Yes I'm sure Messi will want to leave Barcelona and rock up in Manchester because he has a bromance with Aguero.

It's why Debuchy signed for us..

Would love to see Messi under Pel, but the only chance of that is Pel going to Barcelona, but he will stay with City and then manage Chile.

Andy

Possibly, Henrik. I guess it depends on how well he does with City and if Sampaoli continues his good work with Chile.

I said last season Barca should have got Pel. I reckon they'd have won La Liga if he was manager.

I think Pel will get even better at City. Yet again he is doing everything quietly. If he sorts the defence out his Champions league experience will get him far.

If they had not bottled it against Wigan, he'd have had a treble in his first year!

Having said that, if Jose wins the league this season then he could be out of a job depending on Europe.

He will end his career with Chile or Villarreal.

It's a hard one judging City. At the start of 2011 everyone expected them to run away with the league but they only ended up winning it on gd after we threw away an eight point lead.

The same was predicted that summer but we walked the league.

Same predicted again this summer and they made very hard work of it and had to rely on Liverpool slipping up against Chelsea.

I think there's a mentality that surrounds that club which sees them not actually meet expectation, despite actually winning trophies the manner in which they won them and their cl performances can be seen as underperforming, and it's difficult for that club mentality to completely shift - even with a top manager like Pel. I don't think City really like being the favourites as they're not used to it, even if lots of their players and managers are at other clubs.

That's why I think Chelsea will win the league next season. They've brought in the players they need now so there's no excuses and there will be a lot more pressure on City to retain the title.

Yeah. I can see it being Chelsea and City going straight for the title; doubt others will be as involved now that both managers are settled and will likely start the season better. However, a lot of business to be done.

Arsenal will have to really strengthen; they had their chance and now Mourinho has just eclipsed them within a year in terms of sorting out a strong squad. .

I expect Liverpool to dip given the probable loss of Suarez and the added European games.

I really don't know how to call United. I think they will be in the top four, but not really sure how high within that top four.

If I had to pick a team to drop out it would be Liverpool actually which sounds crazy!

Yeah that's fair. We'll have to see what happens in the transfer window first.

From our perspective it's hard to call, I agree. Our fixtures in the first few months look pretty tidy and we play all the top 5 before or after European games which could give us a slight advantage.

Until we've played those games I'm not really gonna make any predictions about our season. We haven't had any problems against the small teams we just couldn't beat anyone good. Mentality and tactics has as much to play a part in that than our squad. So Van Gaal alone can really help us improve in that department, and Herrera and Shaw can also because they strengthen weak areas.

We shall see. Gonna be an exciting season either way.

Top six according to the bookies:

Chelsea
Manchester City
Manchester United
Liverpool
Arsenal
Spurs

I'm surprised we're third favourites. I guess the new manager has changed the odds.

this whole negativity thing i had going... yeah lets stop that

im feeling good about the germany game. just got to hope the angel valbuena keeps up this transcendent level of play

Oh look! People righting off Arsenal for fourth again! Yes, I know what you are going to say; "this time it's different, no way they are going to get fourth now"

comment by Darren The King Fletcher - Maroudona (U10026)
posted 18 hours, 53 minutes ago
I think it's a lot to do with reputation and price tag.

He cost £42m and is meant to be the main man in the Germany and Arsenal team.

When performances don't befit this people focus on it.

As I said, same thing happens with Rooney. To an extent it's understandable, as these players should be performing to the level their reputations suggest, and why when people point out that other players with either lesser ability or a lesser standing in the team/game are performing worse it is somewhat ignored because it's irrelevant to the focus on the star man's performance.

Obviously some have an agenda, but I think my point stands for many.

It's the nature of having a big name player. Especially one that cost so much.
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You are kidding me Dareen aren't you? You want to tell me that in terms of ability people think Ozil is greater than the likes of Schweini and Kroos and Muller and Gotze etc etc? People who are part of that great Bayern team that destroyed the whole of Europe one year ago somehow need to hide behind the performances of Ozil because he is much better in terms of ability than them and he has a higher standing than them? That makes zero sense!

