Alvarez appears to be our number one summer target. We'll have to pay beyond what we

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

Absolutely, that is the problem. And if you had Partey, and the old Odegaard, it would have been fixed. But we dont. Raya would have helped as well.....

We are utterly predictable and Pep knows it. He cut off the pass to the full backs and we were stuck. Nowhere to go.

And of course we take too long to move the ball. But that isnt because of the quality of the attacking players. It is because of the approach we take. And it is ruining our attacking players.

The even bigger problem is game management once we are ahead. We do all of this without the ball, sitting ridiculously deep and shifting back and forth to block. Players dont see the ball at all.

It is exhausting and horrible to play in. And I'm sorry to say it but it is how bad sides defend a lead and control a game. Good sides do it with the ball.

You come to Arsenal as a defender and your stock will go through the roof. Come here as a forward and your reputation will be in tatters within 3 years.

The only hope is that we somehow scramble over the line this season and Arteta chills out and get a bit more adventurous. Otherwise, I'm just going to be sat here frustrated and waiting for him to leave.

In late autumn, he listened to the criticism and started Odin and Easy as twin inside forwards, with Dec at DM and Zubi on the bench. But Odin got injured after half an hour, Zubi came on and made both goals. 'Twas never tried again.

I do think that's what he wanted at times. He tried Dec-Kai-Odin when they signed for half a season before Kai moved up top, he signed MnM but never got to try him at inside left with Dec at DM, and he played B inside when he brought on the young Doctor.

I think he likes the idea of a 4-1-2-3 with Dec as the DM like he became under AW {when he had Santi and Ozil ahead of him} but as Dec can do it all, his defensive-mindedness has led him to play a double pivot.

[redgunamo]

Absolutely, that is the problem. And if you had Partey, and the old Odegaard, it would have been fixed. But we dont. Raya would have helped as well.....

We are utterly predictable and Pep knows it. He cut off the pass to the full backs and we were stuck. Nowhere to go.

And of course we take too long to move the ball. But that isnt because of the quality of the attacking players. It is because of the approach we take. And it is ruining our attacking players.

The even bigger problem is game management once we are ahead. We do all of this without the ball, sitting ridiculously deep and shifting back and forth to block. Players dont see the ball at all.

It is exhausting and horrible to play in. And I'm sorry to say it but it is how bad sides defend a lead and control a game. Good sides do it with the ball.

You come to Arsenal as a defender and your stock will go through the roof. Come here as a forward and your reputation will be in tatters within 3 years.

The only hope is that we somehow scramble over the line this season and Arteta chills out and get a bit more adventurous. Otherwise, I'm just going to be sat here frustrated and waiting for him to leave.

I'm reminded of something Austin Healey said, about his time at Leicester Rugby Football Club. It was along the lines of "Oh, great! Another forward; it's easy for us to sign THEM because they love the way we play... much harder to get backs to join because they know they'll only see the ball once every three weeks!"

Perhaps Arteta was serious when he said an Arsenal forward that couldn't handle not scoring for ten games didn't belong at the Emirates and needed to find another club.

You're far too harsh on the boss though; he's doing a terrific job under the most trying of circumstances!

[Peter]

I'm reminded of something Austin Healey said, about his time at Leicester Rugby Football Club. It was along the lines of "Oh, great! Another forward; it's easy for us to sign THEM because they love the way we play... much harder to get backs to join because they know they'll only see the ball once every three weeks!"

Perhaps Arteta was serious when he said an Arsenal forward that couldn't handle not scoring for ten games didn't belong at the Emirates and needed to find another club.

You're far too harsh on the boss though; he's doing a terrific job under the most trying of circumstances!

Nonsense! He's a hound, and a rotter, and he's going to be shot!

[redgunamo]

Nonsense! He's a hound, and a rotter, and he's going to be shot!

Glock has scored a hattrick for Sweden tonight.

So, yeah, probably

[7sisters]

Nonsense! He's a hound, and a rotter, and he's going to be shot!

Gyokeres hatrick for Sweden tonight though. Food for thought ?

[7sisters]

Glock has scored a hattrick for Sweden tonight.

So, yeah, probably

If we come away trophyless at the end of May, I cannot see how Arteta can conceivably keep his job.
How many chances do you give him with so many interesting options available ?

[redgunamo]

If we come away trophyless at the end of May, I cannot see how Arteta can conceivably keep his job.
How many chances do you give him with so many interesting options available ?

