FITNESS OR MOMENTUM? MAPPING A HUGE 3 GAME WEEK

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My oh my have things changed around here. 10 years ago, more people would land here on the bad days, now, more people tune in when we WIN.

That win… I’m still thinking about it. Everything feels like it’s coming together nicely.

Key thing for me and a sign of progress is that even though we won, Arteta was pretty brutal after the game about the bits he didn’t like.

‘We didn’t have the same energy and commitment defensively. When that happens, you’re going to suffer. Defensively we didn’t have the right structure. We didn’t detect with enough urgency the moments where they could activate certain spaces. That’s why we suffered.’

He’s talking about a lot of elements there, but a chunk of that is aimed at Granit Xhaka, who by his standards, had a poor game.

The reality of our system is a lot of detailed thought goes into each game. It’s a lot of data and science. If one cog in the machine breaks, the whole thing can look messy, and it comes with consequences. Granit Xhaka kept allowing Sissokho to make untracked runs beyond him, Arteta kept pulling him on it, it was a nightmare because it stretched the game, it over-exerted our defenders, and on another day, that sort of airheadedness/laziness will cost us points.

Don’t even get me started on the ridiculous pass that lead to their second goal. It’s just inexplicable that he’d try that, under low pressure, in a game that was basically wrapped up. You can’t excuse it, he’s 29 years old, he should know better, but it’s just part of the deal with him. He’ll be upgraded to a true #8 this summer that can do the bits he’s struggling with.

Climbing out of the negative, into the future-gazing.

We’re at the stage of the season where things get SPICY.

The variable levels kick up a gear and fitness considerations really come into focus.

The biggest mountain we have to climb next week is the NIGHTMARE 3 game run.

  • A late Sunday game
  • A midweek game against the best team in the country
  • An early Saturday game away from home

We could go from sitting pretty in the league patting each other on the back about top 4, to ‘in the shitter’ pretty fast.

The question is how do you manage those games?

Leicester is having a poor season (12th). Brendan Rodgers might need to rescue the season with a trophy. He’ll be sending out a strong team in the Europa Conference this Thursday and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him rest some key players on Sunday.

The question for Arsenal is how do they approach their squad selection?

Do you go big for every game?

Do you go big for the games you have a better chance to win?

Is there a world where you field a weaker team against Liverpool?

It’s a really tough one.

What is more important to preserve, momentum or fitness?

How important is a win against a BIG team this season, because we haven’t had one, though we’ve come close?

How badly could a painful loss affect morale? We haven’t had a chance of late to see how a heavy loss impacts the confidence of players. That’s a telling part of the learning process I’m not sure I want to see next week.

Injuries are part of the game, how would this side deal with a big Kieran Tierney injury, remember, he was cramping. Would our season survive losing Alex Lacazette? How will Tomiyasu hold up over three games, because he’ll likely be back.

There are a lot if considerations. The answer is NOT easy.

The points target is 70 this season. We need to find 22 points. We have 13 games left. 7 wins, 1 draw.

Take 7 points next week and that’s 32% of the target taken down with just 23% of the final game total.

It’ll be interesting. Mikel Arteta is a gambler. He doesn’t usually shy away from going big. But will some of the incidents with injury from the past affect his judgement here?

Either way, the most important thing we need to remember is that every other club has baggage.

Spurs are the nightmare for Arsenal. They have been very poor this season, but if they win against Everton, they are just 3 points behind us. That is nothing.

I suspect they are more likely than not to beat Manchester United, because United is a bag of crazy and toxic cultures prioritise BIGGER opportunities. Hard to imagine their squad not thinking about the Atletico game.

Still, if United do lose that game to Spurs, I think we’re looking at a situation where they might be close to exiting the top 4 run-in. That’s good for everyone if they lose focus.

We’re also getting close to that with West Ham. Firstly, we need them to beat Sevilla over two legs, because that keeps a fragile squad fragile and the focus fragmented. They have to play Sevilla away this week, then play Villa, followed by the home leg, then a game against Spurs. They could be out of the running by the end of next week.

Spurs has their toughest run of games until the end of the season. United (a), Brighton (a), West Ham (h). It’s either going to derail them or galvanise them heading into the home stretch. After those games, the hardest encounters they have will be Arsenal and Liverpool.

