251 Comments
User's avatar
Mystic Leaves's avatar

Denilson would have killed in this generation if Zubimendi is who the top teams are after.

Expand full comment
User's avatar
Comment removed
Mar 25
Comment removed
Expand full comment
Mystic Leaves's avatar

Wenger saw the future but couldn't implement it successfully

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

Liverpool fans are having a meltdown after the reality they've been trying to turn a blind eye to hit them today with the news of Real about to close the deal on the free transfer of Trent.

I can't remember the last time I've witnessed a fan base lose it in the same way they have today.

This isn't even the end as 2 more gigantic problems are about to hit them in the next weeks - Salah and Van Dijk.

This is the end of the Liverpool team Klopp assembled. It's over.

We just had to be there ffs... Of course Saka and Havertz had to get injured and of course the shitty refs made sure it's all but sealed.

Expand full comment
The Grim Reaper's avatar

When Liverpool lose their best players and the stars align, Win the dog has had puppies, the Arsenal tea lady has made a special brew from tea that has passed through a Tibetan spider monkey's innards, the squad magically has zero injuries all season, and raptora stops being a fucking retard online, then can Arsenal finally win a title?

The last one is a stretch, though.

Expand full comment
Positive Pete's avatar

Leave ‘ Doris’ out of this.No special brews unless Stan & Josh are over for Afternoon tea.And then it’s strictly Earl Grey none of this chah rubbish.

Expand full comment
Jonnygunner's avatar

And you stop being a fucking prick…

Expand full comment
The Grim Reaper's avatar

Oh look, it's another Le-Grove grass Rubberjonnygunner piping up.

You seem to have been liking a lot of my posts lately, but this one seemed to upset you. Odd.

Expand full comment
Jonnygunner's avatar

I agree with some of what you’ve posted- but I didn’t agree with what you last posted- pretty simple really.

Expand full comment
Tom Wojtyga's avatar

I think you mean the Pool team Klopp built and rebuilt.

A bit harder to do than just to assemble a winning team once.

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

Nah. His 5 best players in 2018 were Alisson, Van Dijk, Robertson, Trent and Salah. They are still Liverpool's best players today. The only top player missing from that team is Mane. Same core that has carried them for 7 years now. This is it.

Expand full comment
Tom Wojtyga's avatar

So Firmino and Fabinho weren’t top players for them according to you ?!

That’s some talent spotting there I must say.

Expand full comment
Tom Wojtyga's avatar

The entire mid, or engine room if you will, has been revamped you goof.

Robertson is on the outs , he’s been their biggest liability.

Next season when we add some three new players you will be asking for time before ‘half the team’ assimilates lol.

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

Their team was never about their midfield. Emre Can or Henderson or Thiago or Gravenberch, it's never been about them. Fabinho was an important player for them, as was Firmino, but they were the secondary cast to the main actors.

Klopp-ball was alway about the flanks, the pressing and the running. But plenty of players can give you the running part and why none of those players was crucial to them.

Slot is currently doing an Arteta in his first season with someone else's team.

Expand full comment
Tom Wojtyga's avatar

Fabinho was widely considered the best holding midfielder at the time and one of the first names on Klopp’s starters sheet.

The one player that gave them the freedom to play their style going forward, while making VVD workload much smaller on D.

When City lose theirs and the leagues best holding midfielder their season collapsed , I’m hearing, but when that holding midfer plays for Pool, he’s a secondary actor.

It all makes sense, I’m sure.

Expand full comment
Olusegun's avatar

We've talked about Saka playing as a 10. I think there is a player who can do that. He is been misused at W. Ham.

Kudus used to play as a 10 for Ajax. I rate him higher tham Mbuemo (improved his shooting accuracy this season though) & Semenyo (still a poor shooter having watched him for 2 seasons now. Rate Ouattara ahead of him now).

Kudus has more shooting technique & range (up to 35 yards, maybe more) than all the aforementioned & can play all 4 forward positions (RW,AM are his strongest though).

One of Ode, Ethan & Kudus would have to either seat on the bench(or be sold), play LW & start at 10 in this scenario.

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

Pedri: “People say I play a lot, never rotate… but it’s way better for me!”.

“I like to play, I want to play. I suffer more when I’m not playing as my body is not used to it, so it’s more difficult to recover”.

____________________________________

Arteta brainwashed Pedri as well...

Expand full comment
Sid's avatar
Mar 25Edited

Barcas attack is balanced 34% on left side 30% through the middle 36% on the right.

