Actually I'd say getting the 3 points late on in a game you could've drawn due to playing poorly is the sign of champions.
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Teams relegated at the end of the season have games like this, tbf.


Plus Swansea wasn't a walk in the park for us, and they have been a bit of a bogey team for us in recent times.

The whole 'sign of champions' on the basis of one match is pretty much missing the point, tbf. The sign of champions is putting together a long run of wins, taking points off your rivals, and not losing to weaker teams.

Sign of champions is putting in 3-0 victory match after match not just last min winners.
This team looks much more solid and willing to fight for each other. After about 4/5 games I think we were 8 points behind City and everyone thought that City would cruise and the rest will fall behind. So Arsenal have done very well to make that gap up in shortest amount of time.
Avoid injuries and I really do think this is our season.

Huge respect for Wenger, and would like to see him win another premier league title before he leaves Arsenal, but just think City will be too strong over the course of the season.
Still, if Sanchez stays fit, at the moment you would have to say Arsenal look robust in the league, and keep getting results, so you never know.

How was it a dodgy penalty? It's a goal if he doesn't handball, clear penalty.

I think Arsenal could do it, in fact said last year they were close, but we need to see how they perform after Christmas.

I still fancy City for it like many others. I think when push comes to shove they've been there and done it.

comment by Blue_mooning (U12093)
posted 25 minutes ago
How was it a dodgy penalty? It's a goal if he doesn't handball, clear penalty.
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Defending with your arms is now allowed, just watch the Arsenal wall in action for further details, either that or Arsenal got away with a game changing moment.

Fack all wrong with our spine. Solid keeper, great combination of centre backs, central midfield that blends tough tackling and sublime ball skills. **


You're dreaming - Arsenal are a wonderful side to watch on your day but you don't have the backbone to win the league and you havent won it since you had a decent spine to the team, its not rocket science

You're dreaming - Arsenal are a wonderful side to watch on your day but you don't have the backbone to win the league and you havent won it since you had a decent spine to the team, its not rocket science
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What, we haven't won the league since Cech and Coquelin came into the team? Not shocking really, nor evidence we couldn't win the league considering there hasn't been a title to win!

If your title hopes are 50% based on Coquelin then it's City's title!

comment by Rauben_Hoody - genuinely finding a lack of coe... (U6374)
posted 23 seconds ago
If your title hopes are 50% based on Coquelin then it's City's title!
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Who said that? It is about the team.

But Coquelin has proved his quality and importance for 10 months. No signs at all he will not continue to be a top performer in the league for the future.

Cech is a good start but until you get world class centre backs and a world class DM forget about it, you'll see over the next few months

We have 3 of the best 6 cbs in the league.

Coq's been the best DM in the league last season and this one.

comment by Andre's Samba Scarf (U6253)
posted 3 minutes ago
We have 3 of the best 6 cbs in the league.
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I love 606 sometimes.

comment by yeah yeah (U17250)
posted 4 minutes ago
Cech is a good start but until you get world class centre backs and a world class DM forget about it, you'll see over the next few months
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Yeah, cos having the best goals against record isnt enough... Koscielny and Mertesacker as a pair have been constantly among the best CB pairings in the league and now we have a back up who can keep it up to a good level.
Pretty hard to improve on Coquelin at DM, has been very, very good for 10 months now.

comment by 8bit (U2653)
posted 5 minutes ago
Coq's been the best DM in the league last season and this one.
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comment by Rauben_Hoody - genuinely finding a lack of coe... (U6374)
posted 23 seconds ago
comment by 8bit (U2653)
posted 5 minutes ago
Coq's been the best DM in the league last season and this one.
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Who has been better? There must be a lot to make it a comment.

comment by yeah yeah (U17250)
posted 12 minutes ago
Cech is a good start but until you get world class centre backs and a world class DM forget about it, you'll see over the next few months
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Still reading the papers from 4 years ago I see?

so if we had fernandinho we would have a chance in the league?

Where are these outstanding PL DMs?

Face it Coq may not be world class but he is good as anyone in this league.

You haven't even been 1st outright this season like Man Utd

I don't think certain people will accept Coquelins quality just because of the way he came to our first team.

They usually say he is a red card waiting to happen (very much Keane or Vieira I guess. Although he averages less than 1 foul a game so far this season!)

They say he is rubbish in possesion and gives the ball away too much (93% passing accuracy in the PL)

The improvement of our team, and individuals in that team, can all be linked to our change in style of play, and a lot of that comes from playing Coquelin as a DM.

Still reading the papers from 4 years ago I see? **

No - Its painfully obvious, you dont need to read a paper

Quite a touchy defensive bunch these gooners eh

Like I said bookmark the article and we will see in a few months

No - Its painfully obvious, you dont need to read a paper
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How is it painfully obvious? Best defensive record in the league isn't really evidence you are looking for when trying to prove a weak spine.
In fact we have been solid in the PL ever since we made changes to our style, including bringing in Coquelin.

Hearing a lot of cliches from yeah yeah about our defence/spine, yet he never seems to answer the specifics.

Our defensive record last season saw us concede just 4 goals more than the champions. Chelsea and Southampton the only 2 teams who conceded less than us. And that is with half a season without a DM, but with Monreal (LB), Debuchy (RB) and Chambers (inexperienced and all PL appearances were at RB before) playing at CB.

Since then, not only has Coquelin come in but Gabriel has strengthened the options at the back.

Since the turn of the year we have the best defensive record in the league - and with notable changes made by us to make that happen. But lets ignore that, yeah?

Arsenal of course have a chance of winning the league. But how often does this happen, Arsenal smash teams first half of the season, go missing in the 2nd half. It's all talk at the moment, you seem pretty confident for a team who hasn't won the title in over 10 years.