If we play duble pivot of Partey and Jogi with Kai at 10 that means we have to play Cala or Kiwior at LB cos we'd need more overlapping and width than inverting.
Gutted as I am about Merino, it is arguably a case of what we never had we will not miss. Ode and Rice are big misses though as they were the lynchpin of our title challenge last year. However we still have enough if belief is maintained
Odes injury is a sharp reminder we need to start blooding Nwaneri now even if on a sustained programme of decent length substitutions
You’re very ,very naive if you think EPLs Independent panel( 😂) were going to go against the PGMOL stooge.Irrespective of whoever was on the panel.Sends out the wrong message as to their credibility which would never do.So no amount of ‘ Contrarian’ blah blah blah is going to change what I’d imagine is the majority of opinions on this blog with regards to Kavanaghs decisions.Nice try though Tom.Havent lost your touch.
“You’re very ,very naive if you think EPLs Independent panel( 😂) were going to go against the PGMOL stooge.Irrespective of whoever was on the panel“
More than 30 decisions have been declared as wrong by the panel since its inception two seasons ago, and many deemed right have been considered thus by 3/2 majority vote, but don’t let that fact worry your little brain.
Curious Tom.How many of those panel ‘decisions declared wrong’ involve Arsenal? Seeing as we tend to be involved in a disproportionate amount of contentious decisions,wouldn’t you say?
The EPL’s independent KMI panel of five unanimously agreed with Rice’s sending off for the second yellow.
I disagree with their decision, definitely disagree with “the referee had no choice but to send Rice off” part, but this puts a dent in the worst refereeing decision of all time opinion many on here staked their reputations on.
Or maybe everyone just hates Arsenal so much…….or the panel consists of three former Spud players, Levy, and big Ange
Players getting injured in pointless internationals is frustrating. Almost as frustrating as fans moaning about pointless internationals, blaming FIFA/ UEFA for ridiculous schedules, yet still watching them.
Can we talk again about who did/didn’t sing national anthems, or celebrated scoring?
Fascinating stuff.
Personally, I’m gonna rewatch all Arsenal players’ international matches I missed out on this window, right after the must watch presidential debate and the last episode of the Kardashians.
Odegaard is a problem for us in a specific type of games. The type of games that are following vs Spuds, Atalanta and City.
Vs City, Odegaard has 0 goals, 0 assists in 7 apps. With an xG - 0.24 and xA - 0.47 over 7 games (huh?!?!).
Vs Spuds under Ange - 0 goals, 0 assists in 2 games - xG of 0.1, xA 0.2 over 2 games (lol).
Odegaard is near useless when the game is stretched or when it has to be played in transition. Versus the likes of City, Bayern etc. We don't need him in such games. He's an issue.
Including 2 match winning strikes.. But I seen you continently left those off your hit list.
Our record last season improved against City, took 4 points, and beat them on penalties in the community shield… Ødegaard played in all 3 wins.
I certainly wouldn’t pin our previous record against City to any specific player from 2017-2023 though..
They were simply a far superior team, with far superior players, with far more stability.
Our issues against City far predate Odegaard’s arrival..
I agree we should be able to adapt at the toilet bowl though, it’s far from ideal missing 3 first choice midfielders, but we still have a few different ways to shuffle the pack.
Ødegaard PL stats since the start of last season, via whoscored:
Odegaard ranks top for accurate through balls (23)
Most chances created from open play (93).
Won possession in the attacking third more times than any other player (44)
But according to Raptora…
“It was of the utmost importance we sell Ødegaard last summer”…
Absolute joker.. I’m convinced Pierre has hijacked Rap’s moniker.
Match winning strikes - versus a team managed by another guy. Not Ange who has a vastly different strategy and a very distinctive way of playing - high line, suicidal football even versus the best teams.
Your point is dead right there.
9 games vs City and Spuds - 0 goals, 0 assists, near useless. You can add Bayern to the mentioned.
In our 3 recent games against City, we’ve cut off their supply lines, and restricted them to very little.
In 2 of those games, we restricted them to the least chances Guardiola teams had been restricted too, since he was managing Barca.
Both teams playing for fine margins.. In which we tipped those margins in our favour.
Those types of fixtures tend not to be about open end to end chances…
You’re basically a Captain Hindsight…
If we’re too open.. You bitch that we lack control..
But if we lack penetration.. You bitch because we played it too safe..
You’re too dumb to realise that we can’t have no occupational hazards on a football pitch, and we don’t want to turn into Spurs under Ange, particularly against a team with the quality of City..
Pointing out that there wasn’t many chances created in a game of chess against City, where both sides are waiting for one mistake…
The reason I always maintained that Kai is a pointless signing at Arsenal is because his best role was already been fulfilled by Ode who is a darling of the manager. When he plays at L8, he's atrocious cos he's never played there before (we have bought better). When he plays at 9, he's passable because he has strengths that could be utilised (we would still eventually buy better).
