Even without looking at the stats, you’d agree that last season Arsenal lost the league in the first half of the season. If Arsenal had been as unforgiving early last season as they were after the winter break, they wouldn’t have lost the league by a mere 2 points.
The 2023–24 season in itself was a fantastic one. Arsenal put up a strong fight in the title race, only losing on the final day of the season, which was disappointing. In the five games they lost last season, if they only managed one win against Fulham or Aston Villa, the title would have ended up in North London.
That said, in less than 10 days, the 2024–25 league campaign kicks off, and Arsenal have these games to set themselves up for another title race.
Arsenal versus Wolves (17 August)
Aston Villa versus Arsenal (August 24)
Arsenal versus Brighton (August 31)
Tottenham versus Arsenal (September 15)
Manchester City versus Arsenal (September 22)
Arsenal versus Leicester (September 28)
Arsenal versus Southampton (October 5)
Bournemouth versus Arsenal (October 20)
Arsenal versus Liverpool (October 27)
Newcastle versus Arsenal (November 2)
Chelsea versus Arsenal (November 9)
Looking at the run of fixtures to start the new season, the Gunners will have six major clashes in the first 11 games.
Arteta needs a strong squad, which may mean two or more other excellent signings besides the Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino deals. Arsenal can’t afford a major absence (especially due to injury) early in the season.
Surely, looking at the above run of fixtures, it is not an exaggeration to say that if the league is to be won, it will be won early in the season; the title race for Arsenal could be over in the first 11 games.
Darren N
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That being said, an out to out sticker is needed coupled with a right winger to aid Saka and a holding midfielder. High level of concentration and a no losing mentality must be inculcated during matches as draw should be the worst result they must yarn for going forward
What do we need another holding midfielder for? Not long ago we were clamoring for Rice to help Partey out as we did not trust Jorginho, now we’ve got him and some still think we need another holding midfielder when we’ve got three already. Humans indeed are insatiable. The next excuse to my comment will be that Arteta now sees Rice as an 8 and not a 6. Rice played more games as a 6 for us last season than 8, just as he did at West Ham, he only got moved there because of Kia’s poor form in midfield and Jesus injuries leading to Kia been moved up. We are blest with two very good number 6 in Rice and Partey that can still play the number 8 role well what do you still need a 6 for? If we’re to get another midfielder it should be a Cm and not a Dm.
*blessed*
A good test. When the going gets tough (even from the start) the tough get a move on pretty quickly.
As to winning the PL early – it didn’t work that way for City, not in 2022-23 particularly, as they were behind Arsenal (by some points) for most of that season until the last few weeks. That said, I’m not certainly suggesting that example be used as any template in 2024-25. Let’s just start as we mean to go on.
EPL would likely become more difficult this season, since the top teams have already been familiar with our tactics and players
If we don’t sign a physically-dominant CF or false-nine to vary our attack, we could get worse results in the league
Possibly. That’s a risk that Arsenal run in coming so close in the previous two seasons – anything less than winning the PL in 2024-25 will be seen (rightly, if we’re honest) as a big setback for Arteta and the team. “A good attempt” won’t do next time around.
Hopefully though, if Edu manages to strengthen the squad further – I don’t think the addition of Calafiore will be enough – Arsenal will have enough to finally overcome City and any other challenger (there’s often an unexpected one).
Halaand won 39 ariel battles last season compared to Havertz winning 105. Havertz won more ground duels also and had more headed clearances.. He also had 6x more tackles won, 10x more interceptions and played over 604 more passes. I think you are underestimating Kai’s physicality and hold up play.
In the prem last season
Havertz G 13 assists 7 in 37 matches
Halland 27 goals 5 assists 31 matches
Havertz played till Christmas as a midfielder in a new team.
Did Haaland also play 70% of the games as a midfielder? Just asking.
@liam @daulat
Since he will be playing as a forward this coming season should we expect 27 goals and 5 assists?
If you don’t think so your logic is pointless.
I reckon so tbh so its 12 goals and one less assist so going off his form its a reasonable assumption. Also minus off the 7 penalties Halaand scored so its more like 6 extra goals and one less assist.
Shhh! we should never talk about the penalties!
This is an issue with our fanbase
We are now saying Kai Havertz is on same level as ….Hallland lol
Make you a bet of 500 pound Halland scores more goals then Havertz
I will have you 50 quid he ends up with a better g/a?
