Before we go to City in 4/5 games time all of the top 5 teams play another top 5 at least once. Given we stumbled at the start of the season we need to be winning all our games before city.
Everton and Watford away are games we will definitely lose unless we turn up with a proper performance. Some games at home we can still win without being 100% on our game, that certainly isn't the case with those two away.

3 games in 6 days with a long Euro trip in the middle is tough but we couldn't have asked for two kinder games to bookend the Europa game. Wenger 'should' be able to rotate his squad and win both games

It’s becoming more and more obvious that our midfield just doesn’t work in this formation. Elneny was running all over the place last night, often high up the pitch, leaving Xhaka as the sole presence in midfield. At times it looked like Xhaka had 50 yards of free space in all directions, no wonder we’re vulnerable to counter attacks. It was like a 90 minute instruction video on how to not get the best out of him.

I’d like to see us try a three man midfield. Xhaka is a real talent, I think he could be excellent as a sitting playmaker with two hard workers in front of him.

Three good points though, WBA are not a bad side. Lacazette is continuing to look good.

Nyom should have also had a second yellow card for sarcastically applauding the ref after we scored our pen and he got his first yellow in the process. The let off for what would have been Dawson's second yellow was scandalous as well. Pulls should have needed the game with 9 men and two important players banned for their next game

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41392586

F**k off Pulis you sore loser!

I think he should take legal advice about suing Pulis for defamation and the club should support him.

To be honest I've been really disappointed in Xhaka since he arrived, I was hoping for and expecting much more than he's delivered. He should be bossing games like last night, but it never happens.

To be honest bromley I think Xhaka has done pretty much as well as could have been expected of him, considering the way our midfield has been set up. As Hazuki said, last night resembled a 90 minute instruction video on how not to get the best out of him.

Our midfield.is definitely a weakness and has been since Cazorla got injured. I don't think Xhaka is good enough to warrant a pair of water-carriers though. He's hardly Andrea Pirlo. With our current squad that would be a midfield of Xhaka, Coq and Elneny. That doesn't exactly set the pulse racing.

Like Dec, I'm unconvinced that Xhaka is good enough to warrant a reorganisation of the midfield. He's clearly got his qualities, but I'd like to see him step up and take a game by the scruff of the neck. And if Elneny or whoever is out of position he should be shouting at them. That key central position needs a player with more character.

I'm not suggesting we should switch formation for the purpose of benefitting Xhaka, but midfield is currently our biggest issue so we need to do something. If we played a midfield three one of the three would definitely be Ramsey, by the way. Third player would preferably be someone better than Elneny or Coquelin (a fit Cazorla would be amazing) but one of them could do a job until we can strengthen. If it could stop us from leaking goals on every other counter attack it's worth a shot.

Xhaka and Ramsey, Jack filling in is imo the best option atm.

With Kolasinac as left wingback he can easily step into midfield if necessary.

Till we can find an outstanding DMF we should use Elneny and Coq as cover.

He shouldn't be wandering too far forward so has cover from 3 centre Halves and 2 wingbacks? Let Ramsey roam except at the beginning of the game whilst we are under sustained pressure. The wb's should never both be up front together so if they are disciplined then the forwards should just get on with it?

With 4 forwards on the pitch I cannot see why they can't be drilled into sticking to their jobs. Why can't AW instil this in them? Or am I wrong?

And Coq and Elneny are hardly Makélélés or Deschamps, let alone Vieiras or Cazorlas.

My view is that Ramsey and Wilshere are the most exciting midfielders we have. I wish we could find a way of accommodating them in front of a really accomplished DM.

Farewell Hugh Hefner. 91 yrs old. RIP

Overwhelmed by the way people are looking forward to the next euro game. I have no idea what players we are taking. So prediction 1-0 loss even although they are not very good.

Dream (or nightmare) scenario for the Europa final. Tottenham out in group stages, Europa league, NLD for the final.

how can one person spout so much gibberish on a regular basis...Are you a professional idiot?

Couldn't have put it better myself....................

Milan is probably the biggest name in the competition until the CL entrants. Surprised to see them in this. Haven't followed Serie A as i did years ago. How good are they? Assume (maybe incorrectly) they are the ones we need to be aware of the most (Marseille next perhaps).

I watched them against Lazio. They are sh**. Their defence is worse than ours.

I think there is one possibility you have missed out, which is that you are experiencing hallucinations.

What makes you think Spurs will go out in the group phases?

I'm guessing its to find a place for him in the squad for the match. Its a position that even though he may not have played it before (no idea if he has), a lot may not be asked from him in that position other than to sweep and be attentive for counters, etc.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... xture.html

Arsenal and Liverpool furious and left fearing travel chaos as TV bosses plan to switch fixture to Christmas Eve

An interesting line-up today. Good to see youth being played.

Walcott !!!!!!
Wilshere with a beautiful assist.

Theo !

useless team.....................

Walcott !

Theo x 2 !!

Holding gets his first Arsenal goal !!!!!!!

Holding - 1st goal.

Borisov not putting up much fight ..

and we concede

No card for that ?

Giroud is a Centurion now. Congratulations!

100 for Giroud. Maybe not the way he woulda wanted though ...

Our defending is poor. Holding is a liability.

Theo is greedy for his hattrick that he fails to see other players in better striking positions