Topic: Arsenal

[ScottishGoon]

Exactly. Nobody sets out to be unbeaten. A season with 19 wins and 19 draws for example would only be a moderate Top 4 season for a Top club. But you're 'unbeaten'. How can anyone rate that over 95+ points with 1 or 2 losses?

Teams go out to get the maximum points they can, no team sets out to be 'unbeaten' at the start of any season.

Your example is right. But this was a season where Arsenal won the league & remained unbeaten. So there was nothing moderate about it.

[The North Bank]

Your example is right. But this was a season where Arsenal won the league & remained unbeaten. So there was nothing moderate about it.

Fans of other teams will always try to downplay a feat that they cant achieve themselves, no one said it was meaningless when Liverpool were close to do it, only afterwards.  This is just the nature of football fans.

[WhereAngelsPlay]

Fans of other teams will always try to downplay a feat that they cant achieve themselves, no one said it was meaningless when Liverpool were close to do it, only afterwards.  This is just the nature of football fans.

I can remember lots of posts of people saying that whilst we should rightfully go for it,they (myself included) weren't arsed about the invincibles tag,especially considering we should smash your points total and will smash your number of wins and GD.

Not that you shouldn't bang on about it until the end of time.

[Ghost Town]

Fans of other teams will always try to downplay a feat that they cant achieve themselves, no one said it was meaningless when Liverpool were close to do it, only afterwards.  This is just the nature of football fans.

Hmm I think I specifically said in my post that I don't want to downplay what was an extraordinary achievement. But I do think it is matchable, and will be matched, when a team sets out to attempt to do so. The difference between Arsebal in their unbeaten season and Liverpool this season is that Arsenal were happy to play for draws, because that was kind of normal back then. LFC this year were trying to win every game in order to not suffer the same fate as last season (97 pts!!), plus the 30 yrs monkey thing; and such things have to take their toll. And did.

I don't have the inside knowledge but I don't think Arsenal set out to remain unbeaten that season did they? I think what happened is that a point was reached when remaining unbeaten became a thing and thereafter the season was managed to ensure the best chance of it happening. Or is that demonstrably wrong?

That's why I think the feat will be matched; one day some quirky manager will decide that they are going to try and match it, and manage their season accordingly. They may not succeed the first time, but they will at some point.

[The North Bank]

Hmm I think I specifically said in my post that I don't want to downplay what was an extraordinary achievement. But I do think it is matchable, and will be matched, when a team sets out to attempt to do so. The difference between Arsebal in their unbeaten season and Liverpool this season is that Arsenal were happy to play for draws, because that was kind of normal back then. LFC this year were trying to win every game in order to not suffer the same fate as last season (97 pts!!), plus the 30 yrs monkey thing; and such things have to take their toll. And did.

I don't have the inside knowledge but I don't think Arsenal set out to remain unbeaten that season did they? I think what happened is that a point was reached when remaining unbeaten became a thing and thereafter the season was managed to ensure the best chance of it happening. Or is that demonstrably wrong?

That's why I think the feat will be matched; one day some quirky manager will decide that they are going to try and match it, and manage their season accordingly. They may not succeed the first time, but they will at some point.

You're right after we won the league we were happy with draws as we knew we were 6 matches away from going the whole season unbeaten. but Liverpool have had this league won for some time, and being unbeaten became a thing, Liverpool fans started bringing it up, not just the media, and you didn't lose at Watford because you were going for a win, you were just outplayed massively on the day.
No matter how good you are, you are always going to have an off day sometime in a league season, that's why its so hard to replicate, that team went through the off days without getting beat.

[Ghost Town]

You're right after we won the league we were happy with draws as we knew we were 6 matches away from going the whole season unbeaten. but Liverpool have had this league won for some time, and being unbeaten became a thing, Liverpool fans started bringing it up, not just the media, and you didn't lose at Watford because you were going for a win, you were just outplayed massively on the day.

But that's the point; we were not just going for ''unbeaten'' we were going for win every game, after the Utd draw. And we had the first league in 30 years burden on our shoulders as well. These things must have taken quite a toll, but we kept finding a way...until we just couldn't. The fail point was reached.

Also I think you guys were probably ''happy'' with some draws before you'd wrapped up the title as well, because that was not unusual back then; a draw against a strong side, esp. away was deemed a good result. It's only because of City's doping and massive raising of the bar, that draws were viewed as almost as bad as losses for us this season. We knew we had to be almost perfect after last season's ''failure'' (97 pts and only second, my days!).

