I don't know why people are making Chelsea the favourites for the title, they've barely bought any new players and a lot of their squad is ageing. You can't say just because Mourinho is back that they're gonna win the title. Mourinho's presence at Real Madrid didn't stop Barcelona easily winning La Liga last season.

 

I'm not even worried in the slightest about Chelsea, as far as im concerned it's Man City that will be United's closet challengers. Chelsea WILL finish 3rd in the league mark my words!

Arsenal's problem is that in the post-2003 era they've not really been able to keep up. I suspect Wenger probably holds more power than your average manager, but their board really have some questions to answer for. The problem is now they're likely to panic buy, which may or may not be a good thing. The loss against Villa showed the weakness in Arsenal's squad. They've a few injuries as it is, and now more injuries and suspensions after today. I think they'll spend, but they'll have missed out on their three very public top targets so obviously something is going wrong.

 

The main reason is the stadium, Wenger had very little net spend available from the board as they needed to finance the stadium, the stadium came to something like £650m, Emirates put in a good chunk but overall it barely scratched the surface, so Wenger had to be creative in the transfer market and unearth gems and over the years has done this brilliantly

 

Maybe he still has this mentality or the board are not backing him sufficiently but with Chelsea and City having unlimited funds and Utd being the most valuable club in the world 4th is the new 1st

He may have done a lot for the club but his way just isn't working anymore. He doesn't seem to understand the modern footballing world. He rolls out excuses after excuses and it is well known that he holds a lot of power over the board. He refuses to buy players and the fans have simply had enough (as you could tell from the booing at the game today). We have gone 8 years without a trophy and it simply isn't good enough. The board are too blame as well. Gazidis should never have come out and said we had a huge transfer kitty if we weren't going to use it.

 

You said that Wenger still managed to get us Top 4 but that is not good enough. For a club of our stature, we should be challenging for the title and trophies. The team is p*** poor and it's gotten to a stage where they are losing the support of fans. Sczezney is a liability in goal and for a club of nature, to have three fit defenders (Koscielny is banned for the next PL game and Jenkinson isn't good enough) is absolutely ridiculous. We have a very important Champions League qualifer coming up on Wednesday and we can't even field a full defence. The midfield is simply weak (Arteta's injury hasn't helped as he's the core of our midfield) and Giroud is a ok striker but he bottles it. We desperately need signings or we're going to finish 6th or 7th. To lose 3-1 at home to Aston Villa (a side struggling for relegation last season is not on). I mean we ended up having to put Ramsey and Podolski in defence (due to injury but we should have cover available) You can go on about his history being fantastic, but we've moved on since then. Yes, Wenger did find those players who were all sold on for profit.

 

Rooney, I am certainly not a plastic fan. I, like every other want to see my team suceed and under Wenger it isn't going to happen. Our fans are charged the highest priced tickets in the country and have to see pathetic displays like today's shambles. We were promised new signings, and all we have seen through the door is Yaya Sanogo. To blame the fans is ridiculous. We can no longer support the board and Wenger because of the way they are handling the club. To us, a fourth place finish is not enough and we want to be challenging. Eight years without a trophy is not good enough.

 

Wenger has simply lost his touch and he and the management of the club are simply to blame.

 

I understand the fan's frustration but it's ONE game. The other week you beat Manchester City in a friendly and everybody was raving about how good Arsenal were. Wenger has become a parody of himself in recent years. He cowered to Ferguson and sold Van Persie in a rather friendly way. Wenger of 10 years ago would never have done that. I don't think you're that bad a side, but it's obvious whoever is in charge of transfers is playing a very silly game.

 

However the booos are ridiculous. I don't think they help matters, it just creates uneasy pressure on the players and then panic buys. Buying a few average journeymen now is not going to get you challenging for the title again. Wenger needs to go back to his philosophy of the older years. It will take time, but you're obviously not in the position financially to compete despite what's been said. I still think Wenger can do a job, but ever since you've moved to the Emirates he just seem to can't handle the increased fan pressure.

 

 

I don't know why people are making Chelsea the favourites for the title, they've barely bought any new players and a lot of their squad is ageing. You can't say just because Mourinho is back that they're gonna win the title. Mourinho's presence at Real Madrid didn't stop Barcelona easily winning La Liga last season.

