16 Dec 2025 06:28:22
Don’t think our defence is anywhere near strong enough to win the Champions League very tough games towards the business end of the competition.
I do fancy us to have a decent go at the FA Cup though this year, and whilst it’s not what we were hoping for, the FA Cup and Top 4 would be an ok return for a transition season.
16 Dec 2025 06:41:13
The “transition season” excuse? Arsenal have signed 8 players and are sitting pretty at the top of the table.
16 Dec 2025 06:42:23
The last time a tean relied on defence to win big ears was park the bus mourinho.
Goals win games. A deep run in the CL depends in the draw we get.
16 Dec 2025 06:52:03
Goals win games, defence wins Leagues.
16 Dec 2025 07:04:42
Arsenal didn’t lose any players though they’ve just filled out the squad.
I still think they won’t score enough goals to win the league though. We’ve already seen in tight games against top sides they just don’t have enough unless they score from a set piece. That will only ever take you so far.
Their squad is very lop sided. They have 3 CBs out and still play with 4 CB across the back 4 and a midfielder as a striker. Very odd recruitment that.
16 Dec 2025 07:22:25
Are you kidding me Irish Rover? Which player did Arsenal lose? We lost TAA, DIAZ, NUNEZ, JOTA (bless his soul) and a couple of others. Arsenal bought 8 players to complement the existing ones. Not hard to figure out really. We are in transition and but for the slow reaction to the hiccups, we should be in a decent position. I'm with Hudges here.
16 Dec 2025 07:58:38
Sean
Six out of the 8 players have played an integral part of Arsenal’s first 11 this season. I haven’t checked what players have been moved on but the players would still need to adapt, if that is the excuse we are using? New players, new system, fitness, training, playing for a bigger club etc.
16 Dec 2025 08:04:30
Kiwior, Zinchenko, Partey, Jorginho. I’m sure there’s others. Arsenal just upgraded on the players but they have played a fair part in the first 11 since their arrival. It’s just an excuse Ugbes.
16 Dec 2025 09:38:19
@IR, Arsenal has been having the best defence (statistically) for the past 2 years and still ain't smelt a league title so that line is a bit overrated. Also in 18/ 19, we had the best defence in the PL with 34 goals conceded. Did we win the title? Again, overrated line, IMO.
Arsenal's problem is not defence. It is the way they are set up cos offensively, they are dire to watch (see Wolves, Villa and even our game at Anfield) cos they set up NOT to lose regardless of all the signings they have made. To go from Wenger ball to Arteta-snooze after near a "billi" spent is bonkers, man.
Right now IMO, you may win with a good defence. You cannot win without a vibrant attack. Many teams have accomplished this in the PL and that includes us. Twice.
And and of those players you mentioned, ONLY Partey was a starter. Arsenal signed depth guys apart from Eze and Gyokeres. We signed starters to replace starters. On these points in isolation (not saying we are in transition), Ugbes is correct.
16 Dec 2025 09:55:32
Whos the 6 players that have been integral?
16 Dec 2025 10:17:55
Arsenal have a settled squad and a set way of playing that has been developed over multiple years. Slot this year ripped up the blueprint of what worked and tried something completely new. We also lost integral first team players and our assistant coach, whereas Arsenal improved on their squad players and bench. That's the main difference.
16 Dec 2025 12:20:17
Spot on, Drac.
16 Dec 2025 18:57:07
The OP was talking about winning the CL.
16 Dec 2025 19:41:48
The problem with Arsenal is against the very big teams in the prem they look not to lose not to win Arteta becomes negative and keeps them tight but if he did what Klopp did with us just go out there and win attitude they will win the league a lot more but I don't think Arteta is not the right man for Arsenal. YNWA.