The importance of being third.
The top four. It’s three words Arsenal fans have been focusing on since the team stumbled out of the blocks and seemingly fell on its ass last August. Within the first few weeks of the season we knew (for the most part) that the title was out of reach. Now Arsenal had to focus on finishing in the top four in order to maintain Champion’s League football – the absolutely minimum requirement of this club.
Well, with Chelsea’s improbable run to the Champion’s League final, fourth place may no longer be an option. Chelsea seem to be doing what the imaginary Cleveland Indians in the movie Major League did – winning the whole damn thing. Hell, Chelsea even have their own version of Corbin Bernsen in John Terry.(watch the movie you’ll see what I mean).
So here is why third is now the absolute minimum for Arsenal.
If Chelsea Win the Champion’s League –
If Chelsea were to come from 6th position and finish third, the Premier League’s fourth place team would enter the play-off stage which is the normal process we are all aware of.
If Chelsea finish fourth then all top 4 teams would go in to the Champion’s League Group stages.
Should Chelsea finish fifth or below, then as Champions they would still go into the Group Stages. The rules of the competition say that no nation can have no more than four teams in the competition so the fourth place team would then get knocked into the Europa League and the top three teams would go into the Group Stages.
To see all the permeations go to the Premier League web site for a more detailed explanation.
So there you have it. Because of what is happening to the team from West London, we now have to win out right and ensure our 3rd place position. Chelsea are not going to move out of 6th place that I can see at this point. Not with 6 games remaining (4 league and 2 cup finals). They are injured and still whatever is going on in Europe does not seem to be equating to success in England. Still, the way things have been going you never know right?
Obvious we’d all be better served if Chelsea finished 6th and didn’t win the Champion’s League right?
It helps with the Robin Van Persie Situation
What Robin Van Persie situation? True he is under contract to the end of 2013. And by all indications the club are very willing to let that contract run out. It’s a pretty shrewd move actually. If they do it, he is a year older, there is no guarantee that the form this season will be repeated next so getting the kind of contract he might be seeking is not entirely likely to happen.
That being said, there are stories Arsenal are set to break the bank with a new 3-year £140,000 week deal. This new deal would ensure that Robin becomes the highest paid player in the history of the club. It would also reward him for being as successful as he has been.
But it goes beyond money for the Dutch hitman. Robin Van Persie is a fierce competitor and he wants to play against the best. He can do that in the Champion’s League. While the Europa League is actually showing some real quality, it’s still not on par with the quality in the Champion’s League.
Finishing anywhere lower than in a Champion’s League spot would likely cause Van Persie to pause and consider his options. He might be inclined to stay should talent be brought in around him and that looks like something the club are trying to do.
Lukas Podolski is all but done and reports came out of Germany this week that FC Köln have rubber stamped the deal. Additionally, Arsenal are said to be in the pole position to sign Montpellier striker Oliver Giroud. While his fee may be high according to the French club, he has a relatively low buy—out clause in his contract. Chief French scout recently mentioned that Arsenal were indeed interested in the forward. Then finally there is the consistent links to Yann M’Villa, Christen Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen.
In all these cases it seems Arsenal have identified quality targets that represent shrewd purchases but are also of the quality Robin Van Persie I think would respond well to should they come to the club. These are the kind of players that can fill out the roster of a club that is only a few scant parts away from being contenders again (yes, I know how many times we’ve said or heard that before.)
The Big MO –
Arsenal have stalled a little recently with the shock loss to Wigan and the draw against Chelsea’s team bus this weekend. Still Arsenal have won 9 of their last 12 and have built a nice impressive run. They need to end the season on a high note and hopefully have that high carry them over into preparations for next season.
Momentum is a curious thing, especially in this league. It can have lasting effects. Manchester City combined their run to the end last season into a good start to this season. It can be done.
As Arsenal fans we can see what can happen when you skid into the end of a season – like last season and start off sluggishly the next. Winning the last three games would have a positive effect for the fans as well as the players.
For fans we didn’t have a lot to celebrate in terms of outcomes to the season. Finishing on a high note in 3rd place would be a cool salve to the sting we’ve taken this season. No, it won’t right all the wrongs. No, it is not silverware but it would be a step in the right direction.
It’s 3rd or bust!
Until next time – Stay Goonerish!
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Everyone on here seems to have the same opinion that we need a Playmaker and a Goalscorer. With Podolski done (apparently), and stepping up on the moves for M’vila/Vertonghen then the Playmaker is the only real player left on the checklist. So, whats everyone’s thoughts on Hernanes?