But I'm not really making excuses; we failed in terms of that particular record, without doubt, whereas Arsenal managed it, and hats off to you. But I do wonder if this had been just another title challenge instead of the first for 30 years, and if we didn't have the City behemoth to worry about, making us try and win every game...well, who knows.

I'm certainly disappointed we didn't manage it; I'm not going to pretend it wouldn't have been amazing to do it, and I hope we have another chance in years to come. I'm not much for all the gazillions of ''records'' seemingly on offer, but unbeaten and highest points total are two I would like to be able to boast (also winning 38/38).

No matter how good you are, you are always going to have an off day sometime in a league season, that's why its so hard to replicate, that team went through the off days without getting beat.

I agree, but whatever combination of application and good fortune allowed Arsenal to achieve the feat, could surely strike again, at some point, so another team will eventually notch up the same feat. I hope it's us.

[ScottishGoon]

I don't have the inside knowledge but I don't think Arsenal set out to remain unbeaten that season did they? I think what happened is that a point was reached when remaining unbeaten became a thing and thereafter the season was managed to ensure the best chance of it happening. Or is that demonstrably wrong?

Wenger was asked a year or 2 before about the possibility of his team going unbeaten for a while season, and he replied, something along the lines of why not? Then when Arsenal suffered their next defeat he was ridiculed in the press / media & basically told it could never happen.

So perhaps for him, the players & the fans it became more a personal reason. Not so much an initial target, but as the season went on, & the questions were asked again, & his previous quote brought back up, there would have been a build up of external pressure as well as from within.

Everyone is correct, the main target is winning the league. However, to get to that stage, while still unbeaten with 6 games to go or whatever it was, is unique. Like Pep done with the 'Centurions', you want to keep the players motivated, so the unbeaten record became the next target, so yeah the end of season became managed to get that achievement.

As I alluded to earlier, perhaps Arsenal their fans are more proud of it because of the ridicule Wenger got for suggesting it was possible in the first place.

[Zlen]

Arteta is COVID19 positive.

[Ashburton]

Arteta is COVID19 positive.

Whole team and back room staff self isolating at this point.

[Peabee]

Good job the game with city was called off.

[The North Bank]

Hopefully he has a speedy recovery.
I no longer care if we don’t play again this season. Just want everyone to be safe, not worth the risk.

[Jambo Power]

Arteta is COVID19 positive.

Nothing like a positive result to build on.......

[Cruiser]

Won't make a difference, Arsenal's entire squad has been in quarantine all season.

[GunnerParker]

Won't make a difference, Arsenal's entire squad has been in quarantine all season.

Besides Auba, Saka and Leno. We've actually looked half decent since Arteta has come on.

[ScottishGoon]

We didn't half feck up some transfers.

Just been reading Fabregas talking about the potential Xabi Alonso transfer back in 2008. Benitez wanted to sell for Barry of course we all knew that, & Arsenal were in for Alonso.

Cesc said Alonso was texting him every day desperate to come, Fabregas was speaking to people at the club to try & push through the deal, & in the end we lost out because we would only go to £15M & you wanted £18M. How stupid were we, imagine a prime Alonso & prime Fabregas in the same midfield, with 18 year old Wilshere just breaking through. Pisses me off thinking about that.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

That podcast with fabregas is a good listen to be honest

[John C]

BT Sport showing a programme about David Rocastle at the moment.
Magnificent footballer, absolute gem, sadly missed.

[The North Bank]

BT Sport showing a programme about David Rocastle at the moment.
Magnificent footballer, absolute gem, sadly missed.

Seen it before, very sad story. He was an excellent player.

[Crosby Nick]

BT Sport showing a programme about David Rocastle at the moment.
Magnificent footballer, absolute gem, sadly missed.

I can remember him being in that Arsenal team we had such a rivalry with in the Kenny era and then had vague recollections of him at Leeds. What was the story there? How come he was sold at a relatively young age?

[RedSince86]

The Rocastle step over, one of the best players to do that piece of skill.

[The North Bank]

I miss football discussions, when everyone would pile on here taking the piss out of Arsenal, after we lose at home to Brighton.....To think I used to get depressed then....

What a muppet.

[ScottishGoon]

I can remember him being in that Arsenal team we had such a rivalry with in the Kenny era and then had vague recollections of him at Leeds. What was the story there? How come he was sold at a relatively young age?

