Arsene Nose wrote:It's really surprised me to see City canter to the league finish. They play very much like we did 6-7 seasons ago albeit with better players and more discipline. I think what's changed is teams like Stoke and Birmingham which used to be our banana peal because of their shithousery tactics don't exist any more. It's meant that Pep can stick to his technical game. There is no physical side in the league to rattle them and put doubt in the manager and players heads.
City have played some unbelievable football this season.
The difference between our side from 07-09, more specifically 07/08, is the lack of mental strength and grit. City also have a better defense, a quality Wenger chose to disregard in favor of attack. Pep is intent on winning the League. At the time, Wenger only cared about top-4 finishes.
I disagree about the physical notion too. City can amp it up physically. The side of 07/08 was filled with wussy players - led by Cesc himself. There's a reason no team has ever built a side around him after we did because Cesc isn't someone of that nature as brilliant as he was technically. Meanwhile, City's side is built around Silva and KdB - with Aguero providing the finishing touch.
We should have won the League title in 07/08. No two ways. We didn't because our players bottled it and as it would be revealed years later, Wenger had started to lose his Midas touch.
07/08, League Cup Final against Birmingham, and 10/11 were all there for the taking. We just Arsenal'ed it up.
The League is less competitive today, in some ways, yes. Since 14/15, it's been one team that has run away with the League. Even f'kin Leicester managed to do that. But then again, why did we finish 10 points behind Leicester in 15/16? It was common ground, wasn't it?
I trust Wenger's ability to finish 5th with this City side. I also think we would have either finished 2nd or won the League with Pep.
Va-Va-Voom wrote:SuperJackyWilshere wrote:Remarkable attitude from Pep and Kompany.
Having a few tonight but they are already thinking about their defence and winning the CL next season.
Can't see anyone stopping them unless we bring Allegri in
Lol
No manager can overturn a 30+ points difference in a single season.Our squad is no where near City's.
Chelsea finished with 50 points in 15/16, yet ended up with 93 points in 16/17.
A swing of 43 points, can you imagine?
The only reason why Conte isn't hailed as a messiah is because he's not a superstar manager like Pep, nor does he manage Liverpool. It was an incredible feat. If Conte had spent as much as Pep did last summer, I'm pretty sure they'd be right up there with City. But Chelsea's internal policy makes it difficult for any manager to excel these days.
He's welcome at Arsenal. As are Allegri and Simeone.
Knowing our board tho...
Btw, our squad isn't as strong but I don't think it's as bad as 6th (or 7th). It's Wenger and the soccer guy.