Arsenal notched their first win of the season versus Norwich City. The game wasn’t easy. The result felt like a bit of a slog. But the 3 points on the board were more than deserved and will hopefully act as a pivot point for the season.
The starting line-up was pretty wild. Arteta put most of his new players out on the pitch. We saw Tomiyasu, Odegaard, White, Lokonga… and Ramsdale. Those were big decisions. The Premier League is tough, to make so many changes in one go was always a huge risk, especially notable considering Tuchel had to yank Saul at halftime against Villa. Arteta even dropped Ainsley into midfield. When the chips are down for Mikel, he always turns to the kids, and they usually do the job.
The first half was a fairly mixed bag. We dominated the first 20, fell off a little, then came back before halftime. The second half was where it was at, we refound our intensity, kicked up into the 4th gear we haven’t had all season, and finally made the game count when Nicolas Pepe fizzed a shot at the inside post, bundled himself at the second chance, allowing a rebound to fall comfortably for Auba to prod home from a single yard.
It was the sort of goal the game needed. Just a mad one even the footballing gods couldn’t deny us. At the stage Arsenal were, you couldn’t complain. We just needed something, anything, to get this season going.
So what did we learn?
When Arsenal have all their best players out, even those that have never played together, we are a far more interesting and capable side. It’s weird having to argue with people for 2 weeks that mass injuries and covid outbreaks impact performance, but there you are. We created 30 attempts at the Norwich goal. That is a beasting. The problem wasn’t dominating the opposition, the problem was finding the target.
This new team will deliver what the summer needed of it. Every component piece we’ve added helps us move the ball forward faster and with more variety. The players make us more unpredictable and the quality of final ball is better so it gives players like Auba the confidence to make runs because he knows the chances are that someone will find him.
Aaron Ramsdale was the big move for me. Bernd Leno isn’t committed to the Arsenal cause, but I didn’t expect him to be dropped so soon. The move worked. Sure, it was Norwich and they didn’t do much in possession, but the issues we had in goal weren’t about shots. It was more about communication, decisions making, and raw ground skill. Aaron passed the game with flying colours. His passing range is varied, he’s comfortable on the ball, turning a Norwich player with ease at one point and pinging a pass out wide, and he seems to radiate energy. Patrick Vieira always had great engagement with the fans, Ramsdale seems like he’s going to be that type of persona because he’s basically like having a fan in goal.
Ben White is a good player. You can’t deny it. The weirdos writing him off after one game will look very silly this season. He created three chances of his own yesterday. His ability to move the ball out of defence like a midfielder makes his problematic. As a defender, you can’t sit back because he can pass, you can’t let him run because he can overload, and he’s risky to press because he’ll go past you. He’s a very rare type of problem for a centre back. I thought he was excellent. It’s also clear that the partnership he has with Gabriel already is a game of opposites. The main bonus? Both are very athletic defenders.
Tomiyasu was the real surprise package of the day. He had a debut to dream of. The fans loved him, they felt his presence, and they could all see that he has all the raw ingredients to be a good player. Firstly, he has it all physically. He showed off his pace early catching up 5 yards on a dangerous run with ease. He’s aerially very strong because he’s basically a centre back. His technique on the floor is great and his hunger to join the attack means we’re more balanced going forward. I really like him, his work ethic looks great, and Arteta went to great lengths to communicate that he’s a smiler behind the scenes that is always happy.
Midfield was a mixed bag. Ainsley started next to Sambi and struggled at times, but did grow a bit in the second half. He created a few chances, but his 76% pass completion rate in the final third needs to be higher. It was good to see him given a chance regardless. Sambi Lokonga is such a talent, he came off on 60 because of fitness concerns, but he really does have it all. Great awareness, he’s tactically mature, and he is basically everything Ceballos is not. Quick at passing, tight control, forward momentum.
In attack, we had a good day for movement and attempts at goal. Nicolas Pepe was frustrating, but also nearly really amazing. He created 5 chances, made plenty of direct runs, and was decisive for their goal. He needs to be coming out of games like that with 3 goals and 2 assists. He looks fit, he looks very interested, and I think having a proper right back to create chemistry with is going to make him more involved in ways he wants to be. I just wish he could sharpen his footwork, sometimes he looks easy to defend against because it’s the same bag of tricks over and over. I’m hoping there’s more to come from him.
