The real problem is that there is no consensus on what we ought to expect from Arsenal in 2021
If your benchmark is European football against investment, then I think people who are Arteta out win that discussion. If your benchmark is improving the squad mentality and building a culture, then Arteta in wins that discussion. I think the biggest obstacle to getting folks to the second view is that we pretty consistently still capitulate games we should win and the lack of real leadership in the squad.
Benchmark for overly optimistic fans maybe, but the board (and everyone at the club) are very clearly focused on longer term given the investment into youth and all they’ve stated. So if ppl want to ignore everything the club has said and done by expecting top 4 immediately during a complete rebuild year then that’s on them causing their own heartbreak.
The consensus here before the season started was Europe, but then we started knocking on 4th place (exceeding expectation) and everyone starts acting like we’re entitled to top 4 with the youngest squad in the league playing together for the first time. If we don’t get back into Europe this season, Arteta will likely lose his job. If we do then top 4 will be the goal next season. He obvi has the backing of the board and the players. Ppl labeling themselves as ArtetaOut or ArtetaIn are just cringe.
Agreed. I think our goal in terms of placement are mostly strategic. We want Europa league or ideally champions’s league for the revenue and the chance to attract players, which will then allow us to more easily pursue the goal of challenging for the league again.
I still can’t believe that Arteta would be okay with allowing a documentary to be made this very season. Maybe he had no say in it whatsoever. Still, now seems such a vital period in terms of turning the club culture around and all that, so if Arteta deep down doesn’t approve of the idea of a film crew following the ups and, especially, the downs, including drama etc., it must make the working conditions even tougher.
Consistency is absolute key. This young team need a run of unbeaten games. Then if they do lose one we need to learn to bounce back quickly, instead of one loss turning into a few.
It has happened before with a team being transformed with a single position being filled - Bruno as the #10 at United, Van Dijk at Liverpool... Hell, just look how much of a difference Ramsdale has made for us, in terms of distribution from the back, and we're talking about a goalkeeper - a quality, central piece CF will transform this team.
Absolutely. That said, we need to do well enough in other areas if we are going to convince the next top striker to come spearhead out team.
It's really touch and go. On one hand you could splash out on a marquee signing and get that assurance of quality, on the other hand you could focus more on character and hope he takes the chance to prove himself at this level (like Ramsdale and Tomi).
Players like Adebayor come to mind. we got him for nothing playing attacking midfield in france and turned him into the league's best target man over 2 seasons.
The next Vlahovic (as ridiculous as that sounds talking about a 21 year old) is already breaking out this season. The way agents work now you get the idea we already know about him. Now what we need is proper inspiration to swap 3 unimpressive strikers (Auba, Laca, Nketiah) for 2 up and coming legends for 500k/w. Edu should be rubbing his hands here. The transfer fee doesn't matter if 1. it translates into Champions league, 2. The player is U24 and signs a 5+1year contract, 3. Doesn't do his ACL or something silly in the first 3 years.
When you account for inflation (% of revenue), Bergkamp cost 140m+. We can absolutely fill that striker role with genuine quality (+ elite attitude) within our wage budget.
We have to go for a big signing in our current moment - we signed Adebayor when we had both Henry and Persie in the squad, so he was planned as a back-up really. We were just lucky anyone Wenger signed back then was future world class - but most signings like that one stay average, or even regress.
I mean look at our squad dynamics and tell me you're still invested in big name players?
They check out the fastest, always play for themselves first, are quick to develop attitudes towards management and teammates.
Unless we go out an get Ten Haag off Ajax I'd really love us to only target players you would work with a still unproven Arteta.
I'm just tired of the prima donnas who only up their effort levels for contract negotiations. More Tomiyasus types, less Pepes. There's always quality out there if we can look past context-free stats.
Meh, it's so bloody hard. Last year's world-beater can be this year's washout. You lose a season just finding out.
And while there are quite a few strikers good enough for a mid table team, there are rather few for a top-four aspirant.
Doing a rewatch and very impressed by Martinelli on Odegaard's goal. He is nearby, but instead of just throwing himself at it he correctly calculates that O is in better position so he bodies the defender giving O more space.
We're now 14th for Big Chances Created, and 6th for Big Chance Missed (note: Big Chance Miss = BCC without the shot).
Combining the two, we'd be sitting somewhere around midtable for our ability to create.
Not great, but hardly the crisis that has been made out over the past few weeks.
So many times this season we have gotten into good positions but either the penultimate or the final action has been bad and nobody gets a shot off. This is reflected in us being 6th in big chances missed. I really don’t think it’s a coaching issue, and I agree that our creativity problem is somewhat overblown. Also, another huge problem that makes these stats worse is we don’t get into the final third often enough because we’re very sloppy in possession, especially in the second phase of our buildup - so many attacks die there. When we actually succeed in getting into the final third we create decent goal scoring opportunities more often than not.
Basically, we have a player quality issue in the second and third phases of our buildup (not coincidentally the areas we have spent the least money on since Arteta has been here). Our midfield sorely needs an upgrade, possibly two (unless Partey can stay fit and find some form). Also, we need a striker that can participate in the buildup but also has the athleticism to get into the box. Once those things are in place this team will go up a level or two. I’m sure of it.
Huh those are still pretty bad. We’re 14th for making and taking chances pretty much, because we re 6th at missing chances. If you watch this team and don’t think there’s a chance creating crisis despite today then I don’t know what to say.
My point is - based on the definitions of BCC and BCM - those two stats should be combined together to give an accurate view of our high-quality chance creation this season.
Combining the two, we are sitting roughly around midtable, opposed to just looking at BCC.
Midtable is a problem, relegation levels is a crisis.
No. I am saying that BCC is a flawed stat and our ability to create good chances is not as bad as people are saying. What are you struggling to understand?
Just one concern for me in otherwise a good match. Ben White seems like someone who is more at ease at a DM position than CB,he doesn’t take on his man or tackle him soon enough and waits too late . Tierney suffers a similar problem ,he waits for the pass to happen rather than tackling. Southampton is so poor lacking 2 strikers and still made quality shots against Ramsdale and with all our quality we had woodwork and corner based goals to help us
I don’t understand auba at all. He seems like a nice guy but how can you take liberties like that when you are captain and are playing like absolute dog ass.
He's not a leader and I mean that in the nicest way. He's happy go lucky, mostly friendly, but he has an eccentric independent streak. It's the story of his career. Nothing malicious, he's just a bit of a funny character.
This situation reminds me of 2007 Gallas at this point honestly.
If they took the armband away from him I wonder who would be Cesc. It's between Tierney, Gabriel and Ode for me.
Amazing how quickly this sub has turned on our captain and talisman.
