Arsenal Banter Archive January 02 2014

 

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02 Jan 2014 23:34:07
Very belated happy new year to everyone especially the eds. Unfortunately working nightshirt over holiday period. Season has been a dream so far and long may it continue.
All the best to everyone and will be posting again soon.
We are Arsenal

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03 Jan 2014 03:02:20
U2 paul

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02 Jan 2014 22:33:02
Really feel like we should be going all out for Lewandowski!

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Completely agree. Never going to happen though.

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Looking that way :( Will have to make do will Falcao in the summer than ay!

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02 Jan 2014 22:31:29
Happy New Year everyone.
Ed can you tell me if QPR are allowed to terminate Loic Remy's season's loan to Newcastle?
I think he would be a great option, he's proven in the premier league now and would suit our style of play to.
Thanks

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{Ed002's Note - It is not going to happen.}

02 Jan 2014 21:51:46
Bring on Hernandez

Bring on a back up for Per

Sign up Sagna

One happy Gooner

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02 Jan 2014 21:32:11
If we can really get Costa for 32m, we ought to, considering the prices paid recently for top tier strikers

He's among the top 6-8 strikers in the world, in other words his next contract should have a clause at least double

With the way markets are going, strikers of that caliber will cost minimum 50m a pop soon

If we get Costa, we are set at striker for years

Just my 2 cents, as far as really signing a world class striker

Obv Lewandowski is cheaper, but he's off to Bayern in the worst kept secret in Europe

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USG, personally I would be well happy with Costa, very very good player and he knows how to score a goal or 2.

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Def true US, but I don't see it happening. Wenger has reiterated that if we sign a striker he will be playing second fiddle to Giroud, so I doubt it would be a major signing of that level. Hope I'm wrong though, Costa is pure class!

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02 Jan 2014 20:47:44
So the rumours about berbatov seem to be gaining momentum, if it's true that it'll be £2m for him the for me that's worth a punt, if he gets us 5-10 goals he's pretty much payed off the money. As someone mentioned earlier (can't remember who sorry) this could be a smoke screen for something bigger, me personally I think wenger needs to think long term rather than 1 year stand-in, it'll be hard to get a world class striker but why not try aye? For me it's benzema or lewondoski(think that's spelt right lol) both young and plenty of top flight exp.

I love olly, he's been the glue for us this season and we probably wouldn't be where we are without him but we do need that deadly finisher, the one that if there in the box they're almost guaranteed to scored sort of thing.

What do you guys and girls think?

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I think AW will bring in a quality striker this summer, but for now, it wouldn't surprise me if Berbatov came in to cover for the rest of the season.

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From a short-term view point I don't think there's many strikers available. Jan is not the right time to buy, Its all loans and players that you wouldn't even normally want to sign.
That said, If we get Berbatov for £2m its probably decent business.

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On berbatov's official there's apparently something about him possibly joining arsenal. Not sure if it's been hacked or whatever but it could be something.

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02 Jan 2014 20:42:38
Would still like to see a genuine left sided wide player signed, someone who takes on defenders with pace and gets to the line and crosses. We have loads of players who can make central runs what they need is wide creativity. If you have genuine width that creates space in the centre allowing more room for our current crop. I believe this is why in recent weeks we haven't been as crreative as we have been very narrow and central.

What is Ox's likely return date FEB? March? Why hasn't Myiachi pushed on? what's happening with our loan players in regards to say Wellington who's contract must surely be up soon?

Berbatov better be paper talk, Ba isn't the dynamics we need. Morata is un proven and why should we blood Real youngsters for them. Pato is lost and going nowhere it appears. We need hungry Young players would a cheeky loan for Geotze be ignored?

If were looking to quality strikers let's stop messing around and offer Real 45M and get Benzema.

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Ox is back in training next week so I guess he'll be back in the next few weeks. I believe Wellington has been granted a work permit for next season, not sure he'll be ready to jump straight in though - he hasn't been playing at the highest level on loan. And yes you're right to note that Ryo hasn't quite got to the level we were hoping.

