If Arsenal don't like it up 'em...

[TRon]

Our rivals are Man City, Spurs, Villa, Everton and Blackburn. Lets sort out being as good as them first.

 

But that's my point. I never in a milion years expected us to outplay Arsenal with silky skill. I did expect us to send out a team which would stop them playing so fluently. Since this has always been Allardyce's ethos, it's the one thing I thought we would do well. And please, before anyone starts on about me getting after the manager, it's far too early days for anyone in their right mind to do that.

 

I haven't seen the game, but personally speaking if I was aiming to frustrate the opposition, I wouldn't play two forwards in midfield. If ever there was a game where it was justifiable to play both Butt and Geremi, this was the one. In the event neither played. 

[Martin Lol]

Our rivals are Man City, Spurs, Villa, Everton and Blackburn. Lets sort out being as good as them first.

 

But that's my point. I never in a milion years expected us to outplay Arsenal with silky skill. I did expect us to send out a team which would stop them playing so fluently. Since this has always been Allardyce's ethos, it's the one thing I thought we would do well. And please, before anyone starts on about me getting after the manager, it's far too early days for anyone in their right mind to do that.

 

I haven't seen the game, but personally speaking if I was aiming to frustrate the opposition, I wouldn't play two forwards in midfield. If ever there was a game where it was justifiable to play both Butt and Geremi, this was the one. In the event neither played. 

 

Far easier said than done though.  Newcastle found this season what Liverpool and Spurs learnt last season, this is a superbly talented bunch of youngsters (though it pains me to say it) which will only be improved when those currently out on loan return.  The Arsenal squad players, if they were allowed to play in their own right in the Premeiership, would comfortably achieve a top 6 finish.

 

Perhaps just as scary is the fact that having seen their current Academy team play this season, I would say it is a significant improvement on what they had there last season.