Lallana's Left Peg

He got regular starts last season, and whilst he wasn't spectacular he played his part in general play even if their wasn't a great deal of productivity. It's not like we played with ten men every time he started. Right now he is lacking a little confidence, and is struggling to assert himself on games - elements of this are physical, and elements of this will be general form. He will likely get games by virtue of the volume we'll have this season, but all things considered if he is not a starter when everyone is fit then I wonder how he will progress as I think he could. In the past we could play kids and carry their development (and indifferent performances) in the first team as the expectations did not exist. They do now, perhaps more than ever in my lifetime supporting us when we've been in the top flight. The club talk openly of their ambition and that's great. But now is the acid test - will we stand by the Academy prospects during indifferent periods of form (which we always used to do) or will we swap them out quickly? I don't think we know the answer to that at the moment but I wouldn't be surprised to see JWP start on Sunday.

The question for me is not whether JWP will 'make it' because I think he will, albeit over a longer period of time than we're used to. The question for me is not whether JWP is struggling right now because he is, and spells like this are perfectly normal for young players especially when they are not as physically strong as others. The question for me is whether or not JWP's progress is dependent on first team football, and if it is whether or not Saints are now in a position where they can afford him to continue his development as a first team starter whilst he struggles and the team continue to perform to the level they have to (i.e. Top 8 in the Premier League and competing in three cups). That is a hard question to answer.

Only a one year extension, and the word on the street up here is that it is designed to prevent speculation over his future this season as Managers heading into the final year of their deal is never a good thing (as Saints know too well). Doesn't really change much .

I don't have a clue what is going on

Why would he start Caulker ahead of Yoshida? Surely Ronald won't rate him as better. At least, I hope not.

We only had one proper striker all of last season so getting to the end of August with three centre-halves feels like a luxury. No point making a panic signing now when we can wait a few weeks to try and get a better target.

Lets save the excitement for the group stage. I want the easiest passage possible there, not just to secure those six games, but also in terms of not knackering the players too much at the start of the season.

He is miles ahead of Caulker. Caulker looks scarred from his last two seasons - he looked decent at Swansea to be fair, but some of the things he did tonight weren't great. He has shown he is capable a few years ago, so he'll need to get up to speed in training as I don't like the idea of him doing it in games that matter. There will be mistakes to come, the key will be that they are the last time he makes them.

I think that one went over your head!

Bilic masked it as not being about Arsenal, but more about the season in general. Whilst I appreciate that West Ham are in a bit of a period of transition, I am not sure how much better they think they can be in the Premier League if they dropped the Europa League unless Bilic thinks they are so bad they could get relegated. West Ham fans deserve better too - with it being the last season at the current ground some big European games could have been a great way to say goodbye to their current home.

You are correct!

First and most importantly, it's a job done. Dire game, but that suited us. Positives Pelle looks in good nick Martina looks decent considering Keeper is good Negatives Can't get the wider midfield players into the game when we play Mane up top with Pelle. May be a personnel issue as Davis, JWP, and Tadic aren't suited to it. Caulker looks like he has a way to go to be up to scratch for what we need Enough space for an oil tanker through the centre of the park at times JWP is struggling to get involved

Our passing tonight, on a good surface against a team that plays very open, has been awful.

The balance is a bit off with the personnel, but I don't like how easy it is to go through the middle against us. Not good considering this lot are Championship standard at best.

The game is dire. But I suppose that's ok considering the score. Tadic struggles when he is shunted out wide in a flatter midfield. And despite what anyone says, it is a flatter midfield when we put Mane central right up near Pelle.

Caulker is all over the place. He better shape up if he is to get minutes this season.

I don't remember Caulker being this slow. Moves like he is wearing wellies.

Looks like a bit of a kit clash on TV.

Erwin Koeman confirms it is Martina on the right, Yoshida on the left.

That defence

He's a good player. Quite aggressive in the tackle, physically imposing - wants to compete. A little slow getting out and creating a high line at times. More Lovren than Alderweireld from what I have seen of him.

Great player but Arsenal isn't the club to be at if you have physical issues.

Unless the rules have changed this season, I think they need to be registered by midday on the Friday.

It's as simple as this - ensure we get the job done against Vitesse and then start looking at how the other fixtures went. It's about 50:50 as to whether or not we'll be seeded, and if we aren't seeded there is about a 25% chance we'll draw a team against which we won't be favourites in the tie.