Cup kids take their chance

by .

Via @Arsenal

Nothing like a BLISTERING win in the FA Cup to kick a cold Tuesday morning off in style.

Arteta headed back to Bournemouth for the second time as Arsenal manager and put on a more impressive show than the first outing a little over 5 weeks ago.

The first half showed us exactly where the football is heading if we give the manager time (and the right players). We moved the ball around at speed, the players were aggressive, you could see the vision. Pretty much everything the football hasn’t been for the last 5 years. Joe Willock immediately repaid his starting berth with a brilliant turn in midfield, he powered forward at the Bournemouth goal, gave the ball to Gabriel who found Saka on the overlap… the young winger/fullback didn’t make the same mistakes he made in the last game, rifling a shot at the inside post in off the bar. The build-up had 22 passes that went through 10 players, shades of the good old days? Don’t…

The second was well worked. Mustafi to Eddie, back to Willock, out wide to Saka, Saka with the low drive into the box, Martinelli dummies… Eddie into the back of the net. Wonderful.

Arsenal going forward at times was a thing of beauty, we looked scary on the counter-attack, and finally, we looked pretty good when building up play in and around the box. Not perfect, but the players finally seemed to be finding a bit of confidence that’s been lacking over the last month. Arteta certainly felt like his players executed his plan well.

“In the first half we were really, really good. They executed everything we planned in a really good way and showed the courage to make big decisions.

“We played with that accountability, making decisions and I really liked it. They were terrific with their work-rate, showed courage to make those big decisions and not to play safe.

“That is the difference.”

The second half wasn’t quite as impressive. It looked liked we were more than comfortable to sit on a two-goal cushion and to be fair, Bournemouth really didn’t give us too much to worry about. They tried to rough us up, but again, it didn’t seem to bother us.

Matteo Guendouzi was back to typical shithousing form, he sucks opposition into battling him, but he never lets the win. He was man of the match, he played with much more discipline than we’ve seen from him over the past 5 months. He timed his runs, kept things solid in the middle, and was just a bit of a nuisance all game. He has stamina for days and he has a good knack for knowing where to stand to nick balls and counter-press.

Saka, Eddie and Gabriel are a joy to watch. So much energy and enthusiasm. They don’t give a fuck where they play as long as they play. Those are the types of characters you want to get behind. I just hope they maintain that spark and continue to grow, it’d be great to have three young players like that grow into superstars… and it’d be great to have two homegrown talents pushing for roles with the national team.

The only blight on the match outside the late goal they scored and the borefest that is VAR, was seeing Mustafi go down with what looked like and achilles problem. I’m sad for him because he’s just been given a rebirth, but more sad for Arsenal, because we’ve lost another defender and the club apparently botched the move for Pablo Mari. Say what you will about the risk of signing him, the man was indeed a human body we could do with. We’re in trouble in defence… Xhaka might have to take up that centre back role more permanently.

Oh… I also thought Ceballos played well when he came on. He certainly doesn’t look disengaged.

Big shout out to Joe Willock for the second time in this post. He had a great game and added some much-needed end product to his game. He’s strong, he’s great at running through the lines, and he’ll add goals to his game as he matures. He needs to keep taking those chances he’s given, a bright future ahead if he does.

One thing before I go, I do like watching the press conferences these days. Arteta really seems to love the fact he’s managing Arsenal. He talks with such great energy, he’s passionate about the game, the league, and the players he’s working with to improve. Great to see.

6 games unbeaten now. Good times.

Pompey in the next round… very exciting.

P.S. I recorded a podcast last night, but the sound corrupted. New one later today. Sorry Alex, I really am. x

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Wasi

Marc

Im sure we’ll get at least one body in this window. Most probably a CB (Mari).
And then look for short term loans .
We’ve again been linked to James Rodriguez.
If we can get a 6 month loan It may be worth the punt. We are not creating enough and he could help in that regard + add goals too. Will need to settle into life in the Prem fast tho which is not an easy task.