We do have options on the left though. After seeing Podolski this season, I really think he is a great choice on the left. You talk about recent lack of creativity, but he came on against West Ham and inspired 3 goals in 10 mins. He creates chances and scores goals, much like Walcott does on the right. Those two with Giroud is a deadly strike force. On top of that we have Rosicky, who can do a good job anywhere in midfield, and Ox and Gnabry who are very dangerous as wingers. We also have Wilshere who, we will probably all agree, is best used down the middle where he was outstanding yesterday. But he has occasionally been deployed on the left when Ozil, Ramsey etc had the central positions and was very strong. We have a team who shift positions to confuse defences, and I think we have enough players to threaten from the left. The only thing I would say is that I don't believe Cazorla is suited to that position, in spite of his versatility.

In terms of Goetze, Munich will definitely not be letting him leave on any basis - he is doing very well there. And although I would be very happy with Benzema, he is simply not worth 45m. 25m at most for me. I do think we really need another CF but I can't see a huge one coming in as Giroud has to be the main man in Wenger's eyes.

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02 Jan 2014 20:07:15
To me the Berbatov signing would be like Barca signing Larsson to back Eto'o up, great move. I'd love Dimi.

Only problem is, we don't have an Eto'o

This second half of the season, w knockout matches and league matches where everyone has faced us once, we need a world class striker

I love Giroud, but he cannot be our main striker. He does a lot for us, but he's a number 2.

We need a born finisher w a track record of scratching and clawing till that goal comes. Never ending hunger to score is a must. Look at Suarez, Cavani, Ronaldo, Messi, Ibra, etc

One goal is just not enough for them. No way. They score, they want another. Immediately.

Time for us to get our guy, and this thing can really take off!

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02 Jan 2014 19:47:03
Lets be optmisitic here, no idea how long is Giroud's injury by the looks of things at worst he will miss the FA Cup tie.

Forget Costa, Suarez, Lewondoski they not coming in Jan and none of their managers/clubs will let them leave mid way.

Below are the options -:
Defoe.
Berbatov.
Michu.
Ba.
Chicarito.
Jelavic (I am throwing this one in since isn't first choice for Martinez).
Cisse (Newcastle)

These are optmistic and some are 4th choice even that could do the job. I am not sure of other foreign players like these who can do a period of 2 month job.

Banter can start

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{Ed002's Note - You may wish to add Pato to that list.}

Defoe. take him any day, despite him being a spud. I think he his exactly what we are missing, although i'm not sure just how he would fit in the team.

Berbatov. overpaid, over-rated and idol. Would sooner Bendnter be given a new contract than see him put on an Arsenal shirt.

Michu. seems to be a one season wonder, although Swansea have tinkered with their formation since Laudrup came in, with Michu just playing of Bony. His form has dipped somewhat because of that. Depending on his transfer fee though, maybe a good aquisition to the squad, plus his wages wouldn't be a problem.

Ba. no ta. Injury prone and one dimensional. No better than what we've got, even though we ain't got a lot up front!

Chicarito. is he any good? I'm not so sure, otherwise he'd get more starts for Man U, especially before RVP signed. A good squad member, but I doubt he would make a much a difference.

Jalavic. not impressed me so far since he joined Everton, so a no for me.

Cisse. two speculative and spectactular goals, that's all he's done for the Toon. He's lived on that in my opinion, and I don't think he'd improve on anything we've already got.

If available, Defoe for me, but I doubt he would come. Not unless he was promised a first team place, rather than being back up for Olly.

One not on your list and one i'd like to see at the Emirates, is Edin Dzeko. Quality on the floor and in the air. Very similiar to Olly, only slightly more productive in front of goal.

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Steve, absolutely spot-on mate, great post.

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Steve I agree about Defoe, top guy and great forward. I disagree about Hernandez though - he is really a very good player and can make a big difference. He's had a tricky season but scored 18 in 36 last time, largely coming off the bench. He's a player who can win games late on and offer some things that Giroud doesn't - most notably pace and poachers' goals. Don't get me wrong, he is not as good as Giroud, but would be a very good signing.

Otherwise, including ed's comment, my pick would be Pato. He's had something of a fall from grace but his stats from when he was at Milan - in probably the most defensive league in Europe - show he is a natural goalscorer. I think Wenger could turn him into a top player, and he would be happy to have to fight for first team football seeing as Arsenal is such a big step up from Corinthians. I reckon we'll be getting a surprise that no one expects though - very possibly a player none of us have considered/heard of!

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02 Jan 2014 18:52:51
Banter please if we sign berbatov for 2m
Berbatovs pros experience of winning epl good finisher also pretty strong and can hold the ball up well its a short term deal he not cup tied for europe may have a point to prove that he can still cut it at the highest level This guy cost Manchester United 30m 4 years ago
Cons could be disruptive also he is 32 and work shy and isn't going to run the channels like giroud does.