Arsenal will have to really strengthen; they had their chance and now Mourinho has just eclipsed them within a year in terms of sorting out a strong squad. .
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I actually wonder what makes you think that. Last season Arsenal already had a great squad with only two or so weaknesses in the squad but our team as a whole was pretty good, only an incredibly bad injury list cost us towards the end. We just need a new forward and a a defensive midfielder and we are complete. Of course we also need to replace Sagna and Fabianski but that is not the hardest thing in the world is it? I find people really underrating this Arsenal teams thinking that they need around 5 world class signings to compete which can't be further from the truth. We are very close to having a competitive team.

comment by ☺ Wumpatröl - I know the pieces fit because I watched them fall away... (U5046)
posted 12 minutes ago
Oh look! People righting off Arsenal for fourth again!Yes, I know what you are going to say; "this time it's different, no way they are going to get fourth now"
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In fairness I was writing off Liverpool, not Arsenal. It's the bookies who see you as struggling, but it will fluctuate once transfers are done.

This year is serious though as it is not Everton or Spurs chasing you it will be United and Liverpool, both of which have great players and very good managers.

comment by ☺ Wumpatröl - I know the pieces fit because I watched them fall away... (U5046)
posted 7 minutes ago
Arsenal will have to really strengthen; they had their chance and now Mourinho has just eclipsed them within a year in terms of sorting out a strong squad. .
---------------------------
I actually wonder what makes you think that. Last season Arsenal already had a great squad with only two or so weaknesses in the squad but our team as a whole was pretty good, only an incredibly bad injury list cost us towards the end. We just need a new forward and a a defensive midfielder and we are complete. Of course we also need to replace Sagna and Fabianski but that is not the hardest thing in the world is it? I find people really underrating this Arsenal teams thinking that they need around 5 world class signings to compete which can't be further from the truth. We are very close to having a competitive team.
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No you need two signings for your first team.

City can bring the likes of Dzeko off the bench, whereas Arsenal have Bendtner. Your first team is excellent but your squad isn't- City are taking your best right back to use him for back-up!

Yet again this Arsenal team will look very good and then likely get injuries to end the challenge unless he invests in the squad.

actually wonder what makes you think that. Last season Arsenal already had a great squad with only two or so weaknesses in the squad but our team as a whole was pretty good, only an incredibly bad injury list cost us towards the end.

================================

Your robust defence of Arsenal, admirable not withstanding would hold more credence if the same tame excuses are not regurgitated season after season for Arsenal running out of gas in the second half of the season.

The facts are not wrong. Hence, IMO, i echo the poster's stance that Arsenal need major investments. I would eat humble pie of course if i am wrong but i don't see Arsenal maintaining a challenge in any front with this current team.

Master Wumpatrol, i'd say Ozil is greater or equal to the players you listed. Schweini hasn't even been a regular this WC under Loew.

Gotze is one of the most overrated 'youngsters' about and Muller is Muller. Last WC and the Euro tournament before that launched this German team, Ozil was the main star of the side.

Of course, the Germans have talent - i feel they miss Reus the most for starters as they lack pace and invention up front - but bear in mind, those players you listed did not cost as much as Ozil and do not have his 'reputation'. That would always bring scrutiny whether one likes it or not.

" No you need two signings for your first team. "

Exactly and that's it! As I said, a defensive midfielder and a forward. I don't see how that translates to needing major investment. As for depth, none of the Arsenal players last season spent less than 3 months out of the team last season which is something that is unlikely to happen again Ramsey, Walcott, Cazorla, Chamberlain, Podolski, Ozil, Arteta, all missed HUGE chunks of the season last year and we actually did brilliantly when they were out expect for during the big games which suggests that our problems are not really a matter of lack of personnel but tactical. We were tactically dreadful last year in the big games and that is where our main focus should be in terms of fixing things instead of signing 6 world class players! I always wonder with the modern footie fan and how they always think that the solution to every problem is to buy players when 80% of the time the solution is to tweak the team which is the case with Arsenal at the moment. You guys seem to think we need major surgery but all we need is some fine-tuning and we will be great.

comment by The_Red_Cognoscente (U9741)
posted 9 minutes ago
actually wonder what makes you think that. Last season Arsenal already had a great squad with only two or so weaknesses in the squad but our team as a whole was pretty good, only an incredibly bad injury list cost us towards the end.

