Smal

I can't believe there's been a bust up, like. Doesn't seem like something that would happen between ASM and Howe. Probably illness/injury.

I really like having Burn at left back. The amount of times Arsenal tried to play the ball over the top of him to Saka last night but failed because Burn is so tall was great. Wish he was more of a threat at set plays like . But he is good at them defensively... Height can be really important in the PL.

If Miggy gets injured who do we play at right wing? If Bruno gets injured who do we play? Joelinton? etc. It's the same all over the pitch to be honest. An injury anywhere on the field would be fairly catastrophic. I just think improving the quality in the midfield and forward line is more important at this stage. Manquillo is sound enough defensively as a backup that is going to get minimal minutes because the player ahead of him is so good.

I can't see why Trippier can't play every game, like. It's not like we're in Europe playing twice every week.

We just need more quality. Need to stop thinking of it as having a strongest XI and signing options for the bench, or thinking we shouldn't sign quality players because they don't fit with our system too. We have one of the best tactical managers in the league - sign players who give him more tactical flexibility. Maddison would be ideal because gives us something we don't have and can play 3 or 4 different roles. Koné would be really good too because it would allow us to play a double pivot in some games. I don't think we need to spunk a load of money on a backup/prospect full back this window... leave that for the summer. Sign some first team options this window so we can keep the momentum going.

nobody looked like they could reliably make a 10 yard pass last night. It was quite frustrating because there were opportunities for the counter. Wilson wasn't holding it well either which was unusual.

This defence, man. Botman and Schar are unbelievable.

Don’t get those changes at all

I know we all know it by now like, but Joelinton’s work rate is insane

I think Joelinton would be able to cover their work by himself if he was deeper to start with, basically. I don’t think we’re likely to find out, mind. We have been sound defensively. We desperately need a dribbler in the team though imo.

Yeah, that’s bollocks. Merson says we’ve been really deep and a quick look says our average positions have been more or less the same as theirs. We’re just more compact.

Not necessarily. Shifting Joelinton into midfield instead of Willock might actually help defensively. If they started throwing White forward more then we’d be in trouble.

Need to try and win some more set pieces. They don’t look like they fancy it every time it goes in the mixer.

Get the ball down the left more pls

this is a game for ASM, like. We’re getting a tonne of one v one chances and not really doing much with them.

I think ASM was just on it to be honest. Walker had no choice but to back off him and they ended up brining Rodri/Stones/Bernardo over to help foul him. Totally unplayable that day. This is the same Stones/Walker combo that kept Mbappé almost completely anonymous at the World Cup.

Like... nobody does this to Man City.

He doesn't have to start every game, but Howe has to find a way to integrate him into the setup so that we're effective as a team when he does play. His performance against Man City this season, man. That's the level of talent he has. Can't waste that.

Southgate doesn’t need to leave. We were well in that game and the better side imo. We did take the game to them (as much as you realistically can against the world champions) and didn’t play a back 5 and retreat. Tactically we mastered Mbappé. I couldn’t really have asked for more from Southgate to be fair. We were really unlucky and most times out of 10 we win that game imo. Southgate has evolved this tournament. Promising signs. We aren’t getting anyone better either.

Really enjoyed watching Morocco this tournament. They obviously play quite a low block, but they're incredibly aggressive when the ball enters their lines. Their counters are great as well. Loads of great ball carriers playing out of their skins.

Pen all day that

Love how confident Big Jo is these days

The thing with Maddison is he would give us even more tactical flexibility, which Howe loves. He could play left or right, as an 8 or 10 depending on the situation, who's in form and who we're playing. It's daft to think of him coming in as a replacement for any one individual because that's just not how we work now. He'd be well worth £50m to us imo.

that penalty shout was so bent man

Never seen Wilson be so unselfish