Play him at R8 however, you'd see the best of him. That, or as a bonafide no 10 (floating central attacking midfielder). We may actually start looking for a new role for Odegaard when he finally returns. I'm excited to see him played there and the damage he could do from that position.
That right pod of Saka-Ode-White is considered unbreakable, but what if it weren’t? Odegaard is able to perform left-foot actions we lack at L8, we’ve see him do it e.g. porto. Kai at R8/10. Interesting.
I would start a double pivot of Partey and Jorginho. But we shouldn't press high at all. Sit deeper. Both of them can handle defending in smaller spaces. What they are poor at is eating up space like Rice would.
Do that and play on the counter. We can win playing that way. Partey and Jorginho have the through balls in them. And we need to play both Sterling and Martinelli alongside Saka to exploit their high line. Basically Ole ball is their weakness. We don't need to impose our game on them. Let them come at us because they are weak breaking teams down and finishing their chances. And we have a strong defense. They are weak on the counter as seen from the multiple trashings from Newcastle.
I hope Arteta has learned from that mauling at the Etihad 2 seasons ago when we all knew playing higher with Holding was suicide. Same for Partey and Jorginho. Set up right and even our bench midfield can handle spurs away.
Arsenal pay his wages not Norway!! It’s time this international nonsense for meaningless cups stopped and UEFA stopped inventing more excuses for playing matches
line up. But mine is more of a 442. I wouldn't start Jesus right after an injury. Martinelli with Havertz uptop for me and Sterling on the left. Spurs are weak in behind and their fullbacks are also vulnerable. We can get some joy out of Sterling vs Porro especially.
Cause Odegaard is so important versus the likes of City - 0 goals, 0 assists in 7 apps. With an xG - 0.24 and xA - 0.47 over 7 games (huh?!?!).
Or versus Spuds under Ange - 0 goals, 0 assists in 2 games - xG of 0.1, xA 0.2 over 2 games (lol).
Odegaard is near useless when the game is stretched or it has to be played in transition. Versus the likes of City, Bayern etc. We don't need him in such games. He's an issue.
3 weeks no ode
If we play duble pivot of Partey and Jogi with Kai at 10 that means we have to play Cala or Kiwior at LB cos we'd need more overlapping and width than inverting.
Any formation or personel changes that sees Jesus play in CF position is a hindrance to us.
I'm excited to see Haverts in the R8 or exclusively 10 role but I'd rather Trossard or Sterling or even Nwaneri in CF if that happens.
Gutted as I am about Merino, it is arguably a case of what we never had we will not miss. Ode and Rice are big misses though as they were the lynchpin of our title challenge last year. However we still have enough if belief is maintained
Odes injury is a sharp reminder we need to start blooding Nwaneri now even if on a sustained programme of decent length substitutions
You’re very ,very naive if you think EPLs Independent panel( 😂) were going to go against the PGMOL stooge.Irrespective of whoever was on the panel.Sends out the wrong message as to their credibility which would never do.So no amount of ‘ Contrarian’ blah blah blah is going to change what I’d imagine is the majority of opinions on this blog with regards to Kavanaghs decisions.Nice try though Tom.Havent lost your touch.
“You’re very ,very naive if you think EPLs Independent panel( 😂) were going to go against the PGMOL stooge.Irrespective of whoever was on the panel“
More than 30 decisions have been declared as wrong by the panel since its inception two seasons ago, and many deemed right have been considered thus by 3/2 majority vote, but don’t let that fact worry your little brain.
The purity test merchant numero uno in fine form I see.
Rest assured I recognize fully going against the Legrove grain makes me a second class Arsenal fan and a horrible human being.
I’m sure you’re a wonderful human being Tom.No one wants to hurt your sensibilities.But let’s call a spade ,a spade hey.
Curious Tom.How many of those panel ‘decisions declared wrong’ involve Arsenal? Seeing as we tend to be involved in a disproportionate amount of contentious decisions,wouldn’t you say?
I see what you did there; from the panel always tows the league line, to now, ok, maybe they don’t, but they always do when it comes to Arsenal.
Is this when I’m supposed to debunk this latest offering just so you move the goalposts again?
Fun, fun, fun.
Some meat on the bones would be helpful.I mean,you’re pretty adamant we’re paranoid about this.
The EPL’s independent KMI panel of five unanimously agreed with Rice’s sending off for the second yellow.
I disagree with their decision, definitely disagree with “the referee had no choice but to send Rice off” part, but this puts a dent in the worst refereeing decision of all time opinion many on here staked their reputations on.
Or maybe everyone just hates Arsenal so much…….or the panel consists of three former Spud players, Levy, and big Ange
It was 100% consistent with the letter of the law but inconsistent with the spirit of the game.
The problem with our fanbase and their whipped up quarrelsomeness is they picked the worst case to make an accusation of bias.
Odegaard is the Norwegian Aaron Ramsey.
Don't you dare offend my boy Aaron...
Players getting injured in pointless internationals is frustrating. Almost as frustrating as fans moaning about pointless internationals, blaming FIFA/ UEFA for ridiculous schedules, yet still watching them.
