2022/2023 English Premier League

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Slava

Leicester all over again, only this edition features a rapist in the squad.

They are significantly better than that Leicester team lol. I get this is very difficult for you, but try not to be too biased.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by Slava

Leicester all over again, only this edition features a rapist in the squad.

Alleged rapist. You keep repeating that. I believe there's a law against behaviour like yours.

And no completely different to Leicester. Leicester was in a season when all the top teams tanked and their closest opponents was a club that everyone knew would bottle it.

Arsenal are up against a Pep team of proven winners with an anomaly of a superstar forward.

[cam_wmh]

Still hasn’t played Pep. Bizarre scheduling, in that the Gunners will have played United twice, before they play Chitty.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Still hasn’t played Pep. Bizarre scheduling, in that the Gunners will have played United twice, before they play Chitty.

that was down to the Queen's death though. Certainly didn't plan it this way.

[cam_wmh]

Ahh, game postponed; how I forget..

https://www.skysports.com/football/n...for-october-20

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

Still hasn’t played Pep. Bizarre scheduling, in that the Gunners will have played United twice, before they play Chitty.

Never did understand why they didn't pile all the big fixtures up towards the end of the season to heighten the drama.

I'm old enough to remember the 89 title decider at Anfield. Will never be beaten for drama.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

They are significantly better than that Leicester team lol. I get this is very difficult for you, but try not to be too biased.

Oh please. This might be biased, but they’re not even the best team in London, never mind the best in the league. This is a team that could be top six, and that’s about where they stand. I realize the table doesn’t reflect that at this point, but this is Leicester 2.0 where the best team is not winning.

[devo22]

dude we know this is tough for you, but you're having a mare here.

[Senator Clay Davis]

The irony of saying Arsenal are Leicester 2015-16, when Spurs continue to pull matches out of their ass playing like crap....good stuff. I can't wait to see how unhinged the takes get the closer Arsenal get to winning the league.

[Slava]

Maybe I’m taking unhinged wrong, but there’s no way I’m the only person who is surprised that they’re leading the league and their record is as good as it is. Maybe you saw this coming and predicted before the season that they’d win the league, but I’d say almost no one called that.

And as far as Leicester and the comparison there, it’s not that crazy. They had a few good players, other clubs that were better didn’t perform as expected and they became unlikely winners.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Slava

Maybe I’m taking unhinged wrong, but there’s no way I’m the only person who is surprised that they’re leading the league and their record is as good as it is. Maybe you saw this coming and predicted before the season that they’d win the league, but I’d say almost no one called that.

And as far as Leicester and the comparison there, it’s not that crazy. They had a few good players, other clubs that were better didn’t perform as expected and they became unlikely winners.

You're right no one expected it and no one would say they have the best team on paper.

But on actual play and performance, they currently are the best and fully deserving to be there (to this point of the season).
You're the only person that can't admit that; even Pep would admit that.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

You're right no one expected it and no one would say they have the best team on paper.

But on actual play and performance, they currently are the best and fully deserving to be there (to this point of the season).
You're the only person that can't admit that; even Pep would admit that.

I think they have a record that’s better than they should be. I don’t think it’s unhinged, and there’s zero percent chance I’m alone in that regard.

Anyway, hopefully we get to see the glorious meltdown.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Of course there's a zero percent chance you're alone in that regard, there are a lot of bitter and angry Spurs fans who probably think the same. For the unbiased, it's pretty hard to have watched Arsenal this year and conclude they are fluking their way to this. They've been the best team. Are Man City underpeforming? Yeah a little, but that doesn't change that Arsenal have looked extremely good.

And more of that delicious irony, Spurs have of course fluked their way to their current position, they've played closer to a 9th place level, but are 5th, played poorly in UCL and barely escaped a weak group etc...But I'm sure you'll tell us how amazing they've actually been this year.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Of course there's a zero percent chance you're alone in that regard, there are a lot of bitter and angry Spurs fans who probably think the same. For the unbiased, it's pretty hard to have watched Arsenal this year and conclude they are fluking their way to this. They've been the best team. Are Man City underpeforming? Yeah a little, but that doesn't change that Arsenal have looked extremely good.

