Arsenal were sharp and prepared, us a disjointed confused close season.

Kouyate badly missed.

Very disappointed yesterday.

Already posted something similar but for me we desperately need to improve midfield who seemed nonexistent and hard to grasp conceptually yesterday although Doucoure did look class albeit very much the ‘new kid’. Ebiowei showed more promise in few minutes he was on than Ayew has in the same amount of years for me. I’d start him ahead of Jordan. Didn’t quite expect that but a real silver lining on the cloud if that continues.

As many have noted, we need a striker IMO, Edouard still looks overawed and a perfect example of the chasm between Scottish football and the PL for me. Mateta good but can’t help but want for more.

On a side note, I am worried about Eze. As hilarious as certain individuals notions he’ll challenge for a ballon d’or in the next few years are, he looked very much, for me, the epitome of one of my biggest gripes with ‘football fans’ (those who I usually actually associate with Arsenal) in that the game cannot be won with smoke and mirrors. It might look nice on social media but does not have much context or substance on its own. I’ve thought that with Eze for a while, great fun against Nowheresville FC in the cup but his lack of all round game is a concern. Looks positionally weak, doesn’t put in necessary graft, doesn’t quite fulfill the playmaker role for me, set pieces left a lot to be desired yesterday and have done too often and looked as though he’d of rather been anywhere else than where he was after receiving the ball 10 yards out from goal and only the keeper to beat.

All seems a bit hysterical at this moment in time must be said but it is frustrating when the first game comes round as though nobody at the club was expecting it. We were much better second half but there is still much that’s easy to critique. I expect things to improve however will be bitterly disappointed and concerned without any further incomings and feel as though we will need to step up a gear ASAP or real anxiety may start to creep in.

COYP

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Your anxiety will be through the roof by the time we have played City, I expect we will be bottom on one or zero points.
Its a long season, Arsenal didnt win a game in August last year and finished 5th.

I have us down for maybe a win and a draw in our first five games. But then things are going to improve. We have runs of teams we will beat.
Our paper thin midfield is the problem. We've effectively lost Gallagher and Kouyate and replaced with Doucoure. With the absence of Jimmy Mac too, we are well down onidfield.
Schlupp didn't feature at all, forgot he was playing. Maybe I'm harsh, but Doucoure looked lazy. Eze tried too hard and lost the ball too much. Only player I can think of is Reidewald, and I'm thinking - if you think he's going to save us, I must be desperate.
We have to buy or loan in Central midfield two players or someone with an amazing engine, simple as that. Or else we will be 15-16 at best. Just above relegation all season is not going to keep our manager, our board or our fans happy. It'll be deja vu rather than progress.

Red and Blue Army!

Agree with pretty much all you said. Eze can't/won't defend which pretty much leaves us on the backfoot when we lose the ball. Mind you we have many issues in midfield after that display. Yes Mateta has to start, he's a genuine threat in the air, I'd also start the new boy Ebiowei, he gotta be a better option than Schlupp or Ayew. Also like to see Mitchell get back quicker after he's forays in attack. He's leaving us exposed at the back for which we have no cover. However the back four did really well considering the ease which Arsenal moved the ball through midfield.

"Billy Gilbert really is God"

We'll be right. Look at Arse's budget to ours, and we were dominating them 2nd half. Gosh, some bad luck with penalties not given twice for handballs that last season would have put Zaha on the 12 yard spot. I am now waiting to see what happens when the top six are playing 'others' and 'others' hands touch footballs in the box. Palace played well and should have scored twice from set plays - we could have won 4-2 or 4-3. That's huge given Arsenal's budget and form. I personally would have had Mateta playing over Eddy because Mateta's done nothing to lose his spot, but I was okay with Eddy - he should have scored, Eze too.
So, we are playing super-well early in the season! 1. Sort out set pieces, 2. hit the back of the net. It's really up to Palace admin and PV. Admin to fill those gaps of midfielder and striker, and PV to sort out the passengers: I'm not saying bench them, I'm saying sort them out: Hughes - go to the gym and put some muscle on, Milo - take some pills and speed up and keep awake and stop fouling 30 metres from Guaita's goal, Ayew - I'm not sure. He's an enigma. More glimpses of genius more often please or warm the bench. Last season we did Arse 3-0, this match they do us 2-0 with a fair bit of luck. No luck when we did them 3-0. So let's be happy and positive the future looks bright!

Edited by Oddball2021 (07 Aug 2022 7.06am)