alexf

Maybe pushed himself too hard perhaps if he's got a tight hamstring. Hopefully it's nothing because physically this is the best he's been for some time and it's no coincidence he's hitting his best form. There's never been a doubt about his talent it's just his fitness record that's held him back since he got here. It's why the eternal pessimist in me is just trying to enjoy this run while it lasts because he's broken down so many times in the past I always half expect it. But if we can manage his fitness till the end of the season he's on for a hell of a campaign. He and Tonali actually give me a glimmer of hope we could turn over Liverpool if we reach the final. Without him, unfortunately we have to expect our form will drop off again.

So impressed that he's performed at this level so quickly. I was one of those that thought he'd be phased back gradually and would have some really ropey performances initially but would be understandable. But he literally stepped in from the cold on a less familiar RCB role and bar a slight lack of sharpness on the Solanke goal, has really slotted in superbly. Some fantastic blocks and headers tonight. Great attacking header also to knock on for the first goal. Love having him back and hopefully now he and Burn can rotate together and keep eachother fresh and fit for the remainder of the season. Also, shows how fantastic Burn has been that I don't feel it necessary to drop him out automatically. Do think Schar comes back in when fit to RCB though, he's too good on the ball not to slot straight back in on the right side.

Also an issue would be if you breach heavily and say only got 4 points. The likelyhood is then you would obviously keep breaching again and again until you sold a high value player to make up the deficit. So then you would get regular points deductions. And as others have said, the punishments are so unclear, who knows if each additional points deduction doesn't get more and more severe each time. It's all fucked really and I guess it could be argued we are doing it the right way in terms of trying to keep hold of our best players and build slowly. Rather than sell a top star and try to rebuild quicker. But for this method to be more effective, we have to try and flog the dead wood or surplus high earners better than we have and replace with cheaper and younger talent. Easier said than done. Also need more sponsors.

He's playing even better than I ever thought he would. There were a few glimpses of his ability pre ban (villa debut obviously) and post ban, but since that Chelsea cup game where he started in place of Bruno, he's gone up levels. As much as I love Bruno he's quickly overtaken I think in terms of importance now and maybe only Isak I would put above him as irreplaceable. Not that I want to lose Bruno, but I think Sandro is the heartbeat of this team now and like Rodri for Man city, will prove as integral to our form. He was such a warrior out there tonight, in top of all that running he has done recently for the team, Willock I noticed wasnt quite sure of himself off the ball, but when I watched Sandro, he just knew exactly where to be at all times. Thought he was gonna smash that early chance into the net like the Brentford game but maybe rushed it.

We're a couple of players away from being serious challengers now. New RW still feels like the main missing ingredient despite Murphy playing so well recently. A new keeper. Pope feels like he's on the decline and more prone to injuries, plus we have seen what a difference even a basic level of passing ability can help since Dubs stepped in. I think a longterm replacement for Big Joe would take us up a level also. Plus we need the long-term Schar replacement and a backup striker to Isak. Not sure where we are gonna find such diamonds in the rough but we can dream of hopefully one day getting the missing pieces. Isak and Tonali are bonafide elite superstars and as long as can keep them and build around them we are set. Bruno I'd argue is one step down, but purely down to his less gifted athleticism. He's just as talented in other areas.

Wright saying Arsenal were "bare bones" tonight . Who were they missing Saka? So 1 first team player? Also complaining about the little shove by Isak to make space which literally happens all the time. Not to mention every single set piece they have. There is something weird about Arsenal fans. I never hear any of their former players like Keown, Wright etc ever give credit to the opponents. Always claiming some sort of mass conspiracy against them. Still going on about that VAR goal last season even though most of the rest of the world agreed it was a goal. Teams lose sometimes, get over it, don't need to see absolutely everything with such rose tinted glasses. Used to like them under Wenger, but since Arteta came in, they quickly became very unlikeable. Their fans have been unlikeable for longer than that to be fair.

Not to focus on even a hint of negativity after a night like this but........in the post match, Eddie said he knows nothing about Dubs leaving and would need to speak to Paul. But then he is asked is there any chance he could stay and be offered a new contract and then says "that would be my wish". God I hope this isn't another power struggle and potential distraction/derailment of the current on field success. Something as simple as having to throw in Vlachadimos or whatever his name is now, when our defence is nice and settled currently or god forbid if we get to the final again and Pope isn't available for whatever reason. Not to mention the long term effects of another Howe vs Mitchell public fall out. The problem is, cashing in on this older squad players is exactly what we have needed to do for ages so in theory Mitchell is right to flog Dubs now if we get anything decent for him as a fee. So I hope Eddie doesn't kick up too much of a fuss, but you have to think a replacement for him is essential to avoid disruption on the pitch.

