Arsenal will appeal that red for sure. It's an incredibly cynical tackle but I wouldn't consider it dangerous or reckless play. We've seen plenty of tackles like that against our own players go unpunished.

If he gets the three game ban though he'll miss Middlesbrough, Reading and Sunderland. So a decent time to be suspended I suppose.

Jay29 wrote:I get that Monreal wasn't protected particularly well but it's a great concern that whenever he's up against a pacey winger, no matter how average the winger, he can't be relied upon. Barrow is a bang average player but looked incredible today. Amrabaat roasted him as well.

Same happened with Sagna as he got older as well. You know a full-back is losing it when he's getting done in a 1v1 repeatedly. And you know he's a weak link when week after week teams target him.

I agree, its a bit of both but in modern day football back your fullback should not be exposed all the time. Every time Barrow had it he was one on one with Monreal, Iwobi was nowhere while Cazorla and Xhaka didn't want to go there because they are not mobile enough. I think we will have the same problem when Gibbo plays as well because the cover in front is awful.

Is it time to get Gibbs back into the team?

i prefer settled back 4 without changes
but need to scout Left Backs for next summer anyway
Guerreiro was the one we missed out on really

I'd take a scrappy win over a spirited draw, anyway.

Good result with some obvious weaknesses apparent. Not a good game by Xhaka.

There are quite few good LBs out there so it shouldn't be a great issue this summer to scout one.

Ric Rod is finally gonna want out of Wolfsburg.


Goddam, we're not worthy ffs

Anyone see Match of the Day?

Phil Neville praises Walcott for improving, but then proceeds to rip him down for the chances he's missed, saying he's never fulfilled his potential. Then Shearer pops in to say that Walcott's career statistics "haven't been good enough" because he's only gotten double figures in the league once (ignoring the two following years in which he was injured and never got the chance to repeat the feat). So in his mind Walcott will never be a "very good player", just a "good one".

All this for a player that scored twice today and is in great form. Ridiculous.

That's the reason I stopped watching MOTD punditry lol. Hansen and Shearer have spent about the last 6 years shitting on Walcott.

Also Lineker acting surprised Walcott "scored couple for Arsenal but not for England". Look at the players he is playing with you pleb.

Hope Walcott scores 20 this season.

What makes it more bizarre is that it was the perfect chance to rag on our defending which I know UK pundits love doing but they chose to focus on Walcott instead.

Walcott could score 20 this year and they'll just say he should be scoring 30 The guy is the top English scorer in the league currently and they hate his guts.

They've just given a proper analysis of the Chelsea-Leicester game. I mean wtf.

Did they discuss Xhaka's red? I am not sure if I missed it but I swear i watched all of the analysis.

Linekar briefly mentioned that it was harsh and that was it. Xhaka wasn't brought up at all - not even his mistake.

They only "analysed" the two Walcott goals and his misses. Didn't even mention Alexis' great pass and Ozil's finish, or Sigurdsson's finish, or anything else.

its an interesting one the Xhaka red.. essentially just clipped Barrow's foot into his calf to make him trip.. a professional foul principally no different to pulling someone down from behind which we see consistently punished by yellow card almost every game. The fact it was half a sliding tackle from behind seems to make the straight red more understandable - not sure it is consistent though. It was no more malicious than any other professional foul and was not reckless.

In any event good result but should have been far easier. Iwobi was just fun to watch - playing with confidence and hope he can keep it coming.

Mustafi and Kos were awesome today - agree with the Monreal concerns mentioned already. Xhaka must improve decision making but still love what he offers us with his passing range.

Good win against a bogey team. Good work by Theo though that final miss was like an homage to The Old Theo.

“It looked harsh to me, but it was a deliberate foul. It looked a dark yellow – and the referee went for a bright red!”

FFS!