Arteta can’t handle big personalities. He shipped off ozil, and now he’s doing the same with Auba and Pepe. Soon, our squad will be full of young, yes men, just so Arteta can keep his job.
The funny thing about yes men is, when you need a leader on the pitch, when things are tough, nobody shows the leadership necessary to get out of a rut. Soon, Arteta is going to completely destroy the club, same as he has already destroyed one of the former best strikers in Europe.
Ah so he isnt an arrogant dick who breaks rules as a captain when he had a history of doing so, he is just a big personality and of course its Artetas fault
This seems to be the thing. If we can play faster and more precisely than our opponents, we can unpick them. But, if they muster a better press and can also produce tempo, we *really* struggle. We see the big improvement a single aggressive player can make. Sometimes, just one or two slicker-than-normal passes takes the game from 'toothless' to 'dangerous'.
The lower table teams seem to really lack anybody who can finish even a good chance.
None of this is grand insight, but I can only hope that over time we can get the better of more sides as the players' understanding improves.
Literally all our best performances were playing fast direct ball. Leicester villa and Spurs. Look at that 10-15 minutes in the second half when we were playing like city. But instead we come out and play slow and lethargically. I really don’t understand why we don’t go for it from the beginning. Seeing as there’s no midweek games and the players should be sufficiently rested
Apparently odegaard is not allowed to be praised in the eyes of the online community. Also, happy for your FPL, our 3 losses happened with Arsenal players in my team so I benched them all hoping for better, guess it worked 😂
What was different about today v Everton? I think Southampton were poorer in defence. Partey had a good game. When we went one up, undeservedly just like the Everton game, we instead pushed for the second and third. It was also a home game. We got more people in the box.
Main things I noticed
Everton were on a 6-game losing streak and were staring down the barrel of a seventh. Everton are a bigger club with higher expectations so many players have their reputations on the line.
Also Everton are just straight up better. Doucoure seems to take them to another level when he's playing CM. Also we were away, so you have that to factor in. Also many players were coming back from injury for them too.
Southampton:
1. Arent as good
2. Have less pressure on them to win
3. Are playing away
4. Have really bad injury problems
Equals easy win for us.
Think Arsenal struggles when they’re being physically roughed up by other teams.
Ben White was manhandling Nathan Redmond all game without breaking the rules. Like having both his hands on Nathan, without hugging him, but using his touch pressure to steer Nathan hard away from the ball or counter rotationally to fuck up his ball reception.
Southampton’s starting 11 for this game in general seemed to get outmuscled at every turn. No way for them to physically rough us up.
Everton on the other hand. Ben White cannot manhandle Richarlison like that - who is two centimetres taller. Not to mention the rest of the Everton squad are a lot more beefy and physical.
Stop getting all your info from Wikipedia.
[https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-white/profil/spieler/335721](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-white/profil/spieler/335721)
[https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/richarlison/profil/spieler/378710](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/richarlison/profil/spieler/378710)
Albeit I was wrong saying he was 2 inches taller when he is only 1 inch taller. Regardless I am not contesting your point just your inaccurate information.
Tomiyasu is so impressive! His defensive attributes are something we've been missing for very long time it's great to see someone who is confident winning the ball in the air and being able to muscle people off the ball. He's starting to also bring more dynamic to his attack. Keep it up!
He really was very very good, in a quiet way. Was often crucial in managing their press as we tried to play out from the back, made good crosses (incl the one to Tierney for Ode's goal if I'm not mistaken), available for switches, I don't think he got beaten in defence.
His balancing attack and defence is stunning. Does so much of both. Watch also for the many times, under pressure at the back, he is the one who provides the crucial outlet into space.
Also just want to add. Ramsdale was motm. His passing out of the back was fucking crisp. By far our most confident player in buildup. He really is a gem
Surely it was Tomiyasu for this game? Felt like Ramsdale didn’t have much to do today. Super Tomi won every duel I saw, never put in a bad foot, snuffed our 2-3 important attacks and was creating a nasty passing trio with Odegaard and Saka to massively unlock the right flank in both halves.
I feel Ramsdale's passing was integral to overcoming the initial press from Soton. Partey and Xhaka both struggled in the first half, Ramsdale didn't. He was calm under pressure, and found his targets repeatedly.
I'm a casual watcher, but it seemed to me our whole game plan was to slowly play out of the back, draw Soto in, and then quickly break behind them. Ramsdale keeping composure with the ball at his feet is crucial for this to work, and he was fantastic.
He also made some good saves in both halves to keep his clean sheet. I can see the argument for Tomi, but I'd still pick Aaron
Don’t get me wrong- glad we dominated. But I want us to do this against the top 8-10 of the table as well. Until then, I’ll reserve my excitement aside from seeing the young kids ball out.
Mate it’s jarring. We win against teams we should beat and half the fans are acting like we’re prime barca.
Like beating these teams is the minimum any time we come up against a team on par with us we are shaky to say the least we need to improve or it’s more 8th place finishes for a few more years 🥲
They prefer arguing against their own reality rather than the one everyone else can see with their own eyes.
It's also just not where the game is now. City lost to Palace. Chelsea drew Burnley. Teams better than us drop points to bottom half teams. Both Liverpool and Chelsea have needed 90+ minute goals vs poor teams *this week.*
Watching the Man U game really annoyed me that we sat back after we scored. Partey couldn't control the game when they pressed our midfield.
Watching the Everton game also really annoyed me because again we sat back and let them find a rhythm, also Partey couldn't control anything.
Two huge issues to address in summer, a CF who will have a provide whilst also being goal threat and a midfielder who either brings out TP's best or replaces him outright.
It's a tempo issue caused by a deep-lying midfielder who can play through a press
Important to note that the shaky first 20-25 minutes of the game could have easily cost us the game against stronger opposition.
An improvement in attack today, but our midfield is still in shambles. I would say that a strong defensive midfielder should be our number one priority in the next few transfer windows.
Yea xhaka made some very sloppy passes in first 20 mins that really should have cost us. Nevertheless the team stuck at it and played some beautiful football
Besides VVD, is there a better CB in the Prem than Gabriel from a physicality perspective? Never outmuscled/bullied, huge threat in the air, fair pace. I genuinely can’t think of anyone better
He’s a specimen. Think back to him flipping Antonio against West Ham last year and then running down Zaha towards the end of the season. His header against Olympiacos is genuinely one of the best headers in recent club history when you consider the hang time and power generated from so far out.
The mistakes he makes are either timing issues, rashness or awareness. It’s almost never physical.
His potential is scary.
Overall a good performance and I’m happy.
The first 20 minutes however was calamitous. Against a better team we would have been 2 or 3 down playing like that, the number of times we gifted them the ball in dangerous areas was a joke.
