Actually I prefer the haters sticking around. The 'siege mentality' works very well at a football club, look at Ferguson - making sure the players confidence comes from within rather than outer sources.
As has been said we have top teams to play, however Napoli were meant to be a stiff challenge and yet seemed rather ordinary. Qualifying first out of the group does seem rather important given the strengths of the other powerhouse sides though (RM, Bayern, Barca etc).
I've been in the situation where we play well in the autumn very often, and it seems to rarely come to fruition in May, so I'm guarded but pleased about how the team looks without the negative dressing room influence. I'd much rather have Miyaichi, Gnabry etc, than an unhappy Arshavin on 70k a week, or Denilson turning up every day not giving a **** and taking him 50k.
Losing those negative influences at the club seems to help, and signing Ozil contributes both in terms ofo what he represents to the success of the club's ideals, as his skill and influence on the pitch - allowing the players to potentially change their view of the club they play for from a club in perpetual transition, to one who can get back to the early 2000s . The problem has always been Arsenal had excellent form against the top clubs but poor form against the bottom of the league 'scrappers', it seems in recent seasons this has reversed, but I cannot see a better time to capitalise upon this than against top sides this season, especially given that in recent years the issue has been a shockingly bad midfield spine, something which looks more solid than in recent memory certainly.
As has been said we have top teams to play, however Napoli were meant to be a stiff challenge and yet seemed rather ordinary. Qualifying first out of the group does seem rather important given the strengths of the other powerhouse sides though (RM, Bayern, Barca etc).
I've been in the situation where we play well in the autumn very often, and it seems to rarely come to fruition in May, so I'm guarded but pleased about how the team looks without the negative dressing room influence. I'd much rather have Miyaichi, Gnabry etc, than an unhappy Arshavin on 70k a week, or Denilson turning up every day not giving a **** and taking him 50k.
Losing those negative influences at the club seems to help, and signing Ozil contributes both in terms ofo what he represents to the success of the club's ideals, as his skill and influence on the pitch - allowing the players to potentially change their view of the club they play for from a club in perpetual transition, to one who can get back to the early 2000s . The problem has always been Arsenal had excellent form against the top clubs but poor form against the bottom of the league 'scrappers', it seems in recent seasons this has reversed, but I cannot see a better time to capitalise upon this than against top sides this season, especially given that in recent years the issue has been a shockingly bad midfield spine, something which looks more solid than in recent memory certainly.
