aimaad22

Hope you're right Fish because Im half afraid someone will try and make a cheeky bid for him this month considering he cant get into the first team.

Anyway, I really really hope we dont mess up in the cup again tomorrow. A good cup run is long over due.

I just dont go around starting threads! Every day isn't Christmas you know.

Aye, quality defender but its been obvious for a while now we need a longer term solution now. Time for Mbiwa to step up. Im half afraid Pardew will chuck in Taylor though.

Missed it. No regrets Seems we were shite. Lack of coherence in the final third again comes as no surprise. Hope we do better in the cup. Need to shuffle this lot, they've looked dead tired for a few games now.

Remy naturally floats around the left wing. Not a typical centre forward.

Been watching people like Hazard with a bit more attention on their individual play recently. You know, their are quite a few times he does the same thing too. Shoot when passing was the better option, or try to take on a player one too many and loose the ball. Isnt that what makes them extra special though, because every now and then they'll win you a game out of nothing in addition to creating space for others, giving defenders nightmares etc etc. Im sure Hazard gets an earful too when he's being frustrating. I think you've just go to accept that part of their game. Of course if it gets excessive something may need to be done and if thats Pardew's reason for dropping him then I dont blame him. Message should have struck home by now, just such a shame to have a talent like that wasted on the bench.

Pards has had a specific game plan against the big sides this season and more often than not it has worked. Im with those saying the tactics were spot on. We restricted a very potent team to long range shooting, they got a goal out of nowhere basically. Being in good form doesnt mean you can suddenly start thinking about ripping teams like Arsenal and Man City apart. Got to know your limits. Also got to take into account some of our players are tired, that much was obvious yesterday.

Valid point

Problem is who could possibly take him off our hands? Some tier 2 club in France hopefully?

Great picture!

No doubt but there's only so far you can push a player. Rather we rest him a bit than him picking up an injury.

Worth noting Arsenal had to move Cazorla to the centre in the first half to try and get some joy because our right back was having absolutely none of it Im aware Arsenal move about players as the game goes on but this was not one of those routine manoeuvres.

Aye thats what I was leading to. Over to you Joe!

Oh well at least I had Scezncy and Mertesacker in my fantasy team

In addition to looking a bit clueless in the final third. I love the guy but he does need a rest. Gouffran too, his overall contribution to the game his dwindled. Not unexpected considering the amount of games recently.

Is it just me or has Remy looked very uncomfortable in the centre in the last two games? You often see Debuchy and Sissoko in a crossing position but then pull it back because there's no one in the centre with Remy floating near the left flank.

Im not saying he shouldn't be criticised, it WAS a bad decision. But its stupid when people say thats the reason he's not in the first team. I mean, at least he was doing something up front, causing trouble. None of the others were able to do that throughout the game. I'd rather a player create 10 chances and make bad decisions in 5 of them as opposed to not create anything at all. In a game where we offered absolutely nothing going forward, slagging of someone who was despite his failings was at least offering a threat is just silly imo.

Arsenal treated us as they would say Chelsea or Man City in an away game. Screw the media, we've earned the respect of some good teams. Good to see we're showing some consistency as well, in performances, staying competitive even when not playing well. In the past we'd just implode. Mind there's still half a season to go!

Thought Debuchy was our best player again.

It was a silly decision from Ben Arfa but the way people suddenly jump on his back here is ridiculous. Sissoko and Gouffran were hopeless going forward the whole game, as was Remy. We didnt create a single proper chance until Arsenal suddenly decided to sit back. I shudder to think what would be said here if Ben Arfa had given away the stupid freekick that Tiote did. Anyway, I thought a draw would have been the fair result. Soft goal to conceded and the players will be gutted with that. I was surprised at how little Arsenal created, although neither did we apart from that little spell at the end of the first half. Both teams looked a bit tired. Disappointed but cant fault the players on lack of effort.

Fucking stupid Tiote. We're comfortable and a completely unnecessary free kick conceded.

Remy in the centre not working out so far.

Mutch!

The choice was always going to between Ben Arfa, Shola and Anita.