You seem to over generalize statements. Haaland and Havertz are like comparing 2 completely different profiles. One is tasked to score as many goals as possible against the teams with vulnerable defenses, another is tasked to be influential in every possible match.
Haaland will score more, I don’t think I mentioned Havertz will score more than Haaland. Read the sentences again. I said, including penalties, Havertz will score more than 20 goals. I didn’t even say 27 goals that Haaland scored!
And I bet you 1000 pounds Havertz will have more assists than Haaland by a mile!
And I stand true in saying that Havertz is a more complete footballer than Haaland.
I don’t over generalize
HH asked Liam should we expect 27 goals and 5 assists – what Halland got
Liam said ….I reckon so
How’s that over generalising
I never said Havertz won’t assist more
The claim in doubt is Havertz can score 27 goals
Daulat it didn’t take long to start moving goal posts did it? Make sure there is no wall ahead as you are going to keep moving them quite a bit.
I wouldn’t take your bet but are you assuming that goals scored equate to points made?
No Sue it’s quite simple
He was asked would Havertz scored 27 goals and he said
‘ I reckon so ‘
Hence the bet
We do over rate the importance of Harland in that City team. I don’t think Harland make city better but city make Harland a better player. And yes he’s the best striker in the world now because he’s in the best team in the world.
Man city became the best team in England without Harland, we became one of the best team in England without a Harland type of striker and real Madrid won the champions league without a striker. So let’s stop this obsession on another team player. They’re the benchmark currently, agreed, but we can reach their level or beyond with different charateristics.
27 goals including all the penalties included? Absolutely. Remember, out of 27 goals for Haaland, 7 are penalties!
By the way, Havertz already has 2 more assists than Haaland, despite playing only 30% of the games as a center forward! So, are you suggesting he should make fewer assists too? 😂
If Havertz plays as a center forward or second striker, I believe he can easily score over 20 goals (especially if he takes penalties) and provide at least 10-12 assists in a season. His goal contributions could even surpass Haaland’s if he plays as a center forward. Unlike Haaland, who often scores against weaker teams, Havertz is a more complete and influential player in every match and at every stage of the game.
And forgot to mention, Havertz is rarely injured so more consistent contributions as well.
I say we trade Havertz for Halaand. Think they’ll go for it?
We will have to see this season wont we. Havertz is a better footballer than Halaand. If he carries on his form from the last 16 games of last season i see no reason why he cant be the man to lead us to the title.
I actually do tend to believe Halaand is somewhat overrated. How would he do in the PL in a different club? Pretty well I believe but he would not be nearly the sensation he has been at City. I believe Havertz has it in him to be an incredible player for us if he can maintain his confidence. His presence in the middle is very much in need for our club. I do hope he continues to work on his finishing especially with the high balls.
ps – I was very very pleased that Alvarez went to AM. Now if KDB would only go to Saudi Arabia.
He is going to Saudi.
So is foden. 😁😁😁😁😁
Haaland was signed to farm tons of goals against the bottom half of the league. More goals, more GD, that way draws don’t hurt City. He is usually absent against teams with better defense and his off the ball contributions are pretty meh.
Hey, Halland simply was the reason Man City won the league last season, I don’t seem to understand this comparison. Arsenal simply can’t win the league with Havertz leading the attack, enough of this delusion biko. It also seems we forget that EPL gets tougher by the season. 2024/25 won’t be as easy as it was for Arsenal last season, as every club is strengthening. You got Chelsea to fight, Liverpool looking pretty better than last season, Man U never a wash away and of course Spurs who have less pressure to deliver. For me, Edu should get a DM and allow Partey leave or move Rice to 6 and get Merino play 8. FOr attack, no compromise, get Osimhen or Guokeres to get the work done upfront. So 3 major signings and we are good. Don’t allow Man City to return to their best while still still have a little above average squad , they will still win 2024/25 season.
This is like when I was told.Maitland Niles was better then Kante
This is why our fanbase are seen as arrogant
Our fanbase are also seen as the worst in terms of supporting our own players. There are many views out there, but I would rather stand on the side of being called arrogant.
You can support your players without saying silly things
I like Havertz but he’s not as good as Halland
You can’t just argue logically now, can you?
“He’s not as good as Haaland..”
