So far I think we are performing as expected in a transitional period. With Welbeck, Monreal and Ramsey all running down their contracts and unlikely to be with us next year I expect this will become more Emerys team next season.

I don't think Fellaini can either, and Dier looks well dodgy to me, even at defensive midfield. The Tottenham fans I know don't think he's half as good as his reputation suggests, either. If I had the choice of having one of Dier, Fellaini or Xhaka at Arsenal, I'd choose Xhaka who I'd agree was arguably our best player.

Sokratis does look a decent player I think. Something slightly Keownish about him.

I agree with what you sayabout Ramsey and Welbeck. Maybe some kind of cheaper Sanchez Mkhitaryian swap in January for one or either can be sorted out. But whether it can or they go on Bosmans I'll be surprised if they're still Arsenal players next season.

When does Koscielny's contract end? Because he's 33 and injury prone. Hence I can see Emery being ruthless if it's next summer and not advising him being offered another. Of the three I think Monreal is the most likely to stay.

Did anyone see the post-match interview with Özil on MOTD? He said how happy he is at Arsenal, 'especially with the new coach'. Lineker described it as a 'pointed' remark.

Looks like a really good defender to me. The problem is that he's another number two, just like Mustafi and Koscielny (although he's way better than Mustafi and probably Koscielny too at this point). All of them would benefit from having a leader at the back, it's not a coincidence Koscielny had his best seasons playing with Mertesacker. That needs to be our next big transfer target. Just look at how van Dijk has improved Liverpools back four.

I was actually expecting us to possibly being 7th or 8th given the circumstances.

Based on what I’ve just watched I reckon that Jack is going to struggle to regain his place at West Ham. Excellent performance all round there.

Agree that Emery should be given time, but these are ridiculously low expectations. There's no excuse for allowing any of the clubs that finished below us last season to jump ahead just because we have a new manager.

This getting worse to get better concept is weird. Makes no sense in a football context. Also, I don't know why American keeps going on about people not giving Emery time. Nobody has been in any way unreasonable in their assessments on this forum. We haven't put in a good performance yet but everyone is prepared to give it time.

To be honest pretty much all our players have said something similar. I thought Cazorlas comments were the most telling when he spoke about Emery calling him

"It’s normal to speak to someone who has been inside for their view. I told him what I thought: the things that he had to change and the things he had to reinforce.

"I can’t say [what they were]. That’s a secret.

“But I was clear, direct: I said that it was an incredible club, that had everything it needed to win, but that there were things that had to change.

“I said it would be hard to change some of them.

"Arsene was there for 23 years and changing 23 years overnight … it needs time.

The players knew Wenger was hopeless

Home Europa game next. I’d shuffle the pack and go with something like this.
Leno
Lichtsteiner Sokratis holding Monreal
Torreira Xhaka
Mkhitaryan iwobi Welbeck
Lacazette or Aubameyang

Kolasinac and AMN should get regular minutes in this comp when they’re fit.

Home Europa game next. I’d shuffle the pack and go with something like this.
Leno
Lichtsteiner Sokratis holding Monreal
Torreira Xhaka
Mkhitaryan iwobi Welbeck
Lacazette or Aubameyang

Kolasinac and AMN should get regular minutes in this comp when they’re fit.

Did anyone see the post-match interview with Özil on MOTD? He said how happy he is at Arsenal, 'especially under the new coach'. Lineker described it as a 'pointed' remark.

You have to remember that American doesn't actually read large chunks of the forum Dec. What you say is my experience too, I've seen virtually no impatience with Emery anywhere, no unreasonable expectations either.

Is it too early to suggest arsenal, spurs and Man U are fighting it out for 4th place?

AG, this is for your benefit,

Is it too early to suggest arsenal, spurs and Man U are fighting it out for 4th place?

.
Another win .. rubbish first half but improved in the second ... be patient ....

Once the team understands what the f*** Emery is on about we will see plenty of improvement .

I've just listened to his after match summation and it's like he is speaking English with a mouth full of ball bearings .

I don't think Chelsea are guaranteed a top three place either, despite their strong start. Can see them and the three you mention fighting it out for third and fourth.

That's quite optimistic. I doubt that Spurs or United poor form will last. As for Chelsea, I wouldn't be surprised if they challenged for the title this season. So Id say its a very tough top five to crack this season. Anything better that sixth would be a very good season for Arsenal I think. 4th would be exceeding expectations considerably.

Is it too early to suggest arsenal, spurs and Man U are fighting it out for 4th place?

I think we're more competitive than you presumably do. I think we'll be in the mix for a top four place. I'm not saying we'll get it, but if we do I don't think it "would be exceeding expectations considerably."

I'm just saying its a tough top four to crack this season. Either we have to be really good or we need two of those ahead of us to have poor seasons. 75 points, which would be a big improvement, might still get us 6th. I can't see another season where 71 got us second place like that one we finished second to Leicester.

I also think for us to challenge for a Champs league spot we will need to see a 'big' player or two having a standout season. Someone like Aubameyang, Xhaka, or Özil needs to emerge as a leader/inspirational figure.

It will be interesting to see the changes we manage to make this season.
My prediction is that our home form against teams 7-20 will be as strong as last year
Our away form v teams 7-20 will improve a lot
Our total points Home and away v the big 6 will be much the same.

I 12or so point improvement on last years total

So Gazidis ousted Wenger just to leave himself? Or is he planning to hire Wenger to be Milan's manager?

Spurs 1-0 up away to Inter and looking like a very good result.....85 mins gone.

Now full time and Inter scored twice in the final 5 minutes to beat them 2-1.

Quite happy for Spurs to be kicked when they're down. With so many players in the later stages of the world cup, no new faces and a few players woefully out of form this could hopefully be a long season for Spurs