Not my words, but those I've lifted from an article, from a website called GiveMeSport. 1. Tottenham have better depth in their squad Despite losing their star talisman Tottenham have invested in seven top class internationals. This will provide a more balanced edge to the squad and will allow Spurs to compete in other tournaments without sacrificing performances in the Premier League. In contrast Arsenal have only brought in three players and with long term injuries to Mikel Arteta, Lucas Podolski and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain it highlights a bare-boned Arsenal squad. 2. There is more competition for places at a Tottenham With the addition of so many players in the Tottenham squad it will motivate current Spurs starters to up their game in order to establish themselves as a first name on the teem sheet. The places of Mousa Dembele and Aaron Lennon are under threat and despite them both having good performances last season, the competition for places might bring their performances to the next level. Whereas the Arsenal team consists of less competition as a majority of Arsenal's XI will likely feature week in and week out. 3. Andre Villas Boas is under pressure whereas Arsene Wenger's job seems safe Yes, Arsene Wenger has been under scrutiny from the Arsenal fans however with talks of a new contract under negotiations it will be extremely difficult to see how his job is under threat. However the Tottenham head coach has been fully backed in the transfer window by chairman Daniel Levy and by spending over £100m on incoming players there will be very little excuse for not piping their arch rivals. 4. Arsenal have to win a trophy they are capable of wining With Arsenal's last trophy coming back in 2005 with the FA Cup, Arsenal need to put more emphasis on a winning a Cup competition. When losing to League 2 side Bradford and Championship side Blackburn at home last season, it was a difficult cup season and until Arsene manages to win something the wait will continue. 5. Tottenham have lost Gareth Bale Yes, despite looking at the face of it, it may be a huge miss for Spurs but only time will tell. The benefit of losing Bale is that they are less reliant on one individual who carried Tottenham to fifth place last season. Therefore Spurs will be able to establish their own identity of attacking flair instead of just a moment of individual brilliance provided by you know who. So, there you have it. Seems like a done deal to me.
The last sentence of point four is the daftest thing I've read in a long time. They haven't won anything since 2005 and until they win something the wait will continue. Well that seems overtly bloody obvious that the wait will continue until they win something. It's very dangerous to post articles like this because if it goes wrong then egg on mush big time. It's happened before "oh we'll win" and crash bang wallop. Yes they have a bare squad but their morale is high. AVB's under pressure? How exactly?
Waiting for our gooner visitors to see this,they will probaby say we have no chance,because they have Ozil,and according to a lot of gooners,he's better than Messi!
Only 5? Of course we'll finish above them, they're **** Anyway, I'd rather we won the FA Cup or Europa League than finished top 4, to be honest. Due to the depth you mentioned I see no reason we can't compete seriously for these titles without it affecting our league form too badly. That said, until I see otherwise we haven't really improved our first 11 on last season whilst Arsenal have. All in all it's going to be another fascinating season and I think we'll finish close to eachother again.
I don't make Arsenal a priority or an obsession because I want to finish above all the others regardless of who they are.
One reason Spurs will finish above Arsenal this season - by getting more points than Arsenal. Winning a couple more games than they do is a good start, losing a couple less than them will also help...
HIAG is only quoting it don't forget. None of the points are of his conception but I still think it's dangerous to do it.
Arsenal are unpredictable because they go through good periods and then those when they are absolute dross. They lost to Villa only by two penalties don't forget which does not say that Villa are on good form or Arsenal are on bad form. Penalties tell us sweet fanny about anything. Since their loss they've scored well except against us which was only one goal which says to me that our form isn't bad. They started off badly last season but finished strongly which is the right way to do it and I bloody well hope that we do the same but ffs don't predict things like that. Just stay schtum.
I think people are getting ants in their pants unnecessarily over this thread. Firstly, those points are not mine, I lifted them directly from an article written for a site called GiveMeSport (that I had never heard of before). I found reference to the site from the Official Spurs website. If people are genuinely upset about the points made, I suggest that they (1) complain to THFC about it, and (2) grow a pair. Secondly, where, in my OP, do I once say that I agree with any of the points being made? Let me save you bother of looking - nowhere. If you must know, I don't actually agree with any of it; it's a silly "article" probably written by a 17 year old. I actually found it funny, and thought most of you would, too. Drawing in the odd Gooner-biter here and there was considered to be an additional bonus, but not essential. Thirdly - and this may seem an extremely impertinent question, for which I apologise, in advance - what the hell has happened to the banter on this board? It's becoming more and more like the Gooners' board every day! We'll be banning people for laughing, next. So what if we don't finish above Arsenal? Merely claiming that we will isn't going to make our squad of players play any worse or any better. Fourthly, as for invoking the derision of Gooners, if I ever let that bother me I'd never get out of bed in the mornings. Finally, I wouldn't be the HIAG that you all know, love, respect, and fear if I didn't make this kind of thread. Go on, admit it! You all love this kind of discussion!
It's been so close between the two clubs these past couple of seasons; this season is unlikely to be any different.......but Arsenal's squad is pretty thin and if they can't field their first team often enough, I see them dropping behing Spurs and Liverpool.
Little Luke, do you think 'Pool will be stronger this season? I know they've had a fantastic start (for them), but do you see them maintaining that kind of form? You will know that 99% of red Mousers have already backed a substantial portion of their dole-money and child allowance on 'Pool winning the league, this season.
I'd like to think not, but I'm probably in denial. They should be good enough to for 5th or 6th. Outsiders for 4th. I know they beat Utd, but they looked lightweight in midfield. Utd had loads of possession, although it was wasted. If Fellaini had been playing them, I think they would have buckled. They also had to hang on against Stoke and Villa. So they're not convincing, but you can't argue with 9/9 points.
