Hey! Can anyone please remind me how to get to the forum??
Loinsy!
OK, will do in the morning, shabba! Xx
Hey! Can anyone please remind me how to get to the forum??
LL
Hey! Can anyone please remind me how to get to the forum??
All the more reason our men have to win the league. God forbid those cheats win both titles.
Chelsea women lost?!? That figures, when they finally trip up we're long out of it and ¢11eh are the ones likely to capitalise.
With Chelsea only 2 points ahead I guess we're not COMPLETELY out of it now but we're still awfully far behind the leaders
Arse!
Bruce!
Sigh... goddamn Emery, hey? Is he Arteta's Mourinho? He seems to have our number.
Ups his game every time he plays us.
Otherwise they bend over for other teams!
Nice goal from Eddie. Palace up into 4th place. Second best defence in the Prem.
I see Chelsea had a fun day.
Øde can slow the attack with his many touches when one or two will do. He's like a painter who can't leave the canvas alone, one more stroke/touch. He would probably be more useful with fewer but more...
Good analogy. There’s also the way he has to wind himself up for a shot. Often defenders are in the way by the time he shoots. The one that was tipped over the bar was decent, but might not even have been on target. I have to be honest, he has limitations and if he’s our talisman I don’t think we can win anything big. There are several better players in that position in all the favourites in Europe.
Øde can slow the attack with his many touches when one or two will do. He's like a painter who can't leave the canvas alone, one more stroke/touch. He would probably be more useful with fewer but more telling passes, and that means being nearer the opposite goal.
Yes, that was a good time for Calafiori to get the suspension. Maybe play one of he and MLS in midfield against Bruges instead of Rice and the other at LB. Then Cala gets rest against Wolves.
And yes, in hindsight, Gyok should have started instead of Merino (but in fairness, Merino has been scoring).
Odegaard is a far better passer than Eze. And needs minutes to get back integrated. There might be times when you'd want Eze in the middle instead, but by and large, I'd rather have a good Odegaard than a good Eze as a 10. But Odegaard does need to pull the trigger on shots a little sooner.
Eddie scores for Palace. Nicely taken.
Eddie scores for Palace. Nicely taken.
"ridiculous yellow card yesterday actually"
Was it? He had a long way to go to get to 19 games without another yellow and now he misses arguably the easiest game of the season and going forward does...
Strong reply-I like it!
I hear what you are saying but his ability to keep possession in a game like that is super useful. He also created some openings. It would be interesting to know how the team would have performed with...
I just thought Zubi has been doing that well for us, so why change it. Also Odegaard coming deep limits the options for Saka, he was just constantly surrounded by two Villa players. That being said, this wasn’t the reason we lost.
"ridiculous yellow card yesterday actually"
Was it? He had a long way to go to get to 19 games without another yellow and now he misses arguably the easiest game of the season and going forward does...
Yeah it almost looked intentional- wouldn’t surprise me
Eze's performance yesterday was the most 'last season at Arsenal' Ozil performance I have seen since Ozil's last season at Arsenal.
He's been very effective in the middle, but he doesn't suit left w...
"ridiculous yellow card yesterday actually"
Was it? He had a long way to go to get to 19 games without another yellow and now he misses arguably the easiest game of the season and going forward doesn't have to play with the fear of picking up a suspension.
Odegaard was good yesterday but there is merit in the argument he does too much stuff that’s not needed. I wish he would stay higher and not come so deep, which just limits our options in attack. Also...
I hear what you are saying but his ability to keep possession in a game like that is super useful. He also created some openings. It would be interesting to know how the team would have performed with Eze there. Certainly a section of the fan base thinks Odegaard should be dropped for Eze. But he was very positive yesterday with some good shots on goal as well.
Did anyone else notice that whenever there was a scramble or blind clearance it always seemed to land at a Villan foot? I don't know if it was how they're drilled or just dumb luck but they seemed to...
Gary Player (among others) once said, "The harder I work, the luckier I get."
Did anyone else notice that whenever there was a scramble or blind clearance it always seemed to land at a Villan foot? I don't know if it was how they're drilled or just dumb luck but they seemed to always be in just the right place to gain possession.
Arse!
Bruce!
Sigh... goddamn Emery, hey? Is he Arteta's Mourinho? He seems to have our number.
Odegaard was good yesterday but there is merit in the argument he does too much stuff that’s not needed. I wish he would stay higher and not come so deep, which just limits our options in attack. Also we have Zubi to do this and he does it very well.
He should have started the game yesterday. That way Merino could have came on for Rice when he was punctured
Agree in hindsight
He should have started the game yesterday. That way Merino could have came on for Rice when he was punctured
No let's write him off as a fucking waste of money instead
Just think with Gyokeres it’s a two way street. He has to trust he’s gonna get the ball to continue making runs. Not placing blame anywhere but that relationship has to be built.
Agreed. Strikers are mostly confidence creatures. Gotta get the trust from your teammates in order to thrive
Just think with Gyokeres it’s a two way street. He has to trust he’s gonna get the ball to continue making runs. Not placing blame anywhere but that relationship has to be built.
