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How long has Diaby been out now?

He's a key player for them who they can't properly replace.

I think they'll by another DM in Jan.

Why can't they replace him?
Not selling Song to Barca in the summer would've helped, for a start.
 
Why can't they replace him?
Not selling Song to Barca in the summer would've helped, for a start.

I didn't think that Diaby was a hit with the Arsenal fans anyway? and didn't really start much at all, for that matter?
 
They don't even play him as a DM as they don't use DMs. He's one of the options they use as backup to Wilshere and pretty much every other position in the squad.

They haven't exactly been injury free though, whilst they have had less than us in terms of first teamers.
 
We have also played all those sides, except for Liverpool, who we could swap with Newcastle (who we have played) as a similar replacement. Again, we've played United, City, Arsenal and Newcastle away out of that lot. Some of the players in your team are players we could never afford, yet we're still only 5 points behind you with a new manager in place and a hell of a lot of injuries. For me, that's positive and just shows how difficult anything is to hard to call right now. We also have quite a decent set of fixtures throughout Dec and Jan on paper. With the exception of Everton away and United at home which will be tough, the rest are all winnable games, which include Villa, Sunderland, Reading and QPR.

To also say that Arsenal can't put a run together is a massive statement. Their team is full of quality players. For all we know right now, arsenal might have had their bad patch already and could be on the start of a good run since beating us.

On the other hand, you guys aren't on the best of form, have sacked yet another manager, have brought in a new manager that the fans are already booing and could easily see things turn sour. - it's just too early to call.

We've also played Newcastle <ok>

It is a massive statement but Chelsea won 7 games from 8 (1 being a goalless draw). I don't believe Arsenal have a side capable of going on that kind of run. Just my opinion, I still think they'll get 4th but not by much.

He was talking to DL <ok>



I'd love to see that 11? For me;

Lloris

Sagna (Walker would get in on last season's form)
Vermaelen
Vertonghen
Baines

Fellaini
Wilshere
Dembele

Mirales
Giroud
Bale

3 Everton
4 Spurs
4 Arsenal


Lloris

Sagna
Kaboul
Jagielka
Baines

Fellaini
Cazorla
Dembele

Bale
Jelavic
Mirallis


5 Everton, 4 Spurs, 2 Arsenal
 
Why are people picking Mirallas? Not only is he not guaranteed a start for Everton and he's only played a handful of games, but you can't even spell his name! <laugh>
Anyone that fails to pick Sandro is just wrong.

You can't talk about Chelsea's form as an indicator now, DL. You don't have the same manager.
That could go either way, but previous performances are clearly not indicative of how Rafa might do.
 
Why are people picking Mirallas? Not only is he not guaranteed a start for Everton and he's only played a handful of games, but you can't even spell his name! <laugh>
Anyone that fails to pick Sandro is just wrong.

You can't talk about Chelsea's form as an indicator now, DL. You don't have the same manager.
That could go either way, but previous performances are clearly not indicative of how Rafa might do.

Class player, PNP.

Sandro would and should get into any XI but how do you leave Cazorla, Dembele or Fellaini out? <yikes>
 
Class player, PNP.

Sandro would and should get into any XI but how do you leave Cazorla, Dembele or Fellaini out? <yikes>

Quite easily. You say, Cazorla, you're not good enough for Spain, so you're not good enough for me. You're fired!

I'd pick a formation that made some sense, myself... <whistle>
Why hasn't anyone picked Tony Hibbert?
 
The amazing selection is Jagielka. I think he's only in above the Belgians to get DL to more Everton players.

Mirallas has been exceptional when he's played this year. On current form he would get into that team. Walcott not even a sniff, Lennon would be close though. I guess I was trying too hard not to be biased.
 
Not sure either, Walcott and Lennon are both a lot better.

I think it's safe to say Chelsea will be in the top 4 again. If they're struggling by Christmas they'll spend big in January like they've done before.

Like buying Torres?
 
If they sign Falcao, I can't see him not being a hit and therefore undroppable, unless they intend 2 up front, I can see Torres getting the hump and being sold in the summer. Him and Rafa can walk out the door holding hands!
 
They spent £70mill on him and Luiz and they improved greatly in the second half of the season.

This season it's looking likely to be Falcao and whoever else they fancy.

Who needs falcao? <laugh>

http://www1.skysports.com/football/...-for-QPR-and-Harry-Redknapp-Andre-Villas-Boas

"Villas-Boas admits Defoe is among the best strikers he has worked with and even ranked him alongside Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, who scored bags of goals for the Portuguese boss at FC Porto and is now setting the Spanish league alight with Atletico Madrid.
"I certainly put him alongside Falcao," added Villas-Boas.

"His hunger for goal is extreme. That makes things easier for you to work with because you don't have to teach a lot.

"He smells every cross and when the opportunity is there to tap it in."

However, Villas-Boas has refused to rule out the prospect of defender Michael Dawson linking up with Redknapp again.

"I think if that possibility arises we will have to consider it," he said."
 
Mirallas is a world above Walcott and Lennon.

Jagielka's and even Jelavic's inclusion baffles me though.

Couldn't disagree more about Mirallas, he'd have to be very good to even be on Walcott and Lennon's level.

I've always though Jagielka's a really good centre back but I wouldn't have him above Vertonghen and Koscielny though. Jelavic similarly but I don't think we've seen enough of Giroud actually playing well to put him in there and Defoe still has to prove he can put together a full season at this kind of level of performance, to be honest. I'd go with Adebayor upfront but I'm biased :D
 
Why aren't I entitled to an opinion without being accused of a WUM?

I don't rate Vermaelen and never have done. I don't rate Mertesacker either. The only Arsenal CB I rate is Koscielny but he's been poor so far this season. Difficult to assess Vertonghen as he's played LB which isn't his favoured position. Jagielka is excellent, his performance v United is as good as I've seen from any CB this season and I've always rated him.

Jelavic also brilliant as well, only takes one touch to score. Thought he was excellent at Rangers and being honest would walk into any of Chelsea, Arsenal or Spurs XI's.

I rate Walcott and to a lesser extent Lennon hugely but Mirallis seems much better technically and in terms of decision making. You don't turn down clubs like Porto and Arsenal if your not that good.

All 3 sides have excellent players so it's not easy choosing 11. Sandro, Walcott, Koscielny, Lennon, Defoe, Arteta, Wilshere, Rosicky all of whom I believe are quality players have been left out.
 
I think it's safe to say Chelsea will be in the top 4 again. If they're struggling by Christmas they'll spend big in January like they've done before.

We will be alright once we get out of December. Post-January no team in the PL is better than Chelsea, I don't know what it is but we always save our best football till March-May.

Whether we spend big or not we'll be okay then. Rumours are we'll be in for Karim Benzema, if that happens we will be a good bet to finish top 3 IMO and nick a trophy or two.