Palace are good but over-rated. The ref gifted them their first game at Norwich and they were not special at home to us.

Dangerous away team when they are taken for granted as last night. They'll fade to mid table like West Ham did last year.

I would agree that we will struggle to get top 4 if there are no new signings. Momentum of the last couple of seasons in danger of being lost in that case.

[appreciate that you weren't looking for a considered response - just the same ole Spuds wind-up!]

That's true...but I can laugh in any case.

Oh and Swansea just scored wooo hoooo!

I think those Slow Loris bids are coming thick and fast.....

Window isn't shut yet.

They think it's all over

..... IT IS NOW

... unless Arsene thinks that Austin/Berahino improves the mix!

Victor gets straight on the phone to The Manager

Claude has been carted away by the men in white suits

What odds can I get on Wenger going before the start of next season? Has to be pretty advantageous, the owner doesn't know which way his rear end is up.

Livid.

Oh calm down. You can always switch teams again.

One keeper bought at 10 mil. The rest of the available money trousered. None of the widely touted holes in cover filled.

Quite extraordinary. will live on in the folklore of the club - for all the wrong reasons.

You remember what a shitty first half of the season we had last term? And how many players we had out for extended periods?

Yet we scored precisely two league goals less than the champions.

Maybe he has a point.

A keeper we needed but the rest is debatable.

Wenger wants to develop players, so you're right in what you said, he has just created a mountain of pressure on himself:

Our next five games: Stoke (H), Zagreb (A) Chelski (A) Tiny Totts (A) Leicester (A)

Did you notice Joel Campbell is back in the squad?

It's all over now so no point in dwelling on it - though TV commentators are going to be doing so most of the next 2-3 months at every opportunity, which will be one great yawn. Think I'll watch the games with the sound turned down! I don't blame Arsene from drawing back from mad prices, but one got the impression he didn't prepare the ground early enough.

A lot rides on two things now:

* Can Wellbeck get back to fitness quickly and develop the potential he clearly has? I think we can expect Giroud to keep on doing a decent enough job to get 15-25 goals, but we must have an alternative who is firing and Welback is more likely to do that than Theo IMO. I'm not convinced that Wellbeck has the fire in him that's needed though

* Does Le Coq stay fit? If he goes out for a ten week spell then frankly you can kiss goodbye to top 4. Yes I know I was the guy who said that I didn't think he played that well in his first full game less than a year ago (and you rightly picked me up on that - how wrong can I be? Now described as the most effective defensive mid in the EPL by some and that after only 30ish games as a starter. Arsene nonetheless needs to rest him for a few lesser team games and use ole slowcoach Arteta.

Of course if Joel Campbell can do a Coq this season then the sky's the limit. Can't see that happening - even when people were starting to talk about him at Juve I watched a couple of his games and thought him far too lacking in technical ability. Dunno why he's been kept on (apart from Milk Cup fodder). [sticking my neck out in the hope it's chopped off again]

Hell - I forgot (just looked on the website) - we still have Flamini to give breathers to Coq. Guess he's got to be worth 40k a week if nobody was prepared to chip in a bit of transfer money. Now I know that Arsene never intended to get another defensive mid from the off!

Of course if Joel Campbell can do a Coq this season then the sky's the limit. Can't see that happening - even when people were starting to talk about him at Juve I watched a couple of his games and thought him far too lacking in technical ability. Dunno why he's been kept on (apart from Milk Cup fodder). [sticking my neck out in the hope it's chopped off again]

I think you're being a bit harsh. He deserves more of a chance than he's had so far IMO.

Hell - I forgot (just looked on the website) - we still have Flamini to give breathers to Coq. Guess he's got to be worth 40k a week if nobody was prepared to chip in a bit of transfer money. Now I know that Arsene never intended to get another defensive mid from the off!

He has said that Jack can play there.

Hmmm, I just went to injuryroom.com and was pleasantly surprised that I had to scroll down a fair way to find us!

Don't think anyone can rely on Jack the lad playing more than two games at defensive mid before he dives in and misses either 1 game or 20! He's such a valuable attacking threat but I don't think he is going to last long unless he is styled as a slightly deep lying No 8 or 10 with strict instructions not to defend!

You're not that reliant on one player unfortunately Santi!

Campbell !!

Campbell !!

He was one of the standout players in WC2014.

But he's hardly had a game since he signed.

Campbell !!

He was one of the standout players in WC2014.

But he's hardly had a game since he signed.

I remember Chiccy, but I've seen him play since, both with Arsenal and in La Liga. I just don't think he has it. Maybe I'll be proved wrong. I'd go as far as to say I'd rather have Sanogo...but then again maybe not.

Well if he doesn't get a run we'll never know.

Fair point Chic. The Milk Cup* is an ideal try-out (plus some appearances off the bench if we are 2 up against Watford). Jelly - I agree it would be mad to start him in any regular EPL game now we are 5 points off the pace.