China1

Tap ins are absolutely a skill

We all want more than just tap ins but if you get a very decent tap in merchant for pennies through the academy that’s nothing to be scoffed at as an addition to our squad

Laca isn’t scoring many goals, getting many assists and his passing is poor. Add to that his wages and is frankly rather have Nketiah if he can manage a goal every 3 or so games

We’d be no worse for it if he can

Leedsgunner

Anyone we can bring up from the U23s at the moment as CB cover? Or are they too raw ? Remember this is how Bellerin made his first steps into the senior squad!

Marc

Funny how many on here will give Xhaka a second chance because he’s “improved” under better coaching but won’t give the same chance to Holding who’s had what used to be a career ending injury.

Marc

Wasi

I’ll bet you a cold beer on a sunny day that if – hopefully when – we bring in a CB this window it won’t be Mari after what’s gone on?

Wasi

Emiratestroller Definitely agree with everything you say there. Upamecano would be my favoured choice in the summer. With 1 year left on his contract dont think Leipzig will play a very hardball. (Tho they did do the same thing last summer with Werner and then got him to sign a new deal making sure he doesn’t go for free). They could do the same with Upa but I think 40-45 mil should be enough to get him in the summer. Another obstacle will be the no. of top clubs also circling for his signature. Will Arteta be able to sell… Read more »

China1

I’m not sure that I believe ornstein is especially reliable even if he’s a bit less unreliable than the others

Since wenger left I’m not sure he’s been right any more than he’s been wrong. Seems he was embedded as part of the way we used to run things but I’m not sure he’s still getting first dibs on info

Dissenter

Wasi
You do realize that Pablo Mari is a Spaniard who has only been in Flamengo for about 8 months.
All that stuff about returning to Brazil for family and whatever is hogwash.
He went back because the deal is tethering on collapse, that’s nit so hard, is it?.

Romford Pele

“Since wenger left I’m not sure he’s been right any more than he’s been wrong. Seems he was embedded as part of the way we used to run things but I’m not sure he’s still getting first dibs on info”

Agreed. Defo not the same Ornstein. Just a couple weeks ago he said we were close to getting Kurzawa who’s now going to Juve.

Wasi

Funny how many on here will give Xhaka a second chance because he’s “improved” under better coaching but won’t give the same chance to Holding who’s had what used to be a career ending injury. Never said Holding deserves a second chance. Just stating I haven’t really seen much from to beleive he can be a world class CB. How would I see him if he’s never really Played consistently ever? His best spell was the 7 or 8 game run under Emery if im right. That too in his honeymoon period. Other than that , the FA cup final.… Read more »

China1

I tend to agree Marc

This sounds like damage limitation pretending that we didn’t just make a pigs ears of a signing and embarrass ourselves

Dissenter

Ornstein has NO idea about the Pablo Mari deal, now he’s jumped in to milk gooner’s clickbaits for all,it’s worth.

China1

Ornstein also had egg on his face about the pepe transfer

China1

I could very well be wrong but I feel thisbis a case of arsenal completely arsing up this transfer and they’ve come out looking very messy, so someone senior has said throw old ornstein a bone that we did it on purpose as people trust him

Wasi

“Since wenger left I’m not sure he’s been right any more than he’s been wrong. Seems he was embedded as part of the way we used to run things but I’m not sure he’s still getting first dibs on info” True. Maybe the staff clear out that happened also led to Orny’s insider being moved on. Even still He’s the most reliable of all the other Journos. Dissenter. I think 8 months is more than enough to get settled somewhere. Given his achievements in Brazil he may have even got a permanent residence, who knows. Im sure he never thought… Read more »

China1

The kicker with the Mari deal was edu making the effort to get him. Completely unnecessary surely if you think the transfer is still so up in the air

Wasi

Never said Holding DOESNT* deserve a second chance.