Odegaard is a very, very good signing. He’s a leader, he works relentlessly, and he often leads the press. I think he’s going to love it at Arsenal this season and I can’t wait to see the sort of relationship he forms with Auba. I can’t believe people were calling him a boring player, I love watching him, his eye for a final ball is something else and we’ve barely scratched the surface with his ability.
The real star though was Thomas Partey. He’s a new player to my mind. He’s our best player and when he came on, he made a huge difference. Keep him fit this season and we’re going places. He’s the difference-maker. We’ve missed him, he will be such a driving force for us this year. Honestly, I cannot believe how good he is.
Finally, so much for the fans getting on Arteta’s back. They are there to support. He’s built a very likeable young team, everyone at the club has communicated that this project might take a bit, and they are all there to back the players. They were excellent all game and it turns out… Twitter/blog comments vibes isn’t an in-stadium thing.
Arteta has a lot of work to do regardless. You could sense he’s been to some dark places of the past few weeks. He’s likely taken onboard some home truths as well, because the way he’s conducting himself is a lot more positive than before. Every game needs a result. Burnley and Wimbledon are huge games, but Spurs is our cup final. We need to gel fast, the football needs to keep adding 10% of excitement, and the fans need to see where the project is going. Everyone was very quick to complain about the talent we brought in this summer, but no one is pinning for Maddison. Not many of the Emerson experts are clawing for him this morning after his disaster-class yesterday. There also seems to be quite a bit of love for our new keeper. Those kids were good signings, I’m convinced of that.
There’s a long way to go this season, there will be bumps in the road, but for now… it’s one game at a time. Let’s see where this season can take us now everything is in place and looking fit.
NOW WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW.
“Danny Watch the clip you posted @ 2.06 in. As he falls, Pepe’s left foot clips the ball into the path of Auba- it is at that point when he becomes active- he is behind the ball (as well as being behind Pepe & Krul- but thats irrelevant- if you are behind the football you are never offside). If Pepe’s foot hadnt clipped the football (ie it had just cannoned off the post and the keeper), then he would of been offside earlier in the move- @2:04 on the video. So Pepe’s touch was key (and very fotunate). But was… Read more »
The goal wasn’t offside because it rebounded off their goalie to Auba who was onside at the time. Initially, Auba was offside but that was considered another phase of play.I know it’s the same phase of play for most reasonable people but dem are da rules! If it rebounded of their GK a PEA was offside. Unless the defender intentionally plays the ball the defenders/ goalies input is ignored. It can only be called onside if Pepe touched the ball because even though the ball bounced of the post that too Personally I have no idea if Pepe or their… Read more »
I said two seasons ago Arsenal would see survival as an accomplishment and boy was i not wrong.
They say all bad decisions balance up over a season,
————-
Sorry mate but this is a fallacy. One so often repeat it has become ‘truth’ but it isn’t.
Danny
“ if you are behind the football you are never offside”
If it bounces off the post / bar you can be offside even though the ball is travelling backwards
I have an advice to the coaching staff if they read this blog. We should practice this attack move. Once the ball reaches Odegaard, Auba and Pepe should start cutting in so that Odegaard can send his long passes. Manure did that very well with Pogba and Fernandes. Pogba has his eye already on Fernandes before the ball reaches him. He then one time the ball to where Fernandes is heading. I am sure that Odegaard can do the same thing as Pogba.
What about when the ball hit Pepe off the post was he offside.
Terraloon
You are right. But for this case, their GK kicked the ball to Auba. Then it is not offside.
@Terraloon If it bounces off the post / bar you can be offside even though the ball is travelling backwards No- you can never be offside if you are behind the ball. You are getting confused- the offside is measured when a player becomes active. So; A player is in an offside position if: – any part of the head, body or feet is in the opponents’ half (excluding the halfway line) and – any part of the head, body or feet is nearer to the opponents’ goal line than both the ball and the second-last opponent So, if you… Read more »
It was Pepe who kicked the ball to Aubameyang
Nelson
You are right. But for this case, their GK kicked the ball to Auba. Then it is not offside.
He isnt right & neither are you. The GK was in the act of making a save- if it had only rebounded off the keeper and the post, it would be offside. Pepe’s touch is critical.
https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/lawsandrules/laws/football-11-11/law-11—offside
From my screen Pepe tried to score both times and the ball bounded off the post. The GK was lying on the floor The bounding ball reached the GK and he kicked the ball while lying on the floor. The ball didn’t bound off the GK. He actually kicked the ball. Pepe never passed the ball. He tried to score.
