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Yeah I agree that they will eventually get caught out unless their approach changes, but even then that would be drastic. A lot of their core group of players and starting to get a little bit older as well now and may need to be replaced sooner rather than later.

Almost seems like a matter of time really.

I'm undecided on Burnley. A lot of their big players are pretty much at their prime:
Pope 28
Tarkowski 28
Mee 31
Westwood 31
Brownhill 25
Wood 29

Dwight McNeil seems to be improving and is a spark for them. Jay Rodriguez and Ashley Barnes are decent forward options who will probably weight in with half a dozen goals each.

Whilst not pretty I'd usually back them to get enough point because they're just so damn difficult to play against.

However, I'm not sure there are obvious teams to go down this year, Norwich aside. Watford and Brentford have both started relatively well. Palace have attacking options (I like Eze, he looks to have real potential) and Newcastle can score despite being a shambles. Southampton might be in trouble without Ings' goals. And Brighton look a bit light imo.

If I had to pick 3 I'd say Norwich, Brighton and Watford. The latter just because they'll probably go through 3 managers in the season.

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comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Naby8 (U6997)
posted 17 minutes ago

I don't even think Brighton will finish below 12th. They're a good team managed by a coach who knows how to set up a team. They are a decent Prem striker away from being a top 10 team imo.
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Interesting. I do like Potter and agree he can set a team up, I just think he's doing so on a bit of a shoe-string.

Both 19/20 and 20/21 they finished on 41 points and the only players they've really added of significance are Lallana and Wellbeck - both at the wrong end of their career and both like an injury.

I can see why you'd back them to stay up, I'd be really surprised if it's as comfortably as 12th (or better) though.

I reckon Brighton might finish above Arsenal this season.

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I think it's just that there hasn't been that many changes to the Burnley side for a fair few years now. Whilst that can be seen as a good thing for consistency, they've provided that for a long time now but just seem to be sliding backwards and are probably approaching the point where they may have to make more widescale changes. Stoke suffered a similar fate, but with a more drastic fall.

In regards to Brighton, I don't think they are too far off a top 10 finish either, they seem to be building steadily and well. Brentford follow a similar model to them in respect to using data effectively and could end up being a similar side. Brighton could well end up 12th or higher this season, there is a lot of dross in this league at the moment in the bottom half, such as Newcastle and Burnley.

comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 31 minutes ago
They've spent nearly 40 million on a CM and a wide player with nothing on strikers, which is surprising when you consider their issues last season.
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I know absolutely nothing about their signings, don't think I've even heard of the players before. Don't seem to have replaced Ben White though which is interesting. Must have a lot of confidence in the existing CBs.

It appears I'm alone in thinking Brighton may struggle then. Fwiw, I hope I'm wrong. There are several clubs I would prefer to see go down (Burnley among them).

I don't think White will take much replacing to be honest.

I imagine quite a lot of players would look decent playing in a back three with Dunk/Webster and Bissouma shielding in front.

Arsenal are a really interesting one, spent more money than anybody else with basically no improvement on their squad which looks mid table at best.

Bottom half a distinct possibility this season, surely Arteta is gone soon?

A decent manager capable of working under Arsenal's framework of wanting good, promising European talent as well as academy talent is what they need.

Whether Arteta is capable of realising the potential within the squad is the biggest question but I think he should/will be given time to achieve this. There are still plenty of changes that need addressing yet.

Quite interested to see what Ronaldo can do for United too.

They've not really threatened the league in nearly a decade and despite finishing above us last year they only got 74 points which is probably 20+ short of what you would need to beat City if they have a good season.

Think they've improved, and I personally don't think we have so that could be tricky but I don't think finishing 3rd is enough to justify £25m in wages for Ronaldo.

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Well in fairness Arsenal were quite strong the back end of last season and he's managed to win a couple of pieces of silverware in his time at Arsenal as well.

I think he needs more time personally rather than just shout get him out because of a poor start.

Any manager, even Conte, would need am awful lot of money and a 4-5 year project to turn them around. I really don't think Arteta is the man to do it though personally.

I don't think there's much wrong with Arsenal that a decent manager wouldn't solve.

--------------------Leno-----------------
Soares---Gabriel---White---Tierney
-----------Partey-------Xhaka---------
Pepe---------Odegaard---------Saka
-------------------PEA----------------

It's not challenging the top 4 any time soon but it's good enough that they shouldn't be humped by everyone in the league.

I just don't think Arteta has the faintest idea what he's doing. Not in the transfer market, not in setting a team up, not in motivating the team. Had they kicked out Arteta and given Rafa £140m to spend they'd have been in a significantly better place imo.

I think potter would be a good shout for arsenal tbh.

Don't think they will be looking at the top managers myself..

Forgot all about Thomas Partey!

Arteta wants to press with players who can't press.
Their midfield isn't dynamic and hardworking enough for that style which means you can easily pass the ball through their lines.
Add the fact they have 6 ft + defenders who are losing headers against midget players like Sterling and Gundogan.

He has Saliba who he has loaned out to Marseille and is exactly what they need and who also plays in a back three there. I think a Conte will get more out of their squad than Arteta.

Saliba-White-Gabriel could have been their back three with Partey and Lokonga as their double pivot.

He has bought Odegaard while he has Smith Rowe in the squad who is a similar kind of player who wants the ball into feet and doesn't make runs off the ball.

Arteta is out of his depth as a manager and is learning on the job at Arsenal.

What happened to laca, he was banging in the goals in the latter part of last season

hows gakpo playing?

https://twitter.com/mochatra/status/1433154030549835780?s=21

Great thread again by analyst Mo this.

Was just about to link it myself.

Any word on Firmino? Saw chat about him being out for a while potentially, unfortunately