I ask in what metrics? Goal scoring metrics? Of course Haaland is better, I don’t think anybody argues with that. Your statement is just a blanket comparison without metrics.
Do you seriously think Haaland is better than Havertz in every metrics for a striker or a footballer in general?
The question was would Havertz score more goals then Halland
The answer was yes lol
But yes as a striker I think Halland is better then Kai Havertz !
I didn’t know this was a thing
Will remind you end of season that
you doubted this lol.
When you asked if Haaland played 70% games as a midfielder you were insuniating that had Havetz played 100% games as a forward he would have scored more or same.
Now I ask you did Havertz play only 30% of his games as a forward? On which game week did Havertz start playing as a forward?
Where did you get that 70% figure? You magically conjured it out of thin air just like you have resorted to soothsaying when asked about Havertz next season expected goals.
No, you don’t mate…. You’ve mentioned that before in your post. Don’t forget!!
He’s good
I may have said he’s not worth what we paid and it’s money I would have used on a striker
I don’t think Arteta and Edu will survive if they don’t win anything this season
That suggests you need to replace you’re cf every season? What about the other ten positions do the opposition coaches just ignore what they do ?
We just sign a physically-dominant CF because we don’t have that player type to attack differently when we can’t break a low-block
But who would you recommend then ? There aren’t many players out there that could do that role at our level. The only one that springs to mind is Mitrovic and two of us got laughed off the page for suggesting him.
We could try Calvert-Lewin, Jonas Wind or Fabio Silva
@Gai I want Arsenal to sign a CF if we can buy I don’t want any how striker for the sake of signing. He must be in the mould of Thierry, VPearsy,Ian Write, NAnelka, Sheyi Adebayo all can give you over 20goals in a season.
Liverpool have Nunez, City have Halaand, NCastle have Isak, Aston Villa have Watkins.
Nunez is the opposite to a prolific clinical striker – his very poor conversion rate in the title run in last season was one of the big reasons Liverpool fell away badly while Arsenal strengthened with consistent high performance
a Nunez would make Arsenal worse not better
that is the risk
I’d prefer someone in the mold of Giroud or Zirkzee to help the other attackers and our midfield
Yet you defended Eddie getting 100-000 pound a week lol
We have a lot of midfielders plus Skelly and Nwaneri I mean for Saka, Martinelli, Vieira, Trossard , Nelson, Jesus
@Gai, you have a point “Epl likely to be more difficult this season” but remember CIty/PepG tactics haven’t really change for many seasons yet Epl clubs can’t handle them.
I think it’s about knowing the “dynamics” of how to win Epl which I believe Arteta has learnt. It’s intentional according to report that Arteta chose to play ManU, Liverpool & Leverkusen in pre-season.
I as a fan want a new towering prolific CF. But it’s almost difficult to fault Arteta if he chose not to sign a new CF after Arsenal scoring same number of goals with City last season despite City having Halaand in their rank. MCity lost Gundogan and Marez last season, and now Alvarez leaving only Halaand as Main striker.I don’t see them scoring many goals if Halaand is injured. In pre-season we scored 10 goals and conceeded 5 with a makeshift backline.
I feel Arsenal will still do well this season. If we can’t get a reliable CF we should sign Merino no replace ageing Jorginho and injury prone Pathey.
I hope you’re right, because Nketiah would most likely leave and Jesus would likely get injured again
Pretty strong fixtures to start the season, and I like it that way, getting the tougher games out of the way. We surely do need a fast start.
Arsenal does not need more than two new signings, we just need at most two now, a midfielder and a forward (CF or RW). We have Ethan and Skelly, two young players that I believe can do a fine job for us in the first team and the manager seems to agree with that.
I prefer that we have a really hard start to the season than to end it. We play 3 of our hardest games in the 1st 5 with villa, spurs n city away. Better to get those games done early on and it is an opportunity to make a big statement here as if we are 1st after 5 matches we are already taking a big step toward the title.
Fully agree, gives us a chance to put immediate pressure on our competitors
Let’s hope that our own dear Aesenal FC team squad will not lose the Epl title next season. As they lost twice at away and home against Aston Villa. last season. But let the Gunners beat the Villains at the Ems when they come visiting in the Epl next season.
Which if the Gunners do, will serve them as confidence boost ahead of playing at home against their arch North London rivals Tottenham Hs in the first NLD match in next season.