Andy, we stopped Norwich playing and controlled the game. Norwich were much more of a problem against Leicester who are a better side than us… so I’ll take the win.
Weird that people want to come here and fight a win.
So many promising performances. Fans who went all seem to approve of Aaron. You could hear the love for Tomi. Thought Odegaard was great.
Still can’t put my finger on Pepe, he’s either about to blow or what we’re seeing is what he is.
@nelson
You are missing it then:
https://hohofot.elhighlights.com/embed/5g0muFSdjeN5R
@2.06 you can clearly see the touch was off Pepe- not the keeper. There is daylight between Pepe’s leg, the ball and everything else.
Whether or not the keeper touches it is completely irrelevant: the keeper isnt making a pass, he’s making a deliberate save attempt. And the ball is rebounding off the goalpost. Intent is irrelevant here- if Pepe doesnt touch it, offside. He does, onside. Its that simple.
Pedro, nice to see that you’re equally happy to tell Norwich supporters that they’re wrong in their assessment and not just Arsenal fans.
Im pleased we got a win but its a bit premature to be waxing lyrical about where we are going. It was Norwich after all. Im also not sure what your point is about the fans. Yes they were well and truly behind the team but lets see where we are when we throw in one of those error strewn games. The bottom line is where are we setting the bar. According to a report from Ode we want to challenging for the CL in 2 seasons !!! I still dont see anything other than a top 8 side.
Yesterday the best new boy was absolutely Tomi
You can’t read that much into one game especially against Norwich. But was he good? Absolutely. He did everything you could’ve hoped for. I had zero criticisms of his game yesterday. More of that would be very welcome.
We played our full strength team yesterday against the worst team in the league and yet the performance was so unconvincing that I am now convinced we would struggle to finish in top 10.
Happy with Ramsdale but will have to reserve judgement until he’s tested fully against better opposition. Tomi looks like a great signing but will have to adapt to playing 90 minutes in the PL. Odegaard was a willing worker and tried a few nice tricks but I still can’t see him contributing a whole lot in terms of goals and assists. White and Gabriel need time to build that partnership because a few decent passes are meaningless otherwise.
Mixed feelings for me after watching that. Relief tinged by concern for how much of a struggle it was…
Leicester are Not a better side than Arsenal, their manager is better than Diet Pep.
Brentford are Not a better side than Arsenal their manager is better than Diet Pep
Andy, thankfully, we saw what Arsenal fans were all about in the ground yesterday, so we don’t have to pretend people like you have a majority view. As for Norwich fans, please, who cares what they think about getting beaten.
TR7, most shots we’ve ever attempted under Arteta. First time that back 5 has ever played together. Debuts for a keeper everyone said is shite. A right-back that flew in from Japan on Thursday. A totally new central midfield. 81% of the team under 24 years old.
I know sporting context means nothing to most on here, but ask anyone that works in the game about how all of the above would affect a starting 11 of humans and they’d all tell you it would be very tough.
Pedro, I was one of the fans in the ground as I was against Chelsea and as I will be for all the remaining home games this season. As it happens I support the team 100% when I’m there, I cheer them on, clap them off win lose or draw. And I speak to other fans around me so I have a pretty good idea what they are thinking. It’s perfectly possible to support the team but believe that they would perform far better with a decent manager, that’s hardly a new idea amongst football fans is it? Sorry that… Read more »
“I know sporting context means nothing to most on here, but ask anyone that works in the game about how all of the above would affect a starting 11 of humans and they’d all tell you it would be very tough.” Oh I understand sporting context. We will talk about context and results again 6 weeks down the line when all the new guys will have well settled in. As for 81 percent of players being under 24, well it was Arteta’s call to get young players in. So if it doesn’t work out in the end the buck will… Read more »
Andy, totally the opposite. I’m overjoyed that fans with online views like yours don’t spill-over into the ground. You talk to Norwich fans and want to weigh their opinions against the club. So, so dull. And you absolutely know that in an Arsenal bar, that sort of view would be laughed at.
Your ‘informed and intelligent’ is most fans ‘toxic and really fucking boring.’
TR7, don’t think that was Arteta’s call, whoever called it made a good decision though.
Arsenal fans underestimating their own players and pumping everyone’s else’s is quite standard. Not a lot of talk about how average Leicester have been this season despite all the praise of their transfer business.
andy1886’s views look measured and realistic
Not sure why Pedro is jumping all over him for not being as optimistic as desired.