Sure he may be expensive but do you think he would be a worthy addition? He’s 27, so in the prime of his career, a Brazilian international so technically gifted, a very good player by all accounts, and also can score goals and is good at Free Kicks.
With Benayoun most likely not being permanent, Arshavin probably not coming back, Rosicky 31, Diaby unreliable, Ramsey out of form and low on confidence, and Jack only 20, and AOC (Im gonna count him as a playmaker coz i think thats where he’ll end up) only 18. Could this guy bridge the gap between the old and the young seeing as he’s about halfway between the both of them.
But hey, what are your guys thoughts
I think the old-timers around here are coming together a bit, almost like a consensus, or at least opinions seem to be modifying….maybe a little?….
Big match tomorrow, obviously, so perhaps it’s all premature, and certainly I wouldn’t believe too much about deals being done (Poldoski) and almost being done (M’Vila). Maybe, however, AW found something in ManU’s early business last summer to admire. If anything, the size of the transfer kitty plus trips to Africa AND Asia might make nickel and diming (as we like to say….) at the deadline less palatable. (Maybe he noticed that it’s hard to save money if you’re in full-on panic mode, as were we in August….) Like josh says, we’ll see…..
I would agree that we need playmakers AND goalscorers, both short AND long term. Our current options are fitness liabilities, being either too old (RVP, Rosicky, Arteta) or too young (Wilshere, OX-Cham, Miyachi) or simply too iffy for fitness and or/quality (Diaby, Ramsey, Gervinho, Theo). It’s not the worst list of names but at least one or two players will need to step up and have seasons akin to the current Captain’s. I fear there’s too much already invested in those players and that we’ll “stand pat.” This season, with bandages and luck, we may get our trophy (3rd) but given the frailty of our current group it seems that investing in player(s) who might bring superior quality would be a risk worth taking, at least if being truly competitive is our aim.
It should be, and the timing is right. We’ve been saying “next year” for a loooong time, but I think we MUST give it a go NEXT YEAR….as the topsy-turvy nature of this one suggests a fruit ripe enough to demand picking….. The Manchester teams play a title match on Monday and both have looked very good AND not-so-good over the course of the season. Chelsea are finishing with a flourish and I still pick them to beat Newcastle and nip them for 4th. If that scenario plays out it will still be an incredible year for the latter team, who will then have to contend with the double whammy of trying to hold onto their best players AND playing Europa league football next season, while the likes of Spurs and Liverpool will be in regroup and trying to shine Domestic Cup(s?) mode.
The smart money says “follow the money”, so given this “parity” (or at least lack of dominance….) it may be time to use some of ours, “speculate to accumulate,” etc., etc.
But we’ll have all summer to talk about this…. First things first: Do the deed (finish 3rd), sign RVP (and, probably, Theo….), then start taking care of other business (sign quality, clear the dross). Cup Final of our own (on a small, overgrown pitch) tomorrow….
i don’t like the whole “defend your title” concerning the champions league. even fifa abandoned that in the world cup. the champions league is for teams that are competing for domestic championships. you’ve got to earn the right to play in europe and if newcastle finish above chelsea, then newcastle have earned the right.
with that, it’s in arsenal’s hands. it’s more of a struggle because arsenal seem to only be interested in finishing in the top four and not winning the championship. in years passed, when stag was a happy guy, arsenal always challenged for the championship. amazingly enough, when you’re really challenging for the championship, champions league football always took care of itself. arsenal need to refocus.
m’villa is a good player but who will pay 22 million for him? certainly not arsenal. his addition won’t suddenly make arsenal a title contender. for that money, we need goal scorers more than we need m’villa. arsenal have arteta, song, diaby, wilshere, coquelin, and frimpong in center midfield. with everyone fit, i’m happy with our cm options.
arsenal should spend their money on goals. they need to buy a playmaker. they’ve got to find a way to turn possession into more good goal scoring chances. a playmaker can help arsenal do that. we’ll see.
@joshuad, Wow Josh.
Again. COMPLETELY disagree with you.
If you WIN the Champions League, you deserve to be in it the following year.
That’s my opinion.
If you want to take the position that the CL is for “teams competing for domestic championships”… then frankly, ARSENAL don’t belong in the competition… the CL should be for CHAMPIONS. WINNERS of their leagues, and maybe runners-up.
I don’t believe 3rd and 4th place teams belong in an “elite” competition called the Champions League.
But WINNING the competition is a far greater accomplishment, than getting 4th place in your league.
As far as Arsenal’s midfield is concerned, its full of MEDIOCRITY and INJURIES.
There is no star in midfield, and that’s where most matches are won and lost.
