he did step up his intensity when the going got tough. hopefully he'll come to realise he's good enough to step up and lead this team all the time. still feels like he plays with a bit of deference rather than letting his nuts hang

Too safe with the ball at the moment, needs to start running with ball and disrupting our predictable patterns.

Qwiss would probably get benched if he did that

I know there's this perception of Rice being naturally more conservative on the ball (and he probably does take fewer risks than Partey) but I've always disagreed with the notion that he can't be progressive. I think that's informed by how he's been deployed by West Ham and England but I feel I've seen enough from him over the years to believe he has it in his locker, he just needs to be invited to bring it out more.

I did think he was disappointing for much of last night however. Not his best performance (maybe his worst?).

I would love to see the stats on how much time Zinchenko spends in the middle versus last season, because it certainly looks like he's gone from a LB who inverts, to a CM who covers the left flank. It looks to me that he supports Rice in the build up far more than he ever supported Partey and we've lost his unpredictability because of his lack of under and over lapping down the left flank.

Rice has improved his passing between the lines, particularly in finding Odegaard in the half spaces, but it's taking a while for that channel to develop. Additionally, he misses countless opportunities to progress play through the centre due to a lack of awareness, bravery and agility.

Don Pacifico he was plenty progressive at West Ham ham for the second half of last season. Plenty of bursting runs through the middle to start moves for them. He's a pretty good transition player too. He's playing a much more conservative role for us. And we might get away with it if we weren't also being so conservative with the midfielders ahead of him and the full backs. When you look at the 2 full backs being either an extra centre half or a someone who pulls into the middle and doesn't get forward much it means we lack numbers and width going forward if the 2 centre/attacking mids aren't making good runs and playing progressively. Odegaard usually plays like this and we've seen moments of it from ESR and Vieira but Havertz isn't doing it and very often Vieira gets dragged into the safe passing too. Havertz needs to take a squad role and one of ESR or Vieira needs to take the first team place and really play regularly on the front foot. I'd go for Smith-Rowe, he speeds up our attacking play and makes the sort of off the ball runs we need. His sharp one two play and quick one touch progressive passing is exactly what defenders don't want to deal with and it'd stop our slow return to the horseshoe of misery.

Qwiss I'd go for Smith-Rowe, he speeds up our attacking play and makes the sort of off the ball runs we need. His sharp one two play and quick one touch progressive passing is exactly what defenders don't want to deal with and it'd stop our slow return to the horseshoe of misery.

Is the stage being set for the latest Smith Rowe recovery mission?

*Checks Boxing Day fixture - West Ham at home, hmmmm, just maybe...

Personally, I think if Saka is going to be out for any length of time (and perhaps even if not), Arteta has got to find a way to get Emile into the team now. For all the reasons you've outlined - and because I might go mad watching us if he doesn't.

What a fucking player

He’s a fuckin monster

He's the archtypical complete midfielder.

only caught the second half, it felt like he was everywhere. loving his contributions so far

Interception machine, that reading of the play around 0:17 is top drawer.

Total Bossman

Those quick long legs gobble up space and time, so fortunate to have him.

Felt he was better in the second half. Played more aggressively, ventured forward more.

Very good player.

First half was really bad but 2nd half he absolutely dominated the half

Looked like he'd been instructed to hold back but it meant our midfield was pretty ineffective in the first half as Jorginho also didn't venture forward. So we were on the back-foot when needing to press and lacking in options when in attack.

Looked much better with Partey in the second half. They'll be dominant together.