Chances for 4th ??

A lot have thought our chances on 4th rest on any new signings this January and each passing day fills us with dread there will be no new signings (or they'll be so rushed it wont be the quality we need)

Despite the poor 1st half showings both Man City and Chelsea they were tough games to win regardless and we've actually already got through alot of the tougher fixtures so realistically 7 point offs Spurs with a home game vs. West Ham in hand we only have 2 more REALLY tough games.

* Spurs (AWAY) - March 3rd (Our main rival for 4th and all the rest of the obvious Derby, hatred, etc)
* Man Utd (HOME) - April 27th (On course for the title especially 4 games from the end of the season)

We've played Man City H-A, Man Utd-A, Chelsea H-A, Everton-A, Liverpool-A, Spurs-H, Stoke-A

HOWEVER with our form of course any game is tough for us as evidenced with dropping points to Norwich, Southampton, etc.

But all the remaining games have to be viewed as must win games and hopefully a run can build momentum for the team

Again that could rely heavily on a/some BIG new signings both in the quality it adds and raising the spirits

I'd also like to see a change in formation, time to possibly give Podolski a shot at playing upfront and hope there is some way Rosicky can get back in the side when fit

 

To be honest i dont really fancy our chances now even if we do make a signing.

I've been wrong before however..

 

3 points against West Ham and we're in touching distance of Spurs

Arteta and Rosicky get fit and we have a new clinical centre forward we'll have a better chance

Spurs could go on a bad run and drop points themselves

Although they weren't long term successes bringing in Reyes and Arshavin helped improve the 2nd half of those seasons

 

If we win against West Ham we will be in exactly the same position we were last season, only last season we had RVP and went on a terrific run after beating Blackburn 7-1. We stumbled towards the end of the season when Arteta was injured but still managed to scrape through into 3rd. At this stage last season we were 7 points adrift of Chelsea and 11 of Spurs. It's all immaterial though, the transfer window is not over yet and we may yet get at least one WC player. Anything can happen and yet I feel this season we have not been able to string wins together as we did last season and this will be costly IMO.

 

We've regressed further since Pat Rice left.

All his fault!

 

I bet pats nails have actually had a chance to grow since he's retired. Him and Wenger were absolute comedy at times. He is definitely missed by The boss.

 

I think its unlikley unless we add a DM and a striker.

I do think it'll be a pretty close run thing however.

Spurs will have dip in form and Chelsea could well do too.

 

you've got a chance of getting 4th providing you sort out your defence.

 

If only it were as simple as blaming our defence. Sadly, there's a few more tweaks required.

 

like midfield and up-front.

 

So that's defence, midfield and up front then good detailed insight there . .

 

Mertesacker's not good enough for you or Giroud is either in my opinion, play Walcott up-front, that's his position.

 

Mertesacker has been one of our best defenders and Walcott is playing up front, what is your point ?

 

Mertersacker has been our best CB this season. Giroud has 9 goals and 9 assists (though a 4-4-2 with him as support striker would suit Arsenal best because Theo can't hold the attack on his own)

 

he did score against Chelsea yesterday to be fair.

 

I know, but he still can't hold up the attack against big teams on his own.

 

True.

 

If we fail to buy anyone, then there is next to zero chance of us coming in the top four. In fact at this point, we need at least two quality additions and hope that our main players remain injury free. Losing Sandro could in the end prove to be a massive blow for Spurs, but yesterday they did well and fought until the end. Showed way more character than us. That's worrying because it's shows the difference in mentally between us and them. Whatever AVB is doing, it's working and he has a team that will fight for him.

 

I agree. Except we may already have that clinical CF in Podolski, so I suggest we sign a DM to ensure Jack and Arteta are always 100% fit and rested (we all know Diaby will go down before the Munich games anyway).

 

Usually we do okay against the 'top' teams, nicking unexpected wins here and there. It's against the 'smaller' teams that we become complacent and disappoint. This season every game has been a struggle, whether that's against your City's and Chelsea's or bloody Norwich and Villa. I just can't see us getting top four unless major players are signed this month.