This Norwich win is in the same class as us beating Westbrom’s reserve side 6-0.
How much if this win is transferable to playing good sides?
Only time will tell.
Diss, Andy’s views are extremist like your own.
‘Ben White will get found out against a good team’
Put that on a chalkboard and let’s revisit.
Pedro
“Not a lot of talk about how average Leicester have been this season despite all the praise of their transfer business.”
Ok so where do you think will Arsenal and Leicester finish in the table ? I am reasonably certain Leicester will do a lot better than Arsenal.
Pedro indulging in the same premature triumphalism that we saw after beating West Brom in the FA cup.
Yeah we beat Norwich with a thumping 1-0 win. Burnley and Supds will rightly be trembling in their boots.
F1 what an accident there: That was some crazy shit. I hate the Halo thing but boy was it needed there. Hamilton had some wide ass Pirellis roll right over his helmet
Pedro, you’re getting confused mate. Norwich fans gave me their opinion on their performance, the ‘we didn’t turn up’ is a direct quote. Nothing to do with any thoughts on our performance more a counter to your argument that this was a team that gave Leicester a game of it last time out. Pre-game the banter was Norwich singing “you’re going down with the Norwich” which we countered after the goal with a rousing rendition of “we are staying up!” As I said I support the team 100%, stay to the end and clap them off. Hardly toxic. But then… Read more »
Ramsdale has to start against Burley. He don’t look like he gets easily bullied. Can see Leno bottling against the long throw in the game.
Pedro
Arteta didn’t have to throw in so many new players at the same time though
More experienced managers ease players in.
He made that choice, he threw the dice that way. It paid off yesterday against a crap team.
TR7, you have plenty of confidence in a team that was battered by West Ham, had one more shot on target against City than us, was out xG’d by Norwich, and has one more win on the table this season than Arsenal. We also spanked them when we went there away earlier in the year.
Fancy our chances.
The problem with Leno is is lack of enthusiasm. It’s like he’s working his way though a move that he regrets.
His body language suggest that he doesn’t want to be at Arsenal, which calls into question why we didn’t shift him out instead if Emi.
When he was fouled at Brentford for their second goal, he didn’t even embellish the contact and didn’t put the referee/VAR under pressure to reverse the call. I suspect that had he made a scene, they would have had to review that video and change the call.
Pedro, don’t appreciate the term ‘extremist’ thanks very much given the date yesterday. Wind your neck in and get some perspective. Laters.
Pedro. Do you think we should switch to a back three for Burnley to help White deal with high balls and physicality, drop him and use Holding or stay with White and Gabriel in a back two?
Andy, anyone that comes on an Arsenal blog to enforce a Norwich fan opinion is an extremist.
Pedro
We beat a team.that’s 100% certain to go down.
Apply some perspective to the victory, exactly what you’re asking from others.
Ramsdale want troubled much yesterday, and did okay within that context. He does need to be careful with all that dribble he was doing. The likes of Salah will Nick that ball off him and score.
Nice post Pedro, Don’t agree with it all but it is Le Grove after all,. Arteta’s biggest decisions will take place from the attacking mid into the final third. Our lack of clinical finishing is such an achilles. Pepe had moments but he’s not going to be reliable enough for our needs, we need Sterling output. Auba yet to show any sign of regaining form, Laca will score 10-15 then it gets very difficult to see where other output comes from barring Saka. I’d like to see more of Martinelli as season progresses as his form hopefully rises. Sounds cliche… Read more »
Dennis, I think Ben White played all the games for Leeds in the Championship and was promoted, and he played most of the games with Brighton last year. Think he should start. We need to start our best centre backs… no more Holding.
You?
Pedro
Come on !! Leicester has a well functioning team which contested for top 4 two seasons in a row and added to their squad again in the summer. Arsenal finished 8th two seasons in a row and look woeful again. You can’t be knee jerk to such an extent that you write off a team based on a couple of poor results and then prop up another based on just one decent result. Arsenal have problems in creating chances, we look woefully out of ideas. It is plain and clear to see. We are porous at the back too.
@TR7
Agree with you 100% mate. Some people want him to be a success so badly even it’s to the detriment of the club
Diss, they aren’t 100% going down. You just can’t see past their fixture list which has been brutal so far. Plenty of time for them to catch up/
@Pedro
I’ll be very surprised if Norwich stay up.
