The Title Race 25/26

[Dreambeliever]

Never too early to start discussing who’s going to come out on top.

We’ve had an amazing start results wise if our performances have been far from convincing.

Next weekend we play the only other unbeaten side. A team we’ve failed to beat in our last two meetings.

Very early days but already feels like there won’t be just one challenger in the chasing pack this season.

Hopefully City get at least a point tomorrow.

5pts clear after 5 games would be outstanding.

 

[moron]

There is something about us this season, the team have no fear of anyone, and are determined not to lose. Even though we have conceded goals after taking the lead, we have also been the team to score first, we have not had to come from behind in any game thus far.

Its a strange one, but I am worried about Crystal Palace next week, it seems to take one outstanding player in an opposition sides midfield to fuck us up, we really struggled today in 2nd half, I knew Grealish would be an issue, and am pretty sure Wharton will cause us issues. I dont like the fact that we rely so heavily on Szoboszalai for all our midfield impetus.

 

[dee]

Not Ange

 

[Frogfish]

Au contraire. I can only see Arsenal challenging us. And as we have 5/5 to date when we're clearly not yet at the races, I wonder how good we will be once it all starts to knit together (we already seen plenty of positive signs in the last two games).

 

[Dreambeliever]

There is something about us this season, the team have no fear of anyone, and are determined not to lose. Even though we have conceded goals after taking the lead, we have also been the team to score first, we have not had to come from behind in any game thus far.

Its a strange one, but I am worried about Crystal Palace next week, it seems to take one outstanding player in an opposition sides midfield to fuck us up, we really struggled today in 2nd half, I knew Grealish would be an issue, and am pretty sure Wharton will cause us issues. I dont like the fact that we rely so heavily on Szoboszalai for all our midfield impetus.

Nothing strange about it. Haven’t lost in their last 11 including several games against the so called top 6.

They will be another big early season test which I can’t see us taking for granted after losing the charity shield

 

[peterhague]

Au contraire. I can only see Arsenal challenging us. And as we have 5/5 to date when we're clearly not yet at the races, I wonder how good we will be once it all starts to knit together (we already seen plenty of positive signs in the last two games).

Yeah it's a straight fight between us two. City don't look quite ready, Chelsea are miles off it, it's too early for Spurs, Utd are a joke again. There are a couple of other good teams like Bournemouth and Palace but they're not realistically going to challenge.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit worried about Arsenal unfortunately. They just don't look like conceding goals, so they're going to rack up a shitload of wins more or less by default. 1 goal conceded in four games, to us, and to a freak of a strike. It's a bit ominous.

 

[moron]

Nothing strange about it. Haven’t lost in their last 11 including several games against the so called top 6.

They will be another big early season test which I can’t see us taking for granted after losing the charity shield

I think Palace are the only other unbeaten team in the PL this season apart from us. I think we will have to work really hard against them, they got that mentality to not lose games. Every game seems fucking hard for us, nothing easy.

 

[moron]

Yeah it's a straight fight between us two. City don't look quite ready, Chelsea are miles off it, it's too early for Spurs, Utd are a joke again. There are a couple of other good teams like Bournemouth and Palace but they're not realistically going to challenge.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a bit worried about Arsenal unfortunately. They just don't look like conceding goals, so they're going to rack up a shitload of wins more or less by default. 1 goal conceded in four games, to us, and to a freak of a strike. It's a bit ominous.

I agree with that, they look as balanced as us but seem to control games better than us, the only negative you can point at them is that they have not had as difficult opponents as we to start the season.

The way they setup, makes the opposition think they have a chance so are not as likely to face as many low block setups like we have to face.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Au contraire. I can only see Arsenal challenging us. And as we have 5/5 to date when we're clearly not yet at the races, I wonder how good we will be once it all starts to knit together (we already seen plenty of positive signs in the last two games).

Spurs look strong and if City beat Arsenal even they will be starting to believe they are back and once Pep gets his team on a roll they are formidable.