Arsenal 32% left, 24% middle, 45% right

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

The Odegaard effect.

Lack of impact through the middle, demands the ball to his side like a magnet. The core of most of our problems.

Expand full comment
Olatunde's avatar

No. Arteta effect.

Expand full comment
Tom Wojtyga's avatar

If Pedri plays a lot then Saka plays even more.

Cumulative wise, Saka’s minutes shit on Pedri’s and there’s only one year between the two.

Not to mention the difference in physicality between both leagues and the extra rough treatment Saka receives with some of the refs blessing.

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

There's a bit more contact in the middle of the pitch compared to the wings, maybe also more constant running compared to a bit more sprinting in the wide areas, but in general, I agree with you.

Pedri has missed a lot of games due to injuries in his short career.

Expand full comment
Christian's avatar

Most players want to play even if they are hurt or their lack of fitness is hurting the team. It’s why you have coach’s and other eyes to save players from themselves

Expand full comment
Marko's avatar

Of course he wants to play they all do. But it's worth pointing out that he's had a lot of hamstring and muscular injuries already. Great player but sometimes even great players have to be managed correctly.

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

A lot of injuries in his short career. Lengthy ones as well.

Expand full comment
Olatunde's avatar

So what is the point you want to make with your post. People blame arteta for not rotating and the fact that it can cause injuries to players. You brought up a shit take about pedri which actually validates what everyone has been saying. Players always want to play but good managers manage them well but the bad ones fail to do so.

Expand full comment
Positive Pete's avatar

We need Dynamism in the midfield.Zubi ain’t giving you it & nor is Rice or Odegaard.Abox to box like Morgan Roger’s gives it.Maybe this Nypan fits the bill or Nwaneri is the guy? Not too sure who to be honest.If you could cherry pick.

Expand full comment
Sid's avatar

Keep it positive

Expand full comment
Positive Pete's avatar

Doing my best Sid.🤫

Expand full comment
Habesha Gooner's avatar

Nwaneri with a cracking goal. Partey has two.

Reece james just scored a superb freekick as well. Tuchel's identity all over the team though.

Expand full comment
Christian's avatar

Wow what a let off for England.

Should’ve been Latvia 1-0 up.

Pickford and Guehi smh

Expand full comment
Habesha Gooner's avatar

Really would have preferred some sort of break for our big players. Rice, Saliba and MLS in particular with huge amount of minutes. I would prefer to take them out of the line on the weekend. Saliba in particular clocked 190 minutes. White is ready to start in Saliba's place, we have Tierney or Zinchenko at LB. And may be rotate Rice too for Fulham.

Expand full comment
Iceman10's avatar

you do know we are not playing at the weekend. They will have plenty of rest before our next match ..next Tuesday.

Expand full comment
Sakablyat's avatar

You know damn well Mikel will play all of them for 90 minutes this weekend

Expand full comment
Christian's avatar

Myles Lewis Skelly and Declan Rice start again for England.

Expand full comment
izzo's avatar

I hate international football. Can we get back to the bread and butter!

Expand full comment
Ryan's avatar

Is the international break over yet?

Expand full comment
Sid's avatar

Nico and Zubimendi have the profiles Transactional loves.

Nico(hard worker) and Zubimendi (safety first)

Expand full comment
Thierry Martinelli's avatar

Spain is like Arsenal on steroids. No striker but somehow scores 3 and concede 3, lots of control and possession, Yamal is their Saka, defenders with lots of touches etc

Expand full comment
Habesha Gooner's avatar

This Zubimendi dude is going to be a massive mistake. Again not impressive. Tidy but no way we should be spending big money on that.

Nico Williams impressive again. Not the level raiser people think he is, but he is a very good winger with good decisions.

This will be the final nail in the coffin for Arteta if he doesn't get this right.

Expand full comment
Positive Pete's avatar

Yep.getting more & more worried about Zubi.A squad filler.Not a game changer.

We can’t afford not to get this right.

Expand full comment
Habesha Gooner's avatar

He is definitely not a game changer. He is just a tidy player that just knows how to manage space, and keep things ticking. Basically a Jorginho. He is worse in passing than Jorginho but he is a bit better at tackling, intercepting and athleticism.

I think Arteta is looking at last seasons form when we had Rice and Jorginho in that run and trying to replicate the same. If he does sign him, he has to make it work and win. Because there are no more excuses now.