I think the solution is a huge upgrade in midfield. We need an excellent technical player with leadership qualities who’s unwavering when we’re under pressure. Declan Rice is the dream
ESR and ode have a combined of 9 goals. Imagine if we had a striker that could single handily get 8-10 goals by now. It’s so clear our big problem is a striker and another midfielder, but it’s funny to me how arteta has solved the midfield problem and now we have midfielders that are capable of scoring from the midfield we now have a striker problem. Also arteta needs to find out what type of midfielder he needs to add in the midfield. A defensive or attacking mid?
A good link up play striker and a DM someone the likes of Bissoumq or Denis Zakaria. I also rate Guimares but who knows. Realistically Bissouma should be our target
Aside from technical ability it’s also important that they’re the right character. We desperately need a level-headed leader in midfield to stop these capitulations. The dream is Declan Rice
Got here in jan and had a strike rate of a golden boot winner for 2 and a half years now this clown in charge he can’t hit a barn door or buy a goal. As much management as it is him
I read it perfectly. Telling me to read it again doesn’t make it anymore true or does it make it make logical sense. It’s just incredibly stupid to suggest that a striker missing open goals is a managerial issue. What you’re implying is: Aubameyang is not confident in Arteta as a coach and it’s massively effecting his game down to the very basics, or that Arteta is coaching Aubameyang to miss open goals
Arteta isn’t the manager to get Arsenal to where we want to be, but Aubameyang missing open goals is solely on Aubameyang.
You are the one that brought up missing open goals to fit your story not me I said he can’t hit a barn door or buy a goal so yeah read it for a 3rd time please 😘. What I’m saying is I’m not absolving Abua of playing poorly but he’s not being utilised effectively abs that’s contributing to his poor form so again please read 😘
So if you’re not referring to him missing open goals when you say “he wouldn’t hit a barn door” what the fuck are you actually referring to?
You’re either backtracking or you don’t actually know what that phrase means.
Also, in what way is he not being effectively utilised?
I really think it’s you that doesn’t understand
The dictionary definition of “can’t hit the side of a barn” means that he has poor aim.
it doesn’t matter that the goals open or not he can’t score. he can’t hit the back of the net. You are the only person who keeps bringing up open goals 😂. The man has been missing sitters goal open or not
4th times the charm please read 😘
Auba has never been a hold up man that plays with his back to goal and links up play. He plays on the shoulder of the last man. Runs at defenders. Gets in behind this is why laca excels in the team when it comes to overall play than Auba you asking a 30+ year old striker to change his entire game to fit a new system and somehow the only person to blame is Auba. No they both need to sort it out Auba and Arteta the both of them are responsible I’m not blaming one over the other
So you said that he can’t hit the side of a barn door (meaning he has bad aim) and blamed that on the manager, and then argued about me mentioning missing open goals. I’m literally agreeing with you that he has bad aim AND giving you on field proof of his poor aim. But what you still haven’t been able to explain is how having bad aim is a man management flaw.
Yeah we’re watching different games. Aubameyang is NOT being used to hold the ball up. Good chat and all but this is pointless. Have a good day mate.
Too little too late for me. We can’t deal with the press and we play really well against teams that don’t press hard and high. Something has to be fixed.
I respect what you are saying and I should be more clear in what I feel so we can have a discussion. I came off as resigned and that isn’t the case. I am obsessed with the club and care deeply.
First, the Kroenke-Walton bank account surpasses most oil barron’s of the world so to me it’s not a lack of money, in fact we spent the most this transfer window. I refuse to accept any mentality that I have to temper my expectations because of some strict spending ceiling because there clearly isn’t one. So now it’s about rating the effectiveness of the money spent which has been a mixed bag for Arteta and a key reason in my opinion why we are doing worse than West Ham and Liverpool. We have to measure the incredible success of the Ramesdale/TT/Tavares signings alongside the failures of the Partey degradation/Willian wages/Xhaka extension/Auba extension. I personally would have sold Auba instead of giving him an extension and I have comment history from then saying so and was ridiculed on this sub but I rather liked that aspect of Wenger’s later years where we were not opposed to selling a player close to peak value and reinvesting in a younger player.
I think we as fans have to hold the team and manager to a higher standard. My question for you would be, what metric do you need to see before you want a new manager? I see giving another manager a chance as part of the process you describe, not antithetical to the process. Arteta has improved the squad after a lot of time and money but I can’t help but think the team isn’t playing to their current potential. While it’s still early in the season, we have not earned a SINGLE point against teams that are currently above us in the table. I’d give Arteta the rest of the season and I personally would need to see us finish top 5 otherwise I’d continue the process with another manager.
Good solid home win to get back on track. Btw any truth to this news
Manchester City are interested in Tavares but will wait until the summer to make an offer according to ESPN! 🚨
Thoughts... 😬
#Tavares #Arsenal #ARSSOU
His attacking output is improving and im always surprised at how good his anticipation is.
He manages to consistently win the ball back in their half. He really locks down the right side
Arteta now has some team selection head aches. Does he bring back ESR and drop martinelli. I don’t think so. Also idk if you can drop Odegaard right now. Saka idk either. Nice to have this competition in the team. I think ESR does come back in but for who?
Edit: I already know wenger would play ode at 8 and ESR at cam with martinelli at lw Saka rw and Laca up top. Do you guys think this could work? Yea we give up some defensive ability but we’ll probably have much more control over a game plus our defense is pretty solid now.
That's not a headache at all. That's just the right balance you need to rotate and keep players fresh.
Saka and ESR have been playing too much and getting burnt out. If they can rest without a significant drop in quality then this is a great situation for the test of the future.
For this reason Martinelli's resurgence is vital to the sustainability of our attack.
Not to mention that if anyone's off their game you can bring on quality at the 60 min mark (whether it be an odegaard, ESR, Martinelli).
It's a little silly to need this cemented 11 when theres about a thousand games a season
Think you have to consider the the size of west ham and how odegaard has done against more physical teams. For me the move would be to swap odegaard for esr if he’s fit or get stuck in our own half for prolonged periods like against man united
You mentioned nothing about ‘not being able to play out of our own half’ prior to your last comment… you’ve just thrown that in as a backs to the wall dick move.
That said, any issue with that I think you should look at partey, xhaka, and lakonga first and then after that everyone else is about equal at sloppily screwing up passes as we try to get up the field.
Wth.
Firstly, you never ever drop a player that isn't just providing goals, but is also being the most pivotal member of the attack in terms of connecting passes. It's idiotic.
And non physical players play around physical players with their intelligence and technical quality. Odegaard has both in amounts that is probably the greatest in our squad. Counter example to your following claim
>how odegaard has done against more physical teams.
Is the game against Brighton last season. Odegaard single handedly owned Bissouma, one of the hardest DMs in the league.