Dunno, I just don't like them and how aggressive they are and what they, Max and horny Horner have been allowed to get away with over the years.
This
Dunno, I just don't like them and how aggressive they are and what they, Max and horny Horner have been allowed to get away with over the years.
oh i hate that fucker
Dunno, I just don't like them and how aggressive they are and what they, Max and horny Horner have been allowed to get away with over the years.
I like that the newly crowned F1 World Champion is wearing our radioactive zebra design on his racing helmet
Fuck you, Red Bull, the C115h Group of F1.
are they though lefty?
Fuck you, Red Bull, the C115h Group of F1.
Congratulations Lando Norris
Celebrity to wave the flag for the winner
ah ok could be ALOT worse
Celebrity to wave the flag for the winner
Lol, celebrity?
Celebrity to wave the flag for the winner
Ana de Armas with the checquered flag. Nice!
why is she there?
Ana de Armas with the checquered flag. Nice!
has he got enough fuel though ??? lolz
Yep. He used to be a swimming pool builder before venturing into racing.
His son Jack didn't quite cut it in F1 however..
Started watching bike racing in the previous 2-stroke golden era of Rainey, Schwantz and Doohan. Those were wild times with wild bikes
Mick Doohan = Legend
Is Leclerc capable of throwing a spanner in the works?
Started watching bike racing in the previous 2-stroke golden era of Rainey, Schwantz and Doohan. Those were wild times with wild bikes
OMG I used to love those races with the Doc and Gibernau etc
Aye, Rossi vs Biaggi, Gibernau, Lorenzo et al was a golden era somewhat
OMG I used to love those races with the Doc and Gibernau etc
Aye, so much fun.
Ah the Ducati yes? Amazing that on the street they're hardly ever out of the menders...
Indeed, Sal. 😅
They did ruin things a bit with the tyre regulations but overall, the racing is still exciting as there are overtaking moves to be had. The thing is that there's a really dominant guy on a dominant bi...
Ah the Ducati yes? Amazing that on the street they're hardly ever out of the menders...
I used to watch MotoGP years ago, during the Rossi era. I loved how he would use the bike and leather colours. I think he once had a Hawaiian shirt design. 😂
The modern bikes are ugly as sin with al...
The spills in MotoGP are often spectacular though. There's that.
I used to watch MotoGP years ago, during the Rossi era. I loved how he would use the bike and leather colours. I think he once had a Hawaiian shirt design. 😂
The modern bikes are ugly as sin with al...
OMG I used to love those races with the Doc and Gibernau etc
I used to watch MotoGP years ago, during the Rossi era. I loved how he would use the bike and leather colours. I think he once had a Hawaiian shirt design. 😂
The modern bikes are ugly as sin with all the added airflow nodules, like the F1 cars. But unlike the F1 cars, they can't really hide it, and it all sticks out.
So MG, my biker mates said they'd fcuked up MotoGP too...with some kind of focus on tyre pressures so there's no overtaking or thrills there either?
They did ruin things a bit with the tyre regulations but overall, the racing is still exciting as there are overtaking moves to be had. The thing is that there's a really dominant guy on a dominant bike in MotoGP at the moment and it's making the championship a bit dull in that respect.
Gotta feel sorry for Hamilton. What a dreadful year he's had..
He's really not been suited to that car.
Hold positions until the end 🙏
So MG, my biker mates said they'd fcuked up MotoGP too...with some kind of focus on tyre pressures so there's no overtaking or thrills there either?
Gotta feel sorry for Hamilton. What a dreadful year he's had..
Hold positions until the end 🙏
Are they gonna fix this formula next year?
I shit in a drawer, I'm upset!
Red Bull will do anything to win, as we saw with Max and Hamilton.
He's obviously done whatever nwaneri did to be frozen out
Shat in his desk drawer?
The McLaren is so much faster than almost everything else
Ok. You win.
(Breathes)
The McLaren is so much faster than almost everything else
Yeah , but Yuki. He’ll slam his brakes on, game over.
Have McLaren just fkd this up ? Leaving Yuki in front ? This is tense !
The McLaren is so much faster than almost everything else
Shit weekend of footie.
Here's hoping for a satisfying conclusion to the F1 Title decider.
Let's Go Lando!!!
Have McLaren just fkd this up ? Leaving Yuki in front ? This is tense !
He's a starter at Brentford. PL proven, so I don't understand Arteta's reluctance to deploy him in the latter stages of a game
He's obviously done whatever nwaneri did to be frozen out
I do wonder if there is something for us to learn re not letting late goals in. Sunderland and now Villa both cost us dearly, 4 points lost with the last kick of the match. Make a trip, take the card? It just seems naive almost. It’s happened in previous seasons too. Dunno.
Arse
Well in BruceBot. Well assessed Blogs. Greetings table toppers.
