Half-way there - let's breathe and reflect.

[jozza800]

And this team (despite considered not being good enough by many) competed up until the last handful of games without half a midfield for a period of the season (playing Gomez in midfield FFS!), Endo being a mainstay, Quansah filling in for a number of games, and missing Salah for a good number of games.

Seriously under appreciated.

As for Arsenal, for me it's a mentality thing. And it comes from the manager, Arteta would rather not get beaten than try and win a game. Especially when facing better opposition. They have a good side with some excellent attacking players (and defenders too!) but Arteta doesn't seem to be able to let them off the leash.

[Kev0909]

Possibly Jozza about arteta

But it's all gone against them, a few funky decisions, injury's like we've had before, not good, no striker.

if they sign a top striker, and we don't do much in the summer, they'll be above us next year, and only man city will stop them.

[jozza800]

Possibly Jozza about arteta

But it's all gone against them, a few funky decisions, injury's like we've had before, not good, no striker.

if they sign a top striker, and we don't do much in the summer, they'll be above us next year, and only man city will stop them.

Same was said last season...

[Kev0909]

Same was said last season...

Yes with Klopp leaving noone expecting us to win the title this season, it's a bit different now we're on top

people also underestimate how big of a loss trent will be, and how trent/salah work together. I can't think of a better right hand side, attacking in the world.

Look at salah without trent lately

I hope i'm wrong but I think arsenal are a top striker away, to challenge as long as they don't have all the injurys..

Also be interesting to see what happens with city and charges.. and how much they can spend in the summer.

Chelsea are doomed if they don't make the champions league. also interesting if newcastle spend a lot if they make champions league or if they even can? they're one to watch out for, a few seasons away yet I think.

[jozza800]

Yes with Klopp leaving noone expecting us to win the title this season, it's a bit different now we're on top

people also underestimate how big of a loss trent will be, and how trent/salah work together. I can't think of a better right hand side, attacking in the world.

Look at salah without trent lately

Agreed. And I am not saying that we shouldn't be looking to strengthen, of course we should but I just think there are number of players that that are severely under-appreciated. Trent being one of them!

[Daffydd]

Newcastle are the form side since Christmas in terms of points per game (apart from us), sometimes winning the league cup can be a poisoned chalice in terms of form but it has lifted them and they have really kicked on.

Arsenal have seconditis, three seasons in 2nd, can they make it four? that's an enormous psychological millstone and some players may jump ship. If they sign anyone they need to sign some title winners.

[Insidious]

people also underestimate how big of a loss trent will be, and how trent/salah work together. I can't think of a better right hand side, attacking in the world.

It's going to be so interesting how Slot tries to address the functionality of our right-hand side. As you say, Trent and Salah works wonderfully going forward, but we also know that Salah isn't one who tracks back a whole lot and Trent has his lapses and misjudgements.

Totally the opposite to something like....hmmm.....maybe a combo of Kuyt and Arbeloa, where you'd expect defensive solidity but want more output.

Will be brilliant if we find the balance, whether that means the transfer market or a changed role for someone. I still maintain that the market for right-backs looks relatively poor at the moment, whereas I think addressing our left-back situation is an "easier" fix.

Also agree that Arsenal getting a clinical striker would lift them, but it's hard to know just how much as it will always depend on the mould of striker bought, whether they're the right fit, all that jazz. Will they go for someone who makes brilliant runs in behind or will they opt for a target man for their set-piece obsession and to bring Saka into play?

[teesred]

And this team (despite considered not being good enough by many) competed up until the last handful of games without half a midfield for a period of the season (playing Gomez in midfield FFS!), Endo being a mainstay, Quansah filling in for a number of games, and missing Salah for a good number of games.

Seriously under appreciated.

As for Arsenal, for me it's a mentality thing. And it comes from the manager, Arteta would rather not get beaten than try and win a game. Especially when facing better opposition. They have a good side with some excellent attacking players (and defenders too!) but Arteta doesn't seem to be able to let them off the leash.

Arsenals fans are part of the problem too. They revel in their glorious losers reputation, they were like it under Wenger and even in their battles with Utd where they mostly came out second.
They're not arsed about losing aslong as they look good doing it. Like Wesley Snipes character in white men can't jump. He'd rather look good and lose than look bad and win.

[Insidious]

Arsenals fans are part of the problem too. They revel in their glorious losers reputation, they were like it under Wenger and even in their battles with Utd where they mostly came out second.
They're not arsed about losing aslong as they look good doing it. Like Wesley Snipes character in white men can't jump. He'd rather look good and lose than look bad and win.

Will be interesting to see if there's a shift if they win the Champion's League - and if they overcome Real Madrid then who's to say they couldn't?

If they lost to Bayern Munich in the Final though courtesy of a Harry Kane goal, they might spontaneously combust.

[teesred]

Will be interesting to see if there's a shift if they win the Champion's League - and if they overcome Real Madrid then who's to say they couldn't?

If they lost to Bayern Munich in the Final though courtesy of a Harry Kane goal, they might spontaneously combust.

That would be absolute mega Lolz.
It will not surprise anyone if they bottle it tomorrow night.