Arsenal - (A) - Post Match

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

I think we could tweak the system by losing one of the CB's and getting in someone like Alex Song who can drop back in there from a CM role.

---------------Mignolet
Johnson---Toure-----Sakho---Enrique
----------------Song
--------Gerrard------New CM
--------------Coutinho
----------Suarez----Sturridge

Song is just and example of a player that can and has played both roles very well. It allows Rodgers to keep Suarez and Sturridge together and Gerrard on the pitch with another player that can be more dynamic.

[G]

They're a very good team who've made a very good start but not too many were tipping them to do that after the villa game. Villa denied them time and space on the ball and beat them convincingly, we allowed them all the time in the world on the ball and lost, not by much it has to be said, a worldie and a followup to a rebound. I'm disappointed because I think we could have matched them if we had pressured them more but maybe we just don't have the players in the middle capable of doing that.

[RichC]

I think the system we've gone for with 3 at the back was to allow us to get Suarez & Sturridge up top together whilst still giving some numbers in midfield.

It's worked for the most part but we got caught out by a side in form yesterday.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

I think the system we've gone for with 3 at the back was to allow us to get Suarez & Sturridge up top together whilst still giving some numbers in midfield.

It's worked for the most part but we got caught out by a side in form yesterday.

I agree but when Gerrard and Lucas sit so deep and don't offer any real protection its a problem, that's 8 players behind the ball and for me a big reason why 76% of Arsenals possession was in our half.

[RichC]

I have to say yesterday the midfield wasn't up to it, seemed strangely bereft of energy but I don't think you can take away quite how well the Arsenal midfield played, surprisingly for me tbh.

They always had the creative players to hurt us much like we had the strike force to hurt them, if you look back we had some very good chances to score a few ourselves. We didn't of course but I'm not sure yesterday was quite as one sided as some have been making out.

The best team on the day won but we weren't a million miles off the pace.

[Chazza]

I have to say yesterday the midfield wasn't up to it, seemed strangely bereft of energy but I don't think you can take away quite how well the Arsenal midfield played, surprisingly for me tbh.



They always had the creative players to hurt us much like we had the strike force to hurt them, if you look back we had some very good chances to score a few ourselves. We didn't of course but I'm not sure yesterday was quite as one sided as some have been making out.



The best team on the day won but we weren't a million miles off the pace.

I think Johnson was a massive loss as he is such a good outlet down the right and probably would have covered for the goal.

On the other side I am not convinced about Cissokho at all and would much rather see Enrique in that position.

[Shaggy]

Cissokho looks dog**** doesn't he. I've always said Enrique is given too much stick. He is not perfect, has clear weaknesses, but he's a 7/10 player IMO capable of moments of brilliance. Looks like Cissokho isn't remotely capable...although it's still early days, granted.

[Fredo]

Haven't seen much of Cissohko bar this game and glimpses against West Brom, so can't really assert for certainty that he's poor. I guess, with new players, and especially one who's coming in from a different country, we need to give them a bit more time to settle in.

I think he has the attributes to be a good player. Sound technically and physically very strong. But it's a very, very difficult position to play in, so all the bashing is harsh. Reserve it for more established players.

[RichC]

Johnson was a huge loss for us although I thought Flannagan did ok in his place yesterday. Agree with Cissokho, so far he's not been convincing at all and the left side is still a problem for us, Enrique though would be the better option for us at the moment.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

I think Rodgers' next big task is to address the midfield balance. The Gerrard-Lucas-Henderson trio don't offer enough steel and guile. We need a change of personnel or a change in game plan.

[ronanm]

Let's hope we bounce back next week. Some on here a couple of weeks back were advocating a 3 year deal for br then! But now? It'll be interesting to see where we are on jan 1st given our tough away schedule in dec but yesterdays performance is a serious concern.

[RichC]

I'd expect that to be the next area to have work done on it.

I'm not sure if it's the players not being up to it, the dynamics between them not being quite right or the system just doesn't suit us at the moment.

I do think though we're too reliant on Lucas having a good game every game which just isn't realistic.

[Lee]

Cissokho looks dog**** doesn't he. I've always said Enrique is given too much stick. He is not perfect, has clear weaknesses, but he's a 7/10 player IMO capable of moments of brilliance. Looks like Cissokho isn't remotely capable...although it's still early days, granted.

Yep, it is early days but so far he doesn't look good at all. I think we'd all be a bit more patient with him if he was a kid but at 25/26 you expect more.

Think Enrique gets a lot of stick. He's not amazing and he can be frustrating as hell sometimes, but I don't think he's anywhere near as bad as some make him out to be.

[Chazza]

Haven't seen much of Cissohko bar this game and glimpses against West Brom, so can't really assert for certainty that he's poor. I guess, with new players, and especially one who's coming in from a different country, we need to give them a bit more time to settle in.

I think he has the attributes to be a good player. Sound technically and physically very strong. But it's a very, very difficult position to play in, so all the bashing is harsh. Reserve it for more established players.

Not bashing him just not convinced.

If he was a young lad then I would be inclined to give him time but he is 26 and should be approaching his peak as a player. I just can't see much in him to suggest he is sound in defence or an attacking threat.

Also he doesn't look fit and is constantly blowing out of his arse.

[RichC]

Not bashing him just not convinced.

If he was a young lad then I would be inclined to give him time but he is 26 and should be approaching his peak as a player. I just can't see much in him to suggest he is sound in defence or an attacking threat.

Also he doesn't look fit and is constantly blowing out of his arse.

The age thing is the worry isn't it 26 he should be showing more than he is.

Enrique is way ahead of him in terms of what he offers us IMO, we could do with getting him back fit again.