Arsenal are looking more and more for real each week. The next 2 weeks are definitely gonna tell us if they are going to contend this year in the Premier League. But I have no doubt in my mind that they can and should win a trophy this year.

Good showing by QPR against Chelsea. Cesar is clearly an upgrade over Green. Now they just have to find a striker who knows how to find the net.

_________________

You are absolutely entitled to state your opinion whenever you wish, and I am absolutely entitled to point out the stupidity of that opinion with the same frequency.

Come On You Spurs!

1-0 up at half time but this game should be out of sight. We've missed 3 or 4 great chances (The Sun et al will no doubt be claiming that these were all the fault of AVB tomorrow) and been moving the ball around nicely. Just need to be ruthless. Obviously, I really hope that these missed chances won't come back to bite us in the arse.

Fantastic performance from us to kick start our season. Vertonghen and Dembele were absolutely superb and Dembele's partnership with Sandro had a great start. Defoe took his goals well although still don't like him up front on his own.

Hopefully we can kick on now anyway, COYS.

Manchester United looked better as a team this week, Chicharito was clearly trying to prove himself and Scholes scored in his landmark game. Chelsea and Swansea slipped up this week. City again failed to win at Stoke in a somewhat decent match. Spurs finally decided to finish a match the right way. Liverpool just isn't looking like anything major will happen this season.

As for the Gunners, I'm feeling really confident in Arsenal's next few games. Like I said before the team has been playing better and better, the defense is making very very few mistakes(the only real one was Szczesny's blunder) and last Saturday the offense caught up and in a big way. I think Wenger should keep Gervinho as a center forward as that performance against the Saints was the best I've seen from him. Podolski has scored in back to back matches, and Cazorla is playing like the ball is glued to his foot. Gibbs was impressive against Southampton, supplying the crosses that turned into own goals, Jenkinson has been holding his own in place for Sagna. Arsenal supposedly will be getting a massive boost this week as rumors are swirling that Wilshere will be returning to full training, which could mean he'll at least be on the bench for the Chelsea match at the earliest.

of course... I mean four games into the season is a fair reflection of the how good and bad teams are.

christ on a bike. the PL season (took the "E" out just for you English) doesnt start until October. The next two weeks arent going to tell us anything except who is off to a strong start and who needs tweaking. We have 34 games left, two domestic cups, some Euro thingys, 6 months of International play and another 30 day transfer window.

While I applaud your enthusiasm and it is well founded, its a but early in the date to start buying rubbers

I did say the next 2 weeks will be even more telling than the first 4 matches. The first 4 matches are showing how good the Gunners can be, the real thing is weather or not they can keep up this intensity for the remainder of the season.

Good to see another Spurs & Seahawks fan! What a great Sunday.

I agree with everything you mentioned. I really like what I'm seeing from Vertonghen and, as you say, Dembele and Sandro looked great together. I think Adebayor would bring the midfielders into play more than Defoe. Defoe played pretty well though. He still shoots too readily for my liking - there were a couple of occasions on Sunday when he took difficult shots instead of laying the ball off to Bale or Sigurdsson who were in better positions but he scored a couple so it'd be wrong to complain.

I'm pleased with AVB. We've played well in 3 out of 4 games now and the players seem to be buying into what he's selling, despite Old Wobbly waffling on on TV about how they wouldn't be able to cope with tactics and almost every TV and newspaper pundit wishing him to fail. I think he did well in the transfer window, identifying and buying good young players who fit into the way he wants to play, rather than the cheap and ageing veterans or expensive superstars that seemed to occupy Redknapp's wishlist.

It will be interesting to see who plays against Lazio on Thursday. I'm hoping to see Adebayor, Lloris, Dempsey and Caulker start.


Did you see the NextGen game against Barcelona last Thursday? We have some good young players coming through the ranks. Pritchard, Coulthirst, Mc Evoy and Vigouroux all looked very good, and Coulibaly also showed promise. It sounded like an amaziing atmosphere at the Lane as well, about 10000 fans making a hell of a lot of noise.

Actually you said that the next two weeks will determine whether your team can challenge for the title....

The first four matches are littered with transfer deadlines, player movements, continuity issues, CL breaks and ridiculous international breaks. take what you want from it, but I wouldnt put too much into it except a teams ability to deal with massive scheduling inconsistencies. Spurs and Liverpool are trying to find their feet under new managers. Most the premier league has introduced or lost a significant player to their lineup. Almost all of the top teams lost players to international duty.

So tell me amidst all that how anyone can take more than a passive understanding of their team's fortunes?