Lots of 'what ifs' this morning which is understandable. I thought about watching the game again, to see where things went wrong, especially with the midfield and the Ezegaard conundrum, which clearly did not work too well, but I can't be arsed. I sincerely hope Arteta and team dissect where things went tits up and make adjustments! Probably better to look forward to the next game, where I hope we can get back to scoring, ideally get The Gyök some service and hopefully a boatload of goals. Play the squad and rest some of the weary legs of the first team regulars. The December schedule is insane and there could be a banana skin, or two, but we can't afford to drop too many points in the prem this month as there is a chance to put another unbeaten run together. At least 10 points from the next four league games is a must—three of which are at home. Looking at City's matchups...they will be breathing down our necks.
I am assuming Arteta doesn't rate him enough to influence games... If true, this is a poor signing. If not, is it his fitness?
He's a starter at Brentford. PL proven, so I don't understand Arteta's reluctance to deploy him in the latter stages of a game
I am assuming Arteta doesn't rate him enough to influence games... If true, this is a poor signing. If not, is it his fitness?
I thought he was signed for exactly the scenario I outlined. Nobody thought he would be pushing for weekly starts, but that he would take minutes out of the legs of Rice so he could maintain that insane level.
Oh ok. Thought it was a home game. Really need to keep the likes of Rice, Saka, Zubimendi etc fresh for the next 2 league games.
yeah agree there should be no need. for them to go
Shit weekend of footie.
Here's hoping for a satisfying conclusion to the F1 Title decider.
Let's Go Lando!!!
Genuinely shocked that Norgaard hasn't been used to help see games out in the final 10/15 minutes.
Probably should have come on against Sunderland and at Villa.
I am assuming Arteta doesn't rate him enough to influence games... If true, this is a poor signing. If not, is it his fitness?
Oh ok. Thought it was a home game. Really need to keep the likes of Rice, Saka, Zubimendi etc fresh for the next 2 league games.
Genuinely shocked that Norgaard hasn't been used to help see games out in the final 10/15 minutes.
Probably should have come on against Sunderland and at Villa.
This
We really could do with benching a lot of our players vs Brugge, who have been run ragged. What is the point of having a deep squad if we aren't using the players? Nwaneri, MLS, Norgaard,
Kepa, Marti...
Genuinely shocked that Norgaard hasn't been used to help see games out in the final 10/15 minutes.
Probably should have come on against Sunderland and at Villa.
We really could do with benching a lot of our players vs Brugge, who have been run ragged. What is the point of having a deep squad if we aren't using the players? Nwaneri, MLS, Norgaard,
Kepa, Marti...
It's in Bruges
I do like that he called out Carragher, though, and it goes without saying that the England captain is pretty bulletproof from most things.
We really could do with benching a lot of our players vs Brugge, who have been run ragged. What is the point of having a deep squad if we aren't using the players? Nwaneri, MLS, Norgaard,
Kepa, Martinelli, Gyokeres, Jesus and Madueke need to start. It is a home game so we can afford to do so. Merino was already exhausted vs Villa so imagine the state of Rice, Zubimendi, Saka,,,,
Unfortunately we can't rest our defence due to the freak injuries.
Speaking of other clubs, I like Salah and I do hope Liverpool's season derails for some time longer...
Need City to collapse
Oh.
I quite like Salah, but it seems Father Time is catching up with him. I have seen recent criticism of VVD as well, but in the attack, they've spent a quarter of a billion, so they can drop Salah. Can't really do the same for VVD, who is probably facing the same age-related decline.
WiB
Well gutting Blogs
But saladsaladsaladwelostsaladsaladsalad
I've missed the Salah stuff as I've been in Mugabe Media Lockdown; what's happened?
I've missed the Salah stuff as I've been in Mugabe Media Lockdown; what's happened?
Come on man his statement was utter bollocks
Carragher has been laying into him after every game. The comments are all blaming him for the team's recent form. It lets Slot off the hook for being unable to play Wirz, Isak, Etitike and Salah together. Liverpool's issues may have started when they let Mane go.
I don't think the statement was without foundation, but it's always going to look bad when a player does that. Isak got enough flak for wanting away from Newcastle. There seems a cultural attitude in this country that players have to put up or shut up. Complaining is culturally looked down upon in England. It's a class thing and maybe even a cultural thing.
Salah's been an immense player for Liverpool. His performances last season was the central reason they won the league. He's not been great this season, maybe lost a bit of pace. And no one is going to...
Come on man his statement was utter bollocks
When a player starts to believe that they don’t have to ‘go every day fighting for their position’ then there’s a problem… Salah’s comments were shocking yesterday.
Of course we don’t know what goes...
Salah's been an immense player for Liverpool. His performances last season was the central reason they won the league. He's not been great this season, maybe lost a bit of pace. And no one is going to back him for being so outspoken about how he's been treated. But there is something off about how the press lay into him after all he's done. The Harry Kane comments hints at the reasons he suspects he's being treated this way.
Salah is a good guy dropping that utterly absurd self indulgent horseshit statement; takes the heat off us losing :-D
And sometimes good managers get their tactics and team selections wrong.
Sure
When a player starts to believe that they don’t have to ‘go every day fighting for their position’ then there’s a problem… Salah’s comments were shocking yesterday.
Of course we don’t know what goes...
