Sometimes, it's better to go wide than make that thread through the needle pass to the center. Going wide doesn't mean the move is killed.

I think he balanced it well today.

While I was bullish that he'll be one of the best in the world as a 6, I was never convinced he'll be this good as an 8 especially with how Arteta used him last season. I cannot be happier to be wrong.

I think he played it perfectly today. A couple of early balls and then composed passing to move the block.

I think it's more about how Rice at RB affects our buildup and passing more than anything defensive but, yes, Arteta has to trust Madueke more defensively.

This also means Arteta looks for his dependables to complete the job, meaning less rotation and sub minutes for the likes of Madueke and Eze.

It's a lot down to how nervous we look when defending deep. Even Arteta and the coaches look uncomfortable. Defending is our superpower and when we cannot rely on it, we naturally look flustered. A settled backline would certainly help.

They're completely different players. Some people just have to compare instead of appreciating both of them.

Cut back was never possible as he arrived late onto the ball. I was fuming to see our marquee striker watch the ball roll across the penalty box.

That happens to every striker. You have to be clever and throw yourself around. Grappling with the defenders won't win you fouls in this league especially when the defenders are stronger and you don't know how to hold the ground.

And even when he's in the box, he's so slow to react to everything. He also grapples with the defenders in the box more than ghosting in. No wonder he doesn't score any headers. He's never scoring the goal Merino scored last week running across the defender.

He has the tools to be a good dog but needs someone with a leash nearby.

But but channel running..
I was so sick of his performance today. If you're not holding the ball up, at least draw fouls and make yourself useful. The way he was nowhere near when Rice put that cross in the final minutes, I just lost it.