Bruce will definitely say Emile Smith Rowe shouldn't even be on the pitch

Indeed. Always pisses me off when ex-players pronounce that only ex-players are qualified to comment with any authority on the game. Anyone can comment but only ex-players’ opinions count. Self-appointed expert. Self-important tosser.

Therein lies the difference

Amid all the discussion around Martinez leaving I think Leno was done a disservice by a lot of Arsenal fans. Yet again in a match he’s come up with a match saving contribution really late on after having nothing to do all game

Leno is definitely a great shot stopper. Although I rate Martinez highly too.

I’ve mentioned before but one of the things that I really like about Smith-Rowe is quite simply he gets goals and assists. It sounds simple but we’ve had a lot of players down the years who play in those front 4 attacking positions who don’t really have the knack of getting goals or assists. Smith-Rowe has got them from the moment he’s come in to the first team

Aubameyang 2-0. Lovely goal

Tierney brilliant, Aubameyang on target

It is close to 4am here, and I was dreading another half hour for penalty kicks. Thank goodness for the goal. Hang on Arsenal.

Tierney absolutely brilliant yet again. Lost count of the number of on a plate crosses he’s put in just this match. He’s getting better and better, a real attacking weapon for us now

Aubameyang !!!!!!!

Subs have all been brilliant (including Xhaka) but there’ve been some good performances tonight from the starters. Leno Mari Luis Tierney Elneny have all played very well.

Our future Captain

Yeah I do to, Martinez is a great gk. but the way some Arsenal fans talked about the decision to sell Martinez it was like he was miles better than Leno. It was the right decision, we had money on the table for Martinez rather than have that money sitting on the bench. That £20m allowed us to potentially get Partey. We’ve criticised Arsenal for not looking at the bigger and long term picture too often but this was a sensible decision. One where yes we’ve weakened our gk position but the overall strength of the squad improved because of it

Mari is going about his business very well. Quietly assured.

Xhaka definitely makes our midfield better. Based on what we have him and Partey is probably the best 2 man midfield we have

Fingers crossed we get Marine in the next round.

Do you think they’d work as a pair? I think they both want to do similar things, ie take the ball from the defence and distribute, just Partey does them better and offers better mobility and protection of the back four.

It is also worth mentioning that while Tierney gets the assist for Aubameyang’s goal, it was actually Xhaka who opened Newcastle up with his ball to Tierney. It was noticeable that we didn’t really improve when he had his ban after being sent off. We were in dreadful form beforehand and stayed in dreadful form when he was out.

At the moment, I agree with you Rich. Xhaka gets in our team because he makes the midfield better. He’s a million miles from my best ever Arsenal team. But he’s even further from my worst.

Apart from one dodgy ball out I felt Luiz had a fine game. He shows leadership and seems respected by the other players.

I was disappointed that Willock and Nelson didn’t really take their chance today.

It was a sublime pass by Xhaka.

He is a weird player. Great vision and super skills. If only he could cut out the nonsense bits like diving in with two feet.

If we’re playing teams where we are likely to have most of the ball and the opponents are going to sit deep then Xhaka has to play. In terms of technique, ball retention, passing he’s far better than any other central mid other than Partey.
I felt sorry for Willock and Nelson tonight, there was an opportunity and neither took it. It’s hard to see that either are good enough for us, I would also include Nketiah in that as well. If any of them are on long deals I’d be happy to see them on a year long loan to a prem team as a kind of final chance or a chance for us to put them in the shop window. If you were offered anything over £15m for any of them you’d take it

It wasn’t hard for Xhaka to look good when he’s coming on for willock.

Well he was shocking and I’m glad to know I’m not alone in thinking that


https://www.onlinegooner.com/articles/view/5561

Willian - 0 - Just as Arsenal manage to offload an ageing, disinterested, big-earner in Mesut Özil, they will be dismayed to find they have already been lumbered with another one in the form of Willian. The Brazilian the hopeless in every conceivable way before being taken off.

I’m comforted that you feel relieved by having your views supported by someone who’s presumably a moron. By the way, weren’t you delighted when we signed Willian?

To be fair I was pleased when we signed Willian. Even more so after his first game for us. Considerably less so now.

That’s a fair point and I’ve been disappointed by him. But to give him a score of 0 out of 10 is idiotic.

No I was on the fence on that one.

He was put in a decent shift at Chelsea. Now at Arsenal not so much. Three more years. The most exciting from from Willian was that trip to Dubai visit the steak seasoning chef, Salt Bae Or as he put it....to fulfill image contracts.

Now that Aubameyang has started scoring, please carry on. That goal should boost him back to his goal scoring heights. I am most certain he is more assured with the more driven players around him. Players like Tierney, Saka, Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe & Elneny. Even Xhaka is playing more forward passes, and looking for the long through balls. Add Partey to the party, and Aubameyang should get more service.

Willian is in retirement mode. His body language says so. We really should stop accepting free-gifts from the top clubs. These free transfers, albeit with high wages, only gives us semi-retirees.

Yes, I agree. He should have given him a minus 10

I felt the same. Nelson started the game fairly well. But fell away eventually. Willock don't seem to have a footballing brain. Cannot be relied upon to make the plays for us from midfield. Many months ago, I thought he was our next Vieira. Very sadly, I am so wrong (very sadly for him, not me. I really wanted him to succeed)

Lost his way and I suspect by trying to follow too closely Arteta's instructions. Could do with time on loan.

I think the most important thing about last night is just how serious the injury to Martinelli is. I recall reading an article some years ago talking about the impact of big injuries on a young players development, especially when the body is not yet fully developed. I think the conclusion was that one big injury as a kid can be overcome, even though it may leave an inherent weakness, but two or more is much more complicated and can seriously impact the players career.

I think we have seen the impact on Jack Wilshere of a catalogue of injuries at a young age, lets hope that Martinelli does not have another long term issue.

I thought Pablo Mari was excellent again last night. He's not the quickest but his anticipation and reading of the game seem very good, he's physically strong, dominant in the air and extremely composed on the ball. I don't think Gabriel gets back in the team just yet.

Shout out to Leno for a magnificent double save towards the end.

I also thought Luiz had a fine game.

Hi Bernard,

He did, yes, he was excellent both defensively and offensively.

Cant quite understand why AMN and Nketiah didn't get much of a look-in yesterday. You'd have thought that if AMN doen't start in a cup game like this then he might as well not be at the club. Arteta has bigged up Nketiah and suddenly in a game where he you would think he would start, he doesn't.

Despite the uptick in form I still remain unconvinced by Arteta's selections and in-game management.