 

[StevieM]

Never too early to jinx an entire campaign you mean!!!! 😜

 

[Modo]

Arsenal have a squad good enough to prevent them from dropping points against lesser sides this season. They've gone all in, so it's league or bust for them.
We need to be at our best and I believe they're going to push us all the way til April at least.
My hope of that they drop points during the first half of the season, because I don't rate Gyokeres and both Havertz and G.Jesus are injured.

City is the other contender.

 

[StevieM]

There’s a couple of things I’d probably say.

1. Given the amount of churn I was expecting early season results to be average as we’d not be consistent or firing.

Added to this, given their short break, City and Chelsea should be “more” match fit than us with their problems coming as the season progressed.

Arsenal, despite signing a lot of new players “should” have had less churn because more of those players would be expected to start on the bench - all really mountain lover and Swedish Rickie Lambert that were nailed on to start.

Our performances are kind of exactly what I expected, a bit disjointed and no quite clicking, so given the fixtures, it’s great we’ve made such a strong start with so many players looking a little off the pace - Kerkez, Macca, Wirtz, Isak, Mo, Gakkers, etc.

Like @Woland I expected us to drop a little too much early season, but could see us have a similar trajectory to PSG last season, where we fired more towards the business end.

2. Which brings me nicely onto my second point - I’m not overly concerned with some players being out of form now - it’s great that Dom & Gravy are playing really well at the minute and helping us finds ways to win - but we’ve seen drop in form from, mainly forwards, in the final 3rd of the season cost us when we get to run ibs and later stage of knock out rounds.

More than any other team, we have been top at Christmas and gone on to lose the league - so if certain players are changing their regime in some way to make sure they’re “fresher” and more in form towards the end of the season (in a World Cup year), then that might actually help us. Might just be the natural bedding in process, but if we get to match and Isak, Mo, Wirtz and Macca are at the top of their games - we’re winning stuff.

Right now, it’s about getting into and finding the consistent rhythm that will see us there or there abouts in the league by Christmas and navigating the CL league phase with minimum fuss finishing in the top 8.

Still a lot of football to play, but we’re doing well so far.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Au contraire. I can only see Arsenal challenging us. And as we have 5/5 to date when we're clearly not yet at the races, I wonder how good we will be once it all starts to knit together (we already seen plenty of positive signs in the last two games).

Spurs look strong and if City beat Arsenal even they will be starting to believe they are back and once Pep gets his team on a roll they are formidable.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Never too early to jinx an entire campaign you mean!!!! 😜

I’ll be pleasurably shocked if we go back to back.

 

[Dreambeliever]

Palmer injured again is bad news for any hope Chelsea had of mounting a challenge this season.

 

[Judge Jules]

I'm expecting the Arse to be our closest challengers but there are IMO two potential drawbacks they'll face:

1. We know them for chokers so you can bet they know it even more clearly - they'll have to get that monkey off their backs: but

2. They may find that hard because of their manager. It's been said before, but he himself may well be their Achilles heel, too safety-orientated to slip their leash and let them play. Some Arse fans themselves say as much, and he'll know his job's under threat if he doesn't win big this season so he'll be feeling the pressure most of all. If that prompts him to loosen up they'll be a handful, but it could push him in the other direction instead.

 

[Buddha]

Today should be interesting. A hoped for draw means more dropped points for Arsenal in a big game and a 5 point gap already to us (and we’ve arguably played stronger sides)….whilst City’s renaissance is kept on the boil instead of gaining momentum.

It’s very early in the season but there’s a number of factors that make me think we’ll get better whilst our rivals struggle to maintain form…so we’ll win the league in a similar way to last season, stretching gradually clear of the pack until we’re coasting come Spring. I’m calling a 12-15 point league win.

 

[Judge Jules]

Largely agree but I'd actually be OK with a Citeh win. For my money they're some way behind the Arse in the race to catch us.

 

[Bradley]

I can imagine a scenario in today's game when City batter Arsenal and win by 2 or 3 goals.

I can't see Arsenal winning by anything other than a 1 goal lead (1-0, 2-1).

The draw seems more likely.

 

[Athens]

I think we can all agree that today we would like to see an arse getting a good battering.