China1

Yeah wasi you might be right as it’s only a hunch on my part

Leedsgunner

If we sell the likes of Luiz, Sokratis Mhkitaryan, Elneny, Mavropanos and Mustafi for say a combined £60m and plough that money straight back into buying a top young central defender or two it will be a good summer.

If we bring in another top young midfielder to take the load off Torreira, it will be an excellent summer.

Valentin

Was definitely against Barcelona.
Think it was first leg when we were completely outclassed and still ended up with an undeserved draw.
2-2?
Was it the same year when RvP was sent off on the return leg?

Micheal

A word in favour of Bellerin. Very good to see him getting back to his best after such a long lay-off. His pace and over-lapping are very important to us and we now have two RBs available.

Valentin

Leeds,

We can’t sell Luiz, Sokratis, Mustafi and Mavrapanos without at least bringing two central defenders even taking into account Saliba’s arrival.
Otherwise we run the risk of running our CBs to the ground. None of our academy CBs are of the level required to act as deputy.

HighburyLegend

Agree about Bellerin.
But what the hell is that haircut ?? He isn’t in fashion anymore ??

Wasi

This summer should be more of a clear out of deadwood and getting 2 or 3 quality players with 1 or 2 for the future Assuming we come out as sore losers in every sale we make we should still be getting the following amounts from these player sales at LEAST. Mustafi-15 Mikhi-10 Sok-5 Elneny-10 Thats 40 Mil from 4 players who are probably never going to be good enough for us or past it. Add to that 10-20mil and a World class young CB can be fetched. Try to get a too quality young Central midfielder as the second… Read more »

Romford Pele

I’m confused. How many CBs do people think we should have?

Wasi

top*

Nelson

I would suggest Eddie to model his game a la Sergio Agüero. Eddie is a mobile attacker. He is fast enough to challenge any 50/50 balls. If he could develop more chemistry with Willock and Martinelli, his overall game will be more effective.

Romford Pele

“I would suggest Eddie to model his game a la Sergio Agüero. Eddie is a mobile attacker. He is fast enough to challenge any 50/50 balls. If he could develop more chemistry with Willock and Martinelli, his overall game will be more effective.”

Do you know what Aguero was doing at Nketiah’s age? Aguero was always destined for greater. Turned into more of a poacher these latter years but before that he was a complete attacker. Beating people for fun and scoring all sorts of goals. Nketiah doesn’t have that level of talent. Sorry.

Guns of Brixton

Eddie as much as love him is like Akpom in that yes their was talent, but not enough to hit top levels.

Hope we can get a fair price for him.

Vintage Gun

“I’m confused. How many CBs do people think we should have?”

I’d say four solid options and one cover option.
The cover option should be a U23 player (we have none at the moment) or a flexible utility player in my opinion

Any more can lead to an overkill as CB’s tend to get rotated less

Guns of Brixton

*there

China1

Imo you need 4 dedicated senior CBs. Two first choice, third choice should be almost as good. 4th choice can just be a solid backup. Plus have a youth/utility option as an emergency backup 5th choice should be enough for any normal season Next season I’m going to guess we’ll have luiz saliba sok holding and chambers with no major new signings and mustafi being sold I have a feeling arteta is going to dedicate himself to backing these players and coaching more out of them. Whether or not that is a smart move. If saliba is up to much… Read more »

Nelson

I am glad that Arteta is not like some of the posters here, always encourage and support his players to improve.

Romford Pele

“Any more can lead to an overkill as CB’s tend to get rotated less”

This is the main point. CB and ST are the positions you ideally want rotated the least for continuity and to get consistency going.

Most teams don’t have more than 4 CBs. Why some fans want us to have like 6/7 CBs is beyond me. It’s a squad of 25 and we don’t play 3 at the back.