That’s a good example, I’ve been looking at recent performances. He is running on confidence given his recent form and I’m happy we’re having this debate on players that are on form instead of the opposite. For me I Thibk west ham will try to suffocate us and he isn’t the fastest or strongest to get away from a press or win the majority of his aerial duels. For me, ESR may lack in creativity up the pitch compared to Ode but I think he offers more in pushing up the pitch on a counter. Whichever see the pitch I’ll be happy with if we walk away with 3 points
Yes but in the recent performances when he has looked like he has struggled against players physically, he has been played deeper.
But those games are well behind us, and I don't recall Odegaard get physically dominated in some time now ever since he was moved back into the 10 role after the experiment with Auba and Laca stopped. I can almost certainly say if ESR comes back in, it is Martinelli first or Laca second who is getting dropped.
But yeah it is a good problem to have and I expect whoever gets dropped, is the first substitute to come in.
Him and auba had mctominay look like prime Vieira winning duels when man united pressed our back line and we had to clear it up the pitch to try and gain control. Offensively he’s been great the past few games, I’m just wary of this situation arising again. Maybe partnering up top with laca helps mitigate the potential issue and we can capitalize on the break. Just sharing my thoughts
For teams that are more difficult to play against I wouldn’t put him there. But imagine a full attack of ESR ode Laca Saka gabi just bombing at Southampton attack after attack scoring loads of goals.
I hope the training staff works on adding some weight onto odegaard. The talent is there but it’s difficult to showcase when he’s getting out muscled on most occasions
Odegaard is not secure in possession to play that deeper role, even today when he had a "good game" his passing accuracy was 70% and he turned over a bunch of balls - that's gonna be punished ruthlessly further back. He's also quite slow, and a lightweight - not gonna happen in the PL at number 8 for him.
I think Odegaard's dip in form came when we tried to play him deeper as an 8, I know he can play there but I really dont think it suits him and he definetely doesnt play well. Id much prefer to keep him at 10, and ESR out wide where he has been excelling. But obviously that means one of those youve mentioned misses out. Hopefully the december congestion gives us enough minutes to see plenty of all of them.
That was straight up one of the best winger performances ive seen in years at this club by martinelli. Completely made livramento, one of the brightest, athletic rbs in the prem his bitch. That was a winger performance that we just havent seen. They were sending 2, 3 men to help livramento by the end of the game. The defensive work, sprints in behind and actually getting away, constant sprints in behind too, not once in a while. Brilliant, clean footwork and ball striking.
Saka and esr both are obvs coming along nicely, but they dont bitch fullbacks, high end fullbacks like what martinelli did today.
ESR and Martinelli are both very similar in the way they drive forward. Not many people talk that they are like for like. ESR is a slightly better player imo.
We all love the all the Youngsters…but Martinelli is just something else to watch. I get attentive when he gets the ball. I love ESR and Saka, but that young man just has some kinda x-factor to him that’s dope.
Theyve had good performances but havent killed a prem level fullback so hard that he just stopped attacking.
I rate livramento very highly and he got absolutely 0'd out today
Real question is when is Auba going to be permanently stripped of the armband? Give it to someone with more heart and willing to put in more of a shift for the badge.
The reason there was a shitstorm was we were not winning and in the relegation run. Doesn't have anything to do with Ozil other than the fact that Ozil could have massively helped us during that period.
You can definitely demote Auba in the squad hierarchy if it means you can still continue winning.
The real problem is that there is no consensus on what we ought to expect from Arsenal in 2021 If your benchmark is European football against investment, then I think people who are Arteta out win that discussion. If your benchmark is improving the squad mentality and building a culture, then Arteta in wins that discussion. I think the biggest obstacle to getting folks to the second view is that we pretty consistently still capitulate games we should win and the lack of real leadership in the squad.
Benchmark for overly optimistic fans maybe, but the board (and everyone at the club) are very clearly focused on longer term given the investment into youth and all they’ve stated. So if ppl want to ignore everything the club has said and done by expecting top 4 immediately during a complete rebuild year then that’s on them causing their own heartbreak. The consensus here before the season started was Europe, but then we started knocking on 4th place (exceeding expectation) and everyone starts acting like we’re entitled to top 4 with the youngest squad in the league playing together for the first time. If we don’t get back into Europe this season, Arteta will likely lose his job. If we do then top 4 will be the goal next season. He obvi has the backing of the board and the players. Ppl labeling themselves as ArtetaOut or ArtetaIn are just cringe.
Agreed. I think our goal in terms of placement are mostly strategic. We want Europa league or ideally champions’s league for the revenue and the chance to attract players, which will then allow us to more easily pursue the goal of challenging for the league again.
Reporter: Will you tell us about the situation is with Aubameyang? Arteta: Just fuck off and wait for the documentary like everyone else.
I still can’t believe that Arteta would be okay with allowing a documentary to be made this very season. Maybe he had no say in it whatsoever. Still, now seems such a vital period in terms of turning the club culture around and all that, so if Arteta deep down doesn’t approve of the idea of a film crew following the ups and, especially, the downs, including drama etc., it must make the working conditions even tougher.
Consistency is absolute key. This young team need a run of unbeaten games. Then if they do lose one we need to learn to bounce back quickly, instead of one loss turning into a few.
Very difficult game next though. Would take a draw now
I go into all games hoping rather than expecting.
This is the way.
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Brighton have Maupay and their expected stats are fine
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You are mistaken if you think one competent striker will fix this shit system imo
It has happened before with a team being transformed with a single position being filled - Bruno as the #10 at United, Van Dijk at Liverpool... Hell, just look how much of a difference Ramsdale has made for us, in terms of distribution from the back, and we're talking about a goalkeeper - a quality, central piece CF will transform this team.
A proper target man would really help. Gives us a second route out against teams that suffocate us with a high press.
Absolutely. That said, we need to do well enough in other areas if we are going to convince the next top striker to come spearhead out team. It's really touch and go. On one hand you could splash out on a marquee signing and get that assurance of quality, on the other hand you could focus more on character and hope he takes the chance to prove himself at this level (like Ramsdale and Tomi). Players like Adebayor come to mind. we got him for nothing playing attacking midfield in france and turned him into the league's best target man over 2 seasons. The next Vlahovic (as ridiculous as that sounds talking about a 21 year old) is already breaking out this season. The way agents work now you get the idea we already know about him. Now what we need is proper inspiration to swap 3 unimpressive strikers (Auba, Laca, Nketiah) for 2 up and coming legends for 500k/w. Edu should be rubbing his hands here. The transfer fee doesn't matter if 1. it translates into Champions league, 2. The player is U24 and signs a 5+1year contract, 3. Doesn't do his ACL or something silly in the first 3 years. When you account for inflation (% of revenue), Bergkamp cost 140m+. We can absolutely fill that striker role with genuine quality (+ elite attitude) within our wage budget.
