I'm getting that sinking feeling again.

[Sir C]

We looked much better when Hazertz started against Sunderland but he's broken, again.

It's not that we're short of one player though, is it?

We're just not good enough.

[Pat Vegas]

It's not that we're short of one player though, is it?

We're just not good enough.

Strange recruitment too imo. Arteta had his idea for his system. we seem to purchase players and play them in different roles.

we've definitely had the money to spend. just don't think it's been that wise on occasion.

[WES]

I've felt exactly the same since the 0-0 at home to Liverpool. At that stage we could have shown our quality and determination and built a little momentum; instead we played like a limp dick and got more than we deserved from the game.

We just tend not to play very well far too regularly. Which suggests that we're not actually that good.

I wish we could go back to playing beautiful football wnd finishing 4th That was at least enjoyable to watch.

I didn't enjoy watching us be out of the league in January year after year and knowing that at some point in the season we will get absolutely pasted by 4 or 5 goals by a top four side.

I didn't enjoy that at all, and I hope we never go back there.

[WES]

The interesting thing is we are constantly told that we face low blocks and it is so difficult to break it down. Yet our home form is generally excellent, our away form disappointing.

I think we generally do better against low blocks. It gives us control (which we love) and means we can generate constant pressure- and, of course, win corners.

Arteta needs to have a long think about why our approach to games is so stifling to our creative players. We've seen them all struggle. Odegaard is a shadow of the player he was, Martinelli has struggled over the last couple of years. Now even Saka is struggling.

I'm afraid that this style of football has hit a ceiling. I dont think you can get much better from here without a fundamental change.

How do you equate this view with our success in the CL? 8 wins in 8 games including comfortable wins over Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid? Great games to watch, as well.

If what you say is true, how did this happen, Peter?

[Peter]

I didn't enjoy watching us be out of the league in January year after year and knowing that at some point in the season we will get absolutely pasted by 4 or 5 goals by a top four side.

I didn't enjoy that at all, and I hope we never go back there.

On this, I agree. Challenging until January and then getting ripped to pieces at Anfield, Stamford Bridge and even Everton. That was NOT fun at all

[7sisters]

I didn't enjoy watching us be out of the league in January year after year and knowing that at some point in the season we will get absolutely pasted by 4 or 5 goals by a top four side.

I didn't enjoy that at all, and I hope we never go back there.

It?s a privileged moan though. Objective within Arsenal circles but we could be Spurs etc.
It only becomes more focal when the pots are actually in sight. Liverpools title defence has been a disaster, United are marginally happier but that?s coming from a low place. Villa & Chelsea stuttering and Newcastle just not pushing on.
Our fourth place trophy has been supplanted by a second place one. At least that?s some sort of progress, not that I?m subscribing to the thought that we should be happy with our lot.

[Peter]

How do you equate this view with our success in the CL? 8 wins in 8 games including comfortable wins over Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid? Great games to watch, as well.

If what you say is true, how did this happen, Peter?

The two big wins there were at home. We generally do well at home. Some of the teams we have beaten were absolute ****.

Also bear in mind it was group stage. Remember playing PSG in the group stage last season? Very different to the side we faced in the knockout rounds. The big sides gather pace as the tournament progresses. Let's see what happens when it gets serious.

I'm not saying we are ****. Clearly we are not. But we are not quite good enough, and we are not getting better. Our league record demonstrates that pretty clearly. The squad gets bigger and better, but our performance levels don't.

You have to ask why. And maybe they will prove me wrong over the next 12 games. But nothing, literally nothing, about the past 18 months suggests they will.

[Peter]

It?s a privileged moan though. Objective within Arsenal circles but we could be Spurs etc.
It only becomes more focal when the pots are actually in sight. Liverpools title defence has been a disaster, United are marginally happier but that?s coming from a low place. Villa & Chelsea stuttering and Newcastle just not pushing on.
Our fourth place trophy has been supplanted by a second place one. At least that?s some sort of progress, not that I?m subscribing to the thought that we should be happy with our lot.

Absolutely. God almighty, we are so much better than when Arteta arrived, and he has done a great job.

But we have hit a ceiling. We are missing serious opportunities to win stuff and those opportunities don't come along very often when you are facing at least three sides that can hugely outspend you.

This squad can play better than this. We've seen them do it, with a smaller squad. That has to be said, and has to be addressed.

[PSRB]

Absolutely. God almighty, we are so much better than when Arteta arrived, and he has done a great job.

But we have hit a ceiling. We are missing serious opportunities to win stuff and those opportunities don't come along very often when you are facing at least three sides that can hugely outspend you.

This squad can play better than this. We've seen them do it, with a smaller squad. That has to be said, and has to be addressed.

We still have a 4 point lead. Also, beat Inter away in CL. I'm not going to doom and gloom it just yet.

[WES]

Absolutely. God almighty, we are so much better than when Arteta arrived, and he has done a great job.

But we have hit a ceiling. We are missing serious opportunities to win stuff and those opportunities don't come along very often when you are facing at least three sides that can hugely outspend you.

This squad can play better than this. We've seen them do it, with a smaller squad. That has to be said, and has to be addressed.

I agree with a lot of your points, Pedro, but you are being a bit impatient, I think. We did not have the squad depth to win the league despite all the improvement over the past few years. Saliba being injured cost us the league a few years back, we have much better cover now.

The answer is probably far more complicated than many of us want to think. Some combination of negative opponents, injuries, new players adjusting and Arteta still learning.

It should also be pointed out, again, especially to those who have concluded that we aren't good enough, that after 26 games we are 4 points clear at the top of the league.

You might also add to the list above the tendency for a lack of perspective on this place whenever we drop points.

Beer and fine wine is the answer here, I think