of our transfer dealings, but L'Arse have stole a march on us with Gervinho's signing. Everything depends on whether they can keep Nasri & Fabregas, and whether we can keep Modric & sign a striker. To be honest, without 2-3 new players in each side I don't see CL football for either of our teams, instead I can see us head to head for 5th.
Arsenal have been written off for a top4 finish ever since Henry left - and every season since we've qualified for the Champions League and put in a decent title challenge. I still think we need a new CB and if Fab goes a replacement in CM. But it looks like Nasri is staying at least so he can play there just as effectively. Sorry, but we've been hearing about this NL power shift for a few seasons now and it just hasn't materialised. If Modric goes, I think you'll be battling it out with Liverpool for 5th.
The way things are going at the moment - No. However, we are not a million miles behind them. With a better strike force, and a few less defensive cock-ups, we could well have finished above them last season.
Maybe, but any team can speculate about what could have been. Arsenal could argue that if Vermaelen was fit, they wouldn't have conceded anywhere near 43 goals and could have won the league.
If we manage to keep Moddy and the Gooners lose both Fab and Naz, we'll be stronger than the Gooners, even without strengthening. Although, of course, we do need to strengthen in order to firmly put them in their place. At long last!
Nasri isn't going anywhere and we've already started to strengthen. To be honest mate, we've heard this same story for the last sixteen years. You're just setting yourself up again.
That's what we said 16 years ago. We were complacent too and believed we had a magical formula. It never lasts forever. Unless Nasri re-signs you make him stay so he can go on a Bosman? I don't think so pal.
Nah. Things feel very different this time. I know that Whinger is saying that Naz won't be leaving, but I can't see your board taking any chances that he'll walk on a Bosman. I can't see that you've got any choice but to sell him. City would be my bet.
Wenger has already said that he's staying. Nasri has said that he is 'committed' to the club. There's no way Wenger will sell Fabregas and Nasri in the same window. I think he's hopeful that Nasri will sign a contract extension. If not then it looks likely he'll go for free next season. Which to be honest, I'd rather do than sell him now.
You say that Naz is "committed" to Arsenal, and yet he still hasn't signed a contract. I can't see how playing with two key players who want away is going to do you any favours. And now you've got RvP telling Whinger that he's got to buy in new players. It's not going to be too long before he starts to issue ultimatums. I'm not saying that you are a spent force, far from it. However, it would be foolish to suggest that everything is hunky dory at AFC or that none of it has affected the morale of your squad.
It depends on the strategy we adopt against the weaker teams, if we play as we did last season then we will suffer more than if we lose Modric, likewise with arse there strategy is perceived to be stronger against the weaker teams but I think they will struggle if they cannot get the best out of fab or nas. likely. Also arse have a bigger problem with sorting there defence. Big if if King can put in more appearances then i think this as well as changing our strategy will be enough to take us above arse, not sure if it will be enough to get us above a resurgent pool.
The point I was making, Piskie, is that the gap has closed significantly. We are now very close behind you.
Forget Arsenal, Man City are the team I would aim to overtake in the top 4 next season. There is a 99% chance Tevez will leave them and in my mind he is far more important to them than Fabregas is to the Goons and Modric is to us. It all depends on who makes the best signings before the window closes as Man City, Le Arse and ourselves could all be a lot weaker than we were last season whilst Liverpool look like they will have a bigger and stronger squad. Gonna be an interesting season though.
Agreed City are going to be strong this season, I think they could push Chelsea and Utd for the title. To be honest I would be happy with a Top 4 finish for Arsenal, but we badly need to win a trophy for our players and fans. I really think Spurs will be there with Liverpool battling for 5th - and maybe another team too.
Piskie you haven't read the post. It says City will be a lot weaker without Tevez They will be ****ed once the FPP regulations kick in
We'll see. If Modric goes, so does your creative engine. If Fabregas goes, we've got Nasri, Wilshere and Ramsey who can play there. We've already started to strengthen and I think we'll add more at the back too. Even without Tevez, City will still be strong and if he does go, you can bet they'll be adding another £30m striker before the window closes.