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Great points, I think it is a good idea. He won't be asked to do Giroud's work can be a late game sub for goals and Giroud/Bendtner can be starters to wear them down. Right now no instant offense off the bench. Also let's the young ones continue in their development.

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He is a great player but I just can't see it happening. Berbatov wants to be a key man - he would be a second string player for us.

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02 Jan 2014 17:25:11
That Bendtner goal might have been the best thing to happen to us all season. Not only did it secure a vital 3 points to cap off a tough Christmas/New Year period, but it injured Bendtner in the process. With Bendtner out for "Several Weeks" that's actually 3 months in Arsenal medical team speak. Giroud also out for a week or two, we are hopelessly short up front. Podolski is not a ST. He plays a lot better LW or Behind a Striker, he certainly cannot lead the line on his own. Same goes for Walcott. Sanogo is a mystery, is he still injured? Who knows.

Hopefully. This will prompt Wenger into signing a striker. I couldn't give a monkeys if they are cup-tied for the CL. Monreal was last year and it made no difference. There is a long list out there we could go for.

The question is do we go for a nimble, pacey forward or another target man to rotate with Olly? Or do we sod Girouds feelings and go all out and buy a worldie of a player. I think it has to be the third option.

Look at Barca, PSG, Juve, Real, Bayern, Utd, City? Would Giroud be first choice? No. In some cases not even second choice. If we want to roll with the heavyweights we need a lethal world class finisher who will put smaller teams to the sword and be the difference in those big games. Sadly not too many are out there.

Lewandowski (£15m) Rooney (£30m) Costa (£25m) Benzema (£20m) Higuan (£30m) Suarez (£60m+).

I don't know who. Really think we missed out on Augebumayeng (Dortmund) and Jovetic. Benzema looks most likely. Lewandowski would be a dream come true.

Who do you guys want? I hope Wenger doesn't cut corners and goes for a top ST rather than a young protege.

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02 Jan 2014 18:13:37
Detroit,

Giroud has and is making a great name for himself amongst us the Arsenal fans.

I think it's safe to say he isn't world class but yet he does do and bring a lot to the team.

It's also safe to say most of us would love to see one of the names in your post in an Arsenal shirt, for me any except Rooney.

But answer me this, who conquered Europe last season and walked off with the Bundasliga title and more importantly who was their main striker.

Now whilst I'm not saying we are at the same level as Bayern Munich I would say Giroud is as good or better than Thomas Muller who had 23 goals in 47 games across all competitions last season.

My point being you can achieve a lot without a Ronaldo, Saurez or Messi in your side so a Draxler and Gundogan maybe what we are missing and not necessarily a £30+ million striker.

If Cazorla, Poldolski and Theo get on scoring runs, Ramsey and Jack keep scoring plus Ozil assisting who knows where we might go plus another 2 like those I mentioned ahead of our quality defence.

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If we can avoid our usual injury list, then problem solved, but, we have the usual injury list, so here's the solution;
Defoe
Richards
Given

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02 Jan 2014 19:51:13
Jenny

I think you are mistaken. Last season Bayern won the treble (pretty sure it was a treble) with a formidable strike force. Mandzukic, Gomez and Muller. Mandzukic was first choice and did everything Giroud does in terms of hold up, linkage etc except he is prolific.

I don't doubt Girouds quality, but we only have one good striker. What I was saying was rather than Wenger buying a 2n dchoice or a player to rotate, buy a World class ST. I like Olly but if we want to replicate what Bayern did, we need more and better options.

Also people say we need a LW (You mentioned Draxler for example). I think ST should be much higher priority. We have Pod, Cazorla, Rosicky and Ox who can all play there very well. The qouted £40m for Draxler is alot. We could possibly get Cavani for that.

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02 Jan 2014 20:28:52
Detroit,

I know they did the Treble as everyone was saying how is Pep going to improve on that. My point was without a top top striker then cleared up their league by a country mile and won the UCL.

Mandzukic had I think 22 goals last season and Gomez 19 so Muller was their top scorer and no one talks of them in the same breath as Saurez, Lewandowski, Messi etc.

I just can't see Arsene buying a big name striker as much as I'd love him too, but having goals from all over the park can make us equally as potent with Giroud as our main striker.