The biggest point out of all of this is we are in the mixer with 13 games left to play, our Champions League destiny is very much in our hands, the key to it is focus, fitness, and good luck.

If those three elements hold until the end of the season, we’re looking at a very exciting summer of movement.

Right, if you haven’t ever listened to our podcast, please tune in via any of your favourite platforms OR watch the video below.

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Zacharse

Rashford maybe overhyped but hes young and has had tons of experience. Hes a national teamer. He fits the core values of the group. Would be a major mistake to overlook

Zacharse

Also, those 3 u mentioned habesha will likely
Not be cheaper than rashford w 1 yr left in his deal

Tony

Bob, The only players needing rotating are Laca & Xhaka IMO. Bringing in Pepe and ESR to replace them for a run of games for those 2 and reinstate Tommi at RB ASAP: Cedric is pants and nearly cost us against Watford. L’pool will skin him if he plays RB. “How many goals and assists has Lacazette got this season? In the English Premier League season 2021/22, Alexandre Lacazette has played 14 matches (plus 5 as a sub). He has 13 shots on target from a total of 25 shots and have scored 3 goals (6.41 xG). Alexandre Lacazette averages… Read more »

Tony

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYi5aW1GdUU

This might ease your woes, Bob. 🙂

Gonsterous

I’m just loving arsenal at the moment. Hence why I’m not visiting the site too often. I read a few comments but don’t really want to be dragged into any drama

Next up Leicester, who are not as good as in previous years. Yes they can be dangerous but these are the type of games we have to win to get 4th.

Under Wenger, teams like Leicester were a breeze on the way to claiming top 4

DivineSherlock

So wouldnt it help us if Utd Spurs actually end in a draw ? we gain 2pts on both of them if we win .Still wouldnt hurt if Utd actually won .

Tony

K’phobe ease up on poor little Don/vibrator chatter. He’s not long got over, if he ever has, all his bleeding arse woes from sticking God knows what (sorry G Bries, but I did use a capital G) up there and asking us why his arse is bleeding? Rambindon is probably full on bleeding arse PTSD now telling anyone who will listen anywhere about it, while Pedro flip flops on the Don You’re sine die Binned decision. It’s like it’s done to the Hokey Cokey tune mixed with alcohol and Peroneis. Should be a character for Almunia to affectionately name CC’s… Read more »

Kegunner

Rashford is on 200K per week he has little motivation to play or improve and will come at an expensive price. Darwin Nunez is on 20k per week scoring a goal per game, can dribble is physical I believe he is a steal for Arsenal.

Habesha Gooner

Zacharse Surely you don’t believe that. Even if he has a year left, United will want a ridiculous amount just to sell to us. I would think to get Gabriel Jesus from city if we are looking at our rival strikers. A year left on his deal and City are going for Haaland. Plus they have Julian Alvarez who is joining them in the summer. So I bet city would sell for 40 mil maximum. And Jesus is a better player than Rashford. He is a more reliable goalscorer. Rashford would cost 50 mil+ even if they would sell to… Read more »

Graham62

Tony

I get where you’re coming from on Lacazette but, imo, he plays a pivotal role in our games and our own pitch mentality.
The others respond to him.
I would like to see more of Pepe also Eddie.
Maybe if it was thirteen aside, it would work.

kjelli

Morale, fitness and concentration is key in march. My worry is the lack of game time for
Lokonga, Tavares and Tomi. Thank you Cedric Souares.. We need to win Spurs.

TallestTiz

Why is Lokonga not playing at all? Weird, in my opinion

Steveyg87

Gabriel Jesus is not a bad shout. Has a touch of nasty in him as well to aid the naive narrative Tets is trying to break

TallestTiz

Steveyg87

Damn!! Your name sounds so “scoucy”

Jesus is too short to lead the line effectively.

We should be looking at someone from 1.87m and above.

