Cronky

He could do worse than watch Modric in action. He's not the greatest defensively, but he doesn't hang on to the ball too long, he reads situations very quickly, he works hard and consistently, and he uses his skill just as much to open opportunities for team-mates as to create something for himself. Ben Arfa still plays like an 18 year old who has just broken into the first team, trying to do too much on his own.

It was a worrying game from the point of view of his development with us, because we did look much better after he went off. Maybe the shape that Pardew used to accommodate him will only work with better players than the ones we were able to field last night. What Ben Arfa has to bear in mind is that when he's picked, we're sacrificing some defensive strength in order to use his attacking talents. If he wastes his opportunities by being selfish or making silly decisions, then he's no use to us.

I'm not even sure he's a defender, let alone a left back.

You couldn't say that anyone had a decent game, but somehow we pulled through. The second half reminded me a bit some of the defensive performances earlier in the season, where we didn't look comfortable, but didn't concede. I'm no fan of Lovenkrands, but I felt a bit more confident when he came on. Playing with two slow strikers is a killer to watch.

Got to say we're playing with a lot more purpose and energy. Right decision by Pardew.

It wasn't selfishness, it was poor play. He did beat his man and put himself in position to cross, but took a heavy touch. He had an easy chance to cross the ball with his left foot before that. Just because he did well to create that situation doesn't excuse him from messing it up. A player with that talent has a responsibility to his team-mates not to misuse it. I'm not suggesting that he gets subbed, because as others have said, we don't have many attacking options. But he's being a fool to his talent and he needs to realise that.

There was an unbelievable piece of selfishness by Ben Arfa. He had the chance to cross the ball from well inside the penalty area, but kept trying to beat his man time and again, like he was trying to walk it in. He wasted our best situation of the half. He wants a good kicking.

I don't know how we're ahead. Toothless in attack, not creating anything in midfield, and Blackburn are finding it very easy to build attacks.

I think the rule needs looking at, but their proposed solution looks a bit messy. Things need to be simplified. I'd just have a rule that any foul which denies a goal-scoring opportunity should be a penalty, whether it's inside or outside the box. The ref can decide whether it warrants a red or yellow in the same way that other fouls are judged.

Are people taking it as a fact that there was really a deal in the offing for Best? Just about everything which was reported about the deal was contradicted within the same hour. There was confusion over the detail, as there often is with these things ie loan or a permanent move, had Best spoken to Celtic etc But nobody's come out yet and said the whole thing was a load of rubbish. Odds are very much that there was something in it, especially with us bringing a new striker in.

Can't see why anyone should be surprised. Pardew has never rated Best as highly as most do on here, and Best has always been determined to stay and try and prove him wrong.

I agree. When he's with Tiote, that seems to happen more. With Guthrie, they tend to end up side by side.

Arsenal have been left behind financially by Man U, Chelsea and Man City. For that reason, they're struggling to land the top players and keep the ones that they've developed. As it is, Wenger has done well to keep them competitive. What they must hope is that the combination of Fergie retiring and financial fair play kicking in will bring those three within reach. They've had money in the bank to spend big for quite a while, Arsenal & Wenger have both said there is money to spend. It's the fact Wenger is unwilling to spend it which is the biggest issue. On turnover alone arsenal are the 4th richest club in the world. Generate more match-day income than any club in the world. I think the situation with Arsenal is a bit complicated because whilst their match-day income and other commercial spin-offs have been good, they've been boosted by the sales of property in the old Highbury, and that source is now drying up. They also have the stadium debt on the Emirates to think about. The big problem seems to be wages, which is at the root of their losing Nasri, Adebayor, Fabregas, Toure etc. Chelsea and Man City have artificially inflated that part of the market through using oil-money from outside. Only Man U can keep up, with their enormous income stream. Wenger has had to take a chance on bringing in younger players. The alternative is to pay big money to bring in established players who aren't much better than the ones he's developing himself. I'd say generally he's sound in not going down that route. Previously they were able to bring in the likes of Bergkamp, and keep the likes of Henry. That wouldn't be possible now.

Arsenal have been left behind financially by Man U, Chelsea and Man City. For that reason, they're struggling to land the top players and keep the ones that they've developed. As it is, Wenger has done well to keep them competitive. What they must hope is that the combination of Fergie retiring and financial fair play kicking in will bring those three within reach.

The containment tactics would have worked if we'd had any pace and movement up front. It's all very well having a slow, patient build-up but in the final third, things have to speed up. Shola is being singled out, but Best has the same problem. In the end, we lost because of a typical Simpson moment - caught in two minds, ended up doing nothing. He just doesn't take charge of situations. And has Santon ever been coached how to position himself as a full back? He had some real novice moments.

Re Liverpool's first goal - technically it was within the rules (just), but I wonder whether the rules need adjusting. It doesn't feel right for attackers to be deliberately obstructing the keeper while making the pretence that they are just positioning themselves to go for the ball. It's a long-standing problem and an impossible situation for refs to police properly. Maybe there should be a rule that until the corner is kicked, attacking players have to stay out of the goal area.

That would be funny.

In general, the quality of football that I've seen in the ACN hasn't been as good as I was expecting. A lot of the players don't look that bothered tbh.

On a related theme, when they show you footage of a goal (usually a few weeks later), and they decide to enhance your enjoyment by switching the camera position at various points, often to strange angles such as in the corner of the goal. Very disorientating, and done with the delusion that their artistic take on the goal is somehow more interesting than the goal itself.

I think the criticism of Wenger is ridiculous. He lost his two best players over the summer and has had a terrible time with injuries. On the other side, they're still in 5th place, and have managed to bring in a lad who I think is the best young English talent since Rooney.

Hated him as a player but as a pundit, he's not bad. I'm amazed to hear that opinion. It seems to me that he's only in the pundit's chair because someone decided he was a 'personality'. He's not very articulate, he usually talks in cliches, and when he tries to take an original take on something, he digs himself into a corner with a ridiculous opinion. And he's not funny either.

Robbie Savage. When he's not stating the obvious, he's talking rubbish.

I noticed in the Bolton game, Dalglish really losing it with the ref at one point. His face was contorted with rage. Either as player or manager, I can't recall seeing him in that state before - he's always looked calm. The heat is on.

It looked very sneaky and while I think it's 95% clear that it was deliberate, that 5% of doubt may be enough to get him off. Stamping on a player's head is kinda dangerous, and if found guilty he should get a lengthy ban.

All you have to do to top the greatest side the game has ever seen is to produce the greatest side the game has ever seen. What's the problem?