Maybe wrong but just can’t see Bruno deal being something we’d go for at the money the barcodes would want. Seem to remember he was lucky to stay on the pitch up at St James Park. Lost his head against us.
Basically same word on every corner of the street. We need something concrete to start developing but then TW hasn't even started. Will be very excited about Bruno though
Have always loved the guy's ambition even though I have doubts he can deliver on said ambitions, he's not afraid to put markers down. Hopefully he can fight his demons and get us over the line. Just 2 astute signings away...
Rich laughs at me then proceeds to say "I’m open to upgrading any player, but good luck finding a better player than our captain..".
Blind fandom not seeing that if we want to become the best team in the world, we cannot have Odegaard as our star. He has too many flaws (similarly to Ramsdale as explained below) to be considered untouchable and the first name on the list of every game we play.
We cannot base our game around a player not fit for the biggest games where the teams don't defend deep in their half.
He was downright useless in the Champions League group stage away games versus teams such as Lens, Sevilla, PSV. Of course it translated in the next stages versus Porto and Bayern.
In the tough away games in the Prem he was also a non-factor.
This is the player that got a nomination for the POTS ahead of Saka. An absolute joke.
We need to move on from him completely or lower his influence if we want to be the best team in the world. I've no clue who would even pay for him as top clubs are aware of his limitations, plus Real have done quite well without him and are well on their way of another historic season, but IF we can cash in on him by some stupid club, again I don't think any top club would break the bank for him, I'd gladly take the money and add it to the superstar winger fund for the likes of Leao, Kvara etc + buy a direct replacement in Wirtz, Musiala, Eze etc. Odegaard is currently on about 3x the salary of Wirtz and Musiala for example.
The only reasonable target you have suggested is Eze. Writz isn't leaving and when he does we will have to fight off City, Bayern and Madrid. And Musiala isn't leaving bayern at all.
Wirtz has by far superior physicality when it comes to progressing with the ball, dribbling, running to receive a pass in the box etc.
Wirtz literally makes more than double the carries and successful take-ons compared to Odegaard. In addition to that, he not only has similar stat in Progressive Passes, he has double the Progressive Passes Received, meaning he has the power, the physicality to be in positions where he can receive progressive passes and that's the huge difference, the physicality that translates into flat running speed, short burst and dynamic movement into the free space.
It's only fair I post their defensive numbers as well but they are not that different.
An actual proof of Odegaard's struggles in Europe specifically.
xAG = expected Assisted Goals
SCA = Shot-creating actions
A shot-creating action is one of the two last offensive actions in the lead-up to a shot. This can include passes, take-ons, fouls drawn, defensive actions, or even shots that lead to another shot.
So basically Odegaard isn't a Pace and Power player. We already knew that. We need one next to him. He is better at keeping the ball, threading balls against lowblocks and giving us control.
You want a Debruyne and Odegaard isn't that. It doesn't mean he needs to be sold.
How do you limit his influence if by not selling him?
He will start in every game if he's healthy and we will suffer in the biggest games because of it. If we're going to not pass him the ball as much then why would we even play him? He's useful in many games and useless in others. But will he sit on the bench like a good boy in the games it's known he'll suffer? No way.
If Arteta faces that issue, I'll like him even more. But I don't see it happening, so we are stuck with playing Ode in games where he just doesn't look good. So what do we do? In the open games vs Bayern what did he do? Zilch. He won't do next time either and that's the big problem.
Odegaard was brilliant for the most part last season but as with some other players, did not play anywhere near their best when we lost crucial points in December. I'm sure Edu and Arteta will have considered ways of minimising dropped points. If we'd had others options that Arteta was comfortable with(Vieira and ESR were not trusted) in CM, we might have given Odegaard, Havertz(CM playing version) and a wide man or two, a recharging from the bench.