He's only had one season with so many interesting options available

Anyway, I'd be shocked, astonished, dumbfounded, dazed, flabbergasted, not to mention astounded, stunned and gobsmacked (he says, consulting his thesaurus) if we don't win the league from here.

[redgunamo]

Gyokeres hatrick for Sweden tonight though. Food for thought ?

Yes, why on earth did he play ninety minutes. I'll bet he wants to go to the World Cup as well

[Peter]

He's only had one season with so many interesting options available

Anyway, I'd be shocked, astonished, dumbfounded, dazed, flabbergasted, not to mention astounded, stunned and gobsmacked (he says, consulting his thesaurus) if we don't win the league from here.

I wouldn't be remotely surprised.

[7sisters]

I wouldn't be remotely surprised.

The actual lead has been huge overstated. We all know this. It only becomes a reality if we?re able to get something from the away game at City.
Other than that, it?s three points.

[WES]

The actual lead has been huge overstated. We all know this. It only becomes a reality if we?re able to get something from the away game at City.
Other than that, it?s three points.

Ever the miserable bugger, eh 7s?

City have dropped an average of a point per game over the season, even in the last 6 games they have dropped 4 points including back to back draws in their last two. Even assuming they win the game in hand and beat us at theirs, their record suggests strongly that they will drop points in the other 6 games. Their record over 30 games suggest it should be at least 6 points, but let's be kind and suggest they only drop 4 points.

Assuming we beat Bournemouth at home (very likely I think) that would leave us needing only 2 wins and 3 draws or 3 wins against Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley at home and West Ham and Palace away.

Still strong favourites, 7s

[Peter]

Ever the miserable bugger, eh 7s?

City have dropped an average of a point per game over the season, even in the last 6 games they have dropped 4 points including back to back draws in their last two. Even assuming they win the game in hand and beat us at theirs, their record suggests strongly that they will drop points in the other 6 games. Their record over 30 games suggest it should be at least 6 points, but let's be kind and suggest they only drop 4 points.

Assuming we beat Bournemouth at home (very likely I think) that would leave us needing only 2 wins and 3 draws or 3 wins against Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley at home and West Ham and Palace away.

Still strong favourites, 7s

We have four home games- 12 points. That puts us 21 points ahead. City would need to win 7 of their last 8 games to catch us.

So we could possibly win the league just from the home games.

Just one problem- I dont even trust us to win the home games

[7sisters]

Ever the miserable bugger, eh 7s?

City have dropped an average of a point per game over the season, even in the last 6 games they have dropped 4 points including back to back draws in their last two. Even assuming they win the game in hand and beat us at theirs, their record suggests strongly that they will drop points in the other 6 games. Their record over 30 games suggest it should be at least 6 points, but let's be kind and suggest they only drop 4 points.

Assuming we beat Bournemouth at home (very likely I think) that would leave us needing only 2 wins and 3 draws or 3 wins against Newcastle, Fulham and Burnley at home and West Ham and Palace away.

Still strong favourites, 7s

I don?t disagree with that reasoning,Wes. Just pointing out that the gap isn?t quite what the media are making it.
I sincerely hope you?re right. If ever a manager was more deserving of a title, I can?t remember one.
My point still stands though. Come away with nothing and I?d be surprised if the Merkins stay with him. He?s provided them with a huge profit on their investment but the Yanks I?ve conducted business with over the years are a ruthless breed. If there?s a feeling Arteta has plateaued and can?t take us to that next level, his stock with the fanbase will be dented and his hopes will then rest upon whether the directors see Berta as the fall guy, or Arteta.

[Herbert Augustus Chapman]

We have four home games- 12 points. That puts us 21 points ahead. City would need to win 7 of their last 8 games to catch us.

So we could possibly win the league just from the home games.

Just one problem- I dont even trust us to win the home games

We won't even have the benefit of a swift and merciful ending. We will bleed away the title with a series of draws snatched from the jaws of victory. Our final match at Palace will be the fatal blow and we'll see Mikel doing that manic marionette routine while all seven of his touchline whisperers, in their light grey anoraks, are hissing contradictory advice into his ear

[Peter]

We won't even have the benefit of a swift and merciful ending. We will bleed away the title with a series of draws snatched from the jaws of victory. Our final match at Palace will be the fatal blow and we'll see Mikel doing that manic marionette routine while all seven of his touchline whisperers, in their light grey anoraks, are hissing contradictory advice into his ear

I dont think it will go to the last day......