Could this be another season that Arsenal fail?

[1871 Royal]

Robin Van Persie is out now for 4-5 months. Don't think they are the same team without him.

Arsenal have suffered a huge blow after confirming that Robin van Persie will be out for at least four months with his ankle injury.

More to follow...

[TBM]

Aren't you about 2 weeks late with this news??!

[1871 Royal]

Well seeing as it was breaking news on SSN I didn't think so

[TBM]

Well seeing as it was breaking news on SSN I didn't think so

Did anyone really think his ankle ligaments would take less than this too heal though?!.....having done the same injury it took me 9 months. I think Arsenal already prepared the rest of the season without him, so i wouldn't say its another season they fail, especially considering they can bring in someone in January. They are only 8pts behind with a game in hand and playing Chelsea on Sunday

[1871 Royal]

Well yeah depends on who they bring in, in January. I think if they don't they will be in trouble. With regards to where they are in the league that isn't too far behind but that means they would have to win their game in hand to close the gap to 5 points, but Chelsea could stretch that gap tomorrow to 8 points (presuming that Arsenal win said game in hand), but to be honest I can't see Arsenal beating 3 teams that Chelsea wont beat this year. I know there is a long way to go in the season and anything can happen, especially with the African Cup Of Nations being this season.

[Victor Meldrew]

I suppose it depends how you define failure.
Presumably success nowadays is for a team to finish in the top 4 and qualify for the Champions League and all that goes with it.
Also success is what the accounts show at the end of a season.
Arsenal does appear to be the best run of the top Premiership clubs in terms of development of their own players,albeit brought in from far and wide at a young age,and in terms of financial control.
One of these days they will probably get it all together and win both the English and European Championships as a group of players gels but in the meantime they are prepared to "fail" without capturing the big prizes but sure that they will remain competitive both on and off the field and at times will be the most attractive side to watch in the country.

[Thaumagurist*]

ArsenaLOL will faiLOL again. Can only be good.

[TBM]

ArsenaLOL will faiLOL again. Can only be good.

Again?

[cmonurz]

I imagine its indicative of fans of smaller clubs like Reading that we sneer at the big clubs and define a top four finish and CL progress plus the odd cup win etc as 'failure'.

[1871 Royal]

I think people see Arsenal as failing as the fact that they actually have a good team with some great talent but don't seem to win the Prem. They are defiantly a successful team but I think they don't win what they should do with the players they have.

[TBM]

I think people see Arsenal as failing as the fact that they actually have a good team with some great talent but don't seem to win the Prem. They are defiantly a successful team but I think they don't win what they should do with the players they have.

but they've won it more than once before, something spaceys Liverpool is yet to do

[1871 Royal]

Oh yeah I know that but you cant deny that in the last 5 years the prem has been dominated by Chelsea and Man Utd. I just think for the team that Arsenal have they should be pushing the title a bit further, but that is just my opinion.

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[papereyes]

Finishing 4th = success, in the modern game

[No Fixed Abode]

Oh yeah I know that but you cant deny that in the last 5 years the prem has been dominated by Chelsea and Man Utd. I just think for the team that Arsenal have they should be pushing the title a bit further, but that is just my opinion.

Chelsea were just too powerful for Arsenal yesterday.

[TBM]

ArsenaLOL will faiLOL again. Can only be good.

Again?

FOUR years, won f**k all.

Will be 5...

EDIT: BTW, 3-0! LOL LOL 2nd goal, gr8! I lol'ed my head off in the walkabout which was packed with Gayners.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 323097.stm

[Nick Shorey my Lord!]

Gayners.

COAB

[soggy biscuit]

With the limited money Arsenal spend on transfers & wages I would say finishing in the top 4 is most certainly success.

5 years winning no trophies yet finishing in the top 4 > 20 years without winning the league, playing in the UEFA Cup & not qualifying for the CL

LOLz @ Rainman and his beloved Liverpool

[Thaumagurist*]

I reckon Liverpool still has achieved more than Arsenal ever will. How many European Cups have ArsenaLOL won?

Even Chelsea has achieved more than Arsenal in the last 4 years. I'm backing Chelsea for the title and I think ArsenaLOL might be in danger of finishing outside of the top 4.

LOLZ indeed. Go and eat a pork sausage, Sogs.

[TBM]

ArsenaLOL might be in danger of finishing outside of the top 4.

And replaced with??????

Liverpool?
Villa?
Spurs?
Man City?