Batistuta

Romford

That’s the word with Nketiah, “Talent”… You immediately see it at a much younger age… Auba has been banging goals for fun his whole life, the 3rd goal against spurs last season, can’t see Nketiah scoring those types or the one at Valencia in the Europa, yea he scores a lot of tap ins but he’s more than that with his movement which gets him in those positions, can’t see it with Nketiah…

China1

I think arteta has done pretty well out of all the defense so far

Luiz is looking much better and Sokratis has been mostly solid and reliable. Obviously that’s partly because of better setup in midfield ahead of them but I do think generally our defense doesn’t look like trash anymore unlike previously.

If saliba does anything major then we won’t really have a bad defense on paper even without other major signings. We’ll see if that’s the case after saliba arrives tho

Romford Pele

Batistuta – his movement is very good which is why he finds himself in a lot of good goalscoring positions. He has decent pace and is a good finisher. But even comparing him to Martinelli who is two years younger doesn’t paint him well. Martinelli has the same movement but is much more aggressive both on and off the ball, taller, faster and has that air of unpredictability about him. His emergence has pretty much left a lot to be desired about Nketiah. We could sell him and get a decent fee as he’s a good finisher. Heck, Bournemouth bought… Read more »

Luisjo

Obviously I’m loving Arteta, as a Spaniard, I liked him as a player, loving him as a coach but I’ve found one flaw. He continues with Lacazette up front even though the entire world can see he’s slow, weak and boasts zero stamina. I’d prefer Eddie or do what both Freddie and Emery did — Drop him. Lacazette is not even good enough for Luton and he starts every game despite 0 goals

Marc

How many CB’s should we have?

That depends on whether we’re going to keep up the number of serious injuries we keep getting. Two CB’s with ACL’s and one RB all with ACL’s in just over 12 months is crazy. Were we just unlucky or was there something more to it?

DUIFG

5cbs in my opinion. It looks massively excessive but last 10 yes apart from short bursts we seem to perennially have multiple cbs down at any one time.

Chambers is good in that he can do rb as well if required.

Let’s not forget we got away with it for a while using Montreal as a cb. 4 bare minimum cbs for me

Marc

One of the other things with the number of CB’s is to have 4 or so dedicated players in that position, you can then have a utility player who can cover several positions competently.

DUIFG

It’s good housekeeping for me, you out a tidy squad together and then get shafted playing amn as a cb in a big game say. All that effort to get done on something so simple.

DUIFG

A lot of these partnerships of cbs has Luiz as the primary cb with saliba, I like Luiz on recent form but a 33 Yr old as your number 1 could be punchy. If we got upa happy to massively clear out our cbs and have saliba upa Luiz Chambers maybe holding as a pure rainy day reserve

China1

When auba was 18 he scored 10 goals on loan in France, when he was 19 he scored 6 and when he was 20 he scored 2. When he was 21 he scored only 4. It’s safe to say that outside of that explosive first season in France, auba was not especially prolific in senior football until his early 20s Eddie has 6 goals so far this season I think. 10 looks like a challenging but attainable target for him which at 20 years old would be much better than auba managed in his like for like season Not saying… Read more »

China1

I’m still in the minority who think that Nelson is also being written off far too soon I’m hopeful he and Eddie will in the least be useful squad players costing us pennies on the dollar compared to what we’d have to pay in the market. If they can be that I’ll be more than happy. Not everyone needs to be elite world class monsters. We need some decent squad players and we need to save our money for the signings that will help us really kick on. Players like martinelli Nelson saka and guendouzi are these players for me… Read more »

China1

AMN is another one who arteta has done well with and could end up just a reliable squad player costing us pennies

Chris

I am keen to see Balogun get some first team minutes when he is ready as he is highly thought of. Nketiah may not end up winning the Ballon’dor but who is to say he could not make up part of our first team squad for years to come as a goal getter off the bench and an able deputy when needed, such as Origi at Liverpool. Players willing to stay who are of a good quality who don’t play every week are not easy to come by. It would be great to see Martinelli, Nketiah and Balogun,if he is… Read more »

Nelson

I read that Matviyenko, 23, can also play the DM position. He is a better footballer than Mari. Also we need someone to back up Torr. He is a better choice, IMO.

