Fack me. Our passing is an outrage. I swear teams like Stoke pass it tidier than us these days. Sloppy and scrappy as hell. Fantastic result in the circumstances.

I thought we looked better after the subs. Don't know what Wenger sees to make him persist with the players out of position and formation that we can all see doesn't suit the team.

Summed it up well

Chambo also had a mixed bag performance but it was his first start since his injury so we'll let it slide

I agree with most of this, but I still disagree with the notion that Cazorla doesn't work well in the deeper position.
He was absolutely fantastic for me today - covered a huge amount of ground, won the ball back a number of times, wriggled his way out of some tight situations, and had a near 90% pass completion rate.
He did pretty much everything that could be asked of a deep-lying midfielder.

Big relief here. Always a hard game against Everton and surely after our disaster against Monaco. Our slow start killing me...

Don't know what game some were watching. I thought Santi was immense. Got caught a few times cos we emboldened Everton to really squeeze the space, but he wriggled out of trouble time and time again. Alexis was horrible. Probably needs a rest. Ozil was poor throughout. Wenger made good subs and deserves some credit.

Giroud and cazorla were our best players

Sanchez the worst

Agree with DaStuDogg . Thought Santi played well today. I AM concerned that our players are so goal shy when in on goal. At least Rosicky is not scared to shoot.

Also why didn't Wenger replace Sanchez earlier? He was dead on his feet. Can't understand why he did not bring Theo on after an hour to stretch Everton more. Wenger's substitutions just baffle me.

The thing is, despite Cazorla wriggling out of tight spaces and making a few tackles, he is not as effective deep, and the team suffers from being over-run in CM.
So, while what he did do may have been good from an individual perspective, what he brings to the team from this deep position is nowhere near what he brings from his more usual advanced positioning, imo.

Yeah Santi played well along with Coq in midfield, Ozil was so poor. fair enough he gets two assists for a corner and a standard pass but does that make up for contributing nothing else in 90 mins I don't know, not a fan of the influence he has on our game. Sanchez has been out of form for a while now and seems to be suffering without a mid season break.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 1 minute ago
The thing is, despite Cazorla wriggling out of tight spaces and making a few tackles, he is not as effective deep, and the team suffers from being over-run in CM.
So, while what he did do may have been good from an individual perspective, what he brings to the team from this deep position is nowhere near what he brings from his more usual advanced positioning, imo.


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His average position is still deeper than Ramsey's imo.

A lot of people want a 'Kondogbia type' to replace Coquelin. I think we need a 'Kondogbia type' alongside Coquelin.

Everyone knows that Ozil can't do 90 minutes and yet Wenger leaves him on believing that as teams tire he will get more space. What happens is that he just fades and contributes nothing. The guy is such a bottler at both ends of the pitch. Had a clear opportunity to score but I didn't think for a second that he would. Hope someone comes in with a 30m + offer in the summer.

Sanchez needs to be rested . Would start Theo in his place and Ramsey for Ozil v QPR.

In my view Cazorla lost a lot of balls especially in the first half and in the beginning. It was better in the second half then but really we need to keep the ball better in midfield when we lead in a narrow result.

Would be tempted to play Welbeck and Rosicky on Wednesday instead of Ozil and Alexis.
No chance of Ramsey starting, is there?

comment by sammy nelson sbum (U6244)
posted 9 minutes ago
Agree with DaStuDogg . Thought Santi played well today. I AM concerned that our players are so goal shy when in on goal. At least Rosicky is not scared to shoot.

Also why didn't Wenger replace Sanchez earlier? He was dead on his feet. Can't understand why he did not bring Theo on after an hour to stretch Everton more. Wenger's substitutions just baffle me.

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I agree - there is a tendency to try and walk it in at times - particularly that series of one-touch-passing that resulted in the Giroud flick out of play.

I can understand what you're saying DJ, and I too believe that Cazorla is exceptional in the advanced role, but I think that whilst he doesn't perhaps create as many clear-cut chances or score as many goals in a deeper position, he can affect our play in other ways. He actually shields the channels very well alongside Coquelin, but his possession-retention, dribbling, and range of passing from deep really help to quickly get the ball out of our defensive third and into a much more attacking position.

That being said, I'm not really suggesting that the deeper-role is best for him - just that, at the moment, it suits the team best. When Wilshere and Ramsey return, we'll have to reassess, but at the moment, I think the balance in midfield is best served with Cazorla playing alongside Coquelin.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 16 minutes ago
A lot of people want a 'Kondogbia type' to replace Coquelin. I think we need a 'Kondogbia type' alongside Coquelin.
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archetypal box to box player, with strength, running power and technique to play along side the DM.

Cazorla losing his mojo? He was quality today, our man of the match.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 29 minutes ago
A lot of people want a 'Kondogbia type' to replace Coquelin. I think we need a 'Kondogbia type' alongside Coquelin.
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Agree 100%.

Kondongbia would be a dream at this moment in time.

Wenger would not bring on a midfield with two minded defensive midfielders like Kondongbia and let's say Coq.

comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 3 seconds ago
Wenger would not bring on a midfield with two minded defensive midfielders like Kondongbia and let's say Coq.
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Vieira and Petit. Vieira and Gilberto.

comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 35 seconds ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 3 seconds ago
Wenger would not bring on a midfield with two minded defensive midfielders like Kondongbia and let's say Coq.
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Vieira and Petit. Vieira and Gilberto.
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Good point DJ. 1-0 for you

Would need to play two DMF in every game . Wenger just needs to learn to be adaptable with his tactics and not play the same way for every opposition.

should say "Would NOT need"

Look at Chelsea. Tough games and its Mikel and Matic in the middle with Cesc.

I'd love to see Kondogbia and Coq/Carvalho with Ozil/Santi in big matches.