For Arsenal, its a brilliant start. But just as last year when they sputtered early, they came back just fine. The opposite can just as easily happen.

For Liverpool.... the tensions and anxieties are already settling in. Its not just 4 games, but 2+ years

Not taking anything away from any of the teams sitting above two points. I wish Liverpool was them.

By the way, Liverpool fan or hated rival, if you didnt watch the first episode of Being Liverpool you truly missed some wonderful TV

It's no doubt that Arsenal will be just fine in terms of the fight for CL qualification, challenging for the title is a whole other story. Sure a lot of shit can happen between now and May, which is where Arsenal needs to keep up the momentum and intensity as well as staying healthy.

As for the first 4 games, Arsenal was dealing with the non-stop RvP conversation, especially in the first 2 games when they didn't score, they handled it great and now it looks like they're clicking on all gears. We could put a lot of credit to how well Bould has improved this defense. The only thing I have to ask is, what do you think of Podolski now? Do you still think he's not as good as I think he is?

I watched bits and pieces of it, namely due to my mom complaining every time I tried to put it on.

What did you think? I'm obviously a bit biased, but i really enjoyed the inside view of a major football club. Just seemed more enigmatic and illusive than Hard Knocks

But ofcourse I nearly cried during the intro, so I may not be the best judge

honestly I didn't see enough to have a definitive opinion.

Fantastic sunday wasn't it, made a massive change from the week before!

Exactly yeah, looks very bright there and although Modric is a very hard player to replace I think the Dembele/Sandro partnership could be a perfect mix. Defoe is fantastic coming off the bench but I still think Adebayor is the one to be starting. Works excellently in our system and I think his link up would help Gylfi find his feet properly.

I really like AVB too and I think the players do as well. Unfortunately the media are out to get him and will use every opportunity to slag him off and praise Redknapp but I feel that we will rise above it and come out of this stronger. I respect what Harry did but I wanted him gone this summer and I am pleased to see Andre come in. Definitely played well in three out of the four games too, Norwich was terrible, but our Newcastle/West Brom performances deserved more.

I'm hoping they all get a run out too. Caulker needs games badly for his development, Ade needs match fitness and Lloris just has to play. Hopefully Dawson and Huddlestone get a game too.

Yeah I actually went to the Lane that day, had nothing else to do so popped along and it was a fantastic experience, even with the defeat. Great atmosphere. Really impressed by Pritchard!

Well done! You guys made some noise alright! Hopefully it'll provide a bit of inspiration to the regular 1st team crowd which seems to have been getting gradually quieter and more negative, despite the team getting better. I'm going to the Villa and Chelsea games in October which will be my first trips to the Lane this season.

Lets hope so eh!

Definitely mate, it's very worrying but with a more successful has brought a more negative quiet crowd and we are starting to just expect to win. The big games still have great atmospheres but the smaller games are terrible at times.

I see Ade is out of tomorrow's game. Not good news.

Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong have returned to full first team training for the Gunners. I wouldn't be surprised if one or both of them are on the bench for the Chelsea match, if not then than either for the Olympiacos or West Ham matches. And it appears Arsene got the goalkeeper battle he was hoping for, as it seems Mannone is ready to fight Szczesny for the starting GK role.

Well, I hope United is proud of themselves for a stunning display of being fuckfaces in all facets.

How is that different from any other day?

_________________

You are absolutely entitled to state your opinion whenever you wish, and I am absolutely entitled to point out the stupidity of that opinion with the same frequency.

If by that you mean how Liverpool got screwed, I agree. I saw the penalty that lead to the PK goal, and I swear to god the United player was going down before any contact happen.

Arsenal deserved that massive point they got at Man City today. I'll agree Arsenal should have won, they missed a shit load of chances. By far that was Gervinho's worst performance of the season. I was a bit surprised that Vermaelen didn't play as I thought at the very least Mertesacker would be the one left out of the starting 11. Cazorla and Koscielny were the best players for Arsenal. As for the City goal, I just think that was unlucky for the Gunners, they've been doing that set up for corners for most of this season and it was the first time it didn't work.

_________________

Man up, stand in line.

Bugger off, SMurf. The ref made two ridiculous calls that cost Liverpool the match.

_________________
Rzzzzz...

Dumbfounding decisions by the referee today, taking away from the emotion and drama of one of the great rivalries in sport. And yes, I don't think shelvys tackle was any worse than what evans was giving back. Tick them off and move on. Te penalty was classic United. And yes smurf I'm daring you to defend your teams performance today. Daring you to defend your disgrace of a supporters group tryin to shout down ynwa during the tribute and feeling it worthwhile to sing at kelly as he limps off with a knee injury.

