28 Nov 2021 12:22:00
Terrible first half - always looking to pass backwards and fullbacks not overlapping. No triangles and no bottle. Newcastle came to spoil the game with the goalie taking 6 minutes to take every kick. We upped the tempo once and immediately caused them problems drawing the first yellow of the game. No movement up front, Ode getting lost in midfield and no one trying to up the tempo.

We really needed a goal and how PEA missed and a great save from a free kick could have been the difference in the first half but also, what a save from Ramsdale.

Second half started off better and the goal came from the lively and often fouled Saka. Lovely finish and we really needed it. This forced Newcastle to open up a little. Then the biggest 90 seconds of the game. A potential penalty and red card against us was (ignored) and waived on for Martinelli to exquisitely volley into the bottom corner and put us two up.

What a finish and what a key 90 seconds or so. After that, it was BAU.
Well played boys in the second half. We were lucky, let's be honest but to stick with Tavares was a good shout from the boss but he can't drop him now. Lokonga had a solid game and Ramsdale showed nice composure although he should have come off his line quicker for one Newcastle attack but overall - great save, composure, aerial presence and distribution.

Better teams will expose us and another day the score could have been very different but still plenty positives especially the goals.
COYG.

{Ed014's Note - Arteta’s insistence with playing Aubamayang and keeping him as captain is not helping us.

We need Gabriel or Tierney to take over that mantle.

We need to consider options up front of Saka, Martinelli and Pepe.

Midfield of Lokonga, ESR and Partey.

Auba needs to up his game considerably, we can’t afford passengers and 15 goals for is pathetic!

1.) 28 Nov 2021
28 Nov 2021 14:43:04
Goals against 17
Goals for 15

Pretty pathetic really at both ends of the pitch to be fair. A couple of performances swaying the goals against while the goals for are a real concern as you say. Think our understanding run like yesterdays result has an air of good fortune. I’m still waiting for a decent 90 minutes from our boys.

2.) 28 Nov 2021
28 Nov 2021 15:12:32
I think the only thing we need to consider for Pepe Ed is a one way ticket somewhere else. Was hoping we could get 20 mil or so for him but being honest we’re be lucky to get a children’s lollipop these days.

{Ed014's Note - ?? I only suggest it as Auba is so much more painful to watch!

3.) 28 Nov 2021
28 Nov 2021 16:53:34
Apart from a striker I think we need a left winger and a different DM Partey and Lokonga a little too similar.

4.) 28 Nov 2021
28 Nov 2021 17:35:31
We are only one of many teams in realistic contention for 4th place, but for us to be one of those teams is improvement on the last 2 seasons

United and Everton games will be bigger tests than those we've managed to pass so far other than possibly Leicester, but the fact we will watch these games with genuine interest rather than out of habit, is improvement on the past 2 seasons

In Tierney Saka ERS Martinelli and now Ramsdale we now have players who are doing it for real week in week out in the premier league with genuine reason to think even better is yet to come from them, but of course I do accept this does make them prime targets for alien abduction and who knows how a jolly good probing at the hands of little green men might effect their future development, it's a worry that's for sure.

There are genuine questions about our perceived improvement but at least now there are genuine questions apposed obvious statements of negative facts and surely that is improvement in its self?