TR7, a well functioning team that finished 5 points ahead of Arsenal in our worst season ever.
Rose-tinted for others.
They’ve been shite this season, we easily beat them post-Xmas (they beat us in November with one touch in our box I think), and are 3 points ahead of us.
Think you are overestimating how good they are.
If we play White, I would go for a back three given what happened at Brentford. Just to counter Burnley’s tactics and help White out both mentally and physically as he adapts to a new team. Probably would play Holding and Gabriel with him. But, if not Holding, then Tomiyasu or Tierney instead. But I’d prefer to see Tierney and Tomiyasu out wide rather than stuck in central defence.
Pedro
Think you’re being fickle
You delighted yourself with the ‘third best defence in the league’ thing, which was executed largely by a defense line with Holding as a key player.
Now we buy the junior defender from Brighton and you’re saying ….’No more Holding”
Even against a team that are very physical and love high balls/headers?
Fickle and extremely tickled by Ben White is what you are now.
The Holding that kept Diego Costa [at his prime] quiet for 90 mins in a FA cup final is now persona non grata?
TYAG, they’ve played City, Liverpool and Arsenal in their first 4 games. Beat Leicester for xG, very even with Liverpool, and had a good game against Arsenal yesterday. Let’s see how they do when they get a better run of games.
Judge a team based on how it plays, not always on the basis of results alone. Ask yourself the following questions and the picture will be clearer : 1. Does Auba look isolated up top ? Can he combine well with the likes of ESR and Saka to convert half chances in to goals ? 2. Is Ode good enough to bring in the spark of creativity Arsenal team severely lacks ? 3. Do we have at least 3 players who can score 45-50 goals between them ? 4. Can you see White and Gabriel form a good partnership in… Read more »
Diss, I think you are just nervous because Ben White is good and you went to dance floor for Romero.
Honestly, we say write stuff during the summer and it doesn’t mean we won’t support the players in the field.
If I can get behind Xhaka, then it’s easy for anyone else.
Ben White didn’t buy himself,, neither did Ramsdale.
@Pedro
You could be right. We’ll see, i think they’ll be lucky to survive
TR7, not even sure the most bias analyst could answer ‘no’ to all of those questions.
If Norwich are going to survive they’ll certainly have to get on the point board with Watford next week.
Diss, you went against White from the start and that will be a bad decision as you dig your heels in.
Arteta needs to rest BenWhite and play Holding-Gabriel against Burnley
…. or at least past three at the back to let those two help White survive against Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes
Ramsdale has to start at Turf Moore
I expect Leno to slither off to Germany in January
SurferX
I don’t know what you are watching. I just watched the goal again. Pepe’s first shot hit the far post. The ball bounded back to him. His second shot hit the neat post. The GK was lying on the ground between the post and Auba. After the ball hit the near post, it bounded towards the GK, who kicked the ball backwards to Auba. Auba was at least 5 feet from the GK and the ball when the ball was kicked by the GK.
Diss, why would Arteta rest his best centre back pairing after… one game.
If we play White, I would go for a back three given what happened at Brentford. Just to counter Burnley’s tactics and help White out both mentally and physically as he adapts to a new team. Probably would play Holding and Gabriel with him. But, if not Holding, then Tomiyasu or Tierney instead. But I’d prefer to see Tierney and Tomiyasu out wide rather than stuck in central defence.
White passed very well yesterday all right Pedro but you yourself said that their best chance came from that Aarons cross in the first half with the header going narrowly.
It was White who was easily beaten in the air to present that chance to their forward. So as much as you dig your own heels in the ‘Ben White is the best thing since Beckenbauer’ camp at playing out from the back, he is a serious liability aerially and it will harm us this season, just you watch.
going narrowly wide*
Pedro I absolutely think buying Ben White wa s tactical and strategic blunder of epic proportions in a summer where £50 million could have gone a long way to fixing our midfield We had alternatives to Ben White, not one but TWO. I also objected to the idea of signing a player with one year experience in any top division. You on the other hand,oversold White as an elite Rolls Royce who was going to provide “experience’. The. You proceeded to run down the other player on loan at Marseille. The summer is over. What’s said is said. That’s in… Read more »
Wow lots of I told you so’s after a win against Norwich, a team we have scored the same amount of goals as in the league, 1. Highest number of shots attempted is now a thing too, ignore the fact only three chances were worth mentioning.
