[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

exactly why should you be in the premier league? Ask barnsley.

[chrysostom]

i don't follow. please explain why arsenal don't deserve to be in the premier league?

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

Go and learn the history of your club.

[chrysostom]

oh i see, you're pertaining to a minor detail from the past, in order to exaggerate your point - without actually having the confidence to evidence your main argument.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

A minor detail? Yes corruption is such a terribly minor thing. You should never have been promoted that's quite a big deal imagine if it happened now.

[chrysostom]

yes, couldn't possibly imagine there being any corruption in the modern day game.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

Do you have an example of a team that got promoted through illegitimate means?

[chrysostom]

if you're being pedantic, then west ham were kept in the premier league through illegitimate means, leeds utd. were overly persecuted preventing them from being promoted, there are many small incidents throughout the period of a season which could amount to 'cheating' and which could be construed as either getting promoted or leading to other clubs being relegated. then there's the open tapping up which goes on in football, and the tottenham/arnesen scandal, in which spurs openly accepted an £8m bribe from chelsea to avoid them being reported for (for want of a better word) poaching a member of staff by illegitimate and illegal means.

however, if you're going by facts - arsenal were promoted because of their history and service to football after a turbulent time for the country and the world - where english football was in a period of reform, following the first world war. feel free to speculate all you want, but it doesn't hold a very strong foundation for an argument : and this was during a time where the full extent of any 'corruption' regarding ANY club isn't fully known.

[Johnny 1989]

Oh your going on about something that happened that far back, bloody hell so basically your saying that if we didn't go up that year we would have never made the Premier League 70+ years on, yes very good

Apparently this happened, however note the bit bolded:

It has been alleged that Arsenal's promotion, on historical grounds rather than merit, was thanks to underhand actions by Norris, who was chairman of the club at the time; see History of Arsenal F.C. (1886–1966) for more details. These allegations range from political machinations to outright bribery; no firm proof of any wrongdoing has ever been found.

Even if there was, they've been in the League ever since 1919, so they probably would have been up in a year or two anyway

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

That will be a no then. It appears arsenal fans have trouble being objective about their club. If you read my comments I barely criticised your club yet you have lunged in like a fabregas tackle.

[Johnny 1989]

That will be a no then. It appears arsenal fans have trouble being objective about their club. If you read my comments I barely criticised your club yet you have lunged in like a fabregas tackle.

But there was never any firm proof anyway, as for saying about Fabregas' tackling, yes because yet again he's the only one who tackles like that, there are far worse than him in the league.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

He was the first player that came into my head to be honest. I could just have easily said Perry Groves.

[Johnny 1989]

He was the first player that came into my head to be honest. I could just have easily said Perry Groves.

Again all teams have what can be considered "bad tacklers", what team do you support out of interest?

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

I support the mighty Barcelona. What with being born there and still being part of their management team me and Pep have a wail of a time.

[Johnny 1989]

I support the mighty Barcelona. What with being born there and still being part of their management team me and Pep have a wail of a time.

Now you're just taking the piss

[Yudster]

He was the first player that came into my head to be honest. I could just have easily said Perry Groves.

Perry!!!!!!!!!!!!! He was awesome when he was at Colchester, before he went to Arsenal and - well, took the piss I think really. The man is mental.

[DevilsDuck]

Arsenal are not going to be serious contenders this year, they dont have the squad to compete........again!

[Yudster]

The Carling Cup has been a bit bonkers this year so far hasn't it?

[biggspuds]

Arsenal are not going to be serious contenders this year, they dont have the squad to compete........again!

arsenal are always a threat

[DevilsDuck]

only too themselves!

[Bonanzoid]

Arsenal are not going to be serious contenders this year, they dont have the squad to compete........again!

arsenal are always a threat

So much so they were beaten at home by West Brom. Beautiful!

[Yudster]

We had a nice win at home, but we still managed to concede an unneccessary goal. The next couple of weeks could be good for us though, we seem to be hitting some kind of form, and the top of the table is tight.

[Bonanzoid]

It's going to be a tough season supporting St. Johnstone and Liverpool, but loyal I shall remain! Even if Liverpool are a total joke right now...

[Yudster]

I always start every season full of hope and apparently well founded confidence that we'll do well - it usually lasts until about March, which is when we stop challenging the automatic promotion places and slip un-noticed out of the play off places.......The Chairman and Director assure me its not true, but I sometimes think there's a policy at the club to NOT get into the Championship.

[DevilsDuck]

Well as a Man Utd and Plymouth Argyle fan, I am not having the best of seasons.

Man Utd are doing ok, but haven't exactly shown the true Man Utd, whats the point in beating LiverPOOl if you are going to draw with Bolton and Everton.

Plymouth having just been relegated from the championship and having appointed Peter Reid as manager has me full of hope, but they are lacking conviction. They seem to beat the better teams and then flop at the lower teams.

Grrrr