Eze was playing on the left for Palace.
After having watched far more football in my life than I’d like to admit I have come to the conclusion that sometimes good players have bad games.
And sometimes good managers get their tactics and team selections wrong.
After having watched far more football in my life than I’d like to admit I have come to the conclusion that sometimes good players have bad games.
When a player starts to believe that they don’t have to ‘go every day fighting for their position’ then there’s a problem… Salah’s comments were shocking yesterday.
Of course we don’t know what goes on in training but I find it hard to believe that any current player isn’t fighting tooth and nail to start every game. Odegaard included. However, Arteta could be a bit of an enabler here with Odegaard if he’s not careful…
I just don’t understand how a player coming back from a long term injury plays 90mins in back to back games. I’m not saying Odegaard has Salah’s attitude but Arteta’s decision makes it seem like he’s untouchable..and the decision to immediately oust Eze has backfired.
Well they’re both left footed and play as an 8/10 hybrid at least.
Foden has become more dynamic because he’s had to in order to keep his place. Guardiola is ruthless and Arteta needs to be too. No sp...
I mean yes they play in the same position, but Foden's dynamism is intrinsic to the player he is. He's simply more athletic, quicker reactions, less time needed to fire a shot. Foden doesn't have Ødegaard's sublime vision, but he can feed players in as well and not averse to the reverse pass.
Sadly, with Ødegaard and with Saka, they get a pass when they don't perform. I thought Saka was poor again yesterday. He can still provide sublime moments, but too often he went for wild shots and was wildly off target. He has those finishes in his locker, but sometimes there is an easier pass on.
Just a thought or three. Nwaneri came on against West Ham and Forest early in the games, due to Ideggard injury and was steady, recycling the ball quicker. I love Odeggard, but at times it’s a bit too...
With Nwaneri I'm in an agreement. I think Arteta demands too much from him defensively and doesn't seem to get the mercurial talent that he can be going forward.
I do not think Gyökeres has to worry about Jesus or Martinelli, but there's a very real possibility that Havertz will put him on the bench because he's more Arteta's type of team player. I don't think Havertz is a top level striker, but, sad to say, neither does Gyökeres seem to be at this stage of his Arsenal career. He has to really pull a rabbit out of the hat to impress and I think our title chances depend on it as well.
They're not similar. Foden is far more dynamic, and when he shoots it's with real venom. Ødegaard doesn't have that. He shoots better than Özil but still needs time to wind himself up into a shot. Fod...
Well they’re both left footed and play as an 8/10 hybrid at least.
Foden has become more dynamic because he’s had to in order to keep his place. Guardiola is ruthless and Arteta needs to be too. No space for favourites. Rice can captain us just fine until Odegaard regains full fitness and ‘earns’ his place back.
If we as fans see it, you can be sure the players see and feel it. No matter what they say to the cameras and how ‘humble’ they appear, it’s got to hurt to have a player immediately take your spot and you’re essentially a ‘place holder’ for him.
Foden played well yesterday and was positional sound. I compare the two as they are v similar.
Odegaard was all over the place positionally and from what I could tell, it disrupted others. It didn’t...
They're not similar. Foden is far more dynamic, and when he shoots it's with real venom. Ødegaard doesn't have that. He shoots better than Özil but still needs time to wind himself up into a shot. Foden can just bang em, with dip and curl. He hits the ball so sweetly.
I think Ødegaard had an ok game without ever being really dominant. He is the epitome of "flatters to deceive" at times. He needs more direction but he's Arteta's captain and favourite so it's no surprise that Eze had to make way, though the arguments for Eze staying central are strong..
Just a thought or three. Nwaneri came on against West Ham and Forest early in the games, due to Ideggard injury and was steady, recycling the ball quicker. I love Odeggard, but at times it’s a bit too predictable. Nwaneri ain’t scared to shoot either, maybe not the game yesterday, but certainly has been opportunities I feel he should have been given.
There is a crazy scenario looming, where if Havertz and Jesus were to perform, then Gyokeres could be 4th choice striker! Add Martinelli to that, whom I think has always been a decent option and you start to worry about how it will work out. Martinelli would have been sharp to that Rice cross. He isn’t a great winger, but in the right areas his pace and willingness to run is a great weapon, not used properly in my opinion.
I like Odegaard but I think Arteta needs to get comfortable with him not having to start every game. Some games might be more suited to Eze at 10. He carries more goal threat. I know he's been injured...
I’d like to see how effective Ode would be if suddenly pushed wide left and was made to ‘make way’.
Eze got unfair criticism yesterday by comparison.
I don’t want to ‘pick’ on any one player because Odegaard more than earned his place in the starting 11 last season. And he should be given chances to earn it back again.
My comments today were to highlight Arteta’s blind spot by squeezing ode back into the starting 11 regardless and giving him too much free rein to the detriment of our overall midfield play. That’s where the game was won and lost yesterday imo. We were run over by Villa. The signs were there in the Brentford game too when Ajer twice carried the ball through and no one challenged. Twice he glided past ode like he wasn’t there. The others weren’t there because Ode had taken up their position.