Holding is a better defender than the two that played Yesterday, guess that will be found out soon enough when all we have to worry about isn’t Pukki.
Although one thing I have been wondering about when picking over the bones of our transfer window was why we didn’t buy some experienced players to strengthen the first 11 in key areas as well as youth. After all La Liga and Serie A clubs are having to sell due to Covid. A perfect time to plunder those leagues some might say. But we didn’t avail ourselves of that opportunity. Why?
@Nelson I just watched the goal again. Pepe’s first shot hit the far post. The ball bounded back to him. His second shot hit the neat post. The GK was lying on the ground between the post and Auba. Agree with that bit^ After the ball hit the near post, it bounded towards the GK, who kicked the ball backwards to Auba. Thats where you’ve missed it- its Pepe’s foot that it comes off. Screen shots here- keeper doesnt touch it bud (and even if he did, irrelevant- Auba clearly onside at that point- he is behind the ball). https://imgur.com/a/SGb9EUz… Read more »
With WE on this one, only really 3 shots truly with a chance to score. I watched the game. ESR over Ode by miles. Do not need stats to tell me what my eyes saw, direct runs and passing to open spaces on the MOVE, in transition, not when defense is parked. Thank goodness AFC are not at the rock side of the table any longer. However, again, if our mids do not chance create, we are not going to be higher than 7th, if Partey gets injured again 10th or worse. My prediction is 1-5 through the first 6… Read more »
I was surprised how quick the Japanese lad is… Quite rapid.
Said it for years now I hope it will happen arsenal playing a sweeper role with white as a Franz role behind gabs n saliba..
Seriously think that will work.
Holding is not a better defender than Gabriel. As for White we will see Gabriel has superior to Holding in most or all aspects of his play except that holding is slightly more consistent with a run of games under his belt (that is valuable tho) Holding is a 7-7.5/10 player but he can play that level in a large majority of games. He will rarely better better but not usually worse. Gabriel is a 6.5-8.5/10 player who is usually more around the 8 level. He’s clearly more talented than holding and better than him in every reasonable aspect expect… Read more »
SuperX
Not confused at all
Read your own post where you quote this
rebounded or been deflected off the goalpost, crossbar or an opponent
So if it bounces of the bar or post the ball will have traveled forward to hit the bar/post then almost certainly the attacker will be behind the ball
Looking at the latest pictures it would seen that Pepe didn’t touch the ball at all but was deflected off Tim Krul so I think Arsenal got away with one there
I cant remember a defender Ive watched looking as comfortable with the ball at his feet. Ferdinand maybe? Pique? For the Arsenal.. maybe O’Leary in his pomp- but its hard to go back that far as the game was completely different. So the best I can remember in an Arsenal shirt. He was excellent yesterday going forward.. BUT, Im also not seeing that he’s near those guys in terms of defending (yet)- he seems to get caught wrong-side a bit- he doesnt seem to be dominate positionally or physically (a bit of Keown coaching wouldnt go amiss). And looking at… Read more »
Can someone, somewhere, please explain to me the positives of the Arteta regime.
What exactly do you see that I don’t or is it just down to “trusting in the process”.
Whatever that process is.
Trust the damned process!!!!
Graham. You have to trust the process because Stone Cold Pedro says so
Pedro, I was going to complement you for having the foresight re Arteta dropping Leno for the Norwich game during your back and forth with Johnnie after the City loss but then I read this: “Aaron Ramsdale was the big move for me. Bernd Leno isn’t committed to the Arsenal cause, but I didn’t expect him to be dropped so soon.” 🤦♂️ Arsenal fans are some of the most forgiving around and anyone who says otherwise haven’t been to many top clubs’ fixtures when they are struggling badly, I’ve been around football for over 40 years and never have I… Read more »
21 months and I still don’t see a structure or identity.
Does anyone else?
Brighton, Wolves, Palace, Everton, Brentford, West Ham etc all play to a specific system.
Why can’t we?
Anyone?
Terraloon So if it bounces of the bar or post the ball will have traveled forward to hit the bar/post then almost certainly the attacker will be behind the ball ^mate- all of that is nonsense & irrelevant- its simple. Offside is assessed at the point it is touched by a team mate- doesnt matter what happens to the ball, it is assessed at the point it is played- so not when it hits the bar / post / wall- but when it was trouched. If, at that point, an active player is behind the ball, you are never offside.… Read more »
“It’s 3 points out of 12 so far.If we end up in the top four I will be the first in line to suck Arteta’s dick.“
Moray, be prepared for a major scuffle with Englandsbest and Nigel T if that happens.
