On train home so haven’t seen replays - should Sanchez have been flagged offside for their first & was the second a foul on Kelly?

Will this be five? It's gonna be five! It IS five!

Arsenal were quality at times tonight and we only stayed in the game because of good defending and goalkeeping first half.

Even when we got the equaliser and had a decent spell they looked capable going up a gear and ultimately the difference was them having one of the best players in the world.

Even so with a bit of luck and composure in the last third we could have nicked a draw

No complaints and keep going as we are we'll be ok.

Ref was awful - on incident second half where Wilshere fell over and we were bearing down on goal really stands out.

Benteke deserves every bit of criticism, he is not a scape goat but a player who picks up a huge wage and consistently fails to deliver not just with goals but a positive contribution to the team in terms of application, movement and inspiration. I would go as far to say that his performance tonight was shameful.
I am also curious to know what you thought he brought to the team this evening?

Bring back Brolin

Player ratings;

Speroni-6- a couple of decent saves in the first half. Unfortunately age is certainly catching up on him and he simply doesn’t command his box as well as most prem goalies. Although he is our best option right now we need a proper 1st choice in jan.

Kelly-3-at fault for 1st goal with a nothing attempt to block the rebound. Offers nothing going forward and a liability in defence. Calling him a “utility player” doesn’t mask the fact he is turd. Should have been replaced much, much earlier than 80 min.

Tomkins-7- subtlety becoming our best defender. Having a decent run in the team and played well again. Strong header for his goal; if only it was 5 mins earlier we may have pushed on.

Dann-5- another night whereby he looked like he was running in treacle. Has stepped up in recent weeks after losing Sakho but tonight drifted back to the poor performances which led to him being dropped. Needs to wake up before the next game or we will be ruined.

Shlupp-6- done well and tried to push on as much as possible. Comfortably holding down the LB spot at the moment which may signal a move for PVA in Jan.

Milo-5- sloppy in possession and off the pace by his high standards. Happy to put it down as just a poor night and move on.

Cabaye-5- didn’t seem injured but replaced after 50 mins? Only player that doesn’t seem able to play 90...ever! Poor set pieces- as per usual- and generally saw the game pass him by. Can’t see why we would bother offering a new contract at the moment.

Townsend-7- always runs himself into the ground and looks to deliver into the box. Glad he bagged his 1st of the season and hope he can kick on.

Loftus-Cheek- 4- winner of dick of the day. Lazy, weak and wasteful when in decent positions. Could have been a different outcome if he had looked up instead of greedily going alone and was rightfully taken off.

Zaha-8- one of his poorer games and still comfortably our best player. Our only player who looks like creating something magical. If Van Dijk is worth £75mill in this window then Wilf is worth £100mill. Sell him in jan and we are relegated, simple!

Benteke-4- one step forward (goal and performance against Leicester) and 2 steps back with tonight. Balls bouncing off him all night and never looked a threat. Even when we managed to whip in a cross he was never in the right position. If we can find some mugs willing to pay £20 mill then we should snap their hands off.

Excuse me, but how can you give Schlupp a 6? He lacks the most basic for a defender, like being around when his winger approach him. Great athlete, but unfortunately no football brain.

It would have taken a really sharp eyed liner to see Sanchez's toes a millimeter offside on the first goal. Only with the benefit of the electronic line on a replay did I spot it.

Divorced...And LOVING it!
VJRAM Rev.
CPFC since Boxing Day 1989 CPFC 2-2 CFC
Gregg Berhalter, US International & USMNT Head Coach
Jill Ellis, England International & Retired USWNT Head Coach
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