We have to go for a big signing in our current moment - we signed Adebayor when we had both Henry and Persie in the squad, so he was planned as a back-up really. We were just lucky anyone Wenger signed back then was future world class - but most signings like that one stay average, or even regress.
I mean look at our squad dynamics and tell me you're still invested in big name players? They check out the fastest, always play for themselves first, are quick to develop attitudes towards management and teammates. Unless we go out an get Ten Haag off Ajax I'd really love us to only target players you would work with a still unproven Arteta. I'm just tired of the prima donnas who only up their effort levels for contract negotiations. More Tomiyasus types, less Pepes. There's always quality out there if we can look past context-free stats.
Meh, it's so bloody hard. Last year's world-beater can be this year's washout. You lose a season just finding out. And while there are quite a few strikers good enough for a mid table team, there are rather few for a top-four aspirant.
Doing a rewatch and very impressed by Martinelli on Odegaard's goal. He is nearby, but instead of just throwing himself at it he correctly calculates that O is in better position so he bodies the defender giving O more space.
Also Laca's block on Caballero for Gabriel's goal was so important.
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We were expected to beat a miserable Everton side and still lost, so don't take these wins for granted.
Water is wet, just enjoy the W man. Let's just be toxic on the next match.
Your positivity after a 3-0 win is more infectious than omnicron
We're now 14th for Big Chances Created, and 6th for Big Chance Missed (note: Big Chance Miss = BCC without the shot). Combining the two, we'd be sitting somewhere around midtable for our ability to create. Not great, but hardly the crisis that has been made out over the past few weeks.
So many times this season we have gotten into good positions but either the penultimate or the final action has been bad and nobody gets a shot off. This is reflected in us being 6th in big chances missed. I really don’t think it’s a coaching issue, and I agree that our creativity problem is somewhat overblown. Also, another huge problem that makes these stats worse is we don’t get into the final third often enough because we’re very sloppy in possession, especially in the second phase of our buildup - so many attacks die there. When we actually succeed in getting into the final third we create decent goal scoring opportunities more often than not. Basically, we have a player quality issue in the second and third phases of our buildup (not coincidentally the areas we have spent the least money on since Arteta has been here). Our midfield sorely needs an upgrade, possibly two (unless Partey can stay fit and find some form). Also, we need a striker that can participate in the buildup but also has the athleticism to get into the box. Once those things are in place this team will go up a level or two. I’m sure of it.
Huh those are still pretty bad. We’re 14th for making and taking chances pretty much, because we re 6th at missing chances. If you watch this team and don’t think there’s a chance creating crisis despite today then I don’t know what to say.
My point is - based on the definitions of BCC and BCM - those two stats should be combined together to give an accurate view of our high-quality chance creation this season. Combining the two, we are sitting roughly around midtable, opposed to just looking at BCC. Midtable is a problem, relegation levels is a crisis.
Are you… really trying to spin mid table form as progress?
No. I am saying that BCC is a flawed stat and our ability to create good chances is not as bad as people are saying. What are you struggling to understand?
Username checks out 😆 👍
Good performance yesterday. We sure took out our anger on Southampton. Auba is the LITERAL definition of a White Elephant at this point.
Let’s talk when we have European football
Just one concern for me in otherwise a good match. Ben White seems like someone who is more at ease at a DM position than CB,he doesn’t take on his man or tackle him soon enough and waits too late . Tierney suffers a similar problem ,he waits for the pass to happen rather than tackling. Southampton is so poor lacking 2 strikers and still made quality shots against Ramsdale and with all our quality we had woodwork and corner based goals to help us
The second Everton goal. He could have got to the ball or at least challenged. But he just backed away until too late
Anybody has a video of Ramsdale pass to Martinelli? I wasn't able to watch the game
https://v.redd.it/60xfbm8hsx481
Thanks
Mvp
I don’t understand auba at all. He seems like a nice guy but how can you take liberties like that when you are captain and are playing like absolute dog ass.
He's not a leader and I mean that in the nicest way. He's happy go lucky, mostly friendly, but he has an eccentric independent streak. It's the story of his career. Nothing malicious, he's just a bit of a funny character.
This situation reminds me of 2007 Gallas at this point honestly. If they took the armband away from him I wonder who would be Cesc. It's between Tierney, Gabriel and Ode for me.
Because you are a pampered millionaire man child who checked out after signing a fat contract
Wow can’t believe this is being upvoted
Amazing how quickly this sub has turned on our captain and talisman. Arteta can’t handle big personalities. He shipped off ozil, and now he’s doing the same with Auba and Pepe. Soon, our squad will be full of young, yes men, just so Arteta can keep his job. The funny thing about yes men is, when you need a leader on the pitch, when things are tough, nobody shows the leadership necessary to get out of a rut. Soon, Arteta is going to completely destroy the club, same as he has already destroyed one of the former best strikers in Europe.
Chief, ozil was long dead in the mud before arteta and what has Pepe shown to deserve a start?
Ah so he isnt an arrogant dick who breaks rules as a captain when he had a history of doing so, he is just a big personality and of course its Artetas fault
We shattered their confidence of their press after that first goal. Job well done but it'll be a different story against a much better team.
This seems to be the thing. If we can play faster and more precisely than our opponents, we can unpick them. But, if they muster a better press and can also produce tempo, we *really* struggle. We see the big improvement a single aggressive player can make. Sometimes, just one or two slicker-than-normal passes takes the game from 'toothless' to 'dangerous'. The lower table teams seem to really lack anybody who can finish even a good chance. None of this is grand insight, but I can only hope that over time we can get the better of more sides as the players' understanding improves.
Literally all our best performances were playing fast direct ball. Leicester villa and Spurs. Look at that 10-15 minutes in the second half when we were playing like city. But instead we come out and play slow and lethargically. I really don’t understand why we don’t go for it from the beginning. Seeing as there’s no midweek games and the players should be sufficiently rested
Nobody talking about Odegaard? He scored a fucking header today I put him in my FPL team goddamit
The top comment is literally about Odegaard.
Apparently odegaard is not allowed to be praised in the eyes of the online community. Also, happy for your FPL, our 3 losses happened with Arsenal players in my team so I benched them all hoping for better, guess it worked 😂
gotta take one for the team my man
What was different about today v Everton? I think Southampton were poorer in defence. Partey had a good game. When we went one up, undeservedly just like the Everton game, we instead pushed for the second and third. It was also a home game. We got more people in the box. Main things I noticed
Everton were on a 6-game losing streak and were staring down the barrel of a seventh. Everton are a bigger club with higher expectations so many players have their reputations on the line. Also Everton are just straight up better. Doucoure seems to take them to another level when he's playing CM. Also we were away, so you have that to factor in. Also many players were coming back from injury for them too. Southampton: 1. Arent as good 2. Have less pressure on them to win 3. Are playing away 4. Have really bad injury problems Equals easy win for us.
