Hope so.

The kind of thinking by the OP is understandable but yet still contrived.

We know how to manage the squad. Our involvement in the domestic cups and the CL won’t impact on our league campaign. It never has done over the past decade. We haven’t gone out of any competition due to player fatigue. And neither has this been the reason for the vast majority of other clubs over the years.

We’ve won nothing yet. Equally we could end up winning the lot.

If we lose out on the league, it won’t be because of our involvement in other competitions, it will be because Arsenal have been better over the course of the league campaign. Likewise for the other competitions.

More games, more potential for injury.

I'm convinced we would have beaten RM last season with a fully fit squad.

With Haaland we would certainly have beaten them. It is a smaller squad this season Ripley but if anybody can manage it, then it is Pep. As long as he doesn't overthink selection (like picking Sterling in the CL final for instance).

Atletico did a job on half our squad in the previous round, especially Walker who could have dealt with Vinicus.

The Blades have got a couple of your young lads on loan haven't they? Assume that makes them ineligible for the cup tie?

Loan players can't play against their parent club according to FA Cup rules.

comment by RipleysCat (U1862)
posted 30 minutes ago
The kind of thinking by the OP is understandable but yet still contrived.

We know how to manage the squad. Our involvement in the domestic cups and the CL won’t impact on our league campaign. It never has done over the past decade. We haven’t gone out of any competition due to player fatigue. And neither has this been the reason for the vast majority of other clubs over the years.

We’ve won nothing yet. Equally we could end up winning the lot.

If we lose out on the league, it won’t be because of our involvement in other competitions, it will be because Arsenal have been better over the course of the league campaign. Likewise for the other competitions.
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The counter argument to this is you have never won the CL, and the one time you got to the final you lost 4 in 10 during the PL run in.
That was very different to this season, though, as you won the title at a canter, with "just" 86 points and second got just 74pts.

You have either 15 or 17 games up to the end of the league season (10 weeks football), and a tough CL quarter during a tough period of PL games. There will be every chance Pep will try and be creative during this time with regards to team selection.

Obviously I am an Arsenal fan hoping you turn your attention to the CL, and I hope the 8 point gap we have got can be maintained up until around the Bayern games and maybe, just maybe, Pep will put all his eggs into the CL basket.

City have the players to go hard in both, but I will take any slip you make in the league gleefully. Go and win the CL and let Peps mate take the PL.

comment by Boris 'Inky’ Gibson (U5901)
posted 54 seconds ago
Loan players can't play against their parent club according to FA Cup rules.
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That isn't actually true. The parent club can give permission for their loaned out players to play.

Oh, hang on, that was from 18/19 rules...

Just found this seasons and they have changed it.

8 points includes your game in hand, at a time that City are just hitting their stride. You also have to come to Manchester so it could be 2 points at that point. Arsenal have only one target, City have 3. Arsenal are playing well and if they win it they will have deserved it but if it is 2 points then it will be squeaky bum time for them.

comment by bomdia (U13941)
posted 32 seconds ago
8 points includes your game in hand, at a time that City are just hitting their stride. You also have to come to Manchester so it could be 2 points at that point. Arsenal have only one target, City have 3. Arsenal are playing well and if they win it they will have deserved it but if it is 2 points then it will be squeaky bum time for them.
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Yeah, and you are unlikely to play that game before Bayern. In fact it could be 2 games by the time you play us - so hopefully it will be at least 11 points

Think City will do the double but lose to Bayern.

Bayern are not great, City should beat them.

City have the best striker in the PL, by a distance, so as they are really beginning to work out how to get the best out of him, they have to have a chance. Still make Arsenal favourites but will be close as they are not used to being competitive at the business end of the season.

comment by Randomer (U5245)
posted 45 minutes ago
Think City will do the double but lose the title to Arsenal.
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We've not had a problem scoring goals over the last few years, whst's made the difference has been our usually solid defence in regard to winning trophies.

Too many of our players came back from the WC either injured or out of sorts and there's where we lost ground in the title race.

Retaining the title will be a tough but not impossible ask.

Gutted that I'm on holiday for the home game against Bayern.

It'll be the first CL home game I've ever missed, 40+ games.