 

I'm not even worried in the slightest about Chelsea, as far as im concerned it's Man City that will be United's closet challengers. Chelsea WILL finish 3rd in the league mark my words!

 

It's the Mourinho factor. Since he's left Porto his teams always have a season or two where they do really well. He gets the most out of his players. I think they're slightly suspect in defence, and could do with another striker but they will be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. We'll see once it gets past Christmas time. He's really going to try and rattle Moyes through the media, he's already started it, and it's already worked.

 

He may have done a lot for the club but his way just isn't working anymore. He doesn't seem to understand the modern footballing world. He rolls out excuses after excuses and it is well known that he holds a lot of power over the board. He refuses to buy players and the fans have simply had enough (as you could tell from the booing at the game today). We have gone 8 years without a trophy and it simply isn't good enough. The board are too blame as well. Gazidis should never have come out and said we had a huge transfer kitty if we weren't going to use it.

 

You said that Wenger still managed to get us Top 4 but that is not good enough. For a club of our stature, we should be challenging for the title and trophies. The team is p*** poor and it's gotten to a stage where they are losing the support of fans. Sczezney is a liability in goal and for a club of nature, to have three fit defenders (Koscielny is banned for the next PL game and Jenkinson isn't good enough) is absolutely ridiculous. We have a very important Champions League qualifer coming up on Wednesday and we can't even field a full defence. The midfield is simply weak (Arteta's injury hasn't helped as he's the core of our midfield) and Giroud is a ok striker but he bottles it. We desperately need signings or we're going to finish 6th or 7th. To lose 3-1 at home to Aston Villa (a side struggling for relegation last season is not on). I mean we ended up having to put Ramsey and Podolski in defence (due to injury but we should have cover available) You can go on about his history being fantastic, but we've moved on since then. Yes, Wenger did find those players who were all sold on for profit.

 

Rooney, I am certainly not a plastic fan. I, like every other want to see my team suceed and under Wenger it isn't going to happen. Our fans are charged the highest priced tickets in the country and have to see pathetic displays like today's shambles. We were promised new signings, and all we have seen through the door is Yaya Sanogo. To blame the fans is ridiculous. We can no longer support the board and Wenger because of the way they are handling the club. To us, a fourth place finish is not enough and we want to be challenging. Eight years without a trophy is not good enough.

 

Wenger has simply lost his touch and he and the management of the club are simply to blame.

 

Gazidis doesn't own the club though, it is owned by some American, Gazidis has been trying to wrestle control of the club for years but the yank won't budge no matter how many shares Gazidis buys so ultimately Gazidis is showboating and trying to get the fans oneide in his bid for control of the club, it is hot air for PR purposes as opposed to a serious insight into Arsenal's finances.

 

You are not a plastic fan I agree but I do think your expectations are too high.

 

City and Chelsea can and do spend £200m in a transfer window if needed, they have unlimited funds with unlimited money for wages, both could buy Messi tomorrow for £400m and offer him 800k a week in wages, both would if he showed the slightest interest in leaving, Arsenal can't compete financially with City and Chelsea

 

Then you have Man Utd, the most famous, successful and most prestigous sporting brand in the world, go anywhere in the world and you will find kids wearing Man Utd shirts more than any sporting team in any sport put together, it is most footballers dream to play for Man Utd, again Arsenal cant compete with the sheer pulling power of Utd

 

The Top 3 is virtually a closed shop, 4th is now the new 1st

United will need something ridiculous to finish above third - I saw the first half yesterday and they were outplayed by a midtable outfit, the squad is patchy at best. Say all you want about Giggs' fitness and commitment nearing his fifth decade but he wouldn't even be on the City bench,

Yeah their defence was pretty average, if Swansea were a little more organised they could have easily scored a few more. The only way MU can win games is RVP maintaining his form and we know that has failed at times (late 2012/2013 season).

 

In other news, Sky Sports 1 was free-to-view on Freeview 11 yesterday - looks like Sky are getting worried about BT Sport. :D

The Top 3 is virtually a closed shop, 4th is now the new 1st

Try not to boost your ego too much.