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02 Jan 2014 16:34:08
I'd take Berbatov for £2million

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OK messenger - he's all yours.

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02 Jan 2014 15:17:17
I have my doubts whether we'll be signing anybody this January, but I'm going to throw a name out to you and ask what you think.

He is Wilfried Bony.

Is he Arsenal class? I think he could be. Any decent striker would score goals in this Arsenal team.

Could you do a similar job to Giroud? Not sure.

However, he's had 4-5 months in the league and is beginning to adapt really well after a stuttering start. For me, this takes out some of the risk and means he can make an impact.

Cost? Probably in the £20m bracket.

Ladies and gents thoughts on Bony? What other striker at another premiership club (not a top club) would you take?

Happy new year one

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I wouldve taken Boney in the summer. His record speaks for itself and although it was only the dutch league it's the same league where Suarez got a goal a game average.
Wouldnt be disappointed if we got him this summer.

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If we are going for someone from the Premiership then my pick would have to be Loic Remy - quick, strong and can finish also premiership experience aswell! But I have a sneaky suspicion that this Berbatov talk is a smoke screen for something bigger!

Just on the off chance has anyone got a spare ticket for the villa game coming up, I can meet at the ground because I'm from the midlands! Or is there anyone on here who goes to regular games from the midlands (Birmingham area) and I can tag along :)

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Hmm I'm not sure, he definitely has the strength, but not sure about quality. Do you think he'd be able to pull off the touches giroud does? Bony does look to be a decent finisher as shown by his performance vs city.
Other strikers from lower down the teams I would consider are: benteke, berahino, g.ramirez maybe, but I believe we should definitely be aiming higher.

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02 Jan 2014 13:12:20
Call me a bluff old traditionalist but all this talk about not being bothered about the FA cup etc is starting to annoy me. Whilst I certainly understand it is third in the pecking order of important silverware, it is against the team who will always be in our shadows. I, amongst many of you, live in North London, and will not want to give them the steam off my wee.

They are a 2 bob team, with 2 bob fans and I hope that we absolutely give them a personting on and off the pitch.

EIE

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Its not that people are not bothered just that the prem and champions league are that much better! I personally would sacrifice them all for the prem this year because we will only get better next season all then we can go for the quadruple ;)

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02 Jan 2014 12:34:48
Happier to hear rumours about Max Kruse than the lazy efforts of this morning's British press. Hernandez, Remy, Berbatov, they must get out a bit more.

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02 Jan 2014 11:47:41
Happy New Year Gooners. Hope we have a year filled with silverwares. Love this page. Thank you eds for the effort you put into it and the gooners for the banter. Cheers!

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02 Jan 2014 11:00:59
Hi Guys,
My No.1 choice as a striker to sign in Jan would be Lewandovski. Dortmund do not want to sell to Bayern, they're out of the title race. and he would suit us perfectly. holds up well. brings other players in and is deadly. only 24 years old and wouldn't cost alot. plus, we're top of the league! Great chance of silverware if he comes in. very much a Wenger type signing. what do you think?

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I would love Lewandowski and agree with you. Do a search on him here and look at the posts on him and the replies from Ed002 and it seems unlikely that he will join us. But you never know!

Happy New Year everyone! COYGs

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02 Jan 2014 09:52:34
Hey guys, I think our only striker targets for January would be Berbatov and Mirallas. Benzema, Martinez and Chicarito are possible summer targets. Lewy is however the special signing Wenger would keep an eye on this January if there is a chance.

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02 Jan 2014 09:49:47
Happy new year metal Gooner and Aussie nick

Don't see much of use on here any more

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That because u have stuck with name Malaga for over year now ain't it Charlie?

Bless ya searching for any1 that will take notice of ure 'rumours' :-)

Whats the new 1? Lewandowski? Lol
Happy new year

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Malaga may live in a fantasy world, but at least he doesn't support a team that are dropping like a stone. Good luck without European football next year, you'll attract no players with that.

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02 Jan 2014 19:16:41
Paul what ever you think of me I admire you or being a Gooner and a man who says what he thinks. good on you bro.

The mancs have had a smuggy attitude for far to long.

Just for you mate

Draxler
Martinez if we can't get lewandowski or did my BBQ both, I can't remember I was stoned

Jochime Lowe at 331 for next manager, have you noticed he has Been at the emirates a lot lately?