*Is it still 'Capital One' this year? (and what the hell is Capital One anyway - have a feeling it's either a credit card or train company - so much for sports marketing!)

Do you think Wenger deliberately didn't mention that Welbeck has had knee surgery, or just that it happened to be badly timed just after the window closed?

Fair point Chic. The Milk Cup* is an ideal try-out (plus some appearances off the bench if we are 2 up against Watford). Jelly - I agree it would be mad to start him in any regular EPL game now we are 5 points off the pace.

*Is it still 'Capital One' this year? (and what the hell is Capital One anyway - have a feeling it's either a credit card or train company - so much for sports marketing!)

Yeah, that works

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_Cup

Wellbeck reported as having undergone surgery and to be out for the rest of 2015. Did Wenger not know this was coming? Why on earth would he not have bought a Charlie Austin or a Berahino for cover at the last gasp?

Giroud/Campbell/Walcott is not enough of a strike force for an EPL contender. Put Giroud on the treatment bench and we look woeful.

This is crazy

Wellbeck reported as having undergone surgery and to be out for the rest of 2015. Did Wenger not know this was coming? Why on earth would he not have bought a Charlie Austin or a Berahino for cover at the last gasp?

Giroud/Campbell/Walcott is not enough of a strike force for an EPL contender. Put Giroud on the treatment bench and we look woeful.

This is crazy

We're praying Giroud gets a little knock...nothing serious....a holiday till Xmas please.

.

A lot rides on two things now:

* Can Wellbeck get back to fitness quickly and develop the potential he clearly has? I think we can expect Giroud to keep on doing a decent enough job to get 15-25 goals, but we must have an alternative who is firing and Welback is more likely to do that than Theo IMO. I'm not convinced that Wellbeck has the fire in him that's needed though

He might have less fire now.

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck is expected to be out until Christmas after having a knee operation.

.

A lot rides on two things now:

* Can Wellbeck get back to fitness quickly and develop the potential he clearly has? I think we can expect Giroud to keep on doing a decent enough job to get 15-25 goals, but we must have an alternative who is firing and Welback is more likely to do that than Theo IMO. I'm not convinced that Wellbeck has the fire in him that's needed though

He might have less fire now.

By David OrnsteinBBC Sport

Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck is expected to be out until Christmas after having a knee operation.

Yeah, that's usually what "months" means.

^ + ^^ Must have been asleep for a day or two!

^ + ^^ Must have been asleep for a day or two!

Yup, playing catch up after 3.5 months in Europe.

^ Forget the Arse just keep us updated on Joe Maguire...Ta

^ Forget the Arse just keep us updated on Joe Maguire...Ta

Indeed, smart lad that Joe he knows where best to learn his trade.

Hope we can keep him for more than a month.

A massacre in all but the scoreline 70% possession, 29 shots, 12 of them on target, young Butland was fantastic in goal for Stoke.

Should have had a clearly penalty near the end there but 2-0 it finished.

Well the weekend bags are packed.

Three away trips on the bounce:

Dinamo Zagreb in the Champs League

Chelski in the league

Tiny Totts in the Littlewoods Everest Double Glazing Capital Milk One cup.

Before we return home at the end of the month for a visit from the bubbles.

I don't think it would be untoward to label him the "New Diaby".....

London: Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will be out for three months following surgery to fix a hairline fracture in his left leg, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

Manager Arsene Wenger last week revealed the England international had suffered a "little setback" in his scheduled recovery from the injury sustained in pre-season.

"Due to a slow healing response from a fracture suffered in August, the club can confirm that Jack Wilshere is to undergo an operation to his left fibula," Arsenal said in a statement.

"The decision to intervene has been taken quickly after regular reviews by specialists, who feel that Jack's scans show that the healing process is not progressing as well as expected.

"Jack will have surgery in London in the forthcoming days. This will involve inserting a small plate in his left fibula. Jack is likely to be out for approximately three months.

"Everyone at the club wishes Jack well with his rehabilitation."

I don't think it would be untoward to label him the "New Diaby".....

London: Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will be out for three months following surgery to fix a hairline fracture in his left leg, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

Manager Arsene Wenger last week revealed the England international had suffered a "little setback" in his scheduled recovery from the injury sustained in pre-season.

"Due to a slow healing response from a fracture suffered in August, the club can confirm that Jack Wilshere is to undergo an operation to his left fibula," Arsenal said in a statement.

"The decision to intervene has been taken quickly after regular reviews by specialists, who feel that Jack's scans show that the healing process is not progressing as well as expected.

"Jack will have surgery in London in the forthcoming days. This will involve inserting a small plate in his left fibula. Jack is likely to be out for approximately three months.

"Everyone at the club wishes Jack well with his rehabilitation."

They shoot horses don't they ? I'm not a fan of Wilshere but what incredibly poor luck he has.

Having a metal plate inserted I believe. What's wrong with a dab of Superglue I say.