The only annoyance in the team is how slow Xhaka and Luiz can be at times on the ball. Quite a few times this morning Xhaka got the ball, looked up, saw Tierney bomb forward unmarked and he turned inwards and would pass sideways or back.
He needs to go to a mid/upper mid-table Spanish side. I think he'd do really well in that sort of environment, but admittedly I'm biased since I used to get to watch him live all the time at Atlanta United.
Lascelles had one late on also along the touchline with Martinelli. The one on Saka is borderline red. It’s absolutely nuts there wasn’t even any discussion of it.
Really impressed with Partey in triggering the transition His ability to beat the press opens up the long passes to hit the runners
You have to be good enough though In the sports I follow like cricket, rugby, football the consistent reason why the players can't show creativity and positivity is they lack that 5% edge
I really hope we learned 2 lessons 1. No more old guys 2. Spread money on key positions instead of one 70m white elephant
In terms of how Arse is playing with guys like Saka, ESR and Partey, I was thinking of India at the Gabba this morning It's all very well to be super confident and back your self to win. But you need to be a very very good player to defeat the best bowling attack in the world on a pitch that is a bit naughty, and take big runs off them That's why Saka and ESR are special talents. They have the balls sure, but they are actually good enough to beat up on premium league level defences otherwise you are just another bendtner
That’s correct, and it applies to your prior comment about Partey. The pass to Auba itself has been widely praised, but that ball can be played by any reasonable professional. What makes it noteworthy is how quickly he recognizes it and how quickly he gets himself into position to take advantage of the opportunity. He’s good. Better than I expected.
Yeah I’ve been thinking about that myself. ESR’s star has risen primarily while we are playing subpar opponents. Will it stay high when we come up against the big boys not long from now? He’s not a really large human, but then again neither is Messi. But right about now, I’m backing him!
Yeah ESR and Saka have been amazing for us. but I don't think we can put that kind of responsibility on their shoulders. It is kind of unfair to do so when the veterans out there aren't doing their part. ESR and Saka are still young and inexperienced and we need the players that are backing them up (Ultra expensive Pepe, and Willian) to start performing because this is a long season.
Its not "unfair" this is what every kid in an elite academy wants, prospects crave responsibility. Now Arsenal needs to manage their fitness, that's a different issue. Willan and Pepe can get garbage minutes in the league and the second half in Europa League.
Saints just beat Shrews 2-0, so that cues up 2 consecutive matches against them, the first of which is: FA Cup 4R, this Saturday 1/23 at 7:15am ET Be there or be square?
This is why I push back against the idea that elite performance is only about mindset, or only about ability, or only about structures and tactics All this stuff has to come together at the same time. One player can't just decide to man up and change things - you have to be good enough to do it - but also, if too many other things are wrong, you are likely to get demoralised. Whereas here we see Partey, who is good enough to beat the trap, unlocking the runners, who then given the opportunity, can deliver goals So it never was that Auba was sulking, or done - it's just something was broken
Partey has always had quality, but unless you have a player come into a functioning team players take time to bed in. Especially when they missed time injured like Partey.
@The Jitty Slitter weren’t u saying partey was a bad signing due to age or was that someone else? He looks great, with a mobile passer next to him we could dominate the midfield with the form of esr
No one asked me, but I think you can argue that it's a bad signing financially even if he plays well, because we're not going to recoup any of that transfer fee by selling him in the future. He'll leave on a free eventually. If he's good enough to raise the club's performances to a point where they earn the club extra prize money, then that argument shifts a little. But Partey is the type of signing who should be a final piece on a contending team, not one hanging around the fringes of qualifying for the Europa League.
I was definitely very critical of the move, also. As I’ve said elsewhere, he does look better than I thought he would. But it’s a bad deal unless we make a miraculous overhaul that allows us to legitimately contend within two years.
if Arsenal want to recoup transfer fees on every player they sign, they need to sign players that are 22 or younger and sell them when they are in their prime. We can’t judge signings on whether or not Arsenal can recoup the fee in the future. If Partey is a key figure in Arsenal winning a cup or playing in Europe in the next two or three years, then he was worth the fee.
Partey is the best player we could’ve got for that fee and may help us get cl football Not sure we could’ve attracted a cm that is as dynamic