Oh not a coincidence at all. His runs in behind dragged defenders away from Bailey and created a lot more room to cut inside. Rogers will love that if Malen is similar. JPB to me doesn’t really match up profile-wise to LB or Diaby. Was probably the best we could do at short notice in the summer.

Thoughts on the signing generally?

We have lacked the ability to play “true” transitional football this season because of a chronic lack of pace across the front line (JJ injury too etc). Diaby stretched teams and created space for our 10/Watkins even if he didn’t get the ball. Malen adds this option, Rogers will thrive.

I think given the relatively low fee it’s a sensible signing and clearly replaces the profile of Diaby which I don’t think anyone would have expected us to miss as much this season, but we massively have. JPB (sadly) a bust.

Adds pace and directness to our front 4 which we have sorely lacked.

For us a useful, relatively low risk signing (with Barry/Philogene leaving) that will fill the gap left by Diaby in the summer with his pace and directness.

Wasn’t the headline departure, but we’ve missed Diaby more than we’ve missed Luiz this season, mainly due to the space he created for others.

100%. We've made so many changes this season due to injuries and fixture congestion but this midfield should be the core of our best XI going forward and get a solid run of games. #avfc

I've wanted to see this midfield 3 all season and we hadn't been able to play it because of injuries - if we can keep the three of them fit and give them a run of games, it's one of the best in the league. It's perfectly balanced.

Think we should play this exact shape in the league. Cash’s direct running/overlaps are so much more dangerous than having a left footer there in Bailey cutting inside every time. And it makes us much more solid defensively too

Gives me cause for optimism that those numbers are right there with the top teams. Maybe makes a strong case for a run of games for Duran from the start with our best team (prob Tielemans in the 10) behind him

I feel like that also passes the eye test. We always create 2-3 very good chances a game (we did yesterday as well) - but are not taking them and massively underperforming the xG in a way we weren’t last year.

Maintain that player underperformance/not executing is still the biggest issue we have.

All of this is bang on. Give how invested the owners are in Emery, am intruiged to see how they treat a 'down year' if he is intent on pushing through with this evolution in our style. Top half PL managers rarely get the time to do this kind of longer term work. I do think it will click eventually.

To be where we are in the league and CL given the poor form over the last month is still really good. If we’re within 6 points of the top 5 in the New Year, think we could put together a run like early 2023 and be there or there abouts.

Missing Diaby’s pace and ability to stretch teams (even when not receiving the final pass) when going forward has been so apparent over the last 6 weeks.

It’s rare for us, but I’d expect us to be active in January to try and address this, as it’s SUCH a problematic position right now.