I'm just going to blow my own trumpet a bit (a lot), it was all so predictable, they still have a chance obviously, but it feels like the tide has turned:
Robioto wrote: ↑Tue Nov 25, 2025 3:04 pm
Easy answer is Arsenal, but even though they feel more resilient this year, I'm convinced they will have a collapse at some point. However, I don't think the other teams will be good enough to capitalise... so Arsenal, but with some scares, probably from City, who I assume will spend freely in January again in an attempt to keep up.
Robioto wrote: ↑Sun Dec 14, 2025 11:21 pm
I know they beat Wolves, but they were crap again. Already had a pretty big wobble and I expect them to do so again in the new year, especially when things really heat up in April. Arteta doesn't deserve anything if Saturday night is his answer to how he wants to approach games against team with 2 points in 15 games. Make or break for him this season and my gut says they/he will bottle the big prizes once again.
Robioto wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 2:38 am
I've had major doubts that Arsenal can sustain since the start of the season and watching them huff and puff again last night, with an overly negative, one dimensional approach to the game reiterates this stance.
Arteta has so much talent in that squad, but his approach and tactical stubbornness suppresses much of that, just look at how Eze has faired. We give Dyche stick for this, Arteta deserves the similar criticism, despite obviously being better manager. Arsenal are where they are by being brilliant a set pieces and having two of the best centre backs and best midfielder the league has seen this past decade - not through effective attacking football. If the back 4 fail to perform (like yesterday) or the set pieces dry up, they are screwed.
They don't score a lot of goals, their top scorers are Trossard and Gyökeres with 5 (the latter with 2 penalties).
I just don't think it is sustainable and will catch up with them in the long run.
Arsenal might well win the league, but it won't be because they are particularly good, it's because the rest of the field are shite. Man City are the only team capable of catching them still IMO, buoyed by buying two of the best players in the league of the past 12 months in January, they absolutely could put a long run together.
I also think they go out of the Champions League at the first encounter with a decent side in the knock our phase. It's really hard to read much into them being top of this ridiculous new low stakes, zero jeapordy league format that the bellends at UEFA have come up with.
A bit of a ramble there, but yeah, I'm not convinced at all by Arsenal or Arteta.
we know the phrase spurs are spursy - what could the phrase be for the gooners if they fail to win any trophies this season?
apart from the phrase bottlers
gooners are goners maybe
