Arsenal 2 - West Bromwich Albion 0

Paul Gainham:

We were really poor today throughout the team, no exceptions. Even Olsson who is normally the model of consistency had a poor game.

Yes the 1st pen was a dive but Arsenal deserved the win. We did not trouble their keeper once.

We have lost our spark, shape and drive and it's hard to see what has happened but that's now 3 poor games on the trot following 4 really good gamers.

Again let's not panic we are still 5th but the mid of the table is getting congested.

This is when Clarkes abilities will be tested to the full and will determine how good a coach he really is.

I hope things don't turn sour a la Di Matteo post Blackpool...

JohnatFleet:

A poor display even before their 1st 'penalty' - would we have improved if that had not been given? Probably not, as Arsenal were already playing better than us. Brunty was again non existent - am I alone in feeling that all of our best displays have been when Brunt has not been playing and conversely, our worst are when he has been playing?

We missed Yakob, as Morrison was not his usual self in the defensive role, but I do not think that his presence would have made that much difference. Long/Lukaku were not given any service and too many passes went astray - no wonder their possession was much higher than ours.

Lamp Baggie:

Third poor performance on the bounce a very lacklustre display with only Mulumbu offering anything like normal service. Long had no support whatsoever - Gera, Morrison & Odem just not in game, defence out of sorts & attack no threat.

Our set plays were very poor - Olsen offside again (this is schoolboy stuff) & some shocking crosses in particular from Brunt who IMO is not worth his place - he had one decent shot but I can't remember any other contribution.

Yes the ref was conned but was it any worse than our pen @ Sunderland - just as v Stoke SC avoided the main issue which was our ineffective & laboured display.

We have made a brilliant start to the season & bounced back after losing 2 in a row previously - we've played some attractive passing football with width on the flanks & looked dangerous when we attacked - the Swansea result set us back big time & maybe SC over-reacted, losing is not a problem but it's our recent performances that are worrying & our next 3 games are now crucial & we need a big improvement. Come on SC lets get back on track or will be down with the Seals - We know what we are!

Baggyjon:

Sixth place after 3 defeats on the bounce. On the face of it still a remarkable position. As I have written before we do not have the resources or stadium size, even if we could fill an increased capacity, to compete with the big boys.

However the start of this season has provided more optimism than probably the last thirty years. It is therefore disappointing that standing on the cusp of a new dawn we suddenly are confronted with a number of set backs which other clubs with greater resources would take in its stride.

An unfortunate injury to probably Englands best goalkeeper. The lack of a genuine wide man. Quite inexplicable that our only wide man is now out on loan at Leeds. The persistence of playing Brunt who by his own standards has had a mare of a season. The inability of the much vaunted Lukaku to score bread and butter goals, notably against Man City. An alarming dip in form over recent games by Olsson. The form of Rosenberg also worries me. The lad, it seems to me on the evidence as seen, has a long way to go to reach Premier Standard. The lack of our ability to close opposition midfields down especially without Jakob in the side.

We are desperate for a couple of Premier class fullbacks. Apart from the injury prone Reid the others are only journeymen.

A somewhat uncertainty by the manager to pick a settled side.

I still think Europe is a long way away but we I am sure we are good enough despite the above to finish in the top ten again and if the above points are met much higher.

Up the Baggies.

COUCHCRITIC:

I have to agree with most of the comments made, our early bewildering start to the season is now revealing our shortcommings. In particlar our defensive weakness where we are slow to react to quick counter attacks & with a stand in keeper who although a good shot stopper parries the ball too often thereby gifting it to opposing forwards. We have lost our wide man in Thomas who on his day was a match winner providing the sort of crosses that Long craves for. Brunt is a problem, should never be captain in my opinion & should never be allowed to tackle anyone in our own 6 yard area as tackling is beyond him!

All in all we are starting to unravel & our present league position is a false representation of our performances of late & we desperately need some new impetus if we aren't to lose our 'top midlands side' mantel.