I thought I'd do a comparison of the teams we've faced this season and the points we got compared to last season, which was a terrible start in itself! By my calculations, we had 30 points this stage last season if facing the same opponents. We're 9 points worse off than last season and last season we only -just- scraped fourth! (Feel free to correct me if I've worked out anything wrong here)
Last season you always felt we had a chance of winning games even when we didnt play well, because of Persie
It also has to be pointed out that we could have even less points this season. For one, we were super lucky against QPR. We nicked that game undeservedly and Arteta's goal was arguably offside. The NLD also could've been completely different and if we're honest with ourselves, the scoreline papered over cracks.
Its all about our forwards. We play an attacking system with a high line yet dont have the offensive quality to make it work anymore. An Arsene Wenger side without a TOP CLASS striker is like an Italy side without a Top Centreback. Llorente, Huntelarr, Benzema, Higuiane, Cavani, Falcao - that's the qaulity of player we need to be looking at.
What about the 09-10 season? RVP picked up a serious knee injury and was out for most of the season. We were left with Bedntner as our other CF, who also got injured. We were reduced to playing Arshavin through the middle. In that time, I can't ever remember us being as bad we have been this season. Why?
Maybe Arsene is losing his fighting spirit, and is starting to accept the long-impending inevitability that we've become mediocre.
Since 2008, we have been in steady decline. That was the last time we actually challenged for the Premiership and Champions League. We had a quality team that played to a high level and were only vulnerable to the biggest teams. Teams used to employ defensive/negative tactics to take anything from us, and we were difficult to beat at home. For the past few years, we look very vulnerable at any given time, by any team. In that time, we've been out played by smaller teams, playing our style of football. The problem is fans are starting to run out of excuses, the popular being Wenger not having funds and our team being weak. So what was the excuse against Swansea? Not one of their players are better than ours, and that includes our supposedly weak bench. I could see the frustration and desperation in his face during the after match interview. He knew what was wrong, and he had no choice but to come out with a bum excuse. Only thing we're getting is 4th again, but that would involve Spurs, Liverpool and Everton messing up and us having a very good run. Either way we need a larger slice of luck than we've ever had.
Other than Suarez they have no threat. Even hough we've been dire Liverpool isn't good enough to catch us.
The same could be said for us last season, it was because of RVP that we managed to get the top 4 spot, all it takes is 1 world class player to help you past the finishing line. Manunited are where they are right now, in large part to RVP, imagine United without RVP and his key goals, where'd they be now? And imagine if RVP was still at Arsenal to provide those crucial goals we need, where'd we be?
You've got a point but they are steadily getting better and if they can get a couple of players in the Jan window, they could well be an indirect Danger even if they don't get 4th. Sometimes it's the distribution of points that matters in the league. I feel for brendon Rodgers, Kenny gave him such a Shiite squad that he's having to get rid of the trash which is holding him back.
