London Blue

Allot of Arsenal fans I know don't believe they will end up 4th, they think they will end up 5th behind Chelsea, Spurs, City and Utd. Some even want to finish 5th so Wenger wont be offered an extension and the board will invest some serious money.

I think he has to continue to play games and be involved for us, otherwise it will be bad for his confidence, and the more experience he gets the better he will get. Koeman just has to pick which games he starts and which games he will be a sub. There is some competition now so he cant rest on his laurels - which is a very good thing.

He deserves to win, he has been a revelation since starting for us.

He looks allot sharper, i think he has slimmed down, but I think the main reasons are playing in a better side with a better manager, which gives him more confidence. Also having more mobile players around him frees him up and takes the pressure off.

Liverpool and Arse have seen their championship challenges fall apart in recent weeks. With 6 teams fighting for 4 spaces the pressure is on. I think with UTD improving they will fall away and drop points. There is not that pressure on us, so if we keep winning our games and improving we can add to that pressure and hopefully bag a European place.

All the best to your dad Pad.

He is another quality option and I truly hope he is passed his injury problems. Love his one touch football and passing as well as his industry, players like him and Davies give Barkley the time and space to play. We have a quality midfield now, just need more options in defense and up front.

Quality touch and finish from him today.

To be fair he changed his mind over Rubles, McCarthy and has given the younger players a chance. I don't think he has told Jags he can go, just that he is not an automatic pick. I agree with Nessie, but he just wasn't a player Koeman wanted or rated. I don't think he should have said what he said in public and fair play to the lad for working hard moving to Hull and showing people his worth.

I can see why Arsenal wanted him to replace Wenger, Koeman is a winner pure and simple and as others have said he will make winners of us if we let him. Exciting times!!

Let it go man, move on will you please - anyway the first season we finished 5th and played some great football, seasons 2 and 3 were shit. But I agree we have got rid of fringe players, those that are here have bought into his methods and tactics and we are reaping the rewards now. Mori and Williams need learn not to relax and Lookman will be amazing when he gets some more experience at this level. Credit to Koeman for the change of tactics and the subs - very impressed with him.

Rom, with Ross and Robles just behind.

First half we were imperious, we played great football, fast probing passes, snapping into tackles and looking calm. Second half we just sat back. I think we should have replaced Barry for Davies after about 50 minutes. Changing to 3 at the back made the world of difference and we looked allot more solid. Rom was a beast, Lookman looks like a young Henry he just needs more games at this level. Morgan and McCarthy looked composed in midfield and Ross played one of his best games for us with assists, his pressing and tackling and a well deserved goal. I hope Koeman has a word with Williams and Mori as they both panicked for about 20 mintes after half time.

433 it looks like, with Barry sitting in front of the back 4 and McCarthy and Morgan ahead of him. Glad Lookman is starting, but would rather Gana was starting instead of Barry and Davies instead of McCarthy. In Koeman we trust. COYB!!

54th in terms of what? Chances Created? Pass accuracy? Key passes per game? The stats he should be judged on I would argue.

Look at the stats, he makes 2.3 key passes a game and has created 48 chances so far this season, has a pass completion rate of over 83 %, according to Squawka. What more do you want? By the Way Mata has only created 27 goal scoring chances.

I am trying so hard not to get excited till its announced we have bought the land, have planning permission and a start date.

Under Koeman we play with an attacking 3 of Lukaku, Mirallas, and Barkley which can also include the full backs over lapping. With 3 at the back it also allows the likes of Davies to get forward and contribute. In that way it is not one persons responsibility to be the link between midfield and attack, so that one person cannot be marked out of the game. Koeman likes Lukaku and Mirallas / Lookman to stay further forward to create that space for the wing-backs and midfielders. Tournament Apps Mins Assists KeyP AvgP PS% Crosses LongB ThrB Rating PL 19(2) 1660 4 2.3 41.3 82.5 0.8 2.5 - 7.01 Compare to Delli Alli Tournament Apps Mins Assists KeyP AvgP PS% Crosses LongB ThrB Rating PL 20(2) 1720 2 1.3 32.7 79.9 - 1.8 0.1 7.27 Ross has more assists, more key passes, more passes and a higher success rate.

To be fair to Mirallas the pitch and conditions at Stoke were awful, that and Stoke players trying to kick lumps out of us. I would start Lookman tho, and keep the 3/5/2 it has served us well, and we cant drop Holgate as it would harm his confidence. We can always change to a 433 if we need to: Robles Holgate Williams mori Coleman Baines Davies Schniederlin Lookman Barkley Lukaku

I did read all your posts, and what pissed me off is he fact is that the vast majority of your posts you don't comment on the game, you just slag off whichever player you have targeted, which in alot of cases is Barkley. I am a fan of his but I recognise he has his faults and has bad games. When he is getting his form and confidence back I would expect fans to cheer him and the team on. As others have said playing in his role he is going to attempt higher risk passes that won't always come off, but when they do they lead to chances. If you want to look at the stats you can see that recently he has created many chances and has a pretty high pass completion rate, I'm at work now but will find them for you later. I absolutely respect your right to your opinion, I would respect your opinion more if it wasn't so one dimensional. Also. Know a couple of people from Stoke and they are thoroughly charming.

It just feels like it.

Every match Barkley is playing you come on this site and post nothing but crap about him. Every miss-placed pass is a tragedy, every ball that does not come off is a disaster. He is not perfect, he makes mistakes, but you just twist every little thing against him. WTF is your problem with him. You know what I don't even care you are just too sad.

Very positive line up, as long as we start with intensity and aggression we should be fine. COYB

We are short up front and on the wing. Kone is not a winger no matter how many go faster stripes you put on him.

I think Davies will sit out Stoke due to their ehem "agricultural" play so Schneiderlin / Barkley / Barry or McCarthy. Then Davies / Barkley / Schneiderlin for Bournemouth as we are at home and can be a bit more attacking.