There are a few factors affecting the campaign so far.
One is the "vertical plan B" of summer has become a not-vertical plan A due to Havertz's long absence. We're having to field Gyökeres in negative or neutral game states a lot and it's not ideal. There will be big doubts creeping in if he's stifled repeatedly.
Another is Arteta reasons he needs to benefit from his deep squad, and he does, but I don't see that it's a slam dunk to be starting Trossard just so Eze or Martinelli can finish in his place. I thought Trossard was highly ineffective yesterday and this wasn't too surprising.
The biggest factor which mustn't be forgotten is that Ødegaard and Saka have been out.
As I said after Liverpool away, starting Eze wouldn't hurt, even though he doesn't look fully fit and if he starts, he very likely won't run out matches.
Against City it was bloody frustrating watching Madueke's good work with inadequate support come to nothing in the first half, and Merino didn't help one bit in that regard. I will cop to that.
Donnarumma is also too tall and assertive to have hoped for victory from corners, especially with City defending a lead with the whole side behind the ball all the time.
All this said, I am tired out by what seems like a doom-laden, bearish, cheerless sentiment running around the support. We knew our opening fixtures would be tough, and it's true we're not having much luck nor necessarily firing on all cylinders. Now players and manager have the difficult task of extracting 3 points at St James' Park in a week.