With this in mind, a player who is comfortable playing AM or on the wing is worth splashing plenty on; my top two would be Olise and Simons. Signing an alternative left 8, Guimares, Douglas Luis- like would also be money well spent. Otherwise you could go for a winger who's happy to play on both sides, say Nico Williams and a No8, with a project No6 as an additional option.
Nwaneri will hopefully take a spot in the squad and if we have another domestic cup season like last, send him on loan for the second half of the season.
Vieira, if he can't be sold, should have a season long loaning an attempt to retrieve some of his fallen value.
Far too simplistic and patronising to use that term Sid. As has been mentioned he made team of the season in 22/23 and is still in the England squad despite his lack of minutes. Arsenal would obviously not have signed him if they felt he deserved that nickname.
Snitches get stitches
Isak is only useful for counter attacking football. Totally ineffective against deep defending teams.
With Guimares in midfield, it will be possible to rotate Trossard and Odegaard in the middle, depending on the opponent.
Maybe wrong but just can’t see Bruno deal being something we’d go for at the money the barcodes would want. Seem to remember he was lucky to stay on the pitch up at St James Park. Lost his head against us.
I’d take Isak any day of the week over him
Hi
Benkind, you were banned from the last blog for being boring - you've got a week to sort yourself out or I'll perm ban you again.
Hope you guys remember reading all this last week.
https://x.com/karthikadhaigal/status/1795853411499303173
Douglas Luiz would be a bit underwhelming for me. Good player but for the fee Villa will expect, there is much better value out there.
Basically same word on every corner of the street. We need something concrete to start developing but then TW hasn't even started. Will be very excited about Bruno though
Started on this corner first.
Am I mistaken? I thought this was an arsenal fan page? Still the dick heads pour into comments sections to piss on our club
Many of whom have never been to a game
Do one
https://youtube.com/shorts/G7QfhgMeULo?si=OUhYSfdAPxYnDXTh
Mikel not shying away from expectation. He said "We are going to get it" after the last game and again saying "Win"
I love that. It is a must next season. We have built, progressed and enjoyed the past two seasons. But now we must win the PL.
Have always loved the guy's ambition even though I have doubts he can deliver on said ambitions, he's not afraid to put markers down. Hopefully he can fight his demons and get us over the line. Just 2 astute signings away...
Nigel, can't have you patronizing people with personal insults. The pattern needs to be broken. 24 hr suspension.
Goals and assists - PK per 90 min
Odegaard 0.47
Bernado 0.52
Guimares 0.41
Rich laughs at me then proceeds to say "I’m open to upgrading any player, but good luck finding a better player than our captain..".
Blind fandom not seeing that if we want to become the best team in the world, we cannot have Odegaard as our star. He has too many flaws (similarly to Ramsdale as explained below) to be considered untouchable and the first name on the list of every game we play.
We cannot base our game around a player not fit for the biggest games where the teams don't defend deep in their half.
He was downright useless in the Champions League group stage away games versus teams such as Lens, Sevilla, PSV. Of course it translated in the next stages versus Porto and Bayern.
In the tough away games in the Prem he was also a non-factor.
This is the player that got a nomination for the POTS ahead of Saka. An absolute joke.
We need to move on from him completely or lower his influence if we want to be the best team in the world. I've no clue who would even pay for him as top clubs are aware of his limitations, plus Real have done quite well without him and are well on their way of another historic season, but IF we can cash in on him by some stupid club, again I don't think any top club would break the bank for him, I'd gladly take the money and add it to the superstar winger fund for the likes of Leao, Kvara etc + buy a direct replacement in Wirtz, Musiala, Eze etc. Odegaard is currently on about 3x the salary of Wirtz and Musiala for example.
The only reasonable target you have suggested is Eze. Writz isn't leaving and when he does we will have to fight off City, Bayern and Madrid. And Musiala isn't leaving bayern at all.