And arsenal to drop points also.

 

[Frogfish]

I think we can all agree that today we would like to see an arse getting a good battering.

And arsenal to drop points also.

Cue someone posting an explicit anal sex GIF !

 

[Frogfish]

I'm expecting the Arse to be our closest challengers but there are IMO two potential drawbacks they'll face:

1. We know them for chokers so you can bet they know it even more clearly - they'll have to get that monkey off their backs: but

2. They may find that hard because of their manager. It's been said before, but he himself may well be their Achilles heel, too safety-orientated to slip their leash and let them play. Some Arse fans themselves say as much, and he'll know his job's under threat if he doesn't win big this season so he'll be feeling the pressure most of all. If that prompts him to loosen up they'll be a handful, but it could push him in the other direction instead.

Which he's already demonstrated. I can't see this leopard changing his spots. If the pressure mounts he'll play it safer and safer and rely on a moment of brilliance or set piece goal to claim the points. George Graham v2?

 

[Judge Jules]

Certainly, but IMO there's also a comparison close to home, namely GH (God rest him), like Arteta the right man to stop the club drifting downwards but not the right man to build on that start to take them to the biggest prizes of all.

 

[peterhague]

I agree that Arteta's a problem for Arsenal but I still think they're easily good enough to win it in spite of him. Could be a very big points total this year, 90+.

 

[Beamrider]

Arsenal have no excuses this season. They've spent big in the summer, they've signed the players they want, and they're still apparently free to foul with impunity from set-pieces.
They also don't have off-field shit to deal with. Their alleged rapist is not there anymore, and they can't pretend to be shocked and traumatised about it as they all knew (we all did) and they just carried on regardless last year.
Meanwhile our lads are dealing with the trauma of losing one of their best mates, and I'm sure the fatigue we saw yesterday will in part be due to the emotional rollercoaster they've been on, although a hard game less than 3 days earlier won't have helped. Arne really needs to rotate more. By all means sacrifice the cups.
Chelsea are too inconsistent and disrupted by the Club World Cup, to say nothing of knowing what a joke it is that they were crowned World Champions in the first place. Fatigue and injuries will do for them if they're anywhere near challenging come spring.
City have 130 hanging over them. If it ever drops, it will either derail or galvanise their season. It will really test their character if it goes against them. Until then, they have a below par Rodri and a disjointed team, lots of good players but they're not at it.
So I see it as us v Arsenal. And for that reason I'm really hoping City turn them over today as I want them playing catch-up again. I want them in the situation where even if they play first at the weekend and win, they still can't go top because we're more than 3 points ahead. For us to be in such a strong position so early, having played some tough games and having played well below what we're capable of should be terrifying the rest of the league. Long may it continue.

 

[StevieM]

I think I want to add a third point to my earlier post.

Leading the league early and going on to win it is not necessarily an easy thing.

I saw some stat posted about the teams that had won their first 5 games and where they finished up - quite a few went on to win it, most finished close to top and only a few dropped off and finished down the table past 2nd or 3rd.

I’m almost glad we’ve managed this while not playing particularly well - moreso because it’s not been against “easy” teams - it means we can, should and will be better.

As strange as it sounds - I’d hate for us to be clicking right now - because you can’t maintain that for a season and it would mean there’d be an inevitable drop off - whereas right now there’s a clear expectation that we’ll be much better.

Our trajectory should only be up from this point.

That should be scary for the rest of the league.

I think Isak & Wirtz are key to this - those two will win us the League and Champions League if they click and are both “on it” March onwards.

It’s not a bad thing if Mo finishes the season stronger than he’s started either - imagine a world where Wirtz, Isak & Mo are all at peak performance at the same time AND in the business end of the season.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

60% chance of the title after 5 games is a bit nuts.

 

[peterhague]

I wonder if anyone's ever had a bigger lead after 5 games?

 

[Buddha]

I wonder if anyone's ever had a bigger lead after 5 games?

We’re pulling even further clear of Arsenal next weekend…

 

[binomial]

60% chance of the title after 5 games is a bit nuts.

I know right, should be at least 80%.