In personally getting interested in watching Darwin Nunez at Benfica. So much rave reviews about him from a friend in Portugal

Bob N16

Tony, I have to say there are things happening globally and domestically that worry me far more than whether my beloved football club finishes in the top 4! Funnily enough visited the Bob Marley exhibition in the the Saatchi gallery recently. Of all the people I’d like to have seen in concert, he’s the top of my list. There’s strategic rotation, resting players, giving players minutes and rotation caused by not being 100% fit due to a knock. Arteta has tended to pick his favoured side which has its advantages but some players maybe getting rusty e.g. Lokonga, Nuno. With… Read more »

Graham62

Jesus ……..No thanks!
Please can we buck this trend of going for expensive or overhyped players.

Tony

Graham, I wasn’t dismissing Laca entirely just his output needs to be better. Time on the bench generally improves players providing they are motivated or playing a part as a super sub. Every time Pepe gets in or around the box, in general he comes to life and scares the crap out of the best defenders. Pepe used to slip in and out of games and, if hugging the touchline, hardly at all. Pepe is not a robotic player and, as you’ve said before, those types of players have to be given free reign in the areas that most suit… Read more »

Tony

“I have to say there are things happening globally and domestically that worry me far more than whether my beloved football club finishes in the top 4!” Bet they don’t or hope they don’t next Sunday or Wednesday, Bob. That is what I’m doing now: I’m in Arsenal mode. When I leave the computer my rationale will be with the here and now checking on events throughout the day. The Arsenal for me is simply cathartic. Partners you can change, but not your chosen football club inbred from an early age. Bob we all deal differently with our private feelings… Read more »

Pierre

Depending how the defence performs v leicester next week, i have a feeling that Arteta may make some tactical and possibly personnel changes for the liverpool game.. The last couple of games i believe that Arteta would have noticed a couple of worrying signs defensively. Home to wolves, the opposition had at least 3 clear cut chances one on one with the keeper , and against watford i thought we were sloppy at the back and if it wasn’t for 3 world class goals we nay have been talking about Arsenal dropping points. We have to hope that Maddison is… Read more »

Bob N16

Tony, I can relate to your cathartic comment regarding Arsenal, it’s like reading a good book it takes me away. That said I’m lucky enough to be able to go to home games with some of my best mates which can be some of everyday life’s best moments.

One of my oldest friends who I go to the football with made a very valid point when he was making his best man speech at my wedding twenty odd years ago that my wife had to accept that she was not my first love, that will always be Arsenal!

Rich

I’ve been spending far too much time thinking about which centre forward we should sign, and which style of centre forward we should sign. I’ve landed at Joao Felix, providing we could get him for £50mill or less. His stock is low, but he’s at a good age and level of experience, he’s an outrageous technician, with a good turn of pace, and apparently he’s available. Like Odegaard he might take a while to settle into the physicality of the league, he’s extremely lightweight, but there’s a very good player there, who’d link up well with what we have. There’s… Read more »

Emiratesstroller

Rich

If we are going to spend £50 MILLION + on a striker then that player needs to be a proven goal scorer. Felix and Isak do not fit into that category.

My preference as posted previously is David who scored 27 goals in last 14 months at Lille.
I made also the case that Arsenal should offer Pepe in part exchange. We still owe Lille part
of the transfer fee agreed which is being paid by instalments.

Rich

ES We wouldn’t be signing Joao Felix based on what’s happened before, we’d be signing him on the player we think he could become. Past failures are no guarantee of future failures, and past successes are no guarantee of future successes. We signed Henry just shy of his 23rd birthday, who’s stock was low, and who only had 23 goals in 121 senior appearances at club level. We signed Odegaard at 22, and the usual bedwetters told us he was shit, but the reality is if he was the finished article already, we wouldn’t have been signing him for £30-£35… Read more »

Bankz

Emirates

Don’t you think you’re underrating Felix?
Yes he hasn’t been the hit everyone thought he’d be with Atletico, mainly due to their style of play and DS with his Jose Mourinho kind of tactics but everything about that boy screams, he is a world class player waiting to explode.
He is a bundle of talent and would fit like a glove into our current style of play.

Yes yes, I’d take Gabriel Jesus too.

