No arguments, you have been hurt in attack and are short before the international break.

But once we are on the other side of the break, I think you should be in much better shape and some very good players are not going to be making the match day squad.

I would be curious to find out where you think you are short, because to me, this is one of the most stacked squads I have ever seen

Amazing results!

I think the elephant in the room is that while Wirtz is without doubt an amazing player. He lacks the physicality to play as a #10, playing him wide is a square peg in a round hole and we have two forwards who are superior to him

Caicedo is a cheat code, levels above most in the PL

I just switched from Bowen to Woltemade for exactly this reason 😢

That’s also very fair, it’s very difficult to be rational about your own teams long term prospects when it’s currently giving up big chances like a newly promoted team

I agree with that completely, but I think there are to many issues that Slot needs to fix in too short a time period for that to happen.

I’m actually suprised you don’t think it’s a two horse race already.
I’m certainly looking down the table as opposed to up

No idea how you do it!

I actually think that a midfield of Rice, Zubimendi and Eze is stronger

This was an excellent read, thanks!

I think the CL is a little different. Probably less physical and therefore far less likely to result in cards / sending off. Probably one to check the stats on and confirm

I am being completely serious and I am fully aware that it is an unpopular opinion. What makes me think I am on solid ground though is that I get as even more stick from Liverpool / other fans than those from Arsenal when I make this point

One of Pep’s players famously said he wasn’t picked to start because he hadn’t learned “how to foul” as yet.
Liv and Citeh disciplinary reco under Pep / Klopp almost faultless

As an example, last season Arsenal fans were up in arms about the Trossard and Rice reds. When in fact they we’re both 2nd yellows after stupid first cards.
Elite teams and players don’t make those mistakes

I argue this point just as much with Liverpool fans. The choices the club make in recruitment, tactics, selection, rotation and fitness make far more of an impact in outcomes than a referee in the outcome of matches / trophies

deemed to perform well, you can see the matches they are appointed to in Europe.

This week, Michael Oliver was the official for the biggest match in Europe (PSG v Barca).

So I stand by my original point, i think this is just a case of a biased fan who is upset at calls made against his team

Of course they are accountable. The PGMOL is appointed by the FA and the leagues (PL / EFL).

Every referee has someone in the stands assessing their performance at each match and if they are deemed to perform badly, they are demoted to the championship.

If you want proof that the referees…..

There isn't a fanbase in the country that doesn't think that decisions go against them regularly and its impossible for referees to be bad against _everyone_

If you want perfect refereeing, then I am afraid you are going to need to find another sport as football is too subjective to get perfection

Most of your takes are very smart, but referees are definitely your blind spot.
The idea that you are going to get perfection in refereeing is at best optimistic and at worse completely unrealistic, especially when you have fans who are completely biased for their own team

An amazing midweek, super impressed at the looks

In complete agreement there, it wasn’t clear and obvious mistake.
But given it’s a penalty, which is effectively match defining situation, I can understand why they reviewed.

On balance, I have a lot of times for Arsenal fans, but on this one I think you have got it wrong. I personally think it’s penalty, but I can also see why it was overturned. like a lot of decisions in football , it could have gone either way and this one went against you, nothing more than that

It was a decent day at the office....

...but there isnt a general consensus of what is wrong.

My personal view is that until Salah moves on and Wirtz becomes the focal point of the team, we are going to struggle

I also think we need to find a way to replace Trent's ball progression

The production numbers are still good, but other than that, he doesnt contribute enough and moving him on is probably the best thing for the team.

Fans reaction: I think the fans are more concerned about the overall performance of the team, which is clearly not quite right as yet

There are a few points here to address:

The Salah contract: If we have to eat the contract based on the last 7/8 years of service I can live with that.

Sala Performance: I feel he is moving into the late CR7 / Messi phase of his career.

I used to subscribe to his site and stopped as he had gone down the ”referees are corrupt“ ravit hol. There are plenty of sensbile Liverpool fans out there. I think you have been on a pod with Dan Kennet, I would pay attention to them far more than Tomkins

I’d actually disagree and say it’s just our best 11. Love Wirtz, but just don’t think you break up that midfield