A few games ago Foden received a pass from Donnarumma on the edge of his own box and got dispossessed. Has it happened since? No. Guardiola doesn’t want him there. He wants his 6 and 8s to collect from there.
i know! i'm so so worried about all the other teams in the division who are going to do better than us between now and may!
Stop being so cheerful. We are doomed
Woke up with this awful feeling. I can only imagine what its like for the players and staff.
Need Arteta to rally the team again. Which I am sure he will do.
We had some gilt edged chances yesterday when our players needed to show quality.
That Rice chance where he niether shot at goal or passed it to Saka, the left footed volley which he blazed over. And some Saka chances.
Arteta has been great with his substitutions recently. Yesterday nothing worked out. Well Trossard aside.
I like Odegaard but I think Arteta needs to get comfortable with him not having to start every game. Some games might be more suited to Eze at 10. He carries more goal threat. I know he's been injured a bit but has odegaard even got an assist or goal this season?
Ødegaard also slows us down so much... We need to be more swashbuckling, capitalise on our fast breaks without allowing the opposition get back and set up their block
seeing him check back when we had a break, like... "let's wait for the rest to catch up because I'm not confident in myself"
Yeah, this is an annoying trait that he has.
There's an option to push forward and play a good pass forward, but he usually turns round and back tracks.
He's got no confidence in his ability!
3 shots, 3 shots on target, 3 key passes, 7 ball recoveries, 1 interception, 2 tackles (1 won) so what is a duel?
Ode played well yesterday.
Foden played well yesterday and was positional sound. I compare the two as they are v similar.
Odegaard was all over the place positionally and from what I could tell, it disrupted others. It didn’t work and we were dominated in midfield by Villa.
3 shots, 3 shots on target, 3 key passes, 7 ball recoveries, 1 interception, 2 tackles (1 won) so what is a duel?
Ode played well yesterday.
Morning gents. Agreed blogs, I thought for a player that barely featured and had multiple injuries this season, he was one of our better performers. My frustration with him is that his shots always seem to be too central, even the good shot that took a god save by Emi to keep out. Players of his technical quality should have better shot placement but it's been an issue for him since that bloody ankle injury that derailed our season last year. I
he's not at the level we were at before (imo) - he hasn't lived up to the midfield maestro tag (at this level)
🤷♂️
Eze's performance yesterday was the most 'last season at Arsenal' Ozil performance I have seen since Ozil's last season at Arsenal.
He's been very effective in the middle, but he doesn't suit left w...
And this is where Arteta might need to be a little careful and play to the strengths of the players he has.
Eze has been v good in the middle and worked v week with Rice and Zubi and the wingers. Why change that?
If anything… against a team like Villa it might have been better to play with 2x 6s with one joining the attack when we break. That way our defence has more protection.
I would not have forced Eze out wide. It’s just kills the confidence and the flow he was finding. Plus it says loud and clear, you’re instantly replaceable as soon as Ode says he’s ready to return.
3 shots, 3 shots on target, 3 key passes, 7 ball recoveries, 1 interception, 2 tackles (1 won) so what is a duel?
Ode played well yesterday.
he's not at the level we were at before (imo) - he hasn't lived up to the midfield maestro tag (at this level)
Martin Odegaard vs Aston Villa
90 minutes played
61 touches
90% passes completed
2/11 crosses completed
0/3 dribbles completed
0/7 duels won
19x possession lost
1x dribbled past
3 shots, 3 shots on target, 3 key passes, 7 ball recoveries, 1 interception, 2 tackles (1 won) so what is a duel?
Ode played well yesterday.
Arteta is just a bit naive at times. Also, why did we start so slowly? Why weren't we in their faces from the kick off?
100% maybe he needs time to get back to more fluency, but do we have time? - plus he's slow running, as well as lacking the killer instinct (pass or shot)
He’s slow, stiff, often caught on his heels in the box. Part of that is confidence. I’ve lost count of the number of times the ball falls just behind or just in front of him. When a striker’s in form it’s like he has a magnet drawing the ball to him. Right now it’s as if Gyökeres is repelling the ball! He has to find some confidence. I kind of feel the same for Eze. After the hat-trick against Spurs I expected him to really stamp his place. He seemed instead to coast yesterday and that bothered me because I know he can do more. Much more.
Zubi went missing, overwhelmed by a spit and sawdust Prem match. Saka was wasteful and a bit greedy. Trossard scored but didn’t do much else. Martinelli didn’t either.
You can’t just blame Ødegaard. ...
I don't blame Ode, Arteta is the man at the reins - he has to make it work.
Zubi has more of a simple vision type thing. Can't imagine him checking his run, if he was on a break with a couple of defenders to beat
Max Dowman has the "hurt the opposition" mentality, even at 15 years old
but he doesn't measure up to Rice and Zubi defensively and he doesn't measure up to Eze, Saka etc offensively - what does he actually do? Why did we look so disorganised yesterday, if his role is "mid...
Zubi went missing, overwhelmed by a spit and sawdust Prem match. Saka was wasteful and a bit greedy. Trossard scored but didn’t do much else. Martinelli didn’t either.
