So glad Mikel leaned into the form Jesus showed on Wednesday night, the guy took both his goals tonight beautifully. All five he's scored this week have been excellent. It was kind of mad to look at my phone (couldn't see a clock in the ground) and realise only 15 had gone when we went 2-1 up.

Strangely open through the middle, but an absolutely clinical performance turned Selhurst Park into a graveyard. Really pleased for Martinelli that he had such a positive performance, I think we forget sometimes not being as good as Saka is not the same as not being good..

Who knew persisting with someone following a series of injuries would eventually lead to an uptick in form.

    The famous Palace atmosphere btw... Apart from their goal, nothing. Silence. I guess part of that is the fast start we made - textbook crowd control. The only other bit they got excited about was Timber taking too long on that throw and when Gabriel went down HAVING BEEN HIT HARD IN THE FACE. Dickheads.

      Lets give him a new contract

      RocktheCasbah was very obviously dead from the TV coverage. Felt like watching a covid game any time the away fans were quiet.

        But on Partey specifically, I don't think he should ever play right back now unless there is no other option. We saw the difference having an athlete there made to us on Wednesday night when Timber switched out. Partey is far too one dimensional and reserved in that right back role.

        RocktheCasbah Partey - Ode - Havertz is a midfield combination that shouldn't really exist. Can't fathom why Arteta keeps trying to jam Havertz into the midfield when it's been made quite obvious multiple times that this doesn't work. If we want a more attacking partner for Odegaard, much rather see Nwaneri in that role honestly.

            Bernard Woolley I just don't think that's a sensible use of a 17 year old kid. We can all see how good he is, but there's nothing wrong with him watching and learning and then coming on when legs are tired and there's space to exploit.

                Clrnc

                Coombs depends on how he develops

                What Coombs said.

                We've just won 5-1 away from home (for the third time in a month), I really don't get the rush. He's part of the first team, he's going to get game time. This just feels like something else to beat Mikel over the head with for no real reason whatsoever.

                    What I mean is, previously there are a lot of talks that 30-40 minutes per game might absolutely destroy Nwaneri and his career longevity because of his age. Even if he is a better fit or better quality player than our other options, we can't play him because of his age.

                    But the same people who said that have no issue with 18 year old MLS playing and starting. So just wondering is it because of that 1 year difference of age.

                      Clrnc well, as I don't think I am one of the people who had talked of Nwaneri possibly being destroyed by starting games now, though I do agree with being cautious with him, I'm probably not the right person to answer that question.

                      But in reference to MLS, it's clear that he's started games where Arteta deemed him the best - only? - option available. Nwaneri has, variously, Saka, Ode, Rice, Merino and Havertz to contend with.