FBref stat per 90 mins
Wirtz
Passes Attempted 69.71
Pass Completion % 82.5%
Progressive Passes 8.67
Progressive Carries 5.45
Successful Take-Ons 2.75
Touches (Att Pen) 6.41
Progressive Passes Received 10.86
Odegaard
Passes Attempted 56.41
Pass Completion % 84.5%
Progressive Passes 9.29
Progressive Carries 2.62
Successful Take-Ons 1.20
Touches (Att Pen) 4.53
Progressive Passes Received 5.59
All needed to know is here.
Wirtz has by far superior physicality when it comes to progressing with the ball, dribbling, running to receive a pass in the box etc.
Wirtz literally makes more than double the carries and successful take-ons compared to Odegaard. In addition to that, he not only has similar stat in Progressive Passes, he has double the Progressive Passes Received, meaning he has the power, the physicality to be in positions where he can receive progressive passes and that's the huge difference, the physicality that translates into flat running speed, short burst and dynamic movement into the free space.
It's only fair I post their defensive numbers as well but they are not that different.
So Odegaard therefore passed the ball better than Wirtz.
Something very interesting.
Odegaard in the Champions League:
750 mins, 2 goals, 1 assist, 1.3 xG, 0.9 xAG, 23 SCA
Wirtz in Europa League:
702 mins, 4 goals, 4 assists, 2.6 xG, 2.7 xAG, 59 SCA
An actual proof of Odegaard's struggles in Europe specifically.
xAG = expected Assisted Goals
SCA = Shot-creating actions
A shot-creating action is one of the two last offensive actions in the lead-up to a shot. This can include passes, take-ons, fouls drawn, defensive actions, or even shots that lead to another shot.
So basically Odegaard isn't a Pace and Power player. We already knew that. We need one next to him. He is better at keeping the ball, threading balls against lowblocks and giving us control.
You want a Debruyne and Odegaard isn't that. It doesn't mean he needs to be sold.
How do you limit his influence if by not selling him?
He will start in every game if he's healthy and we will suffer in the biggest games because of it. If we're going to not pass him the ball as much then why would we even play him? He's useful in many games and useless in others. But will he sit on the bench like a good boy in the games it's known he'll suffer? No way.
If Arteta faces that issue, I'll like him even more. But I don't see it happening, so we are stuck with playing Ode in games where he just doesn't look good. So what do we do? In the open games vs Bayern what did he do? Zilch. He won't do next time either and that's the big problem.
David Silva and Bernado can dribble and are can carry the ball.
Odegaard is a controller like Rodri but lacks physicality.
Totally different players in different positions. Benchmarking completely pointless
Odegaard was brilliant for the most part last season but as with some other players, did not play anywhere near their best when we lost crucial points in December. I'm sure Edu and Arteta will have considered ways of minimising dropped points. If we'd had others options that Arteta was comfortable with(Vieira and ESR were not trusted) in CM, we might have given Odegaard, Havertz(CM playing version) and a wide man or two, a recharging from the bench.
With this in mind, a player who is comfortable playing AM or on the wing is worth splashing plenty on; my top two would be Olise and Simons. Signing an alternative left 8, Guimares, Douglas Luis- like would also be money well spent. Otherwise you could go for a winger who's happy to play on both sides, say Nico Williams and a No8, with a project No6 as an additional option.
Nwaneri will hopefully take a spot in the squad and if we have another domestic cup season like last, send him on loan for the second half of the season.
Vieira, if he can't be sold, should have a season long loaning an attempt to retrieve some of his fallen value.
I would like to thank Rodri for the stupid comment about "Arsenal lacking mentality".
Arteta would have clipped that comment
As if we ever needed more motivation
Well, Rodri's next game after that ill-advised comment ended in a loss.
Raya did well at Brentford CB pairing Ben Mee and Pinnock.
Ramsdale is the relegator
Far too simplistic and patronising to use that term Sid. As has been mentioned he made team of the season in 22/23 and is still in the England squad despite his lack of minutes. Arsenal would obviously not have signed him if they felt he deserved that nickname.