You can’t just blame Ødegaard. There was a lack of cohesion and flow throughout our attack. Gyökeres was poor. He will need games to get back to where he was just before the injury.
It was a bad day at the office, some worrying signs but we can and must bounce back and find solutions to our disjointed attack.
Martin Odegaard vs Aston Villa
90 minutes played
61 touches
90% passes completed
2/11 crosses completed
0/3 dribbles completed
0/7 duels won
19x possession lost
1x dribbled past
My worry with Ødegaard is the way he disrupts the rhythm by taking a few extra beats before a pass or shot. Some of his passing is sublime but we rarely get the one-touch play which catches defenders ...
100% maybe he needs time to get back to more fluency, but do we have time? - plus he's slow running, as well as lacking the killer instinct (pass or shot)
My worry with Ødegaard is the way he disrupts the rhythm by taking a few extra beats before a pass or shot. Some of his passing is sublime but we rarely get the one-touch play which catches defenders ...
Yeah that’s a valid point
The player leading the press is hardly ever the one snatching the ball.
I’m all for playing a team without Ode if there’s a better Xl available but he’s not defensively ineffective, quite the opposit...
My worry with Ødegaard is the way he disrupts the rhythm by taking a few extra beats before a pass or shot. Some of his passing is sublime but we rarely get the one-touch play which catches defenders off-guard. Mostly, they’re set and able to defend even the best Ødegaard through ball/shot.
The player leading the press is hardly ever the one snatching the ball.
I’m all for playing a team without Ode if there’s a better Xl available but he’s not defensively ineffective, quite the opposit...
but he doesn't measure up to Rice and Zubi defensively and he doesn't measure up to Eze, Saka etc offensively - what does he actually do? Why did we look so disorganised yesterday, if his role is "midfield maestro"?
Eze's performance yesterday was the most 'last season at Arsenal' Ozil performance I have seen since Ozil's last season at Arsenal.
He's been very effective in the middle, but he doesn't suit left w...
To me, Eze on the left has clearly not worked but I don’t want to give up on it. He’s been good central but he’s also not demanded the ball enough there at times. We want Eze picking the ball up around the edge of the box and moving in on goal.
Yesterday, when he did pick up the ball, he was facing aggressive pressing. He did his usual twists and feints but the pitch was wet and he kept slipping. There was a lack of urgency in his movements, it showed for Villa’s goal but also when he received the ball in semi-advanced positions.
Ironically, I think Eze needs to demand the ball the way Ødegaard does. Neither were aggressive enough in the final third but at least Ødegaard got some shots off.
It may be they can’t play together. In which case we may have to look for a more aggressive solution on the left if we have any cash. Semenyo maybe?
well the press is about snatching the ball from the opposition because you pressed them and pressured them into a mistake - like Rice does superbly
The player leading the press is hardly ever the one snatching the ball.
I’m all for playing a team without Ode if there’s a better Xl available but he’s not defensively ineffective, quite the opposite.
the problem is he doesn't look like he knows what he's doing, which also affects the team, because they don't know what he's going to do either (I suspect) which means they don't know when to time run...
Saka was off again yesterday. He receives the ball and often tries to do it on his own. Our forward players are not linking well. Ødegaard and Saka are both holding on to the ball too long. I see so many teams, Villa included, pass it around with precision. Man City do that a lot. We have done in the past but right now we look out of sorts and it’s fair to say the injuries have been central to this. But the players should have the quality to pass quicker and get into more threatening spaces.
You missed the point I was making…
Eze doesn’t disrupt the balance of Zubimendi and Rice, he works off them! Odegaard is making everyone play through him… it doesn’t work! At one point he was so deep ...
This is an interesting expkanation regarding what I saw as Zubimendi ineffective yesterday. I have question marks about his physicality. Given the space he can do damage with his passing. But he’s been quite withdrawn, not as aggressive as he’s been previously.
You’re saying that the player who is asked to lead the press should throw himself into tackles? That would mean that the whole team behind him would be wrongly positioned every time he lost such a due...
I don’t expect him to lead the press and throw himself into tackles…
I expect him to tackle when he’s deep in his own half or in the middle. He does neither. Neither does he block. He jumps out of the way.
You are the one who compared his defending to Eze and Ozil. Not me.
The point I was making is that he disrupts the balance now he’s back. He’s ‘allowed’ to. Everything has to go through him it seems. It’s predictable. Emery knew it.
We were dominated in midfield because of it.
I felt for Rice and Zubi.
You’re saying that the player who is asked to lead the press should throw himself into tackles? That would mean that the whole team behind him would be wrongly positioned every time he lost such a due...
well the press is about snatching the ball from the opposition because you pressed them and pressured them into a mistake - like Rice does superbly
I don’t think yesterday was all his fault, I think it’s Arteta telling him he has the license to do what he wants. He literally has free reign when everyone else is told in minute detail what to do!
I...
the problem is he doesn't look like he knows what he's doing, which also affects the team, because they don't know what he's going to do either (I suspect) which means they don't know when to time runs and stuff. which makes the whole team look disorganised, which I thought we were yesterday.
