This is the formation we should be using later in the competition when we have a 3-0 first leg advantage. Lots of control and sideways/backwards passing with the occasional Madueke Madness when he makes a run. But absolutely no creativity in the middle. Gyokeres looks ominous though. Getting lots of looks at it, won some free kicks.
HT ATH 0-0 ARS. That was pretty dismal from us, especially in first 20 mins. OK there were a few decent chances by Gyokeres after that. But Bilbao had at least as many dangerous forays, even if xG doesn't say so. We're lucky to go into HT still tied. Queue the stern talk by the boss or a tactical change? Let's see something more productive, effective, dangerous in 2T.
With the ref calling ticky-tacky shit on us and Rice pushing the boundaries a bit and Eze not doing much out wide right now, I'm thinking maybe take off Rice at half and slide Eze to RCM, Merino LCM and Marti or Trossard at LW?
With the amount of space the wings have this is one of the few times you will hear me say I want Martinelli on. And as you said, take off Rice and move Eze either to L8 or R8. We absolutely need a technical player in the middle to properly progress the ball though.
Shout out to the lad in one of my fave Arsenal kits, the home kit from 2000/2001 with the dreamcast sponsor.
How are they not getting cards for anything? At least Eze wins the FK with an attacking run. Funny what happens when you make those and play the ball in early.
I think that last one was an across the box header and not a shot on target, that said if he scores I bet its chalked off for that soft push.
Given he is a ST, I 100% believe that last one was intended to be on goal but it sure looked like it was supposed to be a headed cross
Honestly the midfield needs changing, so ********ing slow when Madueke is absolutely embarrassing his opponent and yet we take 15mins to string 3 passes together to get it to him. Hoping we see some 60min changes.
Nights like this really make me question Artetas selections. So he brings Trossard on for Gyokeres yet on the last 2 passages of play Eze remains LW which hasn't really worked all match, and Trossard has gone up top.
We have an actual 10 and an actual LW and instead we have to fit as many DMs into the team against a team who have left gaps for us but because we take an eternity to progress the ball they can sit in a Mourinho 4-4-2 and wait for us to ******** up. What a waste of Eze tonight.