Where’s Nigel Tufnel to set these lot right.
Tom
You have me bent over in but bursting laughter with the dick run comment
Ball playing cbs in the prem
Stones
Kompany
VDV
Harry Maguire
Laporte
White
*gut bursting
Arsenal fans are some of the most forgiving 😂
Not in the comments section on this blog. I’d say they’re some of the least supporting and most entitled. Thankfully not in the actual stadium….
A different world in here….
I know Graham62. We shouldn’t be waiting this long. It seems always to be a fresh start every ten games or so!
Surfer You are missing the point here That goal was only allowed because they believe Krul deliberately played the ball. You do indeed correctly quote part of the offside rule but you miss out the relevant part in that Pepe couldn’t be offside and had he purposely played the ball either sideways or backwards then you are right Auba could not be off side but what changes matter so is in bounces back off the post Read again the full rule particularly the last bit 2. Offside offence • interfering with play by playing or touching a ball passed or… Read more »
samesong
I think you just limited your list to 3-4 clubs
Brighton play with Dunk who plays the ball out of the back s much as anyone
Tyrone Mings makes so many mistakes at Vila because he too plays the ball out of the back
The list is longer than you want to acknowledge
Dissenter give it a rest those were off the top of my head and it wasn’t limiting it on purpose I was just trying to think based on Surfer post.
@Samesong
“Ball playing cbs in the prem
Stones
Kompany
VDV
Harry Maguire
Laporte”
Thats a fair list mate, but from what Ive seen (based on a small sample size of 4 games in) he looks better on the ball than any of them. However, from what Ive seen they are all better better than him defensively (and in the case of Kompany, VVD- by a looong way). Dias too I think..
Kin ell lads. I expected a little bit of noise from the usual suspects after yesterday’s very narrow win but there’s far too much revisionism on here today. So white suits, black shirts and curly wigs on and the most falsetto of voices to join the great Barry Gibb and his brothers to singalong to Saturday Night Fever. Almunia – I know disco isn’t your cup of tea mate, but try bursting into song with this little classic. Listen to the crowd We beat Norwich and were proud Obscuring truth is going down And I can feel it On the… Read more »
Samesong
Got that met, wasn’t saying you had an ulterior motive.
It’s just that every team has defenders who are good on the ball,. Pedro has created this narrative that ball playing defenders are like rare earth metals.
Incredible finish Stuttgart vs Frankfurt, Mislintat new boy Marmoush scoring at the end for 10 man Stuttgart to level it.
Mavro left high and dry as only CB left on pitch.
The league has missed Leeds for too long’
Glad to see proper Premier league stadium buzzing with life
Diss Fair dos
Surfex I haven’t see enough of Ben White to make that judgment that he is better. But it’s all opinions mate.
Terraloon You are missing the point here That goal was only allowed because they believe Krul deliberately played the ball. lol.. no they didnt. A player in an offside position receiving the ball from an opponent who deliberately plays the ball, including by deliberate handball, is not considered to have gained an advantage, unless it was a deliberate save by any opponent. A ‘save’ is when a player stops, or attempts to stop, a ball which is going into or very close to the goal with any part of the body except the hands/arms (unless the goalkeeper within the penalty… Read more »
Ben White is very good on the ball, fast, good dribbler and a passer, but suspect on defense and weak in the air.
Sounds to me like makings of a real good attacking midfielder.
Pedro Only one quibble, you said AMN needed up improve his pass completion percentage in the final third, but the final third is where big risks can reap big rewards and what Maitland-Niles was doing was taking big risks. I can think of at least two occasions when he attempted through balls to runners that were intercepted by their defense. Half a yard of pace or direction might have resulted in one of the runners being one v one against the keeper. AMN didn’t have the perfect game by any stretch of the imagination, but I was impressed with his… Read more »
@Samesong Your right bud- I havent seen enough of him yet either. Just first impressions. But yesterday it really struck home.. he created 3 chance on his own; was transitioning the ball really well.. He can carry it, play short, play long, press. really top drawer with the ball at his feet. Which was for me interesting, because defensively I’m not convinced (again on first impressions)- I expected him to struggle against a pyhsical SC- but positionally he looks off too. He reminds me of a MC that is standing in at DC when everyone else is injured. Maybe thats… Read more »
AMN hasn’t played much football.