POLL: Is Arsenal Done For?

By: Dave Martinez | March 28th, 2010

arsene-wenger It’s that time of year again. The time in the Prem calender that has become a custom when the title race is on the line. Yes ladies and gentlemen, ever contending Arsenal may have shot itself in the foot yesterday, making a valiant seasons run at gold a much tougher proposition. And this year, it came in a painful, yet breathtaking 1-1 tie at Birmingham in the waning minutes of a match that could have meant three crucial points

Arsenal really have been playing valiant football. And at many points, they did look like contenders. And that probably explains Arsene Wenger’s angry and disappointed post game reactions (which included an expletive or two).

Now four points behind Manchester, and with a surging Chelsea riding high after a 7-1 drubbing of Aston Villa, Arsenal may begin to feel a bit of deja vu. Keep in mind, Manchester and Chelsea, currently seperated by one point, can hold destiny in it’s own hands in a matchup that may decide the table. Though Arsenal does have a rather forgiving schedule to end the season, one can’t help but feel that the decline to obscurity may begin now.

So, is it really over for Arsenal? Or do they still have a fighters chance? With mere weeks left in the campaign, every point is vital. Have Arsene’s men given up two too many? Take a vote, and share your thoughts, after the jump.

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Category: England, English Premier League, Europe, Leagues, Tournaments

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Foreverzidane

There is one huge problem and that is in case of a tie the Gunners having lost to both teams (Chelsea, United) twice will need a miracle to win the league. Win or lose the Gunners are fighting till the end, something that was lacking last year. Like the young "Toronto Maple Leafs" as the saying goes "There Is Always Next Year".
ethandeanrichards

Is and are debate noted - look at the next West Brom Blog title, it MAY contain some reference to it...
alex w

even more interesting is that grammar nazis decide to come to this website to debate grammar. go find a grammar blog. nobody appreciates your presence.

as for the title race, if you extrapolate both manchester united and chelsea's form regarding points, you will see that they are both expected to drop between 4 and 5 points in the remaining games. so, with arsenal 4 points back, i'd expect that they have to win all their remaining games to have a fighting chance of winning the title. could turn out to be very entertaining after all.
Gareth Davies

Sorry to have a further go at your footballing "grammar", but what stood out for me was your repeated reference to just "Manchester". That's always a dead give away as to someone lacking a full understanding of football (or soccer as Americans usually prefer to call it!). There are two big football teams in Manchester and anyone - anywhere in the world - who really knows football, will always refer to Manchester United as either that, or Man United, or even just "United" (latter where's it's obvious which Manchester team we're discussing). Even though it's obvious in this post that it's Man United that's being discussed you'd still never find a true football follower ever just calling them "Manchester". Gave yourself away there mate!
Daryl

With regards to the "is vs are" debate, we covered this here on The Offside back in September 2009 with the post A Football Team is? Or a Football Team Are?

Based on my experience and the comments in that post, it's something of a US English vs British English thing, and so I'm quite happy with either form in most cases.

Show me someone who claims that one way or the other is 100% right or 100% wrong, and I'll show you someone who refuses to look outside their own culture.
Foreverzidane

Your article is a bit suspect and have no idea as to why you have a sudden interest in the Gunners?
Some have already mentioned a remote long, shot at best for the league. However quite alive and well against Barcelona in the Champions league in my opinion.
If only Arshavin would shut his mouth and instead concentrate on burying those glorious opportunities that he's muffed up week after week, Arsenal needs a huge performance by him to have a good chance at beating Barca. It's Messi Vs. Arshavin not Messi vs. Fabregas!
Ed

My dad read one of my blog posts and said, "Why the f**k do you keep saying 'Liverpool are...'" So, needless to say, differing opinions.

As for Arsenal, I think Spurs will actually have a pretty big say, as ironic as that might be. That two week span (Arsenal, Chelsea, United) could decide things in the race for fourth and the title.
SoccerLimey

I don't see there is anyway you can write them off. They have the easiest run in of the three clubs, and a win against lowly Wolves next Saturday coupled with a draw at Old Trafford puts them a point behind Chelsea and two behind United.

Everything to play for yet boys. Write the gunners off at your peril.
Dave Martinez

No problem Ian. ;)

And thank you everyone else for being on point as well. Makes my anger over losing my free stream of Wrestlemania that much less painful.
Adam

I think they have a long shot, especially if the top two tie next week. However, I think if United wins next week, they are a lock, if Chelsea win, they nearly a lock.

Also I love the anti-yank Brit grammar nazi being shown how wrong he is by a yank.
Shazback

When did News Corp. buy out theoffside?

Of course they're still in touch for the title. Chelsea draw Man U, and then Arsenal are 2 points from the title, whilst Chelsea, Man U and Arsenal will still have 2 matches each against Tottenham, City or Liverpool.
Cerberus

No Ian, inane grammar arguments are the true spirit of football come alive in...yeah, I can't sustain that.

On the chances, I would say yes, but they've very often seemed to make a big mistake that was knocking them out of the title race only for Chelsea or Manchester United drop some critical points to put them right back in it.

On the other hand, every time they've gotten right back in it they've seemed to drop points against some beatable team.

I think it comes down to the Chelsea-Manchester United match. I think if they tie or Chelsea wins, Arsenal have a shot, if Manchester United win or Arsenal drop any more points against beatable teams, then chances are slim.

But yeah, any which way, they pretty much have to go on a winning streak from here on in which might be difficult as they'll definitely have some continental fatigue from the Champion's League.
jokily

Forget grammar. This league is still very much alive for Arsenal, tight though it might be.
Ian

Thanks, Dave. I was searching for the right word. Nailed it.
Dave Martinez

Meh.
Ian

The club is a singular noun. If we're talking about the club failing to win the league, then it's singular. If we're talking about a bunch of players failing to win the league, it's not. Either way, it's a fairly inane argument. Does anyone have any opinions on the actual content of the post that they'd like to share? For me, I think it's United or Chelsea at this point, especially if one of them wins on Saturday.
rocky7

Nothing rocky about my GRAMMAR, it is most definately ARE Arsenal and not IS Arsenal
rocky7

Bloody yanks , talking about things that dont concern them, thats why this world is in such a state.
Joel

You're knowledge of grammer is well, rocky. Also, you is the king of tactfullness. Me like!
rocky7

Its ARE Arsenal not IS Arsenal, you thick tw*ts