We score enough goals. I’d say we need to concentrate on DEFENSE, and making it a lot more difficult for opponents to score on us.
8th or 9th in goals allowed is NEVER going to win you anything.
@stag133, How about a break away
super league for big money clubs, maybe with salary caps and
drafts (or “minor league” feeder clubs) and other fairness
measures (including professional referees)? I’m getting old,
but I fully expect to see something along these lines before
my expiration date…..
@HighburyTerraceSteve, I could not be more AGAINST a “break-away” Super League…
I have no idea how it would work, and what would that do the the Domestic Leagues?
It would destroy European Football Leagues… and thus Football in my opinion.
The passion and atmosphere of the game would be gone.
I pray I NEVER see some sort of SUPER LEAGUE.
I would not watch it on principal alone.
We have two real NEED areas and they are creative AM and 2nd striker.
Depending on Rosicky and Ramsey to fill the AM void just won’t put us over the top. Unfortunately, we missed out on Mata and Silva and realistically, the pickings are somewhat slim out there outside of Goetze and Hernanes who are way overpriced.
At 2nd striker, Podolski doesn’t fit the bill and so we need someone in the mold of Cavani and Giroud, both of whom are also overpriced. My sleeper would be Raul for the short term (wishful thinking).
@Caribkid, you can say Podolski doesn’t fit the bill, but its been stated that its a DONE DEAL… so he’s arriving. I doubt we’ll be going after another additional striker, unless Chamakh is gone…
look to France, its where Wenger shops.
Rumor is that Pep is leaving Barcelona, taking time off for at least 1 season…
would be perfect to tell Wenger NOW, he has 1 year left, and then we’re going after Guardiola…
Other rumor has us in advanced talks with M’Vila over a transfer for 22 Million.
if we can tie up M’Vila and Podalski right after the season… maybe add the big Dutch CB… we might be in business!! and I could enjoy the Summer and Euro 2012!
I’d shock those of you who don’t remember me as Mr.Positivity!
:)
These last 3 matches stand in the way of everything in the future!
Bayern is the superior side and Chelsea possibly misses 3 CD’s plus they are playing in Munich god dammit there is no way in hell they can win that game. But that what I said before the second leg against Barca. But since they pretty much used all their good Karma, luck for the next decade to get that result against Barca I think the CL is save even if we should fall to fourth (wich we wont).
@Ty,Chelsea can DEFINITELY win the match, as Munich will be missing players as well.. If they can stifle Barcelona for 55 minutes down to 10 men, they can do the same to anyone on a given day… they could simply play for 0-0 and go for penalties.
@Ty,
Anything is possible and Bayern is without young player of the year candidate Alabi, Baddstuber and Gustav. In other words, outside of Lamm their defence is total shit. Chelsea’s biggest miss is Terry and Ramirez but they still have a good team which can win on the day.
I have a bet on with Jewish Spurs fan that if we finish above them he will start supporting us & declare it on Facebook to all his friends. Please Mr Wenger, don’t make the vice versa possible. This is the only time I made one of them put their money where their mouth is. Please, just 3 wins away from St Totteringhams day!
@Ranj, why would any REAL fan, start supporting a hated rival!
I’d make him get an Arsenal tattoo! or make him wear our kit every day for a month…
@Ranj, Ranj, Welcome to the forum/site/
whatever you want to call it…..
I salute you for believing in the team during our darker hours. Still, I
have two questions….
1) What does your friend being Jewish have to do with anything? Plenty of
Jewish people (including me) support Arsenal….(While it might be quaint
to get down on the Spurs along these lines, please leave the gassing
noises, “Heil Hitlers” and other epithets (including, “yid,” “yiddo,” etc.
to the Chelsea supporters….)
2) Do you believe everything that is posted on Facebook? (Gotta agree with
Stag on this one…..)
yes, its been an amazing run by Chelsea, and if they WIN the CL, and get 5th or 6th in the EPL, they deserve to defend their title…
it would be crushing to Arsenal, and I am sure Wenger would have a fit, and numerous illogical rants if we got 4th and were OUT of the CL…
but its on Arsenal. We are currently 3rd, have 3 matches left, and if we win them, there is NOTHING any other team can do…
if we don’t win the matches, and end up on the outside looking in… then we weren’t good enough.
We know what’s at stake… there are no excuses.
@stag133,
I agree, the squad should be 100% up for this and if we dont finish third, we’ve buggered it up severely, its in our hands and theres no excuses for failing to finish 3rd
@George,
Agreed 100%. If we can’t beat 3 mid level teams to secure third, the entire team including coaching staff should be whisked off to Siberia without Arsene’s designer Goose Down parkas.