2/2 I would have offset any defensive shortcomings Nwaneri has to remedy the teams creative shortcomings as this is root issue. We have, after all, the best defensive in the league (not a good day for this statement!)

1/2 I don't think we can afford our captain going off on loan for a season to "find himself". This Arsenal football club - if youre not doing it, you're benched. If you're not getting your place back, you're out the door - Captain or not.

Not Rices best game but others much more culpable then him. Agree with Odegaard. Usual enrgetic start at home, pressing etc. before going hiding when we haven't bagged early. We can drop him for Eze but he's equally hiding. There's a young lad scored for Marseille last night that looks half decent!

If they knew it was coming, surely they should have put out a statement that Partey has left the club as soon as contract expired, and at least remove his picture from club website! Terribly mismanaged in all stages.

A howler like that will always get highlighted but plenty of the other squad players being equally culpable in lack of threat and creativity.

There's been much criticism aimed at Kiwior over the past year. This game has only served to reinforce that he's solid when he plays in his preferred LCB role. He filled in at left back last season (often asked to invert) and when he did he done okay. He's no Gabriel but deserves respect.

The scenes

Nice kick about with the boys

I'm excited to see that during games we need to sit back but we may miss Partey (and now Jorginho) spraying the balls through the lines against the teams that sit off us. Merino seems a bit more dynamic in left 8. It's a bit of a £100m conundrum. p.s I love Rice

It's a long season with games every 3 days now. To manage current injuries and avoid further ones we're going to have to use the full depth of the squad. We can't always play our 'best 11'.
If it's not going to plan we have some firepower to come on. COYG

Jesus really needs a big one today after being given the start