 

Don't forget that two years ago the supposedly invincible Chelsea finished below Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle because Abramovich wanted them to be close to self-sustaining - relative to market levels they don't spend anywhere near as much these days and I'd be surprised if City don't start to rein in their spending in the next few years.

Try not to boost your ego too much.

 

Don't forget that two years ago the supposedly invincible Chelsea finished below Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle because Abramovich wanted them to be close to self-sustaining - relative to market levels they don't spend anywhere near as much these days and I'd be surprised if City don't start to rein in their spending in the next few years.

 

In last 2 years they still spent not far off £15m buying out AVB's contract with Porto, millions paying off Ancelotti, millions paying off AVB when he was sacked and in last year or so they have bought Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Lukaku etc each for more money that Arsenal's record spend (think it is £16m for Arshavin)

 

 

I can understand the frustration from Arsenal fans. Finishing top four is great, but doesn't mean much if you don't then use the pull of CL to recruit top players and push on. Every year it seems to be the same cycle. Scrape into the top four and repeat

 

 

I can understand the frustration from Arsenal fans. Finishing top four is great, but doesn't mean much if you don't then use the pull of CL to recruit top players and push on. Every year it seems to be the same cycle. Scrape into the top four and repeat

 

There is only a small pool of players that can truly take a club to another level though and merely qualifying for the CL isn't enough to attract them, wages is what attracts them which is why the elite are going to places like Anzhi, Zenit, PSG, Monaco, Napoli etc who can pay upwards of £250k a week, Eto'o is on £350k a week for example, Falcao on nearly £500k a week.

 

I don't think clubs truly need a big name player too tbh, who had heard of Santi Cazorla till a year ago or Michu? but both made incredible impacts on the premiership, same with Benteke, he was languishing in some barely heard of Belgian team and set the premiership alight

In last 2 years they still spent not far off £15m buying out AVB's contract with Porto, millions paying off Ancelotti, millions paying off AVB when he was sacked and in last year or so they have bought Oscar, Hazard, Mata, Lukaku etc each for more money that Arsenal's record spend (think it is £16m for Arshavin)

Yeah, because they started spending again. My point wasn't that they're title contenders on a shoestring, it was that they slipped back when they stopped splashing the cash.

There is only a small pool of players that can truly take a club to another level though and merely qualifying for the CL isn't enough to attract them, wages is what attracts them which is why the elite are going to places like Anzhi, Zenit, PSG, Monaco, Napoli etc who can pay upwards of £250k a week, Eto'o is on £350k a week for example, Falcao on nearly £500k a week.

 

I don't think clubs truly need a big name player too tbh, who had heard of Santi Cazorla till a year ago or Michu? but both made incredible impacts on the premiership, same with Benteke, he was languishing in some barely heard of Belgian team and set the premiership alight

I'm not expecting Arsenal to be competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona when signing players, but they have had the opportunity to sign players this summer and have failed to show any real ambition (Below par offers for Suarez do not count)

 

Higuain was "close" to joining all summer and yet Arsenal seemed to dither allowing Napoli to swoop. Despite making good signings this summer, Napoli are not one of the elite clubs offering huge wages in the way PSG or Monaco have been. Arsenal were more than capable of competing to sign Higuain in terms of wages and the transfer fee

 

I wouldn't put Cazorla and Michu in the same bracket though. Cazorla is a Spanish international with 50 appearances for his country and was bought for around £15m by Arsenal. Michu was an unknown signed for £2m with little top flight experience

Yeah their defence was pretty average, if Swansea were a little more organised they could have easily scored a few more. The only way MU can win games is RVP maintaining his form and we know that has failed at times (late 2012/2013 season).

 

In other news, Sky Sports 1 was free-to-view on Freeview 11 yesterday - looks like Sky are getting worried about BT Sport. :D

 

Swansea just let Manchester United beat them. You close down their midfield, you close down Man Utd. I suspect it will be after Christmas when the real test for Moyes will come. Right now their team is just playing off Ferguson, it will take 8-10 games for Moyes' effect to really take place.

