It has been an unenthusiastic start to the season for the Gunners. Wenger’s men have yet to light up the League like many were expecting, a win against City would surely light a spark for the season.
An unconvincing win against Palace and two edgy draws against Everton and Leicester, have left us needing to get a result against City. The addition of Welbeck is something I’m personally excited for, especially after his midweek performances for England.
It may be a tough month for the Arsenal, and not one that may kick start our season. With important games against Dortmund in the Champions League and a tricky League Cup game against the Saints could make this month a challenge for the Gunners.
Important month for the Gunners
It may still seem like the early stages of the season, that would be because it is, but the challenge starts here if the Gunners are to challenge. Important home games against the champions Man City and North London rivals Tottenham, could set the tone for Arsenals season. Add in a Champions League trip to Dortmund and the tests mount for the Gunners.
As it is so early in the season you can be forgiven for thinking a couple of bad results may not be too catastrophic. However within the fickle world of football nothing can be taken for granted. Although we dominated Spurs last season, it’s the games against the bigger clubs that effectively lost us the league and a victory over City could give us the impetus we need.
The fixtures
Man City (H) - Wenger is being coy over who he will start against City on Saturday, perhaps toying with Pellegrini’s game plan. The introduction of Welbeck and the inclusion of Ramsey will raise our level and spirit greatly, but City will be playing their strongest team regardless. Having not kept a clean sheet thus far, Aguero will be a major worry. A draw would be a decent result here.
Aston Villa (A) - After a strong start Villa are looking like a much stronger outfit than last year. We have looked lacklustre so far this season, suggesting that we will have to buck our ideas up if we are to get a result here. I have confidence that we will
Tottenham (H) - The supremacy has been firmly in the red half of North London for over a year now. A result here is vital for two reasons, firstly, it would only reaffirm the idea that Spurs are a long way from challenging on any serious level and secondly, and more simply, we may well need the points in order to finish above them.
Building on the foundations
Chelsea were the stand out performers of August, making them most peoples tip for the title. The main title contenders already have some catching up to do after a perfect start from the Blues.
Mourinho’s men will have a slightly more testing month throughout September. An away trip to City will no doubt be the biggest fixture of the month, and a chance for both teams to assert early dominance. Fast starting Swansea and Villa will also prove tests but Chelsea will be full of confidence.
Man City also have a tricky month and will be looking to bounce back from the defeat at Stoke in our own back yard. If results don’t go there away it could prove to be a costly slip up at the Britannia Stadium.
The Balotelli show will take centre stage in Liverpool this month, due to the injury to Sturridge. It will be a mouth-watering prospect to see him in yet another historic English derby, and a lot could depend on him maintaining his temperament.
Man Utd obviously have the most work to do if they want to avoid one of their worst starts in history. Throwing money at forward line may have done the trick, but they haven’t sorted out that tin hut of a defence.
Arsenal | Chelsea | Man City | Liverpool | Man Utd |
Man City (H) D |
Swansea (H) W |
Arsenal (A) D |
Aston V (H) W |
QPR (H) W |
Aston V (A) W |
Man City (A) D |
Chelsea (H) D |
West Ham (A) W |
Leicester (A) D |
Spurs (H) W |
Aston V (H) W |
Hull (A) W |
Everton (H) D |
West Ham (H) W |
Points: 12 | 16 | 11 | 13 | 9 |
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