Have to say, other than those set pieces and that one momentary lapse when Botman pressed a bit too high and Martinelli got in behind, I thought we were solid as fuck at the back. Their best chance came from a fluke deflection for the Havertz chance. Without Saka and when Odegaard is contained they have very little creativity at the moment. Worried when we went 5-5-0 with time left we were inviting unnecessary pressure, but Eddie got it right, they had nothing outside of set pieces and even then I started to doubt anything was getting past Botman and Burn and others putting their bodies in the way. Mention for Dubravka aswell. Been a really good stint and will be sad actually if he does depart as this is the best spell he's had since when he originally signed. Although big shout to the defence for protecting him so well these past 7 games.

You'd think that info would be easy to google but I couldn't find it anywhere thanks for clarifying. Just don't want any of the lads holding back and worrying about missing a final when we still need to perform in the 2nd leg.

is this confirmed? Seems so dumb just like the rules in the previous rounds. Why would football "authorities" not want the best players to be available in finals.

Played like he wanted to show them how good he really is tonight. The way he burned Saliba was a take notice moment. Just played the number 9 role fantastically.

Surely you don't miss the final if booked again in 2nd leg? Pretty sure its only red cards isn't it?

Colossus. Absolutely everywhere. Such a massive player for us now. Was watching his off the ball positioning and also Willock and it was night and day. His reading of the game, protecting and blocking passing channels is sensational.

Big Joe needs to be careful on the booking now aswell. They will be trying every trick to get him sent off.

Yep spotted it straight away on the replay. But you know they will and have been getting away with that. Same with things like Trossard. He knows he can pull Alex down outside the penalty area and get let off if ref doesn't see it.

Willock off the ball and on it has been poor. Doesn't look like he knows who or where to mark. But i still think having that possible counter threat with him still outweighs Longstaff maybe. As shown by that almost ball to him from Isak. Isak has been very good. Botman and Burn, Hall also. Not seen much of Murphy and Gordon but they are doing a shift helping their full backs. The little fouls every corner from Arsenal are annoying. You know they won't get reviewed on VAR if they score one.

I have a sinking feeling that despite all the constant Arsenal talk, I think quietly it will be Liverpool that eventually come calling for Isak. They have the funds available to do so aswell.

They have already won the league, if they haven't then it will only be Arsenal that might catch them and not sure which is worse so I'm here for another Man U embarrassment.

That's what others are saying about Isak being valued £150m+ He's worth what he's worth to them and I think if I was them and clubs came calling in January when it's hard to replace and he's their best most important player I would be demanding atleast that aswell.

Like Guehi, the time to sign Mbuemo isn't now. His stock feels really high right now and he's in great form. The summer would have been more realistic. Regards Dibling, I remember being impressed by him early in the season, but now that we have been linked I feel like everytime I've seen him he's been poor and his shooting in particular feels very erratic.

It's a conscious distraction strategy. Like Arteta and Arsenal's "Disssssgrace" nonsense last season. Making out like the goal cost them 3 points, distracting from the fact they had barely registered a shot on target if memory serves.

Yeah I dunno if it was body positioning or what but he would get ran past by wingers so easily last season at times. But the improvement this year is remarkable. I don't really worry about him defensively now especially ever since that Arsenal game. If he had a tiny bit more pace he would be unplayable going forward. Couple of times recently his overlaps have just been ever so slightly out of his reach to cause real damage. But he's still a real threat on attacks.

I think they are likely to spend in January and I dunno, just expect them to go on a run at some point. But yeah I suppose there always a chance there patchy form wil continue.

Yeah said it in the other thread. But if we get through the "easier fixtures" then I think we're on for a serious finish to the season. But agreed, these games won't be easy by any stretch. The expectation to win, coupled with fatigue and other factors means they aren't sure things. But congrats to our great manager for putting us in a great position to potentially kick on.

I hope everyone keeps their heads once we inevitably drop points again. Things like 7 game winning run records are "records" for a reason. It's hard to do in this league and as we have shown many times this season he games against the "lesser teams" have caught us out before. Wolves for example have had a new manager bounce, will have Cunha back after a suspension(rest) and we might have exerted ourselves with a tough away game at arsenal plus most of the same 11 having played almost all games over Dec/Jan. So hopefully the home crowd will roar us home in the upcoming tricky fixtures and not turn up expectant. We are also a Isak/Tonali injury away from being severely weakened. So I'm determined to enjoy the good because things can turn quickly. Hopefully we ride our luck and have a great 2nd half of the season.