Arsenal - (A) - Post Match

[destinydude]

It looks to me at this stage as though Lucas is perfectly fine against 'the rest' but maybe isn't up to it against the best teams. He's not the player he was before the injury.

THIS.

This is quite true and for the first time today I've said elsewhere that Lucas' tim is up and that we need to buy a better, faster DM.

Teams just glide past us very easily sometimes and a slower Gerrard/Lucas pair isn't going to help us when we play pacy teams like Spurs, Chelsea or Arsenal and today we got hurt as a result

[Shaggy]

We definitely lack power and pace in the middle. We could do with an all-round midfield monster. Anyone know any?

[destinydude]

Destiny Dude, sorry but Henderson is not a sure starter purely for running a lot when he can't do enough with it our provide cover for the defence.

Buy a faster/better DM than Lucas and Henderson will then look like a world beater in such a set up. In our current formation you can't clearly define his role or see what his use is especially when Lucas-Gerrard have bad games.

Henderson is similar to Vidal but Vidal has better finishing abilities and as a result looks like a world class player

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

It looks to me at this stage as though Lucas is perfectly fine against 'the rest' but maybe isn't up to it against the best teams. He's not the player he was before the injury.

I think if Henderson could tackle, he'd be my DM of choice and Lucas would be completely redundant. Henderson can do everything he does better except for tackling. Lucas is the only midfielder in the squad who can properly tackle and that's making him nearly irreplaceable, which is something that we must rectify. Problem is, unlike the very top defensive midfielders in the world, Lucas is slow, unathletic and not physically dominating. Sides just run through our middle without breaking a sweat.

I think Lucas is far better in the air as well, wins a lot of headers.

[G]

Gerrard/Lucas pairing has been horribly exposed numerous times this season. We need to buy well in January in this area.

[destinydude]

We definitely lack power and pace in the middle. We could do with an all-round midfield monster. Anyone know any?

Arturo Vidal. I'm a big fan

[TheElephantMan]

The thing is though if the ref had allowed the quick free kick and we'd had one other decent effort on goal then we'd have drawn this game. There wasn't a lot in it really. We didn't play well, but the score flatters them slightly. 20 points from our first 10 games is a good return.

[Mattshark]

Gerrard/Lucas pairing has been horribly exposed numerous times this season. We need to buy well in January in this area.

I think this maybe a little hyperbolic. We have been a bit slow and little ponderous, we have certainly not been horribly exposed.

[Shaggy]

Arturo Vidal. I'm a big fan

I'll re-phrase that.

Anyone know any midfield monsters we have half a chance of getting?

[destinydude]

I'll re-phrase that.

Anyone know any midfield monsters we have half a chance of getting?

Ilkay Gundogan

[JohnDoe]

I think generally you're way over the top in your criticism of us JD but in this case I think you've nailed the Lucas issue. There's no doubt he can get back and tackle but after that...? I just cannot see what others are seeing.

It's become a trend for chin scratching armchair analysts to praise Lucas because it gives the impression that they have tactical nous. Lucas' impact on the team is fraudulent, you can't see it because it's not really there. He's being praised for doing something everyone is expected to do at every position: defend your area of responsibility.

[Mattshark]

It's become a trend for chin scratching armchair analysts to praise Lucas because it gives the impression that they have tactical nous. Lucas' impact on the team is fraudulent, you can't see it because it's not really there. He's being praised for doing something everyone is expected to do at every position: defend your area of responsibility.

That is silly mate.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Cabaye would improve our midfield.

[Mattshark]

Cabaye would improve our midfield.

I think we need someone who will show up more consistently.

[Bernardicus]

I suppose Fredy Guarín and Éver Banega would be decent but I haven't seen a whole lot of them.