Will we win the Premier League

[paul_e]

My theory is that having about 17 of the richest clubs in the world in the same league, playing a game where they all have to pick the same number of players from the same sized squad, all of them being able to employ the best coaches and invest massively in academies, scouting, nutrition and fitness, is making that league more competitive.

I agree completely, the idea that the league is weaker somehow is just buying in to the idea that if Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham aren't in the top 6 then something is wrong with them rather it being that other teams have improved.

It's not to the level it was when Liverpool and Man City were pushing each other to crazy points totals. Arsenal are a functional rather than outstanding team. They should still win it I think, didn't play badly today but have signed a dud up top.

I disagree completely. There isn't a standout team on the level that Man City or Liverpool have managed in the last 5-6 seasons but the league as a whole is incredibly strong. There's a clear top 3 but after that everyone down to Brentford is in the battle for the top 6 and there isn't really a 'mid-table' in the normal sense. Fulham are about the only team that aren't involved in either the battle above or at risk of relegation. Obviously it's very early in the season and things can change but if it plays out like this it'll be one of the most competitive seasons ever, anywhere, and that's down to the fact that most teams in the league now are full of players who be at home playing Champions League football in most other countries.

[Olneythelonely]

My theory is that having about 17 of the richest clubs in the world in the same league, playing a game where they all have to pick the same number of players from the same sized squad, all of them being able to employ the best coaches and invest massively in academies, scouting, nutrition and fitness, is making that league more competitive.

I agree completely, the idea that the league is weaker somehow is just buying in to the idea that if Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham aren't in the top 6 then something is wrong with them rather it being that other teams have improved.

It's not to the level it was when Liverpool and Man City were pushing each other to crazy points totals. Arsenal are a functional rather than outstanding team. They should still win it I think, didn't play badly today but have signed a dud up top.

Two teams pushing each other to crazy points totals isn’t indicative of a strong league.

[Monty]

Yeah, I think it's very strange that a criterion for a good league as a whole is that one team is way better than all the other also-rans. The Greek league must be fan-fucking-tastic then.

[BoVillan esq]

My theory is that having about 17 of the richest clubs in the world in the same league, playing a game where they all have to pick the same number of players from the same sized squad, all of them being able to employ the best coaches and invest massively in academies, scouting, nutrition and fitness, is making that league more competitive.

I agree completely, the idea that the league is weaker somehow is just buying in to the idea that if Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham aren't in the top 6 then something is wrong with them rather it being that other teams have improved.

It's not to the level it was when Liverpool and Man City were pushing each other to crazy points totals. Arsenal are a functional rather than outstanding team. They should still win it I think, didn't play badly today but have signed a dud up top.

Two teams pushing each other to crazy points totals isn’t indicative of a strong league.

Spot on, in fact just the opposite.

[Smirker]

Bookies have us as 3rd favourites now at 33/1.

Arsenla and MC ahead.

[Dave]

The points gap from us in third to Chelsea in fourth is the same as the points gap from Chelsea in fourth to Bournemouth in thirteenth.

[PeterWithesShin]

The top sides are still very good, most of the rest are better than ever which is the difference. It's not substandard at all. the standard is better than ever.

Is still my view. Apart from Wolves there's no mugs these days and there's sod all chance they'd be bottom in any other league in world football.

[PeterWithesShin]

Are Aston Villa in title hunt - and should Arsenal start to worry?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1m8p0n2mzmo

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

This is how the media pundits will view our title chances.
"As good as Aston Villa were today, they can't be expected to sustain this over the season as they lack the squad depth of Arsenal".

This is how the media pundits will view our victory today.
"As good as Aston Villa were today and probably deserved their victory, Arsenal did have injuries and when these players are back they will be fine".

[PaulWinch again]

They probably have a point to be fair.

[dave.woodhall]

They probably have a point to be fair.

Which is more than Arsenal got.

[Hillbilly]

I can’t get carried away, knowing Man Utd are waiting to piss on our chips.

[Somniloquism]

Also Nuno seems to have Emery's number, especially when we play at his home stadium.

[caster troy]

Whenever we get to this kind of position in December we pick up long term injuries to our best players and fall away. We have a decent squad but some vulnerable positions, just this once it would be nice to see what we can achieve with a relatively injury free season.

[Brazilian Villain]

I can’t get carried away, knowing Man Utd are waiting to piss on our chips.

We'll batter Yanited at home. As SQ notes, I'm more concerned with Nuno away.