Luckily Xfce exists which gives you back all of the configurability of old Gnome.
Move those panels around, add as many as you like!
Me, I’ve just looked at screenshots of old gnome and can’t remember why I ever thought 2 panels visible at all times were a good idea.
I love current gnome, cause with a single extension I can hide literally all of it until I need to bring it up with the super-button. And then I have my favorite apps, open windows, workspaces, systray, clock and a search field all visible at once.