Brentford v Arsenal, 20:00 BST (13/08, SS Main Event)

[Mac76]

Yes, we may not make CL either

[Letters]

I know it’s a bit early, but I fear that this result puts a real dent in our title hopes.

I’ll judge that at the end of the season

[Letters]

Visit Rwanda

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-58162403

[Mac76]

Good news - as it stands we're now out of the relegation zone

Palace

Leeds

Norwich

[Letters]

Staying up, staying up, staying uuup!

[Letters]

I know it’s a bit early, but I fear that this result puts a real dent in our title hopes.

More seriously, it is pretty galling to see the usual suspects swatting aside their opposition on the opening weekend while we fall over our own stupid feet as usual.
I’ve always argued against overreacting to one off results but this isn’t a one off, it’s season after season of mediocrity. There will be ups and downs, there will be good days and results. But we already know it’s all going to add up to a big fat Nothing in the Amazon All or Nothing embarrassment.

[Mac76]

But we already know it’s all going to add up to a big fat Nothing in the Amazon All or Nothing embarrassment.

Thanks for reminding me of that, I'd actually forgotten - no doubt Arteta thought it would be documenting his winning the league, hopefully it's his being swiftly sacked

[Letters]

As I noted on FB, it's unusual for a series to have spoilers in the very first episode.
But with All or Nothing 2, I think we now all know which it'll be

[LDG]

Upon reflection, positives first. ESR, Lakonga and Saka look bloody amazing. Some of the interplay was stunning, played at pace and gives me hope, if we are able to address the negatives.

Sadly the negatives far outweigh the positives. And the start at number one.

How can a top class Goalkeeper be bullied out of the game, and get beaten at his near post. We all know the Martinez sale was wrong from the day it happened. This is the priority business we need to make happen before the window closes. Leno is a decent shot stopper, but he doesn’t command the box or his defenders. He’s a really poor keeper.

I actually though our CB pairings were a positive in the main last season. There was major improvement in our basic defending, steadied somewhat when Holding was right of the two. Gabriel and Mari had decent seasons. Vs Bentford we chucked in our new signing, to partner a lad who can’t seem to position himself unless others have him on a string.

Chambers looked awful yesterday. A very steady run in the team last year, but he was all over the place defensively the other night. The obvious calls for recruitment in this area were amplified. My main issues was what was in front of him. I know were easing Saka back, but he must be in front of Pepe, his all round work helps Chambers, who can be more confident to get up and whip the ball in which he does so well.

I’ve touched on Pepe, and when on form he’s a handful, but he’s never been worthy of that price tag. I’d be looking to sell him and get some money in to spend in more important areas.

Finally, up top is a disaster at the moment. We had no options up there, nothing stuck. I’ll give Balugun reprieve because it’s his first game, but we should have been sorting the striker situation with much more decisiveness this summer. Two ageing players who it seems may be done for this club. We have no other options bar youth, which is bloody worrying.

Forgetting the defensive issues, we created some lovely openings, but you never felt like you had someone to finish them off.

I do hope we progress something in the transfer market asap, as we’ll continue to see more of the same until Arteta becomes more ruthless in his decision making.

[Mac76]

I think it's the club that needs to be more ruthless in their decision making and sack Arteta, for as long as him and Edu are in charge of things we've no chance