Bankz

Rich I said when we signed Odegaard he’d go on to be our best signing since Alexis in 2014, and that he was a far superior talent to James Maddison and pretty much everyone but Tom + Tony laughed. I will never understand Arsenal fans. I mean there was a time Ødegaard was considered top 5 most brilliant/talented youth player in the world. I always knew he’d come good. Couldn’t cut it at Madrid because they lack patience and a manager willing to groom talent. Give him someone like Pep Guardiola and he’d be top 3 under 23 players in… Read more »

The Bard

My view is that who we sign depends on whether or not we get 4th spot or not. 4th place means we can attract a better class of player.

Pierre

Rich “he was a far superior talent to James Maddison and pretty much everyone but Tom + Tony laughed.” My advice would be to not get too carried away with the “far superior” when comparing Odegaard to other creative players. Maddison ..a goal contribution every 154 minutes in the premier league Odegaard..a goal contribution every 206 minutes in the premier league.. These figures alone tell me that Odegaard is not a far superior talent , especially if you take into consideration that Maddison is playing with inferior players.. The goal v watford was Odegaard’s first goal contribution this year, so… Read more »

Rich

Bankz

I can’t believe we got Odegaard with no European football, and that we got a completely free shot at him for £30-£35million

He was the second best player in La Liga the season he was at Real Sociedad , only behind Messi.

He’s a model professional, with outrageous ability.

Odegaard for £30-£35 million has to be the best bit of business we’ve done since 2014 when we signed Alexis, his ceiling is through the roof

Emiratesstroller

Rich and Bankz First of all I am not a critic of either our manager or the young players in our team including Odegaard who has played very well recently. I accept that Felix is an extremely talented player, which is why AM spent a club record transfer fee, but he is not a prolific goalscorer and that is what we need if we are arguing to buy a CF. David by contrast is a decent goalscorer who has scored 28 goals for his club since beginning of January 2021. He is also a hardworking footballer. Arsenal have developed a… Read more »

Rich

Pierre

If you’re sole metric is goals, then you’re a idiot, who doesn’t understand football.

But I know you just like to say stupid things to press people’s buttons, so I won’t rise to it.

The year will be 2032, and you’ll still be going on about Ozil, and how badly he was treated…..

Rich

ES Felix in possession would be a significant upgrade on Lacazette. I’d see him playing the role Lacazette does now, dropping in as a left sided No8 in the first phase of play Felix favours the left side, cutting in onto his right foot, which would give the team a really nice balance, because nobody is dislodging Saka or Odegaard on the right any time soon. If we can significantly upgrade Lacazette + Xhaka, and get a striker and midfielder to compliment Smith Rowe + Martinelli on the left, we’ll be smoking a pipe. I could see Felix developing into… Read more »

Positive pete

Less of the great Sidney.Thanks.
Rich.CF has to be able to handle the physicality.Joao Felix a big risk. As indeed any other forward we plump for I.e Johnathan David orDarwin Nunez or Isaac or whoever.The good news of course is there all available .
And Nigel.Any of that list of Midfielders improves us no end.One name that wasn’t on it but would be at the very top was none other than Frankie De jong.Word on the street is that has now changed.Wow.Over to you Edu.The Dominoes need to fall before end of this season.

Ollie

‘Maddison ..a goal contribution every 154 minutes in the premier league Odegaard..a goal contribution every 206 minutes in the premier league..’ This stat is completely misleading. Maddison takes pretty much every set piece for Leicester, whereas Odegaard probably takes 25% of ours. Also Odegaard very often plays the pass before the assist. Whether that is slipping in the winger so that they can cut back to someone in the box, or progressing the ball to Laca for him to lay off to one of the on-rushing wingers. For example, our equaliser against Wolves. That pass to Nketiah was what made… Read more »

Buzzy

The original pre-assist king was Hleb and then for whatever shortlived time, Rosicky.

Tom

”If you’re sole metric is goals, then you’re a idiot, who doesn’t understand football.
But I know you just like to say stupid things to press people’s buttons, so I won’t rise to it.”

You mean like quoting ESR and Saka’s G/A per minutes played to debunk my idea Kane is the most complete attacking player in the PL?

DivineSherlock

Rafael Leao feels very similar to Joao Felix and probably the cheaper option , same profile .

Tony
KdB , Mahrez, Salah all above Kane in my opinion .

Northbanker

Seems to me that Pierre is spending more tie studying stats than watching the team play. Since he signed permanently for us, Ode has been playing better and better. i really couldn’t give a shit what the stats say as I can see his movement, close ball control and range of cleaver passing with my own eyes. Ane I’m impressed.