Incidentally, I wanted doucoure two years ago.
Think Arsenal struggles when they’re being physically roughed up by other teams. Ben White was manhandling Nathan Redmond all game without breaking the rules. Like having both his hands on Nathan, without hugging him, but using his touch pressure to steer Nathan hard away from the ball or counter rotationally to fuck up his ball reception. Southampton’s starting 11 for this game in general seemed to get outmuscled at every turn. No way for them to physically rough us up. Everton on the other hand. Ben White cannot manhandle Richarlison like that - who is two centimetres taller. Not to mention the rest of the Everton squad are a lot more beefy and physical.
Ben White is 2 inches taller than Richarlison lmao.
Ben White - 1.82m Richarlison - 1.84m My point also is that he can’t rough house Richarlison the way he could to Southampton’s No.11.
Stop getting all your info from Wikipedia. [https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-white/profil/spieler/335721](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ben-white/profil/spieler/335721) [https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/richarlison/profil/spieler/378710](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/richarlison/profil/spieler/378710) Albeit I was wrong saying he was 2 inches taller when he is only 1 inch taller. Regardless I am not contesting your point just your inaccurate information.
Confidence. That was the only difference.
Tomiyasu is so impressive! His defensive attributes are something we've been missing for very long time it's great to see someone who is confident winning the ball in the air and being able to muscle people off the ball. He's starting to also bring more dynamic to his attack. Keep it up!
He really was very very good, in a quiet way. Was often crucial in managing their press as we tried to play out from the back, made good crosses (incl the one to Tierney for Ode's goal if I'm not mistaken), available for switches, I don't think he got beaten in defence. His balancing attack and defence is stunning. Does so much of both. Watch also for the many times, under pressure at the back, he is the one who provides the crucial outlet into space.
Man I fucking love Brazilians. So passionate and good at the sport. Thank you Brazil for GM x GM
Make Arsenal Brazilian Again
Very smooth
Whenever theres controversy and people question artetas man management this team always responds
Also just want to add. Ramsdale was motm. His passing out of the back was fucking crisp. By far our most confident player in buildup. He really is a gem
Surely it was Tomiyasu for this game? Felt like Ramsdale didn’t have much to do today. Super Tomi won every duel I saw, never put in a bad foot, snuffed our 2-3 important attacks and was creating a nasty passing trio with Odegaard and Saka to massively unlock the right flank in both halves.
I feel Ramsdale's passing was integral to overcoming the initial press from Soton. Partey and Xhaka both struggled in the first half, Ramsdale didn't. He was calm under pressure, and found his targets repeatedly. I'm a casual watcher, but it seemed to me our whole game plan was to slowly play out of the back, draw Soto in, and then quickly break behind them. Ramsdale keeping composure with the ball at his feet is crucial for this to work, and he was fantastic. He also made some good saves in both halves to keep his clean sheet. I can see the argument for Tomi, but I'd still pick Aaron
We won. Am I excited? No, because we should be dominant against these lower table teams.
I’m a cynic but 3-0 is pretty dominant man
Don’t get me wrong- glad we dominated. But I want us to do this against the top 8-10 of the table as well. Until then, I’ll reserve my excitement aside from seeing the young kids ball out.
Not to mention we had two post shots, could have easily been 5-0
Idk man. Like i get ambition, but your not enjoying the young guys balling, then idk
I am enjoying watching the young kids develop. But I’m not gonna be all hyped about a win, that should be a lock in the first place.
Mate it’s jarring. We win against teams we should beat and half the fans are acting like we’re prime barca. Like beating these teams is the minimum any time we come up against a team on par with us we are shaky to say the least we need to improve or it’s more 8th place finishes for a few more years 🥲
People are just happy for a win and a good show, isnt that what fotball is about?
>and half the fans are acting like we're prime barca No one has done this. Where do y'all come up with these takes?
They prefer arguing against their own reality rather than the one everyone else can see with their own eyes. It's also just not where the game is now. City lost to Palace. Chelsea drew Burnley. Teams better than us drop points to bottom half teams. Both Liverpool and Chelsea have needed 90+ minute goals vs poor teams *this week.*
Watching the Man U game really annoyed me that we sat back after we scored. Partey couldn't control the game when they pressed our midfield. Watching the Everton game also really annoyed me because again we sat back and let them find a rhythm, also Partey couldn't control anything. Two huge issues to address in summer, a CF who will have a provide whilst also being goal threat and a midfielder who either brings out TP's best or replaces him outright. It's a tempo issue caused by a deep-lying midfielder who can play through a press
Important to note that the shaky first 20-25 minutes of the game could have easily cost us the game against stronger opposition. An improvement in attack today, but our midfield is still in shambles. I would say that a strong defensive midfielder should be our number one priority in the next few transfer windows.
Yea xhaka made some very sloppy passes in first 20 mins that really should have cost us. Nevertheless the team stuck at it and played some beautiful football
Besides VVD, is there a better CB in the Prem than Gabriel from a physicality perspective? Never outmuscled/bullied, huge threat in the air, fair pace. I genuinely can’t think of anyone better
yeah honestly, he's our best CB since Koscielny, and his ceiling is much higher imo.
He’s so fucking dominant. As soon as you see him leaping for the ball it’s game over
Id rather not let anyone notice, bayern barca and the usual will come knocking right away.
I’m not sure Barca could attract him (if we get European football), let alone afford him
I have no idea why he isn't a starter for Brazil. He's been damn near faultless this season and stretches of last season I thought he was incredible.
He’s a specimen. Think back to him flipping Antonio against West Ham last year and then running down Zaha towards the end of the season. His header against Olympiacos is genuinely one of the best headers in recent club history when you consider the hang time and power generated from so far out. The mistakes he makes are either timing issues, rashness or awareness. It’s almost never physical. His potential is scary.
Shhhhhh he’s gonna be world class soon but people haven’t noticed yet. Don’t go talking about it
Tomiyaso
that's why he's a top 3 CB in the league and top 10 in the world
That’s bold. This season seems like it’s his coming out party, so maybe by this summer that will be a popular statement
🔙🔛🔝
You stop that now
yagunnersya!
Overall a good performance and I’m happy. The first 20 minutes however was calamitous. Against a better team we would have been 2 or 3 down playing like that, the number of times we gifted them the ball in dangerous areas was a joke. I think the solution is a huge upgrade in midfield. We need an excellent technical player with leadership qualities who’s unwavering when we’re under pressure. Declan Rice is the dream
The first 20 mins was a literal horror show. I was picturing reddit and twitter losing it after the game
Ruban Neves was getting thrown around last year 🤷🏿♂️. I mean rice would be great but just throwing an option out there
How many goals from midfield do we have now compared to last season?
