So, anyone want to spend 100mil on Alvarez now?

[WES]

I barely noticed him last night. Mind you, the same was true when he was at City as I recall.

Good player but no more than that, and never worth 100mil.

And on another note, Declan Rice really is the best player in the Premier League if not Europe

[PSRB]

I barely noticed him last night. Mind you, the same was true when he was at City as I recall.

Good player but no more than that, and never worth 100mil.

And on another note, Declan Rice really is the best player in the Premier League if not Europe

Not sure he was anywhere near fully fit

[Peter]

I barely noticed him last night. Mind you, the same was true when he was at City as I recall.

Good player but no more than that, and never worth 100mil.

And on another note, Declan Rice really is the best player in the Premier League if not Europe

Do you really want to spend big money on a new striker?

He would have wanted to rest Vik in those last 20 minutes as he had put a serious shift in. But he simply couldn't afford to take him off. He was that good

[Rich]

Do you really want to spend big money on a new striker?

He would have wanted to rest Vik in those last 20 minutes as he had put a serious shift in. But he simply couldn't afford to take him off. He was that good

He was very good, missed (difficult) chance aside. However I would point out that his best moments came when he had the an entire half to run into when he could do so one vs one. We are learning how to get the ball into those channels quickly... but also those channels don't exist in 90% of the PL games we play.

So to answer the above question; do I want one of the top forward players in world football? One that can play in and of the forward three positions. Yes - very much.

[Peter]

He was very good, missed (difficult) chance aside. However I would point out that his best moments came when he had the an entire half to run into when he could do so one vs one. We are learning how to get the ball into those channels quickly... but also those channels don't exist in 90% of the PL games we play.

So to answer the above question; do I want one of the top forward players in world football? One that can play in and of the forward three positions. Yes - very much.

No, his best moments, and there were dozens of them, were when he got repeatedly got between ball and defender with his back to goal.

All season we have been asking for him to use his strength, win his duels, hold the ball up, give us an out ball, and get us up the pitch.

Last night he did that magnificently. He was a constant menace and with virtually no protection whatsoever from the ref.

As good as Alvarez is, he doesn't give you that.

[Rich]

No, his best moments, and there were dozens of them, were when he got repeatedly got between ball and defender with his back to goal.

All season we have been asking for him to use his strength, win his duels, hold the ball up, give us an out ball, and get us up the pitch.

Last night he did that magnificently. He was a constant menace and with virtually no protection whatsoever from the ref.

As good as Alvarez is, he doesn't give you that.

That is also true. We?ve obviously done a good job coaching him as he couldn?t hold anything up when he arrived. Equally; would I expect my big lump of a centre forward to hold the ball up? Absolutely.

Alvarez gives us unpredictability and the ability to breakdown the teams we face in the PL. Would allow us to play a much more attractive brand of football too.

[Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult]

No, his best moments, and there were dozens of them, were when he got repeatedly got between ball and defender with his back to goal.

All season we have been asking for him to use his strength, win his duels, hold the ball up, give us an out ball, and get us up the pitch.

Last night he did that magnificently. He was a constant menace and with virtually no protection whatsoever from the ref.

As good as Alvarez is, he doesn't give you that.

This. Just this.

Kai to start vs the Hammers to give Vik a bit of a breather?

[Peter]

This. Just this.

Kai to start vs the Hammers to give Vik a bit of a breather?

I think you start Vik. He is absolutely flying at the moment.

[WES]

I think you start Vik. He is absolutely flying at the moment.

Same starting 11 as last night - this is the next most important game of the season.

We have momentum, let's not lose it by being cautious.

[Rich]

Same starting 11 as last night - this is the next most important game of the season.

We have momentum, let's not lose it by being cautious.

Be interesting to see how West Ham play it at home. They need 3 points but do they sit in and try and do us on the break (they do have pace in wide areas). Or do they just go all out for a goal and then go into a filthy low block once they have it.

[Peter]

Be interesting to see how West Ham play it at home. They need 3 points but do they sit in and try and do us on the break (they do have pace in wide areas). Or do they just go all out for a goal and then go into a filthy low block once they have it.

They'll start solid. He isn't an overly bold coach.but if we give them space to work they will hit us.

We need to dominate the ball. If we keep them under constant pressure they will make errors.

It is our toughest game. Needs a big performance.

[Rich]

They'll start solid. He isn't an overly bold coach.but if we give them space to work they will hit us.

We need to dominate the ball. If we keep them under constant pressure they will make errors.

It is our toughest game. Needs a big performance.

Winning those duels in midfield that Arteta goes on so much about is going to be so important. Thankfully we have the best in the business at that.

Would be tempted to play Zubimendi for the same reason. Lewis-Skelly gives us more penetration there but that's not likely to be what's required. MLS' skillset will come to the forefront against Burnley.

[Peter]

Winning those duels in midfield that Arteta goes on so much about is going to be so important. Thankfully we have the best in the business at that.

Would be tempted to play Zubimendi for the same reason. Lewis-Skelly gives us more penetration there but that's not likely to be what's required. MLS' skillset will come to the forefront against Burnley.

That is probably the biggest call. As long as he keeps using Rice the way he is at the moment, I am fine with it.

I'd say Trossard stays in if fit. He is playing well

[7sisters]

That is probably the biggest call. As long as he keeps using Rice the way he is at the moment, I am fine with it.

I'd say Trossard stays in if fit. He is playing well

He didn?t put a foot wrong yesterday. The only thing missing from his game is his reliable ability to score.

[7sisters]

I barely noticed him last night. Mind you, the same was true when he was at City as I recall.

Good player but no more than that, and never worth 100mil.

And on another note, Declan Rice really is the best player in the Premier League if not Europe

I?d rather take a punt on Mitoma. Great little player to interchange with Martinelli. Wouldn?t cost a fortune either