When Saka gets the ball, even when he's having a bad day, he hurts the opposition more often than not, creates a goal, scores a goal. That's the difference
And you can take that as it is. Cannot even remember the last time he made a tackle or block even before he was injured.
You’re saying that the player who is asked to lead the press should throw himself into tackles? That would mean that the whole team behind him would be wrongly positioned every time he lost such a duel. It’s just not how it works.
I can understand some of the concerns about our attacking play maybe becoming more predictable with Ode on the pitch but he definitely does work his socks off without the ball and does exactly what the gaffer asks of him in that regard.
To compare his defensive performances to that of Eze or Özil is just strange. They both, while brilliant players, have/had a tendency to completely switch off.
for some reason Ode has this "great player" aura, bit like Ozil. He will occasionally so some flashy pass that has everyone "oohing", but he doesn't dominate teams
I don’t think yesterday was all his fault, I think it’s Arteta telling him he has the license to do what he wants. He literally has free reign when everyone else is told in minute detail what to do!
I don’t want to see Odegaard in the CB position, I don’t want to see him receiving a pass from Califiori in his own box. If he’s playing as a 10…
Then let the 6 and the 8 do that!!
Honestly it’s on Arteta.
He will slot Odegaard into that team no matter what. And he will give him free reign every season.
And every season we come up short.
Look at the way Guardiola is with his players. There’s no sentimentality.
Look at the improvement in Foden!
How many times was Foden benched?
Unless Arteta learns and learns quick it’ll be another season with nothing.
Eze's performance yesterday was the most 'last season at Arsenal' Ozil performance I have seen since Ozil's last season at Arsenal.
He's been very effective in the middle, but he doesn't suit left wing at all. And it shows. Ambling about without any drive or direction, repeatedly not tracking back, or even pointing out danger to somebody else. Not trying to get himself involved in the play, no real off the ball running and slow passes that when the person receiving them finally gets the ball, they've now got a player on them due to the lack of pace on the ball.
Aside from his absolutely awful showing, I feel like we lost that game in the first half and paid for it in the second. We didn't have the energy in the reserves to play a fairly high tempo first half with the opposition having a lot of the ball and then chase the second half to get a goal. That last 10 minutes was always coming.
We're still top, which is great. Especially after one of the worst injury crisis going. But Eze on the left just can't happen again. He can be very effective in the middle, and I wouldn't even mind seeing him up front actually as a different kind of tool should we need it, but he's not a winger. And if Martinelli or Madueke weren't deemed fit enough to start due to their recovery still, I'd rather Nwaneri was used on the left as he would at least put in the defensive side of the winger role a bit more. Something Calafiori needs with his roaming about (ridiculous yellow card yesterday actually).
WiB
Sadly, this defeat was coming.
A combination of missing Gabriel and Saliba.
Not having Timber at Right back.
A stretch too far against a very well organized Villa.
Brentford was a lucky 3points f...
for some reason Ode has this "great player" aura, bit like Ozil. He will occasionally so some flashy pass that has everyone "oohing", but he doesn't dominate teams
” when you play a midfielder that doesn’t defend for a full 90 mins two games in a row”
And you can take that as it is. Cannot even remember the last time he made a tackle or block even before he was injured.
seeing him check back when we had a break, like... "let's wait for the rest to catch up because I'm not confident in myself"
You missed the point I was making…
Eze doesn’t disrupt the balance of Zubimendi and Rice, he works off them! Odegaard is making everyone play through him… it doesn’t work! At one point he was so deep ...
” when you play a midfielder that doesn’t defend for a full 90 mins two games in a row”
Wow, criticising Odegaard for not defending is wild. Eze does basically nothing in that regard.
You missed the point I was making…
Eze doesn’t disrupt the balance of Zubimendi and Rice, he works off them! Odegaard is making everyone play through him… it doesn’t work! At one point he was so deep he looked like a CB! He was all over the place and nullified Zubi and Rice. Eze doesn’t do that.
unpopular opinion: Rice and Zubi are levels above Ode.
Wow, criticising Odegaard for not defending is wild. Eze does basically nothing in that regard.
It is an opinion I can not fully get behind.
WiB
Sadly, this defeat was coming.
A combination of missing Gabriel and Saliba.
Not having Timber at Right back.
A stretch too far against a very well organized Villa.
Brentford was a lucky 3points f...
Wow, criticising Odegaard for not defending is wild. Eze does basically nothing in that regard.
WiB
Sadly, this defeat was coming.
A combination of missing Gabriel and Saliba.
Not having Timber at Right back.
A stretch too far against a very well organized Villa.
Brentford was a lucky 3points for us and yesterday our luck ran out.
I think it’s worth mentioning here that Arteta played Ødegaard from start twice for a full 90. I don’t care how fit he is - my question is why?
His return has impacted the space Zubimendi, Eze and Rice were operating in. And that combo was really working!
I don’t believe anyone should have an automatic ticket back into the starting 11. I don’t care who you are.