Gate... noone here gives a shit about arsenal. You make it impossible to care when you keep excusing away every thing as luck or fortune. Gervino is a terrible player, you got that right. Podolski was back to earth. You caught city at the worst. Trend I hope continues for them

I didn't see the other games this weekend, but the 2 Spurs games this week (Lazio and QPR) have been encouraging. While Dembele and Sandro may lack the creativity and finesse of Modric and van der Vaart they go a long way to making up for it with physicality and skill of there own. We look a lot more imposing now but still miss Modric's ability to see the gaps and make the passes that most midfielders missed. Vertonghen is Man. What a great footballer he looks to be. He showed today that he can play on the left as well as at centreback. Caulker looks like he'll become a force too.

Things are definitely looking promising. I really like that we hard a hard-hitting midfield now. I think it complements the pace we have on the flanks pretty well. We're stronger in defense than we were last year. What is still lacking is ruthlessness in front of goal. We are getting in great positions but not putting away enough of our chances. Hopefully this will improve as the team plays together more.

Couple of things.

1. I haven't seen the game. I didn't watch it live, or seen any highlights. I simply just know the score. I offer no opinion on what happened. As of right now, I'll take your word for it. I offer no defense for me team, out of ignorance of the subject alone.

2. That being said, the picture is hilarious.

3. I'm going to remind you that I am the exception when it comes to United fans. Not going to cram it down your throats about how great we are, and then make a disgrace of our great club with the songs we sing. The shit they did today is horrible and wrong on many levels. Just as wrong as Chelsea, City and Liverpool fans singing about the Munich Air Disaster. Hopefully the club will discipline its own supporters for this, and United should be forced to play a game closed doors like the clubs in Italy do for racist chants. Hell, maybe fine em some points.

For the most part United fans are a bunch of classless f***s.

_________________

Man up, stand in line.

Of course no one here does, I'm the only god damn Arsenal fan on this forum. I don't know how long it's going to take for you to get it in your thick skull that I'm not gonna straight up say Arsenal is what you want them to be. Part of me thinks your taking your frustrations involving Liverpool out on me because I have a fricken positive attitude. Gervinho isn't a terrible player but he's his own worst enemy, Podolski has one bad game and it seems your heading back to hacking him. Yes we caught City at their worst, yes Arsenal didn't fully capitalize on it, but Arsenal picked up a massive point at the Etihad and have remained unbeaten, that's something to be proud of and I don't need a buzzkill like you to ruin my mood.

Hell I've even sympathized with Liverpool over their loss and you and you alone have made me start to regret doing that.

Gate, I bet you don't know this...But I love Arsenal. Like, I really, really do. I was just as pissed as you when Fabregas left...and then Nasri...and then clichy...and then RVP (a lot less on that one actually).

Arsenal are one of my top 3 teams in the world.

_________________

Man up, stand in line.

Thats great, you two go have an intimate shower together.... take Slappy in the Warrior shirt with you.

Gate, I dont mind a bit of optimism, but every post is littered with such custard its to the point of obsurdity. Arsenal were "unlucky" on the header? not beaten by a world class player and a top drawer finish. Just... unlucky. No mention of the luck they got at the end, with the soft clearance to the middle and poor pressure on the ball gifting a free shot from 12 out?

Cant we temper it with a little realism? I'd love to know how the game really went (how Mancini's tactics are ruining City, or what was Toure doing all day) and had Gervinho and Podolski played they may have taken the whole lot of points. but nope, just "unlucky". we arent on the Arsenal and Liverpool fan sites, we're on a Seahawks site.

Lescott is a good player but he is not world class. The luck on that was in City's favor, for one Mannone shouldn't have left goal, add to that City only got the corner cause Gibbs misjudged a clearance.

Ok, that's not luck, gate. That's poor execution by Arsenal's players.

_________________
Rzzzzz...

Yeah, I'll pass.


There is a reason I don't talk about my love of Arsenal here...

_________________

Man up, stand in line.

Saw the game today.


United were crap. Liverpool were the better side.

Valencia went down WAY too easy.

Personally I felt the Shelvey sending off was really, really harsh. Just a yellow for me. If you red card Shelvey for that, you have to red card Evans too. Evans went in just as recklessly, if not more so, than Shelvey did.

Rafael's goal was class. Should have ended in a draw.

That said...

