Rival watch

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Might sound weird based on the fact that currently both of our clubs are at opposite ends of the table, but I really do think the issues we've got with our ownership can be quite similar to yours. I also think if we don't properly reinforce the squad, or if we have a similar Summer like last year, then we're at risk of dropping out the top-4 next season. It could be a crucial crossroads for us. The last three years could all have been for nothing if we get it wrong again.

It's cute that you've come over here looking for sympathy.
 
Might sound weird based on the fact that currently both of our clubs are at opposite ends of the table, but I really do think the issues we've got with our ownership can be quite similar to yours. I also think if we don't properly reinforce the squad, or if we have a similar Summer like last year, then we're at risk of dropping out the top-4 next season. It could be a crucial crossroads for us. The last three years could all have been for nothing if we get it wrong again.
This league is getting harder and harder there are no free lunches but I would have thought your squad was top 4 quality for at least a couple of seasons
 
This league is getting harder and harder there are no free lunches but I would have thought your squad was top 4 quality for at least a couple of seasons

Things can change very fast as we all know. Chelsea will invest more, Man United will, City definitely will (as if they've not spent enough this Jan after their mini-crisis this season, but hey ho), Liverpool definitely will too, Newcastle already plotting to get Mbuemo in the Summer and you guys can't be any worse next season I'm sure of it.

It doesn't take much for your fortunes to do a complete 180 if you don't capitalise when you're on top. We had a terrible Summer window last year. If we repeat that mistake this Summer (which isn't beyond the realms of possibility under this ownership), then we could be on a downward trajectory pretty quickly.
 
Things can change very fast as we all know. Chelsea will invest more, Man United will, City definitely will (as if they've not spent enough this Jan after their mini-crisis this season, but hey ho), Liverpool definitely will too, Newcastle already plotting to get Mbuemo in the Summer and you guys can't be any worse next season I'm sure of it.

It doesn't take much for your fortunes to do a complete 180 if you don't capitalise when you're on top. We had a terrible Summer window last year. If we repeat that mistake this Summer (which isn't beyond the realms of possibility under this ownership), then we could be on a downward trajectory pretty quickly.
I think you should sell us Rice he's holding you back:emoticon-0103-cool:
 
Things can change very fast as we all know. Chelsea will invest more, Man United will, City definitely will (as if they've not spent enough this Jan after their mini-crisis this season, but hey ho), Liverpool definitely will too, Newcastle already plotting to get Mbuemo in the Summer and you guys can't be any worse next season I'm sure of it.

It doesn't take much for your fortunes to do a complete 180 if you don't capitalise when you're on top. We had a terrible Summer window last year. If we repeat that mistake this Summer (which isn't beyond the realms of possibility under this ownership), then we could be on a downward trajectory pretty quickly.
Saka leaves a huge hole in your team and it's difficult to find such players but generally the pool of competative teams seems to grow each year year. With City misfiring you might have
thought it was your year but then there's Liverpool and surprisingly Forest.

It's good for the league.
 
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Saka leaves a huge hole in your team and it's difficult to find such players but generally the pool of competative teams seems to grow each year year. With City misfiring you might have
thought it was your year but then there's Liverpool and surprisingly Forest.

It's good for the league.

I just think that when you're so close to winning the league for two years in a row, and you have the opportunity to strengthen your team further to maximise your chances for a 3rd season, you should take that opportunity instead of betting on your existing squad (who we were quite fortunate didn't suffer many big injuries overall). I get that it's not the best example to use because it's Man City, but look at how active they've been this January because they acknowledged their mistakes in the Summer in not freshening up the squad properly. I'm not saying we should be spending like them, but we should have been very active after the injuries to Saka and Jesus.

And whilst I know Liverpool didn't do much in the transfer window, look at the breadth of talent they have across their squad. They have 3 (possibly 4) Premier League greats in their squad. They've performed way better than I expected, but the point is, they're seizing their moment whilst being on top.

I keep seeing some Arsenal fans say 'We'll go again', 'Next year will be different' etc. Unless you're Real Madrid or one of the petrostate clubs, your window of opportunity doesn't last forever. It's always important to capitalise when you're on top otherwise you never know when your time will come again.

With us not doing anything, it's basically an admission that the club are writing off this season. What's the point in that?

It's a lesson Arsenal haven't learned and it's why we will continue to fall short when it matters the most.
 
I just think that when you're so close to winning the league for two years in a row, and you have the opportunity to strengthen your team further to maximise your chances for a 3rd season, you should take that opportunity instead of betting on your existing squad (who we were quite fortunate didn't suffer many big injuries overall). I get that it's not the best example to use because it's Man City, but look at how active they've been this January because they acknowledged their mistakes in the Summer in not freshening up the squad properly. I'm not saying we should be spending like them, but we should have been very active after the injuries to Saka and Jesus.

By not doing anything, it's basically an admission that the club are writing off this season. What's the point in that?

I keep seeing some Arsenal fans say 'We'll go again', 'Next year will be different' etc. Unless you're Real Madrid or one of the petrostate clubs, your window of opportunity doesn't last forever. It's always important to capitalise when you're on top otherwise you never know when your time will come again.

It's a lesson Arsenal haven't learned and it's why we will continue to fall short when it matters the most.

Yeah, people get exhaused after being so close some people want to move, some have their form drop off and injuries can always play a part.

I always thought when spurs were so close he should have backed levy
 
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Yeah, people get exhaused after being so close some people want to move, some have their form drop off and injuries can always play a part.

I always thought when spurs were so close he should have backed levy

There's this clip by Fabregas that went semi-viral on 'X' and it's the feeling I have now with the likes of Saliba, Gabriel, Saka etc.

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These calibre of players aren't just going to wait around for us to come good whilst they're seeing their peers at other clubs win silverware and fulfil their career ambitions.

We're going to be entering dangerous territory soon. I thought this era was behind us, but possibly not.
 
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Another gifted penalty for Varpool, at a pivotal point in a game, this time after Gakpo trips over his own feet.
 
I must confess that I am not fussed about any of those, 2 have barely played a game this season and the other one doesn't seem fussed about being a footballer anymore.

The names and whether we’d want them or not aren’t really the point. They are well known names who are making January moves. 3 of them.
Is there really no one out there who’s “established” that we can’t add in a January window?