Post match positivity (Arsenal H)

[ROBBO]

They retained the ball better than us, we were a little sloppy at times. Not sure what position JM is playing, been taken off twice now. Overaul we looked a very good side, the game could have gone either way, still not a believer that Duran can lead the line for a full game.

[kippaxvilla2]

Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?

[pelty]

Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?

Not really.

[Demitri_C]

The defence already looks like it will be our Achilles heel again this season.

With respect that's bollocks mate. The ball broke kindly for Trossard not bad defending and Emi definitely should save the second.

I concur , how anyone can arrive at that conclusion after 2 tough games beggars belief.

We have some easier? Fixtures ahead so let's see if the goals A column improves. My point was really we concede too many over 38 games last season and we have continued in that same vein. The 2 goals were soft today .

We have conceded 5 fewer in 2 games so far than in last 2 games of last season with comparable oppositon. That's a 60% improvement 

Points wise we are 1 point worse last season though. We drew at west ham and beat arsenal so had 4 points compared to 3 that we have now 🙂

[TelfordVilla]

If Watkins scores either of those sitters we would be talking about Villa having 6 points from two testing fixtures. Keep the faith people. Another top4 season is underway.

[john2710]

We more than matched them but didn't take our chances. Watkins should have put away the first one & the keeper makes an outrageous save for the second.

Duran is still a bull in a china shop & is never a backup to Watkins.

Special mention to the Arsenal fans who were totally silent for 70 minutes.

[RamboandBruno]

Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?

No, think he did ok yesterday, especially in that 20 min 2nd half period. We were arguably poorer when he went off. There won’t be many of the midfield and forward line that will play the full 90 every week this season.

[ozzjim]

Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?

Said to my lad during the game yesterday that by the end of the season McGinn will be a rotation option not a starter. Sad, but where Emery wants this side he won't keep up. I reckon this season will be his last with us before he takes the move to Celtic. Heartbreaking, but father time will catch up with him before most in my opinion.

We need to sharpen our end product. For all the ball they had, we frustrated them and then found holes and should have been very comfortable by the time they got a lucky break and scored. Ref was kind to Partey, Saliba and Saka all night.

We have a terrific chance of top 6, but need a defender through the door at a minimum this week. I also think last night is the type of game Diaby popped up with a goal, which is something we missed for me, more than we missed Doug.

[RamboandBruno]

We were nowhere near our peak performances of last season.
Too many players not at the right level.
Watkins was awful, Bailey reverted to the player of 2 seasons ago.
Good teams do not give up the ball as easily as we did.
Nothing positive about losing at Villa Park.

I thought Bailey had a good game.
Im without exception always deflated when we lose, but my 14 year old essentially said, its Arsenal, along with Man City, the best side in the league and we battered them for a large part of the game, we can’t be too disappointed.
Ollies miss in the first was unreal and an awful miss, but it would of been against the run of play. However, the one in the second half came towards that spell when we were totally dominating them, I think if he scores, we arguably win by a couple of goals.
Anyway, the team is taking shape and if we play like we did for large parts of the game, we’ll have the beating of most teams.

[Demitri_C]

Yeah i think mcginns is in most danger of losing his spot in next 12 months. I love him but he doesnt score enough goals like he use to.

Think bailey worked hard yesterday i was worried he was going to pick up a injury after he went down.

Im suprised unai opted for barkley ahead of buendia yesterday

[Risso]

Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?

He’s been very ordinary the first two games.

[Dante Lavelli]

Not sure what position JM is playing, been taken off twice now.

I suspect 80% of that is a keenness to get Ramsey on the pitch.  Other games it might be Rogers coming off but he’d playing too well.  It’s not entirely a reflection of SJM’s performances.

[danno]

I don't think McGinn played there last season. Ramsey Zaniolo and Rogers all played on that side. It does feel like he's a placeholder until Ramsey claims that position back.

[Steve67]

When the fixtures came out, conceivably we could have lost to both West Ham and Arsenal, so we are three points up. As for John McGinn, Captain or not no one should be guaranteed the place.

[Dante Lavelli]

Anyone think we now need to upgrade SJM?

Said to my lad during the game yesterday that by the end of the season McGinn will be a rotation option not a starter. Sad, but where Emery wants this side he won't keep up. I reckon this season will be his last with us before he takes the move to Celtic. Heartbreaking, but father time will catch up with him before most in my opinion.

I hear where you’re coming from but I don’t think Celtic could offer the cash needed to justify losing SJM the player and more so the character.