================================

Your robust defence of Arsenal, admirable not withstanding would hold more credence if the same tame excuses are not regurgitated season after season for Arsenal running out of gas in the second half of the season.

The facts are not wrong. Hence, IMO, i echo the poster's stance that Arsenal need major investments. I would eat humble pie of course if i am wrong but i don't see Arsenal maintaining a challenge in any front with this current team.
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That comment really doesn't have any points that I can repsond to does it?

comment by The_Red_Cognoscente (U9741)
posted 7 minutes ago
Master Wumpatrol, i'd say Ozil is greater or equal to the players you listed. Schweini hasn't even been a regular this WC under Loew.

Gotze is one of the most overrated 'youngsters' about and Muller is Muller. Last WC and the Euro tournament before that launched this German team, Ozil was the main star of the side.

Of course, the Germans have talent - i feel they miss Reus the most for starters as they lack pace and invention up front - but bear in mind, those players you listed did not cost as much as Ozil and do not have his 'reputation'. That would always bring scrutiny whether one likes it or not.
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You actually want to tell me with a straight face that Ozil has a much higher reputation than the rest of that Germany team? Why? Because he plays in the premier league? Ozil has a much higher reputation than players that consist one of the most dominant European side we have seen in the last decade? Also, how much exactly did Ozil cost the Germany team?

Not major surgery or World Class, but a strong squad. City can use good players like Dzeko and Sagna as back up for example.

Arsenal need better than Sanogo and Jenkinson by comparison.

I agree that Wenger is tactically poor in the big games, the fact he couldn't beat Moyes for example shows his players have a psychological problem as well as a tactical one for me!

You actually want to tell me with a straight face that Ozil has a much higher reputation than the rest of that Germany team? Why?

==============================

If you spent less time reverting to type or even bothered to parse my sentences, you would see those questions are mainly answered in the last two paragraphs.

Oh well...

comment by Marcelino-#AnyoneButBorezil (U6171)
posted 1 minute ago
Not major surgery or World Class, but a strong squad. City can use good players like Dzeko and Sagna as back up for example.

Arsenal need better than Sanogo and Jenkinson by comparison.

I agree that Wenger is tactically poor in the big games, the fact he couldn't beat Moyes for example shows his players have a psychological problem as well as a tactical one for me!
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True, but do you think that any investment is going to fix this? The team as a whole has a very poor mentality and that is something I have argued with guys at the pub for the whole of last season!! Problem is, get any player in and they will just fall into the the same hole the rest are in. That and a lax tactical approach in the big games are the main problems with this Arsenal team at the moment and do you really think making 6-7 signings is going to fix that? For a long time, apart from making around 2 signings we actually have problems that we can fix internally. About Jenkinson, we may agree to disagree but I actually do rate him more than most people do. When he was given a run in the team two seasons ago, he was absolutely brilliant and quite a good number of people were actually disappointed that Sagna displaced him when he was fit. He did actually earn an England call-up during that period. No one will argue with you about Sanogo though and that is why I have said we need a new forward.

comment by The_Red_Cognoscente (U9741)
posted 12 minutes ago
You actually want to tell me with a straight face that Ozil has a much higher reputation than the rest of that Germany team? Why?

==============================

If you spent less time reverting to type or even bothered to parse my sentences, you would see those questions are mainly answered in the last two paragraphs.

Oh well...
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No, I did read through those paragraphs quite well and they didn't really answer anything. You haven't really explained how he has a higher reputation than his Germany team mates.