Think he had a cbronic problem in his knee, from a fairly young age. He had missed large chunks of previous seasons with it. Don't think George Graham had set out to sell him, but he got an offer from Howard Wilkinson that him & the board decided to take.

Apparently he was devastated to leave. Local boy, brought up through the ranks, playing with many of his players that broke through the same time as him, & his childhood friend Ian Wright was now there banging goals in.

Think the move affected him as a player, and it also affected Arsenal as a team with how it happened. They had finished the 91-92 season strongly, unbeaten since January, playing some exciting football with youth & pace with Ian Wright who had joined in September finishing as leagues top scorer. We were expected to push on & challenge in the 92/93 season. Instead they stuttered & ended up finishing 10th, although we did win the Cup Double that season, only highlighting the under performance in the league.

[Broad Spectrum]

I miss football discussions, when everyone would pile on here taking the piss out of Arsenal, after we lose at home to Brighton.....To think I used to get depressed then....

What a muppet.

If it makes you feel any better, we just won the league and Champions League double on Pro Evo on the PS4. Aubameyang was sold for Timo Werner, who smashed it.

My nephew is getting quite wound up by the thought of Aubameyang being sold in the summer/autumn, think it makes perfect sense though given his age. Tough call though, he is an outstanding player.

[sinnermichael]

What’s all this about Arsenal players not accepting a pay cut? They’ve been giving 80% for years now.

[clinical]

SO if these go and sign a £40m odd player now you can't imagine the players who have reluctantly taken a paycut will be happy.

[The North Bank]

Arsenal players are set to be the first in the Premier League to agree to a pay cut after being offered Champions League qualification incentives.
The Gunners players will take a 12.5% wage cut.

[PaulF]

What's Troopz been like during the shutdown?

[newterp]

What's Troopz been like during the shutdown?

Higher than ever?

[OsirisMVZ]

Higher than ever?

Even higher than Aubameyang's hairline

[deFacto please, you bastards]

BRUUUUUUHHHHHHHH let that hair go!

[tubby]

That looks shopped, I can tell from some of the pixels and from seeing quite a few shops in my time.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

What's Troopz been like during the shutdown?

his hair is hilarious

[ScottishGoon]

We've had our first run out, against Charlton yesterday (was going to say in a closed door game but they all will be, doh).

https://twitter.com/TheAFCnewsroom/status/1269348222692188160?s=19

Im trying to cling on to some slither of hope that we might benefit from this enforced break & mini pre season so Arteta can further get his ideas across. Still hoping we can catch City cold first game back & can try & sneak into 5th. Looking like a long shot given our fixtures mind you.

[Kashinoda]

We've had our first run out, against Charlton yesterday (was going to say in a closed door game but they all will be, doh).

https://twitter.com/TheAFCnewsroom/status/1269348222692188160?s=19

Im trying to cling on to some slither of hope that we might benefit from this enforced break & mini pre season so Arteta can further get his ideas across. Still hoping we can catch City cold first game back & can try & sneak into 5th. Looking like a long shot given our fixtures mind you.

As are we.

Arsenal beating City and having the prem wrapped up at Goodison on the first game back will be a jolt back to reality.

[sinnermichael]

Genius from Arsenal to lure Man City into a false sense of security by losing to Brentford.

[Crosby Nick]

Genius from Arsenal to lure Man City into a false sense of security by losing to Brentford.

No shame in that. Brentford are a decent side who play some good football. Their first team do anyway. I’ve been to see them a few times this season and have vaguely heard of one of the scorers and never heard of the other two.

[jacobs chains]

Anyone else think this lot might get something from tomorrow's game? Based on nothing more than gut feeling I think they will be fitter and more up for it. City preoccupied with the Champion's League.

[Dim Glas]

I never expect Arsenal to get anything. I just expect them to crumble. I’d fancy the chances of plenty of other clubs ahead of them  No idea about fitness leves of either side.

[plura]

Even higher than Aubameyang's hairline

He looks ready! It's clear to see that he never left his house at least

[ScottishGoon]

I never expect Arsenal to get anything. I just expect them to crumble. I’d fancy the chances of plenty of other clubs ahead of them  No idea about fitness leves of either side.

Im an Arsenal fan & I think like this. Always think the worst....its pointless even hoping for the best now!  :[.