Wasi

Not saying Eddie is going to go on and do big things for us or anyone else tbh, just that people judge too quickly imo

I’m still in the minority who think that Nelson is also being written off far too soon

Very Very Accurate China1

Wasi

I read that Matviyenko, 23, can also play the DM position. He is a better footballer than Mari. Also we need someone to back up Torr. He is a better choice, IMO.

Nelson Ofc he is the better choice its clear to everyone.
Its just that we dont have the money to get him NOW and Shakhtar reportedly are against the idea if a loan.

China1

Agreed Chris

Top quality players will rarely settle for the bench unless they’re at a Madrid Barca type setup on silly wages and getting trophies for minimal output

At arsenal if we expect to only keep players who are top class then you can see how quickly those on the bench become disillusioned and want out. Those who were brought through our academy are not only cheaper but have an emotional tie to arsenal that is more likely to make them patient for chances rather than get fed up after 5 mins on the bench

Nelson

Just read that Eriksen is making £130k-per-week. In any case, Inter will be very difficult to beat.

Wasi

Just read that Eriksen is making £130k-per-week. In any case, Inter will be very difficult to beat.

130k p/week at Inter?
That is absolutely criminal .

PieAFC

I’m all for giving the kids more games and runs under a coach, who will let them express them self, but also set them up tactically to succeed rather than fail. It’s work ethic and talent that makes you a top player. In equal abundance or some good measure. It’s looking bright for us at the moment. And as squad players n many games they will shine, will take time to see against the better teams how they fair, but at the ages they’re at. Time is on their side. Out of the collective, Nelson should be worried. But somehow… Read more »

HighburyLegend

” In any case, Inter will be very difficult to beat.”

They are in the CL, we’re not. End of the debate lol

Dissenter

The wages for Erikssen are in the 300k weekly range. He’s supposed to be the highest paid player at Inter.
The club was so desperate to get him they paid about 17 million rather than wait to get him on the free in 5 months time.

Wasi

They are in the CL, we’re not. End of the debate lol

Inter dropped to the EL . lol.

Marc

Pedro

I’m sure I’ve heard something similar and didn’t they used to quote salaries for players in Italy net?

Dissenter

This Matviyenko lad is only 5′ 11″
He’s not the physically imposing defender that will dominate the league. I haven’t seen him so I don’t know how fast he is since the that’s what tickles people on le-grove.

Romford Pele

Nelson and Kolasinac back after the winter break.

Arteta doing warm winter training in Dubai after the Burnley game

Uwot?

Don’t believe the Matt Bianco rumours.£30 mill 😑

Romford Pele

Dissenter – height is the big issue with Matviyenko although next to a Saliba it’s not as big an issue. He’s very fast across the ground, good in duels and plays out from the back well which I guess are requirements for Arteta.

Dissenter

Romford
Is it possible possible that we botched the Pablo Mari deal because we made a breakthrough with signing Matviyenko?
I do expect that we will sign a CB in the next few days.

Dissenter

I didn’t realize it but we still have PapSok on contract till June 20121, same as Mustafi. The club has to find a way to move those two out in the summer.
Luiz can be the senior player in the defense,

Romford Pele

Dissenter – who knows. Like you I do agree we’ll end up with a CB before the window closes. Which one it is I don’t know. If it was my choice it’d definitely be Matviyenko over Mari though.

Northbanker

Dissenter
I don’t even think we botched it – this was a deliberate ploy to get Matviyenko possibly on a loan deal. Mari was the stooge.

Northbanker

Once you are within 12 months of a contract, shifting them becomes easier as the players then have t start looking beyond for their next pay check. Sok and Mustafi will both go in the Summer

Northbanker

Matviyenko signing also probably underlines club’s view that getting Upamecano is unlikely given that Bayern and possibly Barca are in the running.

