Dy-lan

If this is true, ill be so gutted . However, I say dont let this effect the Torres/Milan talks.

Honestly don't expect Eto'o to play. Doubt he's match fit. Didn't lukaku pick up an injury as well last week?

While I'm happy he's not going to United, you have to at least question why we didn't stick our noses in at the £21M-ish price...I like young Kalas and Zouma, but Bentia is established, in his prime etc. I guess Jose/The board feel JT/Cahill/Zouma/Ivanovic is sufficient.

I honestly wouldn't mind loaning him and just having Costa, Drogba and Scurrle for the CF spot. Yes I know Schurrle hasn't played great for us as a #9 but honestly he's no worse than Torres there. Getting Torres's wages (partially anyway) off of our books for a year would be great..plus there's the ever so SLIGHT chance he knocks in a few goals in the Serie A and we can move him permanently next year (I know unlikely ).

First half was terrible. We really took it up a notch in the second half! That was great to see. Diego scores again, Hazard gets a goal and we get 3 points!

Judging from our match with them on Monday I can see Nate getting good minutes with them...hope it happens.

I think you'll get your wish mate. Can't see them trying to be adventurous. A lot of their fans commented on how burley was hoofing the ball up instead of trying to pass on the ground. They said they should try linking passes on the ground against us...easier said than done.

Going through withdrawals already...I need Saturday to hurry up I had a look at the foxes forum and they all say they expect to get hammered as they have a very thin squad right now. I'm Hoping we come out blazing and give the fans a proper show for the home opener.

I think he'll be great for them Really not looking forward to seeing him line up for the scousers. I genuinely like balotelli and I truly hate Liverpool. So this is a lose lose scenario for me.

Despite Luis not playing in the opener, I'm still confident he'll play the majority of our matches. I think perhaps Jose just wanted to go into the Burnley match with a "no nonsense, we know what we'll get" line up (inclusion of Ivan over Luis). It wound up paying off as Ivan was immense on Monday night. I love Ivan but despite his great match Monday we all know he doesn't regularly provide brilliant balls into the box. I think he'll be used at RB against particularly physical sides, and of course play a fair bit of CB.

This move just doesn't make sense as long as Mikel is here...35M is a ton of money to spend on a "back up" for Matic. Neither can play as a true "8" so I just can't see this happening. That being said, I'd LOVE to keep him away from Arsenal as I feel he's exactly what they need, but at 35M it just doesn't make sense.

There's a new sense of confidence you can see in the lad. His runs are devastating when a ball is actually played to him. Took his goal very well.

Watched the match in an airport on my laptop (with headphones), currently heading home from New York. You should have seen the stares I got after seeing that Cesc to Schurrle goal. I forgot for a second where I was and celebrated a bit loudly Also if you want an entertaining read here's a link to the general football chat on Arsenal Mania, pure comedy right now: http://arsenal-mania.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=324348&start=630

Let the foot off the gas around 60min mark or so. Cant complain, first match of the season has yielded 3pts, a Costa goal and 2 Cesc assists. KTBFFH!

Not much he could have done about the goal. Otherwise, he hasnt been tested much. He's caught a few crosses/corners.

Excellent first half performance. Really keeping burnley on the ropes. Oscar needs to show more for me.

Buzzing!! This last hour is torture ! Glad Shrurrle got the start. Was hoping to see Luis get the start as well tho.

Wow what a finish from Costa in that gif. I'd go absolutely mental if he pulled out a finish like that for us. But honestly I don't care if he's banging them in off his shins and knees as long as he's scoring :-)

Everton have announced today that Chelsea do not have the first option to buy on Ross Barkley. Thanks for that update Everton -__-

Big time number for Oscar to live up to. Hopefully he becomes more consistent this season.

I'm really enjoying watching Ake develop. Never pictured him as a fullback as we've always watched him as that tidy little midfielder who can play some center back as well. But more power to him for really coming into his own in the LB position. I love his attitude from his recent interviews. He talked about how he's not used to LB but you don't complain about position when you're getting minutes at a club like Chelsea as a youngster. The number 6 looks good on him, let's hope it's an indicator that he'll feature a decent amount this season in the first team.

So excited for this. Part of me is upset we got the Monday night match time slot as I'm so anxious to see our boys play an official match. But it is what it is. Hope we come out against Burnley firing. For me, I'd choose ------------Courtois Azpi-Cahill/Ivan-Terry-Luis -------Matic----Fabregas Schurrle--Willian---Hazard -----------Costa

I'd rather just give our own Bamford a shot and further develop him (also Solanke is promising as well). Wickham is a different type of striker than Bamford tho, and offers something different, if that's what you were thinking.

I've always liked him in midfield versus CB. Same here mate. The hype train was warranted tho, at the time. He was playing great football. Even had that stunner of a goal. Hopefully he breaks into the starting XI for burnley (if the loan indeed goes through).

What a treat it is to have someone like him pinging passes around from deep. His solo effort for the winning goal today was brilliant.