What has shocked me most this season? Arsenal shipping 8 to United? Torres' miss at Old Trafford? Joey Barton's prolific tweeting? Sandro's barnet? No, it was the comment from arch-Gooner Alan Smith, admitting that Spurs are a stronger team than Arsenal now. Is this true? And are we not, following 3 wins on the bounce including the battering of Liverpool, favourites to reclaim 4th? Should anything less than 4th be considered a failure and an underachievement? Here are the Top 4 contenders:
I have no doubt that the Manchester clubs will finish 1st and 2nd this season. Probably by quite a distance unfortunately. United look stronger than last season and, as much as I hate to say it, City have moved on to the next level. Whilst it was inevitable that their unlimited spending would eventually push them towards the summit, it was still enjoyable to watch big names come and fail. Big fees don't automatically make you any good. Step forward Jerome Boateng, Aleksandr Kolarov, Robinho. But the signings of Nasri and Aguero have allowed a step up in quality. I doubt we would have conceded 5 if Parker and Sandro were involved but it was clear that they are no longer on our level.
Chelsea will probably make 3rd. They are catchable and I don't think we will be too far behind them, but I can't see them slipping out of the top 3.
So, who's getting that all important 4th place?
According to the bookies, Liverpool. Just. Liverpool are 6/5 to get it, fractionally ahead of ourselves at 13/10, followed by Arsenal at 9/4.
So, why are Liverpool favourites? They sit a point clear of us in the fledgeling table, albeit having played a game more. Pundits seem to adore Suarez and adore King Kenny and his policy of buying British. Suarez is clearly a very good striker but he seems to be prone to temper tantrums when a top quality defender neutralises him in the way that Ledley King has done in his two games against us. £35 million for Carroll, £7 million for Adam, £20 million for Henderson, £20 million for Downing. It all smacks of buying British for the sake of it. World class prices for not world class players. Yes Liverpool will roll teams over at Anfield more often than not, but I get the feeling that they will struggle on the road this season and get found out by the stronger teams in the league, like they were against us last week. They may be a work in progress but I think they are still behind us in terms of development and should finish behind us in the league.
Arsenal. What a start they've had. It's been great hasn't it? Losing Nasri and Fabregas, arguably their two best players and replacing them with good but inferior players in Arteta and Benayoun indicates how the goalposts have moved for Arsenal this season. Sczesney may be turning into an excellent goalkeeper but the defence looks as hapless as ever. New signing Mertesacker's default facial expression is one of bewilderment, which fits in perfectly with the rest of the Arsenal defence. Walcott's pace remains a threat but Arsenal seem in danger of becoming a one man team. Lose van Persie and they'll be in big(ger) trouble.
Now to us. Many Spurs fans were lamenting a shocking pre-season, what with the Modric saga rumbling on and a failure to bring any outfield players in before the start of the season. With hindsight, it was a pretty good pre-season. Keeping Modric was a crucial statement of intent and Redknapp's desire to bring in '2 or 3 top class players' has been fulfilled. In Big Bad Brad we now have a keeper who may be less lovable, but also is less prone to treating crossed balls like live grenades. Parker and Adebayor are considerable improvements on the players they have replaced.
Who, hand on heart, would you take from the Arsenal and Liverpool squads as first team starters, not just squad members? I would have Reina and a fit and on form Gerrard. I'm sure many people would have Suarez too but I would prefer Adebayor. From Arsenal, I would take Van Persie. That's it.
On paper we have a Top 4 team. Of this I have no doubt. Psychologically we need to accept this position. Prove we are one of the best teams in the country. Treat the lower half with distain and dispatch them. Go to the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and Anfield believing we are the stronger team.
I want to be playing Bayern Munich this week, not Shamrock Rovers. Let's leave that to Arsenal next season.
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