Its hard to say with Luiz - he's sometimes excellent, sometimes awful. Willian needs to stay out for sure though he just lacks the required energy. Wouldnt mind seeing Auba come on for Laca and us play more on the break second half.
So is Arteta’s job now safe? It would have been a massive mistake to sack him. Lampard’s Chelsea is so flaky.
Great result - much needed First 60 mins we were excellent - my only real issue is that when Arteta brought subs on we became ALOT more vulnerable. Pepe and Willock could not replicate the same eneergy we got from Smith Rowe and Martinelli. Saka is quickly becoming our best player. Absolute Beast.
Top performance!! Now that feels better than a good ****! Prediction 13 out of the next 15pts available pushing us back in to the top 8! COYG!!
Martinelli dictates the pace of the side. He can’t be dropped at this point for me. we will definitely sell him for a nice £60-70m profit one day.
Very good performance and it's no coincidence that we played with a lot more determination, spirit and enthusiasm with the likes of Saka, Martinelli, Smith-Rowe up top, who all led by example, and did a tremendous job in pressing, winning the ball in good positions, carrying the ball forward and combining play with an interchanging front line. Our defence was very good up until the final 10 minutes, where we decided to go gung-ho and try to score another. Mari's challenge was needless and stupid, but I thought he had a very good game otherwise. Thankfully, Leno saved our bacon there. Overall, a much deserved win and I'm glad we won't be ending the year without a league victory!
Much, much, much better Kids played with energy and enthusiasm, which is exactly what we've been lacking. Martinelli and Smith Rowe start for me against Brighton and West Brom
The next 3 games are very crucial, as we are playing teams in and around our position in the league. I would not play all 3 kids, probably Martinelli and Saka. It is dangerous to pile thr weight of expectations on the shoulders of these kids.
It would be dangerous not to. 1. You have to reward good perfomances. 2. They are the only players performing at the minute. Would be insaine to drop them. Willian etc.. have not performed all Season - only player I would be tempted to being in is Auba.
I get your logic, it makes sense. All I am saying is that the next 3 games is not just about energy and hunger (which these showed in abundance) it is about guile and experience as well - we would need that to get a positive result expecially away from home.
Guile and substance got us 2pts from 7odd games. **** 'em. Play the ones who are hungry. Just put Auba in there for Laca. I get the feeling if he gets to play with energetic, hungry youngsters who look up to him as captain he might get his mojo back.