Saint Pete

Good demonstration of why we need to focus fully on the cups this season. We ain't good enough to finish as high in league as last season, simple as that.

So who said we would win 0-6?

Why exactly? This is a Cup quarter final - the fact that Wenger will make changes makes it potentially a better chance for us to progress and go on and win something - but only if we pick a strong side. I get why we have rested players in previous rounds but now that we are in a Q-Final, surely we should give it our all to go all the way? Personally, I would much prefer to see our strongest side in this one, even if it means playing a weaker side at Palace. Would be a shame if we go out with a whimper again wondering what could have been had we actually gone for it.

Sorry but don't think you can put it down to luck when the kind of pattern we saw in this game is becoming a recurring theme. You are right that we controlled the game but it was telling that most of our clearest chances came after we went behind and actually started chasing a goal. We need to show that kind of intensity earlier to kill these kind of games. We are also too reliant on Austin now who seems the only player who is currently hungry for goals. Too many of the rest seem content to play safe in possession. If we can't get more from Rodriguez, Redmond and Tadic in terms of goal threat, it will need to be addressed in January. I agree it's not all doom and gloom as we are dominant in many games but we do need to learn and improve in the attacking third of the pitch.

We are playing OK but we need to get Tadic and Redmond on the ball more around their box. Most of our passing just from side to side in front of them so far, not really threatening.

If we could finish we'd have double figures today!

Brill from McQueen Jarod should score

Good game from redmond.

Agreed although will probably have to drag him off as will be after hat trick now!

Like the look of McQueen- some nice passes.

Great hit redmond, well deserved goal.

Poor touch again Austin. Should have been in there.

Oh dear Austin.

Great save - unlucky Austin.

Depends on whether we can put it in the net though, doesn't it? Suspect we will see lots of the ball and dominate for long periods, but will we have the firepower/cutting edge to turn that into goals? Based on last few games, I would expect it still to be a tight scoreline, although obviously hope we can find our scoring touch today!

JWP!!!!

We should have had 5 or 6 in this second half!

Cedric got to do better there!!

That's what Austin's on for

We need at least one of Rodriguez or Austin to come up trumps over the next few weeks given that Boufal unlikely to be available at full fitness for a while. Otherwise goals look hard to come by without Mane and Pelle. We also need Puel to put the team out in a way that suits our players. Will be interesting to see how long we persist with current formation.

Olympics were much more exciting.

This.

A striker who can't shoot?

I don't get why any of that should matter to us though? Fonte is our player, under contract, and if we don't want to sell him now, we don't have to, no matter what games the player, agents or other clubs want to play.

There's a difference between physical peak and overall peak as a player though in my opinion. You're saying Fonte is past his peak, but I assume you are basing that pretty much entirely on his age rather than his performances, which have been outstanding in the last year. Defending is not just about pace - this is a factor of course but it's also about experience, reading of the game positioning and tactical know-how. For that reason, I would say Fonte IS currently at the peak of his powers overall as a defender, as he demonstrated in the Euros. Regarding Ivanovic, he did have a poor season, but so did a lot of Chelsea's players - there were clearly other factors at play there! Would also note that both Ivanovic and Terry are both still first team starters under Conte, a man I would suggest who knows a thing or two about setting up a defence.