Varadi

Really good today - thought he played an unfamiliar role very well.

Biggest difference for me is he looks like he gives a shit again - has the same weaknesses but can definitely still do a job for us if his head is in the game.

Still just standard Pardew procedure - generally starts well, doesn't have a fucking clue what to do when it starts to go wrong/everyone realises he's a cunt. Be patient.

So pleased to see most agreeing on here that it was a ridiculous, weak decision. Does Theo Walcott get sent off for that challenge? Not in a million years.

subs: Darlow, Taylor, Tiote, Obertan, De Jong, Perez, Cisse. Canny bench

Walcott, Ox, Sanchez, Ramsey and Cazorla is a pretty handy front 5 mind....

Caught onto the whole tuxedo thing: http://www.themag.co.uk/2015/08/this-is-quality-chancel-mbemba-and-florian-thauvin-arrive-in-style-for-arsenal-video/?

Nolan and Fat Sam reuniting at the mackems would give me real mixed feelings!

Short memory, it wouldn't even be the worst in the last few months - we had Ryan Taylor and Gouffran in there at the end of last season ffs.

Definitely grew into the game - loved the bit near the end where he took the piss, flicking it over the heads of 2 players then barging another couple out of the way, bit more like the Tiote of old.

Was there any word as to why he wasn't involved tonight?

A real character this lad - was trying to start a fight with the big Northampton centre half within a couple of minutes of coming on

Just got in, first match I've been to for a while. Impressed with Thauvin, looks real quality, him and Janmaat were a cut above down that flank. Centre backs both looked shaky, Tiote started poorly but got better as the night went on. Perez was canny, couple of lovely mazy runs, but he isn't really cut out to play up top on his own. De Jong had some nice touches but wasn't as involved as I would've liked. Aarons was poor on both flanks, didn't try take his man on at all and his touch was off all night. Gouffran ran about a lot.

if that game isn't the end of obertan i'm going to self immolate you can quote me You would think the difference in quality would be obvious now like

well I certainly didn't. what was your prediction out of interest? I had a 10er on us to win. Suddenly your disappointment with the defensive sub makes a lot more sense!

His type of game today, loads of blocks and clearing headers, did very well.

Think Tiote can be a decent asset if he gets properly fit and is used correctly.

Think Tiote, De Jong and Aarons will start this one, try build the squad's match fitness.

You really do love the ginger rosy cheeked sod don't you? As I said though, he had the opportunity to replace his attacking winger with another attacking winger with fresh legs but opted to bring on a 3rd central midfielder, and a defensive one at that. This at a time we needed a goal. I think fitness is still an issue after the shit preseason we had, Man Utd clearly had more legs than us in the last 15 minutes, was quite happy to see him shore up the midfield and protect the point.

Coupled with a baffling ability to fuck up the most promising quick breaks

Loved him bossing Rooney, looks a player this lad,

To be fair, Milan has two airports. One is Malpensa, which tends to handle inter continental flights and is a long way outside the city, but Linate, which handles European flights, is very close to the city centre. Don't forget Bergamo, that's a canny way outside the city as well.

Haven't they been losing money for years, with Short's cash injections the only reason they're still solvent? No surprise if he's just got sick of pumping money in each year and they're still shite.

Liked the look of him in the short time he had - pace, good touch and a decent leap on him.

First I've seen of us this preseason - definite change to a more short-passing game, looking to build from the back, and pressing higher up the pitch in decent numbers as well. Obertan probably our best player 1st half....