Arsenal are extremely lucky that City already have Silva, and Nasri, and that Chelsea already have Mata, Hazard, and Oscar....cause Santi Cazorla is one hell of a footballer. Arsenal are lucky to have him.

_________________

Man up, stand in line.

and that has been what I've been trying to say all along.

worse call? Tate's TD or Valencia's pen?

Both were horrendous calls, but Tate's TD.

Capital One Cup 4th Round Draw
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Sunderland vs Middlesbrough
Swindon Town vs Aston villa
Norwich City vs Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool vs Swansea City
Leeds United vs Southampton
Wigan vs Bradford
Reading vs Arsenal

I'm delighted to see that Chelsea are playing United. Norwich and Reading should be wins for Spurs and Arsenal but both are away fixtures so a bit trickier. Liverpool and Swansea are both having issues with consistency; I'd predict a Liverpool win but wouldn't put a lot of money on it.

It was good to see City and Everton go out this week.

After 5 weeks it looks like this is a wide open premier league.

City and Mancini look burdened by the weight of expectation and pretty average compared to last year, especially at keeping goals out.

United are having troubles keeping defenders healthy, which somewhat balances out adding quality at the other end in van Persie and Kagawa. Johnny Evans is certainly not in the same stratosphere as Vidic.

Chelsea have showed signs of vulnerability in defence but good in attack, with the notable exception of their £50m striker. They need to get Lukaku back from his loan and ditch Torres. They'll probably end up selling Torres and paying £90m for Falcao instead.

Arsenal look good but will need to show that, unlike recent seasons, they can maintain their recent form for most rather than some of it.

Spurs have had a predictably slow start to the season getting used to a new manager and new players, but haven't lost in 6 games now. AVB appears to be taking a similar approach to Carroll with Wilson, playing conservatively and trying to minimize mistakes while the team gets used to each other. They've looked better when they've been more attacking, however, but with the exception of an arguably unjust draw against a very good Lazio we've won our last few games and have only played badly once this season.

Liverpool are having a similar season to last and are generally playing better than the result would suggest, but lacking consistency.

Everton appear to be this season's Newcastle while Newcastle should still be in the mix, despite struggling a little more than last year.

It's shaping up to be a good season yet again.

For a tournament that everyone blasted Liverpool winning last year there were some competitive matches featuring the some of the world's best players. Funny enough, Liverpool played a very young squad. City and Villa went after it, as did Newcastle and United (for the most part, a good balance of reserves and starters).

Hope it lasts into the later rounds.

It was nice to see Liverpool beat a BPL team, even if it wasnt within league play.

A question for those of you in the US: how do you guys watch premier league games? Are you able to watch all games on TV or is it necessary, as it is in the UK, to employ hooky methods. Over here, depending on which team you support, you get between about 6 and 15 live matches, spread between 2 different subscription providers. Any other games you either have to attend or watch via illegal streams.

Fox Soccer channel actually does pretty good, and ESPN2 shows some matches, too. You can also get Fox Soccer Plus for even more games. Between those three, most of the major teams are covered, but for FSC and FS+, you're probably forking out $20 a month or more. Seems like ESPN handles the early Saturday matches (12:30 kickoff), FSC and FSplus each show one of the 3:00 matches, FSC shows the late game, then they each show a couple of the other 3:00 matches later in the day. Sundays, between FSC and FSplus, we get most of the games, usually the ones involving the bigger teams.

_________________
Rzzzzz...

Fox sports, espn or illegal streams. I have a site I usse that shows basically every game. just synch it and attach the laptop to the tv

I usually go down to a good local football pub that 99% of the time has Liverpool on live, or on a 1 or 2 hour delay. If I lack the motivation or funds to head down I just type "Liverpool stream" into the twitter search, and viola!

Cheers. Si, I take the same approach that you do. The quality now is generally very good so it really does make paying £40 extra a month for Sky and ESPN and still getting only about a third of the matches hard to justify. I get to spend a bit of that money on NFL Gamepass instead.

From what Peaches says you guys have better access to games on TV, which doesn't surprise me.

I'll be interested in hearing the details, but John Terry appears to have gotten off pretty lightly at first glance. 4 games and a weeks wage fine? You can get 3 games for a bad tackle. I'm sure Suarez will feel a bit hard done by.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see what Chelsea does about this. They recently banned a fan for life for racially abusing Drogba and make a lot of noise about having zero tolerance of racism so I'd expect Terry to have played his last game as captain at the very least.

Christ on a bike.

_________________
Rzzzzz...

Honestly, the COC is only called the Mickey Mouse Cup if that fan's team is knocked out.