Lots of injuries (Kolasinac was another big hit as was Bellerin then getting taken off) sure but too many square pegs/round holes in the side. Emery must take the flak as well as the praise that has rightly come his way - he got it very badly wrong. It didn't help of course that PEA could, probably should have had at least 2 goals (one of which should have put us 1-0 up and changed the game from the outset).

I don't think I've ever been less concerned about the outcome of a North London Derby.

The last thing we actually need is another two matches, particularly if against City or Chelsea.

Jesus, i remember going to the Lane for the second leg of the League Cup against Tottenham praying for a win. No one gives a feck about this competition now.

How times have changed.

when we went 1-0 down, we were actually 2-0 down because we lost 1-0 at home, and went through on the away goals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJbTwOQoQU

Ozil: looks like it is coming to an end

Niles fractured his leg in the first game of the season v City, he's played 16 mins in the PL since and started 2 or 3 games in the LC or EL where we play our second string and he hasn't played CM in any of them. He is not match fit to start any big game and you think he should be starting at CM? Are you related to the guy or something? Serious question?

He has never played well enough in any position to justify starting in the league for Arsenal

My goodness pixie : he have the ball away several times - inexplicably, more than once. It just goes to show how we all see the same game differently. Xhaka is a big problem for the team and I am baffled why we have stuck by him when he isn't sorting out the basic art of passing consistently.

Mickey Mouse competition.

I've been very critical of Xhaka for a good while now but thought he was our best player last night. Hit some great balls.

I know Ainsley has been injured but he was truly shocking. He couldn't control the ball or pass it. He ran down blind alleys. If he is to be a viable CM he has to have some kind of touch/skill on the ball.

Mickey missing that chance could have made the difference. Tottenham did have more poise than us but i was pleased with the way we battled till the end. Would have thrown the towel in in the past.

We need additions to the squad but we all know that.

I agree with you, Blackrock, I didn't feel we were particularly outplayed either. Mikhitarian needs to improve his finishing if he's ever going to reach the top, he's missed some very easy chances for us this season that you would expect a top level player to score from - other than that I think he's looking a better player now than before but the jury is still very much out with him from me.

Ainsley obviously had a shocker last night, as we all agree, being played out of position doesn't help and all players occasionally have stinkers. As fans, we just have to hope that they don't lose their confidence, continue to try things and eventually play themselves back into form. We seem to have more than usual, a number of players with huge promise, that we have no idea if they can train on and become superstars or find their level quite a bit below - it'll be interesting to see how Ainsley, Guendouzi, Smith-Rowe, Holding, Nketiah, Saka and Nelson turn out. I would expect Ainsley to be near the top of the pile but I don't think you can ever really know, Wilshere has disappointed a few amongst many others.

"we just have to hope that they don't lose their confidence"

The worry for me is that Emery has used Niles in the positions he has because Wenger did it before him and if it keeps being the case his confidence will be destroyed particularly with some fans pointing out his 'poor form' in ways that are not constuctive.

He chose to put the square pegs in. It didn't work and the 2 times he's done it were an advert for not doing it. It also didn't work when Wenger did it and it wasn't amusing to hear supporters suggest last night had echoes of last season.

Several wingers such as Moses have converted to WB's but not many CM I can think of have even tried it.

Until he is given games in his position, Emery will never know. Why isn't he ahead of Ramsey (as he's leaving), Elneny (very limited though he tries and fights). He showed in a cameo last night that he is strong on the ball; he shrugged off 2/3 hard challenges on him and kept the ball in close control and then layed it off to a team mate. The potential is there and the sooner we give the young man a chance the sooner we will benefit.

Back to the playground for you young man this is for grown ups.

Let's give each other the benefit of the doubt before things deteriorate here. I am simply saying when he is ready he deserves an opportunity to play in his rightful position as opposed to being used as a utility player - it is my opinion he is better than that and has the potential to be a regular in the side. It is also simply my opinion, Xhaka is not good enough.

I don't think so. We clearly need a transfer window or two to bolster the squad but we are an improved team in comparison to several recent seasons. The list of injured players and tiredness are problems in the short term. Things could have been very different (result-wise at least)in the past week if we had taken a few of the clear cut chances we missed.

Hope she enjoyed it enpassant.

Christmas is here and I have to say I’m pleased. After losing our first two league games we’ve been very good. Losing at Southampton wasn’t great but other than that you have to say we’ve got about as much as we possibly could, points wise, from our games. A shame we couldn’t beat Man Utd as they were there for the taking.

We’re still miles away defensively. We always look dodgy and likely to concede chances. It wouldn’t surprise me if Liverpool put 3/4 past us.

All in all you have to credit Emery. Once he’s bought a couple of defenders we’ll be a much more balanced side.

Merry Christmas to you all. Up the Arse.

Well what a shambles that was. Liverpool would have put five past them in the first 30 minutes...

Why do we always look why we’re completely incapable of keeping a clean sheet, even against the dross?