CTR jog on

Happy new year to you and your family paul

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What gobbledegook is he on about? Or on?

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I understood him. Still never going to happen, but I understood him

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02 Jan 2014 08:17:08
morning boys and girls, edds too
hope you all had a great new year?
as we move away from the festive season, what are everyones seasons expectations? as we sit at the top of the "tree" can we keep the momentum up and win the league or will we drop off? what would be a good finishing place?

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02 Jan 2014 06:16:49
happy new year fellow Gooners.

does it really matter if any striker we get is cup tied. if the leagues is the focus with 19 games to go. surely it will take a lot of load of giroud (poldi/theo) leaving them fit and firing for the CL.

in my opinion Arsene should go for the best option in the window and cup tied shouldn't be a concern.

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02 Jan 2014 03:23:42
CTR has gone very quiet recently, I do hope he's having a good 2014. Personally I'm looking forward to next season already. I've been praying that Manchester United start playing better and can push for a Europa League spot, Van Persie deserves European football.

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02 Jan 2014 11:35:19
Chris the bed pan and Sydney have emigrated to FANTASY ISLAND.

POOR OLD MANCS

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Well clearly u have been missing mate because I have been here wishing u all happy xmas and a happy new year.
Remind me which 1 u are again?

Ahh charlie your wit and humour never seizes to amaze me, u should really lay off that twine.

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02 Jan 2014 00:09:14
I think we should just play Theo up top as part of an attacking 4, instead of a lone front man. Buy Mata, and play Cazorla through the middle. With Ramsey and Wilshere behind. Ozil out right, with Mata on the left. I know most would prefer Ozil in the middle, but Cazorla is the most 2 footed player I've ever seen. Seems stupid not to play him in the centre.

Gooner83

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Because Chelsea wouldn't sell mata to your lot get real mate

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We don't need mata, he had his chance and chose Chelsea. We've got an abundance on gifted midfielders, we need strikers, and if Sagna's off, a RB

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01 Jan 2014 23:16:54
How annoying,

I was listening to the radio after all the games were played (bar Manchester United VS Spurs) and the commentator said>>>>

"Man City look very very good, Chelsea also look very good, these 2 are the 2 main teams who will win the league. Arsenal look like they are struggling and I don't see them maintaining a challenge".

Are you bloody sure mate? Yeah City do look good and Chelsea have struggled all season, apart from today, to score goals. We have been there, or thereabouts all season. Third highest scorers and conceded the least.

Now, i'm not saying we will last the pace but jeez, credit where its due. Maybe that's why the blokes on the radio and not the telly.
Plonker.

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Agree mate, it's utter bs when they ignore our title chances.
At first I wasn't too sure if we could keep up this form for the whole season, but with the recent results I think we can. And I think we can win the title for definitely.
A lot of pundits and fans keep saying we have a small squad. But if that is the case how have we managed to get 1st after 20games, with Walcott, podolski, cazorla, ox all being injured for long periods.
Add to that we have got results without the so called "what we going to do if he gets injured" giroud, without our super engine Ramsey, without our silent genius ozil.
This to me shows that our squad can and will be at the top come the end of the season.
But saying that, we can definitely do with another ST and hopefully LW. To add the champions league to our league title 😉 (ambitious? Maybe).

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Hi Dags, gr8 result yesterday.
Ye like us jus got to keep plugging away mate and picking up points. I'd rather they talk up City and Chelsea tbh. It keeps the pressure of both of us. Having played both of them away, I felt we should have got got summit from both games, and even though city got the result against u guys u couldve got summit on another day 2. Chelsea just parked the bus against ye too.
Keep moving forward and let the boo boys have their say, I think well both surprise a few this season.

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02 Jan 2014 09:40:21
F#+*k them dags.

I hope we win it just to Pisz people of.

The table does not lie

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Hi DG, happy new year. happy new year to everyone on here!:)
''bloody good post'' :)
I was across on another site, and saw your comment:) and before giving them a ROASTING:) I remembered we have more class:) and. refrained:)
thanks DG!:) COYG andi

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I totally agree Dags mate, but u have to admit this season does have the hallmarks of a few before in terms of arsenal, if u are top come march u have a great chance.

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Good post Waq1, totally agree.

Lol thanks Malaga.

Thanks Simonpw, you could be right my friend. lol.

Andi, happy new year to you too mate.
Lets keep the class flowing lol.

CTR, Evening mate. Time will tell my friend.

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