Dissenter

Northbanker “Once you are within 12 months of a contract, shifting them becomes easier as the players then have t start looking beyond for their next pay check. Sok and Mustafi will both go in the Summer” I’m not so sure about that. The burden is on the club, not the players. There’s a big market for mature central defenders everywhere. Clubs like to have them to nurture younger players. It is Arsenal FC that has to make sure that we get something from the exit. They players can just sit out their contract. We have to find way to… Read more »

HighburyLegend

“Inter dropped to the EL . lol.”

@Wasi, I’ve completely forgot that!! We are so screwed…

Globalgunner

Why do we always go for short CBs and then lament how we get shithoused by opposition players in the box. Sometimes its as if Wenger was still in charge of transfers.
The dynamics of defending are simple. Opposition players run and jump while your own defenders are disadvantaged by making a standing jump. Why handicap yourself further by buying diminutive CB`s?

Jim Lahey

“I didn’t realize it but we still have PapSok on contract till June 20121”

WHAT! He is contacted with us for another 18,101 years?! You know what… I’m not suprised when it comes to Arsenal!

Pierre

RP
“His( martinlli’s) emergence has pretty much left a lot to be desired about Nketiah.”

Will just point out that Nketiah has scored at more goals per 90 minutes than Martinelli this season, so obviously he hasn’t left that much to be desired about.

Martinelli has made the biggest impact though, an exceptional start to his Arsenal career …

Globalgunner

Northbanker. You give the dummies at Arsenal far too much credit. The chapos running Arsenal couldnt strategise a way to get a Big Mac at a McDonalds

Romford Pele

“Will just point out that Nketiah has scored at more goals per 90 minutes than Martinelli this season, so obviously he hasn’t left that much to be desired about.”

Fair enough but really and truthfully what they’re actually doing currently is in two different stratosphere’s considering Martinelli is two years younger and from the fourth division in Brazil.

Jim Lahey

“Fair enough but really and truthfully what they’re actually doing currently is in two different stratosphere’s considering Martinelli is two years younger and from the fourth division in Brazil.”

And he didn’t spend six months in the Championship..

zaco

we are all entitled to our opinion but if i were offered the choice i will take Mari over Matviyenko.

Globalgunner

Zaco…same. At Arsenal instead of fixing a glaring problem….lack of a commanding CB. We prefer to go with more of the same. Holding is the tallest of the CBs we have…asides from Mavropanos who exists in name only

Marc

Pedro

Their tax system certainly “helps” clubs with signing players.

Northbanker

Global – well if I’m wrong then all i can say is that the Mari story seems really perplexing especially as it appears that Shaktar are now discussing a loan too which they weren’t before. Mari was Plan B and as soon as Plan A was back on the table Plan B dropped.

raptora

I remember when Pierre gave his first impression of Martinelli:

“Nketiah would have had a field day out there today but Martinelli did ok , a bit of a head down merchant, but scored a couple of flukey goals , one off his shoulder.. (I think), the other deflected that was going wide(i think) , but good luck to him”

Vintage Gun

Either that or we found the extra couple mil Shaktar wanted to agree to a loan fist deal.

If so expect the tea lady and kit man to be made unemployed

Dream10

Ffs Kurzawa-De Sciligio swap deal on the verge of collapse. Won’t be surprised if we go back in for him. @zrafc Information from London: Arsenal have not give up on Pablo Marí. However, the English club still does not propose a deal that includes ab obligation to buy. That way, the deal should not happen, Flamengo will hardly accept such conditions. [@maurocezar] ‘Mustafi was injured, Arsenal urgently needs a defender, but he fears that Pablo Marí will not adapt, so he is reluctant to make a purchase commitment after an eventual loan. So, Flamengo should not give up their defender… Read more »

Gentlebris

‘I don’t even think we botched it – this was a deliberate ploy to get Matviyenko possibly on a loan deal. Mari was the stooge.’

