So it's December and all the narratives about Arsenal falling off the ladder look kind of silly now. After spending most of the first half of the season doubting our credentials, people are just starting to sit up and take us serious.
At the start of the season, we were tipped to be just below the champions league chasing pack, fast forward to today, and we're 7 points clear of the second position, having played one game less. Well, there's also Manchester City among the chasing pack with one game in hand and8 points behind, so there's no time to rest on our laurels.
In everything, what cannot be denied is our undoubted quality and grit in our performances. There's a certain level of assuredness and maturity in our performances that belies the fact that we're actually the youngest team in the league.
The way we calmly break teams down and create chances with intricate passes is the stuff of champions. Even ardent haters like @blanchy @deniskj and @pappyelblanco, to name a few, would be in awe of the quality of football we're playing.
After 15 games, we have 40 out of a possible 45 points and you have to say, that is an incredible outcome. We're just four games into the first half of the season, City is the only "top 6" rival we've not played but a case could be made for Newcastle that we face next week but before then, we have a tough away day fixture against Brighton.
Not thinking too far ahead
At the time of writing, there are only two other teams that are remotely close to Arsenal's quality in the league and they are Manchester City and Newcastle. If we don't win the league, it'll almost certainly be one of these other two with City obviously being the standout favourites, having the best players and manager in the league to boot.
I hate to think too far ahead but we're charging towards an unexpected title and it is so sweet. All the predictions of a capitulation seem to have gone out the window as the World cup did very little to our quality on the pitch and we started December the way we left off.
The only thing on my mind is winning the next game and that is an away day at Brighton. It is a very tough fixture that will definitely give us a run for our money and any chance of victory will require the entire squad to be at 100% efficiency.
If we manage to win our next two games, it will be more difficult to not get excited about our chances of winning the league. Yes, we still have some away day fixtures against Liverpool, Spurs and City but if we keep winning the others, we will have enough room for slipups.
I'm very excited about this season and I think every gunner should be too. Until we meet again, up the Arsenal.
Credit where credit is due. Yee are having a great season. It has shades of the Leicester title win all over it . All because they stuck by the manager. Things are just clicking. Will you sign a forward in January to replace the Jesus hole or will Eddie N be trusted to fill the gap? I still think City will win it. Arsenal have a tendency to fall away under pressure
It's nothing like the Leicester season where they won the league with 72 points though. We're just outrightly better than everyone else: in Leicester season, everyone was just shittier than them.
We're not under pressure tbh. No one tipped us to be here. So what pressure can we be under?
Funny thing is that it is mostly the supporters of other clubs talking about title tilt. Arteta and the boys are just going about business like usual while y'all cook different narratives.
Oh we will wait and see about the pressure. Yee bottled the top 4 last year with not much pressure either. Were Leicester not better than everyone else their year?? But I suppose Liverpool Utd and Chelsea are shitter this year.
That's the thing they aren't that much different from last season. Even City has not dropped the standard since last season, Arsenal has just been that good.
To be honest, I am indeed impressed with the way the Gooners are playing and getting results, Yes there still might be 21 game weeks left, but I am confident that this Arsenal team are indeed title contenders.
Was going to forward the post but can't as you are not commenting with your alt account. I think the wheels will come off when they play teams in the top half of the table as Arsenal are known for this. Lets see when we have 8 games to go as there is still more than half the season to play.
But we've already played teams in the top 8 and won all but one against United.
That means nothing when you have title thoughts and other teams know they have to beat you. City won't slip up against Arsenal and that is a 3 point swing and throw in a few others and suddenly the season can change so quickly. Lets wait and see when there are 7 or 8 matches left and where Arsenal are as this could change so quickly. Top 4 guaranteed which is a good result no matter what happens and who knows maybe they can win the title.
We definitely won't win all out matches but we're good enough to beat anyone, including City.
We're the team to beat but at the same time, there's a certain fear factor that we exude and that makes us even more dangerous.
It's too soon to claim we're winning the title but right now, it's safe to say that it is a three-way scrap between City, Arsenal and Newcastle. City are still favourites for obvious reasons but Arsenal is a close second
Agreed, but don't count out the teams fighting for 4th spot as they will be more dangerous second time around as they now need points. Forget Chelsea as they are terrible, but Liverpool and Tottenham and a few others will not be easy matches.
Absolutely won't. Liverpool victory was luck and Spurs at White Hart Lane is very difficult.
Credit must given where it’s due. You guys are so much better this season and it hurts me to see Arsenal fans happy.
Even if you’re not able to win the league there’s no way you’re missing out on top 4 and that speaks a lot on your success.