[Rich – there were a lot of us pleased with the club’s signing of Ode, not just you.]

I’m sure if you studied stats long enough you would be waxing lyrical on Xhaka’s contribution.

Northbanker

clever

Markymark

My pet theory for the week. Offer the Russians 5k each and settlement in the West. I suspect a mass outbreak of fragging followed by surrendering would follow . Better that than -20 zero fuel and short rations and potential death on the battlefield
200k of Russian soldiers would barely be noticed across Europe. I suspect it’s little more than usual refugee settlement

Tom

KDB, Mahrez, and Salah play on far superior teams and are weak as piss in the air.
You can’t be a ”complete” PL player if your aerial game is non existent.

Janky

I’m just happy that we can write about Felix or Jesus and it isn’t ridiculous dreaming. We nail top 4 and we’ll have seriously improved our options, and that looks as likely as not. Felix does look to be the more speculative option, though age, talent, and value are all in his favor. I’m not sure how well he’d adapt, or how robust he is physically, but he’s got some ridiculous skills. Jesus is league-proven, not afraid to get his hands dirty, and seems well suited to pick up Laca’s role with an upgrade in quality and hopefully product. I… Read more »

DivineSherlock

oh so now a Tottenham team that finished above us since 2018 is an inferior team . So going by your definition of “Complete Attacking player ” Messi is shit , lol because he cant head a ball . Nice.

Rich

Here goes Tottenham Tom with another Harry Kane wankathon….. He’s still upset that I dissed his boy, I’m sure he’ll be delighted with last nights result though….. Saka got a goal + assist, Odegaard got a brilliant goal and pre-assist, Martinelli scored a cracker, at the weekend But Tottenham Tom is still seething that I dissed his boy, he’s got this weird condition where he likes to kick the club he claims to support, while waxing lyrical over every other club and their players, including our biggest rivals He’s an absolute weirdo, who doesn’t understand why Arsenal fans would have… Read more »

WengerEagle

Why is Felix even being discussed?

He cost Atletico over 100 million and has already shown his exceptional ability in spurts throughout a teething opening few years. Why would they take a heavy loss on him when his best years are in front of him?

4 goals in his last 5 too.

raptora

I was against the signing of Odegaard assuming they will ask north of £50m up to a presumed £60-65m. That we managed to get him for £34m is a deal that made a lot of sense even for me who isn’t his biggest fan. raptoraJune 11, 2021 14:55:58 We’re going to spend £50+m for a player who might develop under us when £50m should only be invested in ready players like Partey, Aubameyang, Alexis. When we are buying the idea of what a player might become, we should not spend more than £35m. raptoraJune 11, 2021 15:15:47 I’ll be alright… Read more »

WengerEagle

Was similar to the Frenkie De Jong nonsense before, we have to be realistic in our targets.

raptora

WE,
Haaland, De Jong, Felix.

Who’s next? Pedri?

raptora

Imagine Pedri in Xhaka’s place. Stunning. (heard Cesc has his phone on speed dial)

Mr Serge

TomMarch 8, 2022 14:32:49
KDB, Mahrez, and Salah play on far superior teams and are weak as piss in the air.
You can’t be a ”complete” PL player if your aerial game is non existent.

What an absolute crazy opinion

Tom

”oh so now a Tottenham team that finished above us since 2018 is an inferior team” Tottenham are inferior to City and Pool and that’s where the three players you’ve named play. ” So going by your definition of “Complete Attacking player ” Messi is shit , lol because he cant head a ball . Nice.” One, Messi can head the ball, and his header vs United in the 2009 CL was one of the best headed goals in the competition ever. And two, when you’re one of the two or three best ever not many will worry about any… Read more »

WengerEagle

Yeah big fan of Tom as a poster but that ‘incomplete’ statement about aerial prowess is just wrong.

How good were Xavi/Iniesta aerially? Would you call either an ‘incomplete’ player?

WengerEagle

Yeah big fan of To.m as a poster but that ‘incomplete’ statement about aerial prowess is just wrong.

How good were Xavi/Iniesta aerially? Would you call either an ‘incomplete’ player?

