Firstly, many thanks to all who shared their views on yesterday’s Wolves match report. There are some very intelligent view points being regularly shared and while it’s still a small gathering, I’m sure many of the ’silent readers’ have just as good contributions waiting to be made. It’s top stuff, so thank you.

Anyways, to the agenda of the day, and there’s a lot of talk about Arsenal potentially scoring 100 goals in the press. Of course, there’s a lot of talk of Chelsea having wrapped up the title already after their 1-0 win over Manchester United last night. So what do they know?

Whatever the reason, it’s all gathered a bit of pace and I’m sure I’m not the only one uncomfortable with too much hype. I’d rather this team just knuckle down and keep doing the good things they’ve done so far.

Cesc has wisely stated that there will be bad times at some point this season, which is spot on. This kid knows his history, he knows the ebbs and flows of football and he’s not letting himself get carried away with the good vibes sprung on our team.

I would imagine Wenger would never get carried away with it either, having first-hand experience of the fickleness of the football media. Prior to the season he was lambasted by hack and pundit alike for not investing in mega-bucks signings. Now they’re all fawning after him as he advocates the unique strength of his side that has ‘grown together’ since their days as 16-year-olds.

Frankly, I think it says a lot that the last team to score 100-plus goals in the league was Tottenham in 1962-63 when they had Jimmy Greaves scoring willy-nilly. Say what you want about Spurs, the bloke knew where the goal was (according to my uncle). And yet still, they only came second that season.

So while it’s great to be scoring between 3 and 4 goals a match on average, the aim of every match is 3 points. No exceptions. We have no idea what injuries, form and bad luck have to play in the remainder of this season. All I know is that this team have given us every reason to back them, heavily.

Ha @ Man United

As for Manchester United, I’m going to step aside from my Chelsea-hating ways and say this:

Remember all those fair tackle chants we heard when Darren Fletcher, poor diddums, bulldosed his way through Andrey Arshavin’s legs for a dead-set penalty against Arsenal?

Remember Wayne “oh, he still made contact” Rooney diving for a penalty when you were being played off the park on your own ground?

Well, I remember it. So I really hope you don’t put too much oomph into complaining about Chelsea’s trespasses against you.

I don’t usually believe in karma, but in the football realm, I’ll make an exception.

Chelsea’s five point gap now leaves a lot of work to be done from Arsenal’s perspective – but you won’t find me feeling sorry for the Mancs.

That magical ‘game in hand’ is against Bolton at home, but as you can see, I don’t think anyone has a clue where it will fit into the season, just yet. If both teams are out of a cup, they’ll put it in that slot, most probably. But that’s too negative a thought for now.

It’s mostly irrelevant by the fact we have an immensely difficult game against Sunderland after the international break. With some players coming back with minimal rehearsed training, we may be a bit disjointed against a team that are ruthless in front of goal at home.

Yet winning at the Stadium of Light will be essential. We won’t be keeping pressure on Chelsea because the five point gap disguises the task they have at hand. If we fluff our lines without them slipping up….it doesn’t quite bare contemplating.

Three Black Cats points are essential. It could be a disjointed performance, maybe even another Fulham. But screw the result and the goal average, we need a win.

We can rediscover our rhythm against Standard Liege in the Champions League after that. Then comes the most mouth-watering contest at November’s end, against the Blues.

Now all we need is injuries to cock that all up.

What do you think of Arsenal’s chances against Sunderland and Chelsea? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

Filed under: Arsenal, Blogging, Chelsea, English Premier League, Manchester United