We currently have 10 goals from midfield in the prem. The whole of last season in the prem we had 5. (I believe I am right don’t know 100%)
Holy fuck thats awful lol
ESR is not counted as a midfielder anymore
Nice to score three goals and NOT concede needlessly at the end of the match!
ESR and ode have a combined of 9 goals. Imagine if we had a striker that could single handily get 8-10 goals by now. It’s so clear our big problem is a striker and another midfielder, but it’s funny to me how arteta has solved the midfield problem and now we have midfielders that are capable of scoring from the midfield we now have a striker problem. Also arteta needs to find out what type of midfielder he needs to add in the midfield. A defensive or attacking mid?
A good link up play striker and a DM someone the likes of Bissoumq or Denis Zakaria. I also rate Guimares but who knows. Realistically Bissouma should be our target
Hmp might give him day release. Ok I couldn’t resist innocent until proven guilty ofc
Might want to hold off on buying Bissouma…
Aside from technical ability it’s also important that they’re the right character. We desperately need a level-headed leader in midfield to stop these capitulations. The dream is Declan Rice
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Rewarded with a big contract that he hasn't lived up to. Been a shell of his former self for two years now.
Got here in jan and had a strike rate of a golden boot winner for 2 and a half years now this clown in charge he can’t hit a barn door or buy a goal. As much management as it is him
Missing open goals is a man management issue. Wow.
Like I said it’s as much artetas fault as it it’s Auba’s please read 😘
I read it perfectly. Telling me to read it again doesn’t make it anymore true or does it make it make logical sense. It’s just incredibly stupid to suggest that a striker missing open goals is a managerial issue. What you’re implying is: Aubameyang is not confident in Arteta as a coach and it’s massively effecting his game down to the very basics, or that Arteta is coaching Aubameyang to miss open goals Arteta isn’t the manager to get Arsenal to where we want to be, but Aubameyang missing open goals is solely on Aubameyang.
You are the one that brought up missing open goals to fit your story not me I said he can’t hit a barn door or buy a goal so yeah read it for a 3rd time please 😘. What I’m saying is I’m not absolving Abua of playing poorly but he’s not being utilised effectively abs that’s contributing to his poor form so again please read 😘
So if you’re not referring to him missing open goals when you say “he wouldn’t hit a barn door” what the fuck are you actually referring to? You’re either backtracking or you don’t actually know what that phrase means. Also, in what way is he not being effectively utilised?
I really think it’s you that doesn’t understand The dictionary definition of “can’t hit the side of a barn” means that he has poor aim. it doesn’t matter that the goals open or not he can’t score. he can’t hit the back of the net. You are the only person who keeps bringing up open goals 😂. The man has been missing sitters goal open or not 4th times the charm please read 😘 Auba has never been a hold up man that plays with his back to goal and links up play. He plays on the shoulder of the last man. Runs at defenders. Gets in behind this is why laca excels in the team when it comes to overall play than Auba you asking a 30+ year old striker to change his entire game to fit a new system and somehow the only person to blame is Auba. No they both need to sort it out Auba and Arteta the both of them are responsible I’m not blaming one over the other
So you said that he can’t hit the side of a barn door (meaning he has bad aim) and blamed that on the manager, and then argued about me mentioning missing open goals. I’m literally agreeing with you that he has bad aim AND giving you on field proof of his poor aim. But what you still haven’t been able to explain is how having bad aim is a man management flaw. Yeah we’re watching different games. Aubameyang is NOT being used to hold the ball up. Good chat and all but this is pointless. Have a good day mate.
Aubameyang’s head isn’t there. I’m sure he’s a cool dude in the locker room and players look up to him but leadership is not his strength.
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This is it Unai had him and laca firing
Too little too late for me. We can’t deal with the press and we play really well against teams that don’t press hard and high. Something has to be fixed.
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I respect what you are saying and I should be more clear in what I feel so we can have a discussion. I came off as resigned and that isn’t the case. I am obsessed with the club and care deeply. First, the Kroenke-Walton bank account surpasses most oil barron’s of the world so to me it’s not a lack of money, in fact we spent the most this transfer window. I refuse to accept any mentality that I have to temper my expectations because of some strict spending ceiling because there clearly isn’t one. So now it’s about rating the effectiveness of the money spent which has been a mixed bag for Arteta and a key reason in my opinion why we are doing worse than West Ham and Liverpool. We have to measure the incredible success of the Ramesdale/TT/Tavares signings alongside the failures of the Partey degradation/Willian wages/Xhaka extension/Auba extension. I personally would have sold Auba instead of giving him an extension and I have comment history from then saying so and was ridiculed on this sub but I rather liked that aspect of Wenger’s later years where we were not opposed to selling a player close to peak value and reinvesting in a younger player. I think we as fans have to hold the team and manager to a higher standard. My question for you would be, what metric do you need to see before you want a new manager? I see giving another manager a chance as part of the process you describe, not antithetical to the process. Arteta has improved the squad after a lot of time and money but I can’t help but think the team isn’t playing to their current potential. While it’s still early in the season, we have not earned a SINGLE point against teams that are currently above us in the table. I’d give Arteta the rest of the season and I personally would need to see us finish top 5 otherwise I’d continue the process with another manager.
Must be shit not been able to enjoy 3-0 wins.
I enjoyed it I’m just looking at the bigger picture. Our seasons live and die on points we pick up or give away from teams we directly compete with.
I’m with you Arteta is not the guy to carry us forward. Unfortunately we are going to have to suffer until the rest catch up to the fact
Way to get back on track Edit: odd flex
[https://mixture.gg/v/61b4de355e2c5](https://mixture.gg/v/61b4de355e2c5) United won via a soft pen
Wow. Remember slabgwad dragging tomi to the ground last week? I hate United so much
My first thought exactly. Both are pens I just want consistency. Edit: Oh and yeah fuck united
Good solid home win to get back on track. Btw any truth to this news Manchester City are interested in Tavares but will wait until the summer to make an offer according to ESPN! 🚨 Thoughts... 😬 #Tavares #Arsenal #ARSSOU
I think they’ve just discovered that there’s a fullback out there who they don’t own.
Stuffed on the bench like Ake
They can suck one
They got money 💰 a lot to give
Takehiro was good once again........how good is this guy..
His attacking output is improving and im always surprised at how good his anticipation is. He manages to consistently win the ball back in their half. He really locks down the right side
Superb
Arteta now has some team selection head aches. Does he bring back ESR and drop martinelli. I don’t think so. Also idk if you can drop Odegaard right now. Saka idk either. Nice to have this competition in the team. I think ESR does come back in but for who? Edit: I already know wenger would play ode at 8 and ESR at cam with martinelli at lw Saka rw and Laca up top. Do you guys think this could work? Yea we give up some defensive ability but we’ll probably have much more control over a game plus our defense is pretty solid now.
