It wasn’t a good game by our standards, but we’ve had far worse games than this.

Newcastle were dangerous at times, but didn’t feel like they offered much. They had one perfect chance and nailed it.

They mostly sat back and defended which made it even harder for us to create anything.

And when we did create something, we were lacking some end product due to miss hit/under hit passes or shots that were wide. If one of those goes in the game state could completely swing.

Ødegaard is a big miss in helping us break down those types of defences. Having him back means we also have Trossard as an option off the bench to be impactful as a sub, as he’s shown us several times before. I also feel like we were missing a little something without Calafiori.

He seems to be our only player who will switch the ball which gives us another outlet.

It’s good to see some of fringe players back and/or getting minutes, but until Ødegaard is back and firing, we’re just applying bandaids as a short term fix and it was only going to work for so long. He’s a big miss

Huh… interesting. I don’t know how to feel about this, tbh.

Edu has fared far better than I first anticipated and recruitment with him at the helm has been mostly hits.

But, could be that we bring in someone else that takes us to a new level. Could also end up far worse xD

I haven’t yet. I usually take at least a day to kind of unpack and reset so I’m not reacting on pure emotion. Especially after a negative result like Newcastle.

I usually vote, but I haven’t yet.

I shall tomorrow, of that’s alright :)

I never got the feeling you were. I agree with your thoughts. I don’t have that big an issue with the way Arteta is slowly acclimating him into the team.

Yeah, I of course wanted to see more of him and I think he can play a role for us. But, it was difficult to see him as the answer to all our questions.

The answer is just to hope our luck shifts or chances just fall our way more often and our players remain fit and healthy long enough for us to hit our stride again.

I wonder if the intensity of the last two seasons, as well as the fixture list is finally taking its toll on the players.

It’s great to see him given more minutes and I don’t want it to stop. But, he is still incredibly young and he’s sitting in Ødegaard’s position, which is a physically intense and demanding role alone, let alone filling in for our best creative and attacking player.

It was never going to be an exact like for like, of course and he’s still learning. But, although Newcastle were dangerous at times, they mostly sat deep and behind the ball and absorbed pressure and hit on the counter. It looked like they were largely fine with taking a 1-0 win. They also congested the midfield, which made it harder to pass through.

So, it was going to be a tough ask for Nwaneri to help break down the defence, which I think Ødegaard helps us do. I also feel like we missed Calafiori’s ability to switch the ball across field. It looled like there was space down the right a nice lofted Calafiori pass would have helped for a nice break down the wing that was never used as an option.

Feels like we’ve had the wrong side of the green for most of this season so far.

This feels like something out of the Archer TV series.

My great grandfather’s name was Hilary. My nan wasn’t entirely impressed when I mention it was a girls name as a kid xD

Yes, I did xD

That was me :)

I don’t wish ill on the welfare of players, but maybe it gives us a chance in the title race.

I also half wondered if it was a result they were happy to lose so there’s one less competition for them to worry about.

Going to keep this brief because everything hurts.

Largely impressed with the performance as a whole. I don’t find anything wrong with giving minutes to players returning from injury or even to keep up match fitness, like Partey.

Decent balance all around to make sure we finished off the game.

Stirling was good in the 1st, was great in the 2nd and deserved a goal.

Yeah, I’m getting the same sort of feelings regarding the league as well.

But, still early days, I guess.

Definitely need to plan those, lol. I think when I got mine during COVID and I was WFH at the time, I had it late afternoon and when my symptoms kicked in, I told my boss and got off early.

Man City are 2-0 down against Spurs.

Spursy moment incoming? 🤔

Neither. We’ve had some questionable ex-Chelsea signings, but Jorginho and Havertz have been outstanding overall

I believe this is the reason as well.

It would be nice to see a bit more of him. But, sooner or later he will be knocking on the door of regular started if his performances remain this consistent.

It’s also entirely possible Arteta planned to bring him on for more minutes in another game, but circumstances forced him to make changes, like the Bournemouth game.

Yeah, I looked it up. Milutin Osmajic bit Blackburn defender Owen Beck.