Phew. Nearly a disaster there.

You don't think it just disintegrated by itself?

At one nil every time they cross the half way line I'm nervous.

Me too. It’s turning into a tough watch.

PSV 2 up now

I'm clock watching - no doubt you're doing the same. Seems like ages since we created so much as a half chance.

Yeah. The performance has dropped off quite a bit. We needed to get that second goal when we were dominant.

Too open on our right side. Tomiyasu is exposed to 2 attackers

At this stage I”m counting it down in 3 minute segments. Each segment that passes is a relief. Hanging on against Zurich wasn’t how I expected things to be. We have lost the momentum.

Phew. Result. Not pretty but job done.

Poor second half performance- but we got there, just. I need a lie down.

Job just about done. Top the group, avoid a tough 2 leg play off against a CL team. Those midweeks might be used to re-arrange the Everton or City games(?).
Goodbye to the annoying group stage of the Europa League.

3 more games to get through before the World Cup break.

That was bloody torture.
Horrible and nervy.
Really feared a sting in the tail and we would end up 2nd.
We were poor but job done

Relieved but disappointed with the way we allowed them to dominate the latter part of the game.

Just seen Group F. Quite remarkable. Each side has a record of W2 D2 L2. All dead level other than goal difference. I’ve never seen that before.

Same problem. The back up in midfield and attack is lacking and add little value. The first teamers are the ones who are winning the 2nd tier games like this

The road to the final will undoubtedly be tough. Too many good teams in the competition. However, with the start we've had to the season thus far, I couldn't fault any Gooner to think semis or finals...or even a possible win.

I saw an interview where they were asking Jesus about his not scoring and he said the right things but he's gotta be thinking "Am I cursed?"

...a lot old 'faces' came back for a visit it seems.

I continue to be underwhelmed by Vieira despite his excellent name. He seems peripheral and games pass him by.

It’s not all on him but I did have such high expectations.

Not for the first time. And not because Zurich were particularly good.

Nevertheless, we look in good shape for Chelsea. I was encouraged by El Nene's performance.

Anyone have any deep concern either Arteta or Jesus will go to Spain?

But we looked so good in the first half. I thought Eddie played well but our level did drop when Jesus went off. Vieira is one I can't quite make out.

I think he’s useful but lightweight but the type of player who might come good in the 2nd season.

We seem to have players who are not determined enough in possession. Some of Kieran’s Tierneys bloody mindedness is needed elsewhere. Lokonga is too passive and I’m becoming boring but Nketiah offers nothing.

We definitely need a signing in the final 3

Despite the sheer grind of tonight it is worth reflecting on just what a run this squad have put together so far this season with games coming so often. A heck of an effort.

And it is great to see that Man U will have an extra couple of games to fit in against a Champions League outcast.

Amazing isn’t it When do they find out who they play? The game isn’t til February I think I heard! Is that when this competition reconvenes??

So true.

Everyone else has dropped more points and put in their share of unconvincing performances too. The schedule has been ridiculous and our players have worked harder than anyone, hence their position at the top of every bloody league they're competing in.

The second string may not be so convincing lately but a little harsh to single them out as individuals on days and nights when the first teamers haven't shone either. We win as a team, we lose as a team. Mostly the former.

I generally agree with the sentiment

I guess the fear is I see an ending similar to last year where a burn out occurs and the 2nd lot come in and fall short. Im generally proud of this side the best we’ve seen since we left Highbury but I have a nagging feeling you will see an ending like last year

Yeah, I imagine most of us were pretty badly scarred by that and have the same fear of it happening again, especially with Spurs lingering like a bad smell. But we are a noticeably better side than last year, hopefully that will count for something when it matters. Wouldn't say no to a quality signing in January either.

Like everyone else I was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Bernard the forum legend and friend to many. Being relatively young, compared to me at least, his passing comes as a shock even though we had never met. It seems like he was posting on here just a few days ago...
Good to see so many old, or at least former posters logging in to pay their respects. RIP Bernard.

Hi everyone,
I haven’t posted on here for years now (I can’t even remember the username I was using then). But I have been lurking around on a regular basis to keep my fingers on the pulse of the Arsenal community, particularly during the transfer windows and during or after games.
But having just read the horrible news about Bernard I feel like I need to come back and join my tribute.
I met him a few times at the Emirates when I was still living in London and going to the games, we never struck long, deep or even meaningful conversations, but we seemed always pleased to meet each other and exchange greetings.
I haven’t been able to stop crying since I have learned the news, a couple of hours ago… He was such a figure on this website and even if I stopped contributing myself I always enjoyed reading his prose (even if not always agreeing with him).
RIP Bernard I miss you already…

Hi Xavier

Welcome back.

I believe your old Username was 'Xav T'

Rog

You’re quite right Rog, now I remember! I guess it doesn’t really matter, does it?

Next Monday, lunchtime

No not really but you can use the password recovery for it if you like and get it back again.

We are going to see what we are made of on Sunday. Right now, a draw would be a welcome result. As long as we don't lose.

Man U now have a problem to arrange their prem fixtures that were postponed. There is no spare midweek at all. The only way Man U can fit those games in is by themselves and their prem opponents getting knocked out of the domestic cups early as there are midweeks assigned for later rounds

I think the trouble with the second string is they don’t look good enough in these games but I think with a lot of them if you put them with 10 first 11 players they look a lot better.

It seems that the best quality of depth we have is in defence. I actually think Elneny is someone who won’t ever drop a stinker of a performance in the first 11. Clearly the attack needs some reinforcements

Hi AG, I got your PM and replied to it but unfortunately got a SQL error when I submitted it.
Yes we did meet in Barnett after that game, every time I read one of your posts brings me back to that evening, so I remember it very well (I miss those youth games almost as much as the first team ones, it was so much fun to try to discover the next best thing) even though I can’t remember who initiated that conversation and how we discovered we were both on this forum.
Leaving the UK for good, giving up my Season Ticket and the opportunity to go see the youth games are the only negatives in all the positives of that decision (triggered in no small part by the Brexit vote).
I have now 2 kids who have just recently entered their teens (15 and 14). We are in Vienna, Austria. I’m lucky that my company only works with English as I don’t speak a word of German and, even though I tried, that language stays thoroughly foreign to me.
How about you? Anything new going on with your life?

I think Tomiyasu was given 20 minutes tonight because he was in line to start v Chelsea. I've seen some people write that managers are doing this with the tight schedule as the 20 minutes Tomiyasu plays saves him from a lengthy warm down session and gets him home and in bed quicker! Unfortunately it resulted in an injury this time.

So do we go with Tierney or Zinchenko for Chelsea. Based on match sharpness it has to be Tierney but I think this is a game made for Zinchenko if he was fit.

If Potter is smart he'll play Gallagher and get him to sit on and harass Partey like he did for Palace last year when they beat us 3-0. To an extent if you stop Partey you go a long way to stopping us. Arteta needs to have a plan for this if that is what Chelsea do. Having Zinchenko in the team as an inverted LB means he steps in to do this progression job alongside Partey so we build out easier

The money difference between CL and Europa is huge.
https://twitter.com/SwissRamble/status/ ... mFafghdvcg