Arteta has to be a bit careful not to undo all his hard work now. We looked shaky against Brentford and I did think against a better team we would lose. Villa were by far the better organised team yesterday.
We can blame our defensive injuries all we want but when you play a midfielder that doesn’t defend for a full 90 mins two games in a row … it’s not going to help the pressure on the back line.
McGinn and Rogers had a field day in the middle of the park because of it.
Their passing through the lines was quite something.
Ode offered one slotted pass to saka as a pre-assist, one shot and one nice reverse pass into the box and that’s about it for a full 90.
Not good enough.
What's the doom meter reading around here today?
You just need to turn the table upside down and where dead last.
What's the doom meter reading around here today?
I was ready for us to get away with a draw. We didn't deserve it, because Villa were better than us, better passing, more desire, thankfully finishing wasn't great. But neither was ours. I won't criti...
Morning NB. I don’t think anyone thought we were going to run away with it, wrapping it up in February or whatever.
We didn’t play particularly well yesterday. It felt like too many players had an off day and there was something strange about the balance of the team, much like against Chavs actually. But being top of the league after 15 games with the injuries that we’ve had and continue to have isn’t so bad.
Is the 50 year going on 12 year old ”season ticket holder” around?
Well, we've always got Marley Frohock.Or will have when he grows up a bit.
I was ready for us to get away with a draw. We didn't deserve it, because Villa were better than us, better passing, more desire, thankfully finishing wasn't great. But neither was ours. I won't criti...
I keep on questioning why we sit back after scoring. It doesn't matter if we go ahead or draw level, as soon as we score the opposition get on top. The management have to do something about this tendency.
I hope, we continue to progress (stay hungry) for the cups. This team must get something this season.
To not win the league after all the hype of the past couple of months would be a gut-wrenching as that last-second defeat. They have to find a way, but yesterday was not out of the blue. This defeat has been coming. Sunderland, Chelsea and finally it broke.
I was ready for us to get away with a draw. We didn't deserve it, because Villa were better than us, better passing, more desire, thankfully finishing wasn't great. But neither was ours. I won't criticise the defenders who have filled in better than most squads would have to big losses in Saliba, Gabriel and Mosquera. I won't even make more of Eze's poor tracking back for their first goal, because it was in forward play I am so concerned. Calfiori has licence to roam, why doesn't't Eze? He was slipping and falling and shimmying and twisting, but doing very little from an attacking point of view. Ødegaard flatters to deceive. One good shot out of maybe four attempts? Saka's aim was off....again. Madueke wasn't much better. And Gyökeres? I'm worried.
We're still clear at the top, but how many times are we going to say "it was just one of those games" over the next four months? Because there is still a question mark over this team. I say it's a lack of real quality. But if you say the quality is there, then I'm afraid it's to do with their nerve. At 1-1 they could have pushed to win this, instead they sat back and invited trouble. Unlucky at the death, but the signs were there throughout that last period. The better team won.
I thought it would be over by the time I got up this morning. It is effectively over though, the batting lineup are pathetic.
Yeah, same, was surprised but then the wickets arrived…
I hope, we continue to progress (stay hungry) for the cups. This team must get something this season.
Arse
Suck it up like men, men. Go again. It's all you can do. I'm worried about all the injuries, and how tired 2-3 important players looked yesterday. We must rest Rice, Calafiori against Bruges.
...
I thought for a second it was a rallying cry for the arses
Cricket score doesn’t hurt. It’s no more than I expected despite all the pre tour bullish stuff about Bazball.
I couldn’t even get much pleasure from the Leeds result
Some shit other results.
Cricket? Oh.
Though England survive longer than expected.
Cricket score doesn’t hurt. It’s no more than I expected despite all the pre tour bullish stuff about Bazball.
I couldn’t even get much pleasure from the Leeds result
Arse
Suck it up like men, men. Go again. It's all you can do. I'm worried about all the injuries, and how tired 2-3 important players looked yesterday. We must rest Rice, Calafiori against Bruges.
Not going to slate anyone though, it's been a great run.
Cricket? Oh.
Though England survive longer than expected.
I thought it would be over by the time I got up this morning. It is effectively over though, the batting lineup are pathetic.
Arse. WiB.
Morning all.
Gutting to lose with the last kick of the game. Hopefully we can get some injured players back, especially Saliba. Arteta needs to play Gyokeres now so that we can get some patterns of play that service him and get Gabby J back in the squad as backup until the lesser spotted Havertz is fit again. Merino has done great as a stand-in up front, but the lack of cutting edge is going to hurt us if not addressed soon.
Can’t cope with looking at the Sports section in the Press today. Too bloody painful
Cricket? Oh.
Though England survive longer than expected.
Can’t cope with looking at the Sports section in the Press today. Too bloody painful
Well in Bruce
Fuck off morning
@blogs: Szoboszlai win it for Liverpool.
Ta
@blogs: Szoboszlai win it for Liverpool.
Heh at the title.
Well in Bruce.
A bad day at the office for Arsenal.
Which is a shame, apart from the footy, it was a good day for the Lee family, though.