Yes, we don't need to - but we should really, really want to.

I take that you had to go back 5 years for your example means there aren't too many other examples?

Don't need to win them but we could open up a real gap if we win vs both Chelsea and City(unlikely I know).

You don't have to win them all but you will need a better record in the main than the one United had in 08/09.

They won 19/20 against the bottom half teams, which is a record unrivaled in the flat track bullying sense.

There aren't tons of examples, perhaps we could use the 2010/11 season where United dropped 8 points against the other sides that finished in the top 4.

The point is though, HC, that where our rivals have been dropping points, we have been picking them up and so long as we beat the other sides, we can go far in the league. As far as I'm concerned, any points we accumulate against City/Chelsea are a bonus.

Losses to City in Chelsea in the upcoming period could drastically change the shape of the league tabl for us, we need at least draws to avoid losing significant ground.

Also part of the reason City feck up away games is because Pellegrini gives the attacking midfielders no defensive responsibility.

It's worked at Eastlands because teams are so scared they don't leave their half, but away from home teams can smell a scalp and go for it, leaving the defense exposed because the wingers aren't helping them.

Mourinho had copped a bit of stick for valuing defensive work in our AM's, but to win title's you need balance.

Let me just make it clear - I am not saying we shouldn't try to win the games against the other sides, of course we should, we should be trying to beat every team in the league. But if we don't, it doesn't mean we should be written off for the title.

Someday, theoretically, even if we are knocked off top spot after our busy Xmas schedule, as long as there is like a 4 point gap between us and whoever overtakes us, we can still be deemed title challengers because we'd be in touching distance. I still stand by my point that we do need to focus more on picking points up against the teams of lesser quality - which include the next two fixtures.

City are imperious yes but I fail to see how Chelsea are getting so hyped. They finished a point ahead of us, haven't really improved the squad and on current form I doubt a single one of their players would make our first team.

Not saying we'll win easily but we're definitely favourites

You are correct that small games are just as important, i have been preaching it for years.

There is a reason Rafa Benitez never won a PL title.

"haven't really improved the squad "

That would be more appropriate if you said first team, but our squad depth is on another planet to what it was last season.

From the 6 games against United, City, Chelsea we need to NOT LOSE the home games and get draws at one of Chelsea/City.

It's not about winning these games, it's about making sure the others don't get a 3 point advantage on us.


Being deadly serious the following would give us a great chance of winning the league.

City (H) Draw
City (A) Draw
Chelsea (H) Draw
Chelsea (A) Draw
United (H) Win.

Those results make us favourites for the title because our midfield/defence is perfect for winning away from home.

Rusky, after a slightly troubled start to the season, they are still only 4 points behind us. The team seem to have got their act together, and whilst they were fortunate to get a point against WBA, the only stat that matters is the result in the end. They have tremendous squad depth and they aren't dropping too many points where they shouldn't. They are most definitely title contenders, as are we.

Unfortunately i can see you lasting the course this season (in terms of challenging till the very end).

Your defense doesn't look susceptible against powerful sides anymore and Wenger seems more willing to adapt tactics depending on the opposition then he did a few years ago.

I see your point , but I think man c and chelsea will improve consistancy and start beating other teams , so I think we must win a couple of them , and hopefully draw a couple. Its great to be involved still at xmas compared to recent years.

Fair enough. But I feel like they'll finish behind City, United and Arsenal

We need to beat every team to win the league. There are no big teams we are the biggest of them all.

Chelsea stole 4 points from City and WBA at the death. Those points could be the difference.

Arsenal haven't needed a last minute winner all season (apart from the WBA game but we settled for a point).

I think the thing with Arsenal is, we are where we are on merit, and tbh we are walking it so far. We don't score 4 goals a game but we don't need to because we are so solid now.

City are imperious yes but I fail to
see how Chelsea are getting so
hyped. They finished a point
ahead of us, haven't really
improved the squad and on
current form I doubt a single one
of their players would make our
first team.
---------

Good lord! Why do you do this to yourself?
We're just 4 points clear of Chelsea having played the easier fixture list. We also got beaten on our patch by their reserves in the League Cup. Yet, none of their players would get into our team? When will some of you EVER learn?

Kings, I hope you're right!

I don't necessarily feel Wenger adapts his tactics to the opposition that much. It's more that our midfielders (and even Giroud) interchange their positions which makes it very hard to defend against, as opposition defenders are not sure who they are meant to be marking. Also our midfielders are more willing to run into the box too (e.g. Ramsey). We have a system where its bringing out excellent results, so we need to keep at it. Agree that our defence is a lot more settled and can handle more powerful players these days. We have a better balance to the way we play, but we are still lacking options up front.

One thing I will say is that Wenger seems to have learned about not trying to play a high line and possession football against teams who are better at it than you are, as our away performance in Dortmund showed.

i agree, we dont need to beat the likes of City, Chelsea, United but we cannot lose our home games to them.

We also got beaten on our patch by their reserves in the League Cup. Yet, none of their players would get into our team? When will some of you EVER learn?
========
And we played our 1st team?

Sheriff on current form which Chelsea player would make our first team?

That COC match was not a true representation of either team.

comment by Samir. (U2630)
posted 5 minutes ago
Kings, I hope you're right!

I don't necessarily feel Wenger adapts his tactics to the opposition that much. It's more that our midfielders (and even Giroud) interchange their positions which makes it very hard to defend against, as opposition defenders are not sure who they are meant to be marking. Also our midfielders are more willing to run into the box too (e.g. Ramsey). We have a system where its bringing out excellent results, so we need to keep at it. Agree that our defence is a lot more settled and can handle more powerful players these days. We have a better balance to the way we play, but we are still lacking options up front.

One thing I will say is that Wenger seems to have learned about not trying to play a high line and possession football against teams who are better at it than you are, as our away performance in Dortmund showed.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

What i meant i think he has learned he can't play the same way against every one (as you have mentioned).

Back a few years back Ancelotti set the sit deep and counter tactics against Arsenal knowing that Wenger wouldn't react and it will restrict you to hardly any chances while we (notably Drogba) would have a field day on the break.

Beating top rivals is a psychological boost that gives you the aura to go and finish the job against the smaller teams. In Arsenal's title wins under Wenger, we've dominated our rivals - including United. Of course, there are plenty of points to fight for other than the big games. But allowing your big rivals to stamp their authority over you would often leave you with a bit of an inferiority complex that may affect you in when the race gets tight.

If we get turned over by City and Chelsea in coming games, it's curtains for our title chances. They have a bigger margin of improvement than we do and they'll get the momentum to hit their higher gear.

Yeah we dominated United in the invincible season managing two draws