Spiller86

Hmm a combination of lack of match fitness for many and a bit of flat motivation nearly cost us there. Happy Alvaro got a goal.

Seems odd he didn't feature at all. But Alonso is going great so no complaints from me.

Decent start in our hardest game. Wasteful again though. Happy for Barkley, great performance and assist. The calls for youth are a bit misplaced in my view. It was a tough away game. Win this one and let the kids play in the easier home games after we've qualified.

Hmm might be looking at old DL through rose coloured glasses there. He has always been erratic not only with positioning but particularly with one on ones. He's a bit slower now too which doesn't help. Key upgrade area in my view is that left sided CB. But I see this morning we are trying to resign him, so I've got no idea.

Good solid win again. Setting ourselves up nicely, 6 points clear of Spuds, United and Arsenal in the top four race so early on. Hazard sublime, Giroud and Pedro great. Only question marks come at the back, I may be being super harsh here but I thought Kepa could have come for the cross on their goal. But it seems our approach will be simply to score more goals and win anyway despite our dodgy defence. Looking forward to our match against Liverpool in a couple of weeks. Then we'll get a real sense of where we are.

Once again proved himself to be superior to Morata even when he doesn't score. If Morata isn't scoring he offers nothing yet Giroud (even putting aside the assists) was involved in much of our best build up and made a big impact on the match. He simply must be the first choice this year.

Agree with you on Kante @Dixon. I think we might well be wasting his talents playing in that spot. Playing him deeper next to Jorginho makes more sense in my view. He's the best in the world in his position. We need to let him do what he does best. Would help our pourous defence no end.

Of course and to clarify I wasn't suggesting otherwise. I'll admit Sarri wasn't my first choice as I prefer managers who are solid at the back. That said of course his system deserves time and he largely worked out the kinks in the second half. (I imagine Wilian and Barkley were also given a kick up the backside for not working hard enough at halftime) I think there may be an argument at some stage for Kante to play deeper. We'll see how it works out. I'm not convinced this system is playing to his strengths, I'm also not convinced that Jorginho does much of anything without the ball, which is an issue in my view. But as you say we are two from two and have scored 6 goals, so we have a very positive base to build on. Time will certainly tell.

Largely what happened yesterday was systematic rather than down to individuals. When a guy like Dave is being exposed you know that is a problem. We will probably need a new CB at some stage to replace Luiz, but if I'm honest there aren't many players out there who fit the bill of a physical defender who is good on the ball.

@just the bloke has influence within the dressing room, but that isn't always positive as we saw last season.

Poyet sacked by Bordeaux after this: http://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2018/bordeaux-manager-gus-poyet-fired-after-a-sensational-rant/ Incredible.

Happy to sneak a win there. It's certainly going to be a different type of season isn't it? So happy for Morata to score, and happy that Alonso showed his class after a tough first half with little protection. Hazard was superb and Kovacic was also great when he came on. He played a little deeper than Barkley and allowed Jorginho to play a role in the final third. Anyone else thinking it's hard to tell Hazard and Kovacic apart on the ball? Similar haircuts, sizes and running styles.

Absolutely agree. Personally I would have been happy to see him sold on principle due to his behaviour. It's put up or shut up time.

It's the runs underneath that are the problem. Fullback goes wide and an Arsenal player is getting through the space between fullback and centre half. Then why no one is tracking the deep runner I'm not sure. Best and worst of this football in a half.

Best and worst of Sarri's football in one half. You can't help but recall the AVB 3-5 match. We've been exposed nearly everytime they've gotten the ball. The runs under the fullback when the ball goes wide are particularly damaging us. Got to sort it out or we will be losing this. Hazard needs to be on for Willian very soon because it might take another two goals to win this.