So Edu personally went to usher in a smokescreen?

Rambo

If I were to make a rough comparison

Nkietiah is an Walcott-lite whereas Martinelli is a Sanchez-lite.

That is all.

TheBayingMob

My my those lads look super young!! I’m feeling super old!!

Words on a Blog

Wasi,

Is it possible that Matviyenko is being envisioned as cover for Torreira in the DM role, rather than as another CB?

Rambo

Spunked 30 odd million (?) on a perpetually crocked fullback and now sniffing around in the bargain bin market for a CB.

Nothing changes at this club.

Thomas

HighburyLegendJanuary 28, 2020 12:08:22
@Thomas : don’t waste your time, they all been Artetized.

___

The term AKB just got a new meaning.

Zacharse

Rewatched about an hour of the club world championships yesterday. Mari was less Impressive than i thought he’d be defensively tho playing against l’pool does not lend sauce to defenders usually. He does look calm, he likes a line breaking forward pass and he isnt afraid to have the ball at his feet even w that lpool front line coming at him. Isnt clear to me how he’ll fare w the epl physicality but he is a big boy. He looks to play safe balls into the stands rather than doing wAcky shit a la luiz/john stones. We really need… Read more »

Zacharse

Matviyenko is a left back i thought. Less need there w saka acting like a grown ass man

Guns of SF

Some outlets saying we did the loan at 4.5M or Mativeyvenko

Valentin

Like others have said before Arsenal needs 5 CBs. 4 seniors and 1 U23 understudy who can be called upon if necessary and for domestic Cup. 3 with the ability and quality to be starter. 1 decent back up. The tricky thing is that out if those 4, 2 needs to either be left footed or be able to play on the left side without a massive drop of quality. Next year, Saliba will take the right side first starter place. So we will need 2 players who can play on the left side and a right sided backup. Unfortunately… Read more »

TheBayingMob

“ Spunked 30 odd million (?) on a perpetually crocked fullback and now sniffing around in the bargain bin market for a CB”

The Tierney deal was always a risk, but popping your shoulder is out of left field a bit. I cannot readily think of another club that is constantly at the top of the injury list like Arsenal. It’s been that way for at least 10-12 years. Constant.

Guns of SF

anyone know what exactly Tierney did to his shoulder? I heard a dislocation but it seems that there was much more damage done? Seems a long time to be out for a dislocation…. could be wrong… but damn

salparadisenyc

Sounds like Arteta had interest in Matviyenko at City. On paper sounds promising, left footed, 20+ caps for Ukraine’s at 23, primary position left sided CB with ability to fill in at LB.

As others have stated under 6ft not ideal but not massive concern for me w/ likes of Puyol, Cannavaro and Keano all around 5’10 and did nothing but boss…. if the mentality is there.

On another note interesting to see Gabriel finding his way at Valencia, now looking to of found his way into the Spanish National side after jumping ship from Brazil.

Emiratesstroller

Matviyenko would make sense as a signing in January, because he is able to play in all positions along the line in defence.

The fact is that we need defensive cover in both right and left back positions as
I am unconvinced about AMN and it seems Kolasinac may also be on way out of club. Both Bellerin and Tierney have had serious injuries so bringing in an
option makes sense.

His arrival would not necessarily preclude buying a Centre Back such as Upacemano in Summer.

Frankly I am much more comfortable with this deal.

Wasi

Wasi ,Is it possible that Matviyenko is being envisioned as cover for Torreira in the DM role, rather than as another CB? WOAB No, not possible imo. Has he even played there in his career? IDK He is a bit like Chambers. CB who can cover at FB. But does he have all the necessary qualities to be a DM, Idk, probably not. + He is played his whole career as a CB and LB if im right. So I dont think any manager would buy a player who’s played at CB and LB to play as a cover DM… Read more »