Let’s also sppreciate that Timber is playing his second game so will be rusty. And he’s playing possibly our most complex position. So let’s be patient with both him and Calafiori.

Clrnc they're very different players. Trossard doesn't beat up and down the wing like Martinelli did if he starts. Trossards an end product machine. Arteta used him perfectly today.

Cala looked very good but he did get beaten 1 v 1 a couple of times, maybe just lack of sharpness/game state issues.

I’m not getting too wrapped up in who’s going to be first choice though. The bonus is we’ve got 3-5 good options at full back now and can really rotate without losing much.

goon those options are what we need. Get Merino in and we have it in midfield too.

Then we need another addition to the forward line.

Qwiss yes absolutely agree. Which is why Trossard is often more effective as a sub and Martinelli role is to tire defences out for him

From what Arteta is saying post-match, it sounds like Jesus' injury may keep him out for a bit of time. Wonder if that's partly why we've kept Nelson...?

Artetas comments there about having enough up from "if they're fit". Reckon either Jesus is bad or his losing faith in his fitness

Big Willie
Think harsh on Timber. That was his first start in one year and up against a CL team away. Calafori played well but he came on under easier game conditions. I’m sure if it was the other way round Timber would have looked as good. Good headache to have.

Qwiss

I read that as Mikel is slightly pissed off with Jesus’ availability or lack thereof. Should bode well for the transfer window.

Sicario2 - Tier 1 Think harsh on Timber. That was his first start in one year and up against a CL team away. Calafori played well but he came on under easier game conditions. I’m sure if it was the other way round Timber would have looked as good. Good headache to have.

I did clarify in my follow up post tbh mentioning exactly the same thing.

Excellent win in the end.

I love how we can patiently build up in that 3-2 formation, that lets us really control games, but we need to mix it up sometimes. That quick long diagonal from Gabriel to Trossard for the second goal was exactly what we need to do a bit more often, change the pace and keep defenses guessing.

It was a bit weird having Rice as our furthest-forward midfielder today. Not sure that plays to his strengths, and we left Partey quite isolated and were vulnerable on counters.

I love the silky stuff from Ødegaard but we need more end product from him. He tends to be looking for clever “pre-assist” passes rather than the assist or the goal. Realistically he needs to hit 10 PL goals if we’re gonna win the league.

Raya MOTM, he was terrific.

Clrnc

Trossard scores just as many when he starts games. Martinelli also suits coming off the bench when the game is more open. That is a better use of Martinelli who does way better when we have more space to play on the break so he can use his pace.

Don Pacifico

Think he will stay now.

There’s a reason Arteta bought him on.

Don Pacifico Well then we definitely need to do something in the market. Nelson is pointless.

Hugely important win.

Martinelli upgrade needed

lorddulaarsenal and Jesus replacement