 

Liverpool have the right attitude when it comes to attracting players. So many good players playing for the big clubs that are not playing regularly. Everyone forgets how over hyped Sturridge was a few years ago. Arsenal could easily adopt a similar mentality, and it might not take them to the next level initially but give it a few more years then it will.

I'm not expecting Arsenal to be competing with Real Madrid and Barcelona when signing players, but they have had the opportunity to sign players this summer and have failed to show any real ambition (Below par offers for Suarez do not count)

 

Higuain was "close" to joining all summer and yet Arsenal seemed to dither allowing Napoli to swoop. Despite making good signings this summer, Napoli are not one of the elite clubs offering huge wages in the way PSG or Monaco have been. Arsenal were more than capable of competing to sign Higuain in terms of wages and the transfer fee

 

I wouldn't put Cazorla and Michu in the same bracket though. Cazorla is a Spanish international with 50 appearances for his country and was bought for around £15m by Arsenal. Michu was an unknown signed for £2m with little top flight experience

 

Higuain had no realdesire to come to England though, according to an Arsenal ITK with a good track record it was Higuain who had no interest in going as opposed to Arsenal not making a serious effort to sign him, he had playing in the Premiership down as a last resort and simply held on till someone else, in this case Napoli, showed interest.

 

Higuain simply doesn't seem to fancy England, when we made CL we tried for him and he said no, when Modric joined Real we were offered him in a swap deal plus £ and again Higuain said no so it was a pure cash deal in the end

 

You are essentially right about Cazorla but due to the fact he is a midget i did not think he would handle the physical side of the Premiership but he proved me spectacularly wrong there, amazing player, I thought he would be a massive gamble at £15m

 

 

Beggers belief why Arsenal are going for Cabaye? Midfield is the least of their worries. I feel a bit sorry for the fans, as they're going to be over-paying massively for every player they attempt to buy now.

Beggers belief why Arsenal are going for Cabaye? Midfield is the least of their worries. I feel a bit sorry for the fans, as they're going to be over-paying massively for every player they attempt to buy now.

 

It is a strange one but I'll take it as it will at least be another player to add to ouur team. But we should be focusing on Defense, a Striker and a Goalkeeper really.

 

I agree that we're going to have to overpay for players but then Gazidis should never have said about the amount of money we have. I don't think that's helped.

Edited August 19, 201311 yr by ConnorVICKERS

It is a strange one but I'll take it as it will at least be another player to add to ouur team. But we should be focusing on Defense, a Striker and a Goalkeeper really.

 

I agree that we're going to have to overpay for players but then Gazidis should never have said about the amount of money we have. I don't think that's helped.

 

Gazidis seems very amatuer. Bragging about your spending to the media was ridiculous, it speaks of poor planning. There's rumours floating around you're inquiring about Michu and Williams too. OK players, but enough to make your position in the Top 4 cemented? Not convinced at all. Just seems silly that you try to haggle over Suarez and Higauin, then you end up over-paying for average players.

I question Real's logic in offloading Di Maria and Benzema even for the money Arsenal will pay. Especially if Coentrao leaves as well - although Spurs seem to be committed to only having about five defenders at any one time so that'll presumably see Danny Rose back at Sunderland.

 

If those deals go through as well as Willian, United would probably have the weakest squad in the top 5. Or at least the weakest first team.

I question Real's logic in offloading Di Maria and Benzema even for the money Arsenal will pay. Especially if Coentrao leaves as well - although Spurs seem to be committed to only having about five defenders at any one time so that'll presumably see Danny Rose back at Sunderland.

 

If those deals go through as well as Willian, United would probably have the weakest squad in the top 5. Or at least the weakest first team.

 

I don't believe for one second Real Madrid would offload Benzema. Di Maria is likely, but not a chance for Benzema. Liverpool won't sell Suarez now and they'd need a replacement striker.

 

Spurs will have used the Bale money too, but if the weekend if anything to go by, they're going to miss him massively. AVB seems reluctant to strengthen their defence, which might not hamper their chances of getting Top 4, but it certainly will of breaking the Top 3.

First point of the season, this season might be a hard one for Carlisle supporters like myself.