Hi Bernard, Yes those are great qualities, it’s yet to be seen what he’ll become. Did you see the graphic above posted by Aubameyang in 2018? He literally finished behind Xhaka in that speed test. So I don’t think I’m overblowing that issue just to have a go at him. Bellerin has made a career out of his pace bailing him and us out defensively and making space for the overlap, now it’s gone a massive part of his game is too, hopefully he will recover some of that.

Whether you say Guendouzi doesn’t need that pace is another issue, but clearly he’s not quick.

No I didn’t see a graphic posted by Aubameyang showing he was slower than Xhaka. But if it’s true and it was reliable, why do people moan so much about Xhaka’s lack of pace, which they do? Just seeing them play I have little or no doubt that Xhaka cannot run as quickly as not only Aubameyang but Guendouzi as well. If he can, which would absolutely astonish me, then all the people who have moaned about Xhaka’s lack of pace can only be mistaken.

To be honest, I think OMOH raised a very good point as well, that had crossed my mind previously. Is huge pace as important for central midfielders as it arguably is in other positions? Petit wasn’t Usain Bolt in football boots, but would walk into my best ever Arsenal team. Fabregas wasn’t that quick either. Personally I suspect it’s more important in other positions. There have been countless players who have had fine careers not blessed with great pace, across many positions. Mertesacker and Giroud are obvious examples from the very recent past. Indeed, Giroud is still playing albeit not for Arsenal. It wasn’t long ago that Fabregas left Chelsea either.

I think I’ve already said Guendouzi is not quick. But I qualified that observation with my view that nor is he slow. I see him as having average pace. What I do firmly believe is that he has sufficient pace to have a great career in the game. Or if you prefer me putting it this way round. He isn’t slow enough to stop him from having a great career as a central midfielder. Whichever way round it’s put, it adds up to the same point. I still hope he has that career at Arsenal. But as I said before, I wouldn’t blame him or any other player for wanting to get away.

Yes, ideally it is advantageous if a midfielder has great pace but surely it is not the most important of attributes? We could draw up a list of top midfielders not noted for their speed who have graced the Premiership - e.g. Lampard, Fabregas, Alonso, Carrick - all guys with positional sense and awareness. Going back before the Premiership there were even more because every team had what we used to call "a ball player" - Gorgeous George,John Giles, Alan Hudson and Brady for instance. As I say, I am not so clued up on Guendouzi but he seems far from a deep sea diver in lead boots to me.

Luiz starts............................

1-0 down already, set piece

Phew!

Looked offside at the time. Fortunately VAR was up to the task.

VAR offside - amazing we've had a VAR call go for us! Still 0-0

Good grief we look horribly shaky at the back. Let’s hope that we can continue to ride our luck.

Listening on the radio. Danny Mills the co-com absolutely gutted we're not behind. The d*******.

I was listening too and couldn't work out who it was that hated us so much. Makes sense that it is him. He used to get thoroughly embarrassed by the likes of Henry and Pires game after game he's got a massive chip on his shoulder when it comes to Arsenal. I can almost imagine the rest of the commentary talking about soft Arsenal, getting in their faces, feigning injury, 'manning up' etc

I hope we score first even more now so I can listen to the disappointment in his voice.

Does the radio and the tv sync with sound?

If so does the radio have no simulated crowd noise?

Penalty.............................................

Here’s hoping. VAR once again.

You can see the agenda's commentators have. I've just been told Sheff utd are 'dominating the ball'.....I looked at the stats and they show 72% possession for Arsenal!

Mills now moaning that the body language of the Arsenal's centre backs ambling in to the box to attack the corner kick is awful. Blimey what a sad man

Crowd noise on my radio LTG. Don't know if it syncs up. Mills moaning at how soft the pen is
1-0
Shut up Mills.

VAR in our favour again. So the crowd boo. Except of course they don’t because they’re not there. This simulated noise is the most annoying aspect of the restart.

Nice one Pépé.

Pépé with the penalty 1-0

Now can we please please stop passing the ball back to the goalie when we're in an attacking position...............

hahaha Danny Mills is terrible. How can you employ someone so bias. He moaned and moaned about the penalty decision, which was reviewed by VAR and still given. He then shouted 'save it' before the pen was taken. And after it went it said sarcastically "is that Arsenal's first shot on target?"......a quick look at the stats shows sheff utd without a single shot on target in the first 25 minutes

Whoosh. Brilliant effort Pépé. Forces a good save.

Well you’ve persuaded me. I’m not going to listen to the radio.

More Mills madness. Arsenal players claim a backpass, main comm says it looked like a back pass, Mills "you don't lob the ball back to the GK at chest height intentionally - that isn't a back pass"
then lacazette is hacked down "that's a little bit of revenge for lacazette going down so easily for the penalty"
"no urgency from arsenal, they've got lucky so far"

Actually it's funny hearing the wazzock bleating on at every opportunity as long as we're ahead. If they equalise though he will become unbearable very quickly.

Danny Mills shouldn’t be allowed to commentate on our games since Thierry Henry owned his soul in that game v boro.

It's funny whilst we're winning.

Another good Arsenal attack described by the commentators, crossed in, punched clear, Tierney then shoots wide. Then there was a nice pause as we awaiting what Mills was going to say......"It's just a really poor cross, Arsenal have been woeful in those positions"

Hi LTG
On BT Sports, hit your red button and you get eventually two options - with or without effects, though they aren’t labelled.

Several minutes after the successful PK, the commentator noted that the official stats stated Arsenal had 0 shots on goal.
Are they only counting shots on goal from open play? What about free kicks?

Maitland Niles isn’t a natural right back but he’s been good In this game and I do wonder if having a player with that level of mobility is helping Pépé also who is having a good game.

1-0 to us at half time.
Talksport telling us Sheff utd have dominated the game.
Arsenal have had 66% of the ball, more shots, more shots on target, more corners and fewer fouls.

Also, people need to get the VAR reviewed goals right. They make out as though the decision 'went against' them as though it is unlucky. It isn't, it was the right decision and the exact reason why we bought in VAR. Then the moan turns against the linesman for not spotting it in the first place. The linesman is meant to keep his flag down if he isn't sure.

If people don't think there is an conscious agenda against Arsenal in some parts of the media then you just need to turn on talksport.

Martinez getting some practice in.

You’re right!

Brilliant. Thanks so much for that.

And what about the Pépé effort that was saved?

VAR also getting some practice. 3 in our favour (correctly) now.

When it works properly VAR is excellent both for the game and the fans.

The problem when it happens is still nearly always a ref problem.

Fully agree with that.

Duh! A defensive mistake.

The ref is giving soft frees.

Raise your hand who knew they were gonna equalize.

Another lead thrown away

Yay!!!!

Ceballos!