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

I said this couple of weeks ago:

"He looks to me similar to Jorginho. He's slow tempo, safe passing, very good at moving the ball forward, great long balls, superb in buildup, press-resistant.

Some characteristics of Ode for sure.

Except he can tackle, wins duels both ground and aerial, he can ride a challenge and can make a killer pass every now and then."

Then Christian came two-footed claiming I haven't watched him and how I've given him A+ on everything. I literally compared him to Jorginho lol. Is Jorgi A+ on everything?! A good all-rounder for sure.

Christian: "First of all he’s a poor defender one vs one especially when drawn out on an island. His passing last season was middling … he’s decent under the press I must say as he has good football intelligence but for the money and expectations on performance … nah I don’t see it.

You said he could control a game like Odegaard, no? That’s sacrilege even for you"

I responded: "Ode is strolling around passing to the closest player. Zubi can do that."

I think the same after watching the 2 NT games. Safety first, good under pressure, decent physically. It's a younger Jorgi but Jorgi is a highly successful player and loved by all of his past and current managers. Arteta a huge fan, especially (and Pep).

Expand full comment
Christian's avatar

So what’s your point?

Would you or won’t you be willing to pay sixty million for a player inferior to Partey and Jorginho?

Especially given how much we need a striker.

Go ahead, I await your answer

Expand full comment
Habesha Gooner's avatar

Yep, He is closer to Jorginho than a Partey, a Rice, or a Rodri.

Safety first, keep it moving, be in the right space to make an interception and win tackles with in the space he manages. His defensive numbers are actually good.

That is Jorginho in a nutshell. But Jorginho has some creative gene in attacking spaces when he threads passes at times.

Zubimendi has less of that. He isn't a creative player by nature. And that is my problem with signing him. But he isn't a liability as much as Jorginho physically.

I get what Arteta is trying to do. But he just has to make it work if he does sign him.

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

Me and you have talked about it and a midfield of Zubi + Dec would need some special players in offence to make it work. Dec could have an extra level in finishing the attacks, but as far as creativity, that's his worst trait. A safe passer in Zubi, sure. But our offensive options would need to be nuclear. I highly doubt a three of Zubi, Rice, Ode would do well creatively. I'd want a more complete midfield than that.

Expand full comment
Habesha Gooner's avatar

I think that midfield would need most of the creativity to come from Odegaard and the front three. Especially when we face low blocks. But it has worked to some extent with Jorginho last season. Partey started the last few games in that run when we won 16/18 games. And all of those games weren't open space games.

If we bring in Zubimendi, We will have sign a creative player along with him so that we can rest one of Rice/ Zubimendi when we face low blocks. We even need to play an Odegaard, Rice/Zubi, Nwaneri midfield at times. The new CM they are hoping to add is an 18 year old Nypan though. It will be Odegaard, Nwaneri, Nypan, Merino and possibly Dowman to break down low blocks. Not sure that has enough punch.

If Arteta chooses that, he has to lie on the bed he made and make it work. This summer will be indefensible if we don't win something big next season.

Expand full comment
raptora's avatar

Re your last sentence, I couldn't have said it better.

Expand full comment
Demola Drey's avatar

He's an upgrade on Martinelli that's for sure...

Expand full comment
Thierry Martinelli's avatar

I agree. I'm yet to see anything impressive from this guy. He's just as basic as they come.

Expand full comment
Thierry Martinelli's avatar

Also agree on Nico W. He's the kind of player who needs 10 chances before he scores.

Expand full comment
Useroz's avatar

Can't agree more with tuchel MLS could play 8 or 10 depending on formation. Still recall an exquisite, outside boot slide rule final thru ball in an off season friendly in the US, wot a beauty ! Or, the well weighted one two to setup Calafiori's shot in the Chelsea game...

Expand full comment
Northbanker's avatar

Posted before that with MLS really being a midfielder and all other LBs having high injury risk , we’re in the ironic position of probably having to source yet another LB. Easier if we shift Cala, Zin and KT in the Summer (TT unlikely)

Expand full comment
Bob's avatar
Mar 22Edited

The more I see of MLS, the more I want to see him in CM, where he could significantly influence games. I feel strongly that we need a new LB (once we tidy up our resources there!), to allow MLS more time in midfield. I’m sure this is the plan and we should all look forward to his growing influence.

Future Arsenal captain!

Expand full comment
Sakablyat's avatar

The way he just skips past players and no one can take tha ball off him is unbelievable, and just like you said he's the captain before he's 22.

Expand full comment