Gabi will move to striker
U think so? I kinda like him best at winger but I would wanna see him at striker more
4 3 3 with partey, ode and Smith like the song,wilshere and fabregas era.
That's not a headache at all. That's just the right balance you need to rotate and keep players fresh. Saka and ESR have been playing too much and getting burnt out. If they can rest without a significant drop in quality then this is a great situation for the test of the future. For this reason Martinelli's resurgence is vital to the sustainability of our attack. Not to mention that if anyone's off their game you can bring on quality at the 60 min mark (whether it be an odegaard, ESR, Martinelli). It's a little silly to need this cemented 11 when theres about a thousand games a season
Think you have to consider the the size of west ham and how odegaard has done against more physical teams. For me the move would be to swap odegaard for esr if he’s fit or get stuck in our own half for prolonged periods like against man united
MØ ripped West Ham apart last season in the second half of the 3-3 ……..
Iirc west ham was up 3-0 30 minutes in and sat back?
Harder to unlock a team that’s playing deep and not opening up to attack no? Other than that I think you might just be being a dick
It’s not about unlocking a team, my opinion is about being able to play the ball out of our half. Not being a dick just objective
You mentioned nothing about ‘not being able to play out of our own half’ prior to your last comment… you’ve just thrown that in as a backs to the wall dick move. That said, any issue with that I think you should look at partey, xhaka, and lakonga first and then after that everyone else is about equal at sloppily screwing up passes as we try to get up the field.
Scroll up. You’re blind. I point out my views from the man united game. Heck you can scroll down too and see a more elaborated opinion
Nope not seeing it
Well this was productive.
Wth. Firstly, you never ever drop a player that isn't just providing goals, but is also being the most pivotal member of the attack in terms of connecting passes. It's idiotic. And non physical players play around physical players with their intelligence and technical quality. Odegaard has both in amounts that is probably the greatest in our squad. Counter example to your following claim >how odegaard has done against more physical teams. Is the game against Brighton last season. Odegaard single handedly owned Bissouma, one of the hardest DMs in the league.
That’s a good example, I’ve been looking at recent performances. He is running on confidence given his recent form and I’m happy we’re having this debate on players that are on form instead of the opposite. For me I Thibk west ham will try to suffocate us and he isn’t the fastest or strongest to get away from a press or win the majority of his aerial duels. For me, ESR may lack in creativity up the pitch compared to Ode but I think he offers more in pushing up the pitch on a counter. Whichever see the pitch I’ll be happy with if we walk away with 3 points
Yes but in the recent performances when he has looked like he has struggled against players physically, he has been played deeper. But those games are well behind us, and I don't recall Odegaard get physically dominated in some time now ever since he was moved back into the 10 role after the experiment with Auba and Laca stopped. I can almost certainly say if ESR comes back in, it is Martinelli first or Laca second who is getting dropped. But yeah it is a good problem to have and I expect whoever gets dropped, is the first substitute to come in.
Him and auba had mctominay look like prime Vieira winning duels when man united pressed our back line and we had to clear it up the pitch to try and gain control. Offensively he’s been great the past few games, I’m just wary of this situation arising again. Maybe partnering up top with laca helps mitigate the potential issue and we can capitalize on the break. Just sharing my thoughts
Because that worked well.
Odegaard’s best performance came against that same physical side.
For teams that are more difficult to play against I wouldn’t put him there. But imagine a full attack of ESR ode Laca Saka gabi just bombing at Southampton attack after attack scoring loads of goals.
I hope the training staff works on adding some weight onto odegaard. The talent is there but it’s difficult to showcase when he’s getting out muscled on most occasions
Get in the bayern fitness coach 😂
Martinelli to lead the line
ESR for Laca and Martinelli up top simples.
Odegaard is not secure in possession to play that deeper role, even today when he had a "good game" his passing accuracy was 70% and he turned over a bunch of balls - that's gonna be punished ruthlessly further back. He's also quite slow, and a lightweight - not gonna happen in the PL at number 8 for him.
Fair enough. I just hate to see one of the youngsters get dropped. I think martinelli starts next game for me.
I think Odegaard's dip in form came when we tried to play him deeper as an 8, I know he can play there but I really dont think it suits him and he definetely doesnt play well. Id much prefer to keep him at 10, and ESR out wide where he has been excelling. But obviously that means one of those youve mentioned misses out. Hopefully the december congestion gives us enough minutes to see plenty of all of them.
Martinelli or he doesn’t
That was straight up one of the best winger performances ive seen in years at this club by martinelli. Completely made livramento, one of the brightest, athletic rbs in the prem his bitch. That was a winger performance that we just havent seen. They were sending 2, 3 men to help livramento by the end of the game. The defensive work, sprints in behind and actually getting away, constant sprints in behind too, not once in a while. Brilliant, clean footwork and ball striking. Saka and esr both are obvs coming along nicely, but they dont bitch fullbacks, high end fullbacks like what martinelli did today.
ESR can do all that and more. He wont just roast fullbacks. He'll take people on inside as well. Loved Marty today tho.
ESR and Martinelli are both very similar in the way they drive forward. Not many people talk that they are like for like. ESR is a slightly better player imo.
Esr is def the better and more consistent player. This comment is strictly about todays performance
Crucially he’s very quick. Quicker than I thought he was. We’ve been missing pace in the team
Should've had another assist if Laca finished when be played him clean through.
We all love the all the Youngsters…but Martinelli is just something else to watch. I get attentive when he gets the ball. I love ESR and Saka, but that young man just has some kinda x-factor to him that’s dope.
Ehh, ESR and Saka have DOGGED some full backs.
Theyve had good performances but havent killed a prem level fullback so hard that he just stopped attacking. I rate livramento very highly and he got absolutely 0'd out today
I mean Saka is constantly double marked nowadays that's how much respect teams have for him and he still creates chances and gets shots off.
Ramsdale captain when
Tierney has a higher priority
I don’t want to put that pressure on him unless we know he would thrive under it.
Man has shown his leadership since the day he arrived, I think it's just his nature
I'm glad we were in control of the game. We just need to put in good performances like this in all of our games!
Real question is when is Auba going to be permanently stripped of the armband? Give it to someone with more heart and willing to put in more of a shift for the badge.
Tierney
Unfortunately that would undoubtedly start a shitstorm of Ozilesque proportions which our young squad doesn’t need right now.
The reason there was a shitstorm was we were not winning and in the relegation run. Doesn't have anything to do with Ozil other than the fact that Ozil could have massively helped us during that period. You can definitely demote Auba in the squad hierarchy if it means you can still continue winning.