WengerEagle

KDB for me is still the best player in the league. He is the alpha player on the most talent-stacked team, everything goes through him.

Salah is having the best season mind and deserves POTY.

Rich

WE We could sign most players, we’re one of the biggest clubs in the world, with the 11th highest revenue, you also need to take into account the levels of debt at clubs like Barcelona, and their urgent need to lower their wage bill. Football revenue is incredibly malleable, we could easily jump a few places with a couple of good seasons + Champions League football We’ve got billionaire owners, we’ve got a fantastic stadium + training facilities Our stock isn’t as high as it was, but we could easily sign Joao Felix if Athletico Madrid were ready to sell… Read more »

WengerEagle

And Kane is clearly elite and a phenomenal ST but he isn’t better than Henry was before and is nowhere near as complete a player.

I bring up Henry because he passed him in scoring yesterday and naturally comparisons were coming up.

Henry could do everything Kane can do and far more. Yet to ever see Kane one-man blitz through a group of players like TH14 could do. Also nowhere near as creative over his career.

Janky

Pedri went 100% Xhaka against Elche. A head-scratcher that would have made the Swiss tractor himself blush. Sign him up!

WengerEagle

Rich I’m not at all, you’re out of your mind thinking Felix or FDJ would be willingly sold to us. One of your 3 examples is from 2007 ffs which is literally 15 years ago now. The other two are from 8-9 years ago back when we were still a perennial CL team and even title pretenders until Feb/March each season before the collapses. Barca are clearly on an upward trajectory under Xavi and are bringing in serious talent and correcting mistakes of years gone by. FDJ is the jewel in the crown and cost them 70m only a few… Read more »

WengerEagle

There is not a chance in hell that Felix would be re-sold for under 100m so we are by default out of the running as we will never spend that kind of money on a player.

WengerEagle

Raptora

Think that just leaves Mbappe, we linked with him yet? 😀

Bob N16

We spent £72m on Pepe so pretty much anything is possible.

Rich

WE I don’t think you quite grasp the financial landscape across mainland Europe. The metrics have moved, this isn’t 5 years ago. The PL is crushing the other leagues, I don’t think Frenkie De Jong will end up at Arsenal, he’s earning a reported £280-£350k p/w But I wouldn’t be surprised if they moved him on if a suitable offer arrived, he’s had a few issues over there, and a lot of negativity with the fans. Joao Felix has had issues at Athletico Madrid, the idea they get £100million is insane, but for 50% of that, they might be ready… Read more »

Janky

Biggest flaw in the Felix logic is he’s on a seven year contract. The price you pay for a player doesn’t necessarily reflect what you’ll take, I’m looking at you Nico, but a contract that runs until ’26 doesn’t suggest they’ll be itching to sell.

And Mbappe is too old. He’s like 23 and change. He’d mess up our youngest title-winning team ever aspirations.

Tom

WE, Henry for me was the best ever but then again I’ve only watched the PL since 1999…….but I’m talking here and now.
KDB is pure class and easily one if the best in the league, but when was the last time you saw him defend a corner, win a header and sprint up the pitch to link up play and possibly finish it?
Never.
He has next to zero defensive duties aside from pressing schemes all players do.

WengerEagle

Rich I grasp it just fine but the idea that Atletico Madrid will be ready to take a monster hit and sell 22 year old Felix for less than half of what they paid for him as a teenager is lunacy. Have you watched him of late? He is playing as well as he ever has for them and have massive upside given his age. It doesn’t sound like you’ve actually watched him or paid much attention to what Simeone thinks of him. And Barcelona aren’t in the business of selling their best players outside of a crazy release clause… Read more »

Pierre

Ollie “Also Odegaard very often plays the pass before the assist. Whether that is slipping in the winger so that they can cut back to someone in the box, or progressing the ball to Laca for him to lay off to one of the on-rushing wingers.” Northbanker “i really couldn’t give a shit what the stats say as I can see his movement, close ball control and range of cleaver passing with my own eyes. Ane I’m impressed.” Rich “If you’re sole metric is goals, then you’re a idiot, who doesn’t understand football.” The above 3 comments could have been… Read more »

Rich

WE

You get most of your information from Whoscored, which is as reliable as a chocolate teapot

If Simeone loves Felix that much, then he’s go a strange way of showing it, because he’s spent over 60% of his time sitting on the bench the last 2 seasons….