And more of that delicious irony, Spurs have of course fluked their way to their current position, they've played closer to a 9th place level, but are 5th, played poorly in UCL and barely escaped a weak group etc...But I'm sure you'll tell us how amazing they've actually been this year.

I think a lot of teams have looked very shaky, obviously I'm not thrilled with how Liverpool are doing and maybe that mid-season World Cup is the best thing that could have happened for them?

Not sure entirely, but Arsenal have been the only ones that have appeared to just be steady and moving on.

Not earth-shattering, nothing fancy, but they've been steady and getting results.

I'm with Slava in that...I dont think that will hold over the entire season, but they are where they are right now for some good play.

But this isnt going to be the season where you have to keep it to 'damned near perfect' to crack Top 4.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Bagor

Never did understand why they didn't pile all the big fixtures up towards the end of the season to heighten the drama.

I'm old enough to remember the 89 title decider at Anfield. Will never be beaten for drama.

F***ng Joey Barton....

[Barnet Flame]

I’m clearly happy with where we are and more importantly with how we are playing. There have been stutters during Arteta’s time in charge, but even during those times, you can see a vision for the Club - and everyone working towards it.

It is great to be top - but there are still three games to go before we even hit the midpoint of the season, so a lot can still happen this season. But what encourages me most is, that there are good foundations upon which to build with a young and talented team.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

I’m clearly happy with where we are and more importantly with how we are playing. There have been stutters during Arteta’s time in charge, but even during those times, you can see a vision for the Club - and everyone working towards it.

It is great to be top - but there are still three games to go before we even hit the midpoint of the season, so a lot can still happen this season. But what encourages me most is, that there are good foundations upon which to build with a young and talented team.

Yeah, pretty much.

I dont think that over the course of the season Arsenal are going to be the best team in the League. I dont think that'll hold.

But I agree with you, there are a lot of positives to take out of their performances so far.

Unfortunately.

Conversely for Liverpool, I just dont know whats going on with them. Sure, there are injuries and key personnel missing, but it just seems like a giant hangover from last season which was an absolute grind.

Further...VVD has not looked like the same player, whether its age, injury or recovery, and it feels to me like Klopp is going to have to re-think his high-line strategy without a defender with the pace to cover it.

Maybe time to see what Matip and Konate can do as a partnership to give him a break?

Hopefully they get it together though. But the Arsenal fans can take positives, Liverpool fans have to take a win against Leicester.

A 2-1 win where Leicester scored all 3 goals.

[Bagor]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

F***ng Joey Barton....

No doubt.
But that'll always be a close second.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Of course there's a zero percent chance you're alone in that regard, there are a lot of bitter and angry Spurs fans who probably think the same. For the unbiased, it's pretty hard to have watched Arsenal this year and conclude they are fluking their way to this. They've been the best team. Are Man City underpeforming? Yeah a little, but that doesn't change that Arsenal have looked extremely good.

And more of that delicious irony, Spurs have of course fluked their way to their current position, they've played closer to a 9th place level, but are 5th, played poorly in UCL and barely escaped a weak group etc...But I'm sure you'll tell us how amazing they've actually been this year.

There’s literally no irony here, it’s just a different topic. Spurs haven’t been good and I really have no idea why you think I’d be giving you an argument that they’ve amazing. And this might be hard for you to understand, but people can support a team and still be rational about others.

[Senator Clay Davis]

But you're not being rational about Arsenal lol. When Leicester won the league, they won with 81 points, with second place having 71 points. It was a very down year. Arsenal are currently on pace for 104, with Man City on pace for 90. And Leicester won with a counter attacking style, while Arsenal are generally taking the game to the opponent with a high pressing style. Might they limp to the finish line and barely beat a bunch of down teams? Sure, lot of season left. But right now they look great, it's not a flukish run, they are outplaying virtually everyone they've played this year.

But we all get it, it has to be deeply painful for Spurs fans right now. The last five years of finishing ahead of Arsenal, Arsenal being pure banter and....oh yeah, Spurs won nothing. Now Arsenal might win a major trophy after that period, with a young, up and coming team, while Spurs future doesn't look so hot. Right now it looks like top four is gonna be a struggle for Spurs, again looking abysmal against Villa. It's gotta suck being a Spurs fan right now, even more than usual.