Why all Arsenal fans should not get carried away just yet

The always controversial Hanish Bhatt thinks it is too early for the Gunners to start talking about a title challenge.

Arsenal to win the league? Win a trophy to end their barren spell? These are all questions Arsenal fans have been asking during the start of the season. I would urge them not to get carried away just yet. 

Arsenal's three Premier League games have been against Sunderland, Stoke and Liverpool. With all due respect to these three teams, they are not going to be challenging for the title any time soon.

What is more concerning is that in three games Arsenal have only scored two goals, whereas summer departure Robin van Persie has scored twice as many on his own at his new club. 

Arsenal have spoken extensively about their new found defensive solidity, and this is due to the work of new assistance coach, Steve Bould. However, let's look at the teams Arsenal have faced in the early part of the season.

Their first game was against Sunderland, it is no secret that Sunderland are a team with minimal goals, and have been in the market for a new striker.

Their second Premier League game was against a physical Stoke side. It is clear that Stoke are a resilient unit built with a strong defence but are not known for scoring many goals. This is why they had to bring in Michael Owen after deadline day to boost their flagging attack.

The latest league game and one that got the Gooner faithful talking was their confident, dominant and exciting display against Liverpool. This victory was a key sign of Arsenal's potential in the post Robin Van Persie era, however, it also highlighted Liverpool’s poor squad and lack of striking options.

Credit where credit is due, Arsenal nullified the threat of Luiz Suarez however, he isn’t a 30+ goals a season type of forward, and the alternative of Fabio Borini has yet to score for Liverpool in the Premier League. 

The highlight of the season so far is surely the return and outstanding performances of Abou Diaby, a player hampered with injuries and a player who when fit is as good as Yaya Toure. However an injury sustained on international duty will remind fans of his fragile nature.

Arsene Wenger, felt it was good business to allow Robin Van Persie to go to a rival team and replace him with Oliver Giroud and Lukas Podolski. Only one of those, the latter, has come good so far. 

I for one, feel that for Arsenal finishing in the top positions will be an achievement and that they should build on the squad they have. Talking up their title chances is very premature as they do not have the squad to compete with the other top four sides.

If they are still in the title hunt by April, then it might be time to start taking them seriously.

image: © wonker