The "big four"

[Hoop Blah]

Agree papereyes, although it's just as much because the same 4 qualified each season.

If we didn't have those 4 clubs dominating the CL spots it probably would've stayed as the big 5/6 it was back in the 80's.

[papereyes]

Agree papereyes, although it's just as much because the same 4 qualified each season.

If we didn't have those 4 clubs dominating the CL spots it probably would've stayed as the big 5/6 it was back in the 80's.

but, obviously, the 4 tended to keep qualifying as they got a significant financial boost through qualifying.

(and it still amazes me so much is proportioned by the 'size' of a club rather than how well they do in a given year. But anyway).

[PlasticRoyale]

Fantastic 3
Furious 5

[Mr Angry]

Agree papereyes, although it's just as much because the same 4 qualified each season.

If we didn't have those 4 clubs dominating the CL spots it probably would've stayed as the big 5/6 it was back in the 80's.

but, obviously, the 4 tended to keep qualifying as they got a significant financial boost through qualifying.

(and it still amazes me so much is proportioned by the 'size' of a club rather than how well they do in a given year. But anyway).

That was the price extracted by the G14 not to form a breakaway European Super-League.

[Hoop Blah]

(and it still amazes me so much is proportioned by the 'size' of a club rather than how well they do in a given year. But anyway).

But the 'size' pretty much relates to how well they do over a prolonged period purely because, as you said, they get that injection of CL money which supports/increased their size and contributes to long term success (unless you waste all that money on average players ala Rafa!).

[frimmers3]

good to see 'arrys boys setting goal scoring records at the first attempt: it may end in tears,but who knows....

[papereyes]

(and it still amazes me so much is proportioned by the 'size' of a club rather than how well they do in a given year. But anyway).

But the 'size' pretty much relates to how well they do over a prolonged period purely because, as you said, they get that injection of CL money which supports/increased their size and contributes to long term success (unless you waste all that money on average players ala Rafa!).

I've looked and there's a certain arbitrariness to it - there's definitely some function of the home league in there (relatively small UK club quaklifying once would get a big 'size')

[TBM]

Apart from the Spacey reply of "cos they're shit" - why do Arsenal seem to have a problem beating Man Utd and Chelsea - i think that is now 11 games they have failed to do so........

I mean they are good enough to, so why cant they?

[PlasticRoyale]

Apart from the Spacey reply of "cos they're shit" - why do Arsenal seem to have a problem beating Man Utd and Chelsea - i think that is now 11 games they have failed to do so........

I mean they are good enough to, so why cant they?

Because they're not good enough - is this a trick question?

[Hoop Blah]

Apart from the Spacey reply of "cos they're shit" - why do Arsenal seem to have a problem beating Man Utd and Chelsea - i think that is now 11 games they have failed to do so........

I mean they are good enough to, so why cant they?

They're just not strong enough.

Utd and Chelsea are pretty much on the same level technically but they have the power to nullify Arsenals strengths and the technical ability to back that up and make the most of their chances.

Arsenal are good, but they just lack that little bit extra to make their game work against the two top teams. For the last few years the top two have been significantly better than Arsenal too and I think that they must have some mental block over beating them these days because of that.

[TBM]

Apart from the Spacey reply of "cos they're shit" - why do Arsenal seem to have a problem beating Man Utd and Chelsea - i think that is now 11 games they have failed to do so........

I mean they are good enough to, so why cant they?

Because they're not good enough - is this a trick question?

But they are - a team that has qualified for the next stage of the Champions League 12 years in a row (better than any other English side) and constantly finish in the top 4 cant really be classed as "not good enough".

Teams like Birmingham, Bolton, Sunderland etc have all beaten Utd and Chelsea but you can't say they are better than Arsenal......

[papereyes]

I'd imagine its a difference in style. Arsenal don't/can't mix it and insist on trying to beat Chelsea/United 'their' way.

But also I'd imagine Chelsea/United up their game against Arsenal.

[Ian Royal]

I'd imagine its a difference in style. Arsenal don't/can't mix it and insist on trying to beat Chelsea/United 'their' way.

But also I'd imagine Chelsea/United up their game against Arsenal.

Don't think Arsenal are as strong mentally either.

[leww_rfc]

BBC said 'Big Three' the other day, which i agree with!