Maybe he just really likes his company, and wants to sit next to him during games?……

Bob N16

Agent Odegaard has Haaland on speed dial – job done. Izak as well for that matter!

WengerEagle

Tom TH14 best PL player in history indeed, that is one that even Mancs and Spuds concede for the most part. Kane has next to no defensive responsibilities either, the corner thing could be explained by the height difference. Kane is 6″2 to KDB who is what 5″10? 5″11 maybe at a push? That just seems like such a small and insignificant part of their game to evaluate them on as well. How many headers does Kane even win from corners in his own box? Would be like calling Vermaelen a more complete player than Koscileny because he scored more… Read more »

WengerEagle

Rich

Do I? How would you know that exactly? No need to get chippy because your point about Atletico taking a massive loss on their star asset is moronic at best.

Not like injuries/age have played the main part in that fact is it? No, Simeone actually hates him yes.

Bob N16

Not sure what complete player really means but I know I’d much rather have KDB in my side than Kane- even taking the anti Spuds bias into account.

WengerEagle

Yeah Bob, a complete CAM/CM for me doesn’t need to be a good header of the ball. KDB is literally A+ at most other things so seems harsh to mark him down on things like that and I never even really noticed or had Kane down as much of a defensive asset?

Samesong

Ruud Gullit was a complete player. Pace, Heading, agility, Shooting, Passing for his position.
Drogba
Henry
Kane
Messi
Ronaldo
Zidane
Halaand
Bendtner the GOAT

You can argue even without pace some of these players are complete
De Bruyne

WengerEagle

KDB next to Partey in this Arsenal side would be wank-worthy.

KDB and a proper ST? Could even potentially contend for the title.

WengerEagle

Samesong Taking the aliens Messi/Ronaldo out of it. Henry and Zidane stand out as by far the most complete on that list (Gullit before my time). Kane couldn’t even dream of scoring/setting up some of the goals that TH14 did and Drogba was more a force of nature but he also couldn’t one-man band past a host of players like Thierry and didn’t have even close to the same level of skill. Most complete players are also the most versatile. You could have played Thierry anywhere from the front 3 positions or even as a 10 imo. Zidane could have… Read more »

Rich

WE You’ve told us before when someone asked you how you had an encyclopaedic knowledge of every player, that you look up on sites like Whoscored. That’s fine, you can get a few stats on there, but I’m not convinced it paints a whole picture. You don’t think we can attract big players, which is fair enough, I disagree. I never said Simeone hates Felix, your words not mine, my point was he doesn’t use him as often as he could, which might suggest he’s not indispensable. Wenger was in Mbappe’s living room, and Mbappe is on record as saying… Read more »

WengerEagle

Rich I genuinely watch a lot of football mate, I am interested in pretty much no other sports besides NBA/UFC and a very casual grasp on Tennis. I don’t watch Atleti on a weekly basis but I definitely watch them more than the average football follower. Whoscored is a great site and is extremely helpful for assessing on-ball abilities imo so is a useful guide for forwards and midfielders in particular. Defenders/GK’s not so much as it doesn’t take into account off-ball ability and intangibles. Felix is pure class more often than not when I watch him. Some of the… Read more »

TR7

If we can bring Gnabry in, we can play ESR, Saka and Gnabry behind Martinelli.

Samesong

WE

I am not comparing players with each other I am talking from a complete player perspective. Even Zidane states Kane is a complete player.

“He’s a very complete player even though he does not look it, but he always turns up when he needs to.”

He did say that like 5 years ago mind!

Not gonna have a wank fest over Kane cause I can’t stand him and I am Henry bias cause he my favourite player. But these players are defintely complete players.

Tom

Weagle, kdb is weak in the air and in a tackle.
Excels at everything else.

Kane’s only weakness is that he’s a spud.

Bob N16

Tottenham Tom

DivineSherlock

Lol he is still arguing . Because Kane can now defend corners he is a more complete player . This is as close to Bamford Neymargate as it can get .

Goobergooner

Tr7 what a delicious thought