Ti cut the matter short, Arsenal SHOULD win all their five openings Epl matches of the upcoming new season to start their campaign in the Epl on a very strong footing and be building on iy
For, if the Gunners had won one of the 2 matches, the Epl title win wouldn’t had forsaken us they played at Villa Park and at rhetorically Ems against them.
Notwithstanding,.
Why should we win at the Ethiad ?
We never win there
“Why should we win at the Etihad ?”
Isn’t that obvious? To win the league.
That’s a reason to win at the Ethiad
Doesn’t mean we are good enough to do so
We won’t win all 5 of those fixtures
They are tough games
We might not, and probably won’t. If coming just 2 points off City last season, you can’t have enough belief that Arsenal can do that, given our players are yet to hit their peaks, I don’t think winning a trophy will change that.
Like I said mate , buy a striker we got a great chance
I just don’t think we ‘ should’ win those 5 games
If Man City had those 5 games ( going to the Emirates) I would equally say you shouldn’t be winning those 5 games
Fair enough. But I argue, even making the defense better achieves the same goal as buying a striker. Buying a striker will solve if he is equal to or better than Haaland. If he is not up to Haaland, he will only take away the good things that Havertz provide without providing what Haaland does.
Nah defense I think we are best In the league already
If that’s the case let’s just not turn up to the Etihad and give them the game then.
It’s called being humble
To say we should win those 5 games is arrogance
Let’s hope that our own dear Aesenal FC team squad will not lose the Epl title next season. Which resulted from their losing twice at away and home against Aston Villa. last season. But let the Gunners beat the Villains at the Ems when they come visiting in the Epl next season.
Which if the Gunners do, will serve them as confidence booster ahead of their playing at home against their arch North London rivals team, Tottenham Hs in the first NLD match of next season.
To cut the matter short, Arsenal SHOULD win all their five opening Epl matches of the upcoming new season to start their campaign on a very strong footing and be building on it to win the title
For, if the Gunners had won one of their 2 matches against the Violins, they would have won the title but not lost it to Man City as they did.
@Dan this reply is a continuation of the previous one above.
The question was, “Since he will be playing as a forward this coming season should we expect 27 goals and 5 assists?”
And I said, If Havertz takes all the penalties, he will score more than 20 and with double figure assists.
I never said he will score 27 goals. He might just score 20 but he will definitely get more than 10 assists, he gave 7 assists last season! That alone would take his Goal contributions above 30. If Arsenal get around 10 penalties in their favor, and Havertz score just 8 out of 10, is there any reason to believe he will score less than 12 a season? Heck, he scored that many this season without playing as a striker for 70% of the games. It’s very reasonable to think he can get 20 goals a season if he is the primary penalty taker as well. And he just doesn’t score but assists as well.
Mate it wasn’t aimed at you lol
My bet was to Liam
@HH Changing goal post? I have always mentioned the same things. Havertz will score over 20 goals if he takes penalty as well. And will get more than 10 assists. Taking the total Goal contribution over 30. When have I not said that? Don’t accuse if you don’t want to argue properly.
And for you, Havertz started 63.15% of the matches as a midfielder. Happy now? So, does 70% seem like a magically conjured number? Havertz played only 14 matches as a CF. So do your calculations
Away from the fierce debate above, but still on strikers, it looks like Sp*rs are very close now to signing Solanke from Bournemouth for a reported £65m. He was linked with Arsenal briefly, of course.
If Arsenal are going to sign a striker (and I think that they certainly should try) then the available options – or the ones in the news anyway – seem to be dwindling.
Osimhen appears to have been ruled out now (too expensive, apart from anything else). There’s still not a great clamour from clubs to sign Gyokeres which has always puzzled me if he’s so good.
Anyway, it may be that in the end Arsenal will have to go with what they’ve got and hope for the best (as nobody knows for sure how they’ll do one way or another).
Spuds are scaring me again. If it wasn’t Spuds I wouldn’t realize it’s an overreaction. 🤔
Nah it’s Spurs lol
i’m fine with Spurs spending £65m on Solanke, decent yes but does not meet the elite, clinical or prolific criteria, mid-table player for a mid-table team
with £65m burning a hole in their pocket and in need of a striker rapidly then could work out very nicely for us
The game that put the spanner in the work, Aston Villa game at the Emirates.