Can we talk again about who did/didn’t sing national anthems, or celebrated scoring?
Fascinating stuff.
Personally, I’m gonna rewatch all Arsenal players’ international matches I missed out on this window, right after the must watch presidential debate and the last episode of the Kardashians.
Just wait until Saka limps off injured later against Finland!
Odegaard is a problem for us in a specific type of games. The type of games that are following vs Spuds, Atalanta and City.
Vs City, Odegaard has 0 goals, 0 assists in 7 apps. With an xG - 0.24 and xA - 0.47 over 7 games (huh?!?!).
Vs Spuds under Ange - 0 goals, 0 assists in 2 games - xG of 0.1, xA 0.2 over 2 games (lol).
Odegaard is near useless when the game is stretched or when it has to be played in transition. Versus the likes of City, Bayern etc. We don't need him in such games. He's an issue.
Come off it mate you can’t seriously believe that. Don’t go solely off stats.
You think he passes the eye test versus a certain type of opponents, I don't.
Last season we took:
City - 4 points
Liverpool - 4 points
Chelsea - 4 points
United - 6 points
Spurs - 6 points
Got to a CL quarter final..
Recorded the 2nd most points in our history, and the most league goals in our history..
Beating last seasons previous best..
We were the best defensive team in Europe last season… Gave up the least shots, amongst the least corners…
Least opposition touches in our penalty box and defensive third.. Amongst the least touches in our own half.
Took the highest percentage of our touches in the opposition’s defensive third…
Now try to piece all that together… And draw a sensible conclusion of why that might be?…
Ødegaard record in NLD’s:
Played - 7
Won - 5
Drawn - 1
Lost -1
2 goals.
Including 2 match winning strikes.. But I seen you continently left those off your hit list.
Our record last season improved against City, took 4 points, and beat them on penalties in the community shield… Ødegaard played in all 3 wins.
I certainly wouldn’t pin our previous record against City to any specific player from 2017-2023 though..
They were simply a far superior team, with far superior players, with far more stability.
Our issues against City far predate Odegaard’s arrival..
I agree we should be able to adapt at the toilet bowl though, it’s far from ideal missing 3 first choice midfielders, but we still have a few different ways to shuffle the pack.
Ødegaard PL stats since the start of last season, via whoscored:
Odegaard ranks top for accurate through balls (23)
Most chances created from open play (93).
Won possession in the attacking third more times than any other player (44)
But according to Raptora…
“It was of the utmost importance we sell Ødegaard last summer”…
Absolute joker.. I’m convinced Pierre has hijacked Rap’s moniker.
I’ve said the same - it’s Pierre. The anti-Odegaard agenda is profound and pervasive.
Match winning strikes - versus a team managed by another guy. Not Ange who has a vastly different strategy and a very distinctive way of playing - high line, suicidal football even versus the best teams.
Your point is dead right there.
9 games vs City and Spuds - 0 goals, 0 assists, near useless. You can add Bayern to the mentioned.
The idea Ødegaard can’t play the ball in behind against a high line is utter nonsense, that stands up to no real type of scrutiny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc_BYw-PBrE&pp=ygUQT2RlZ2FhcmQgcGFzc2luZw%3D%3D
In our 3 recent games against City, we’ve cut off their supply lines, and restricted them to very little.
In 2 of those games, we restricted them to the least chances Guardiola teams had been restricted too, since he was managing Barca.
Both teams playing for fine margins.. In which we tipped those margins in our favour.
Those types of fixtures tend not to be about open end to end chances…
You’re basically a Captain Hindsight…
If we’re too open.. You bitch that we lack control..
But if we lack penetration.. You bitch because we played it too safe..
You’re too dumb to realise that we can’t have no occupational hazards on a football pitch, and we don’t want to turn into Spurs under Ange, particularly against a team with the quality of City..
Pointing out that there wasn’t many chances created in a game of chess against City, where both sides are waiting for one mistake…
Is pointing out the bleeding obvious.
I'm convinced you can share your opinion without resorting to insults. Like I do.
You rate Odegaard otherworldly. I don't. It's fine.
Martinelli on £200K a week? Another example of why we rarely move players for decent money.
We barely spent anything in this window. Now there’s no cash for a top striker in the coming windows?
Evan Ferguson is the plan?
What is going on today?
Wishing Ode a swift recovery. Leo to fill in until then.
The reason I always maintained that Kai is a pointless signing at Arsenal is because his best role was already been fulfilled by Ode who is a darling of the manager. When he plays at L8, he's atrocious cos he's never played there before (we have bought better). When he plays at 9, he's passable because he has strengths that could be utilised (we would still eventually buy better).
Play him at R8 however, you'd see the best of him. That, or as a bonafide no 10 (floating central attacking midfielder). We may actually start looking for a new role for Odegaard when he finally returns. I'm excited to see him played there and the damage he could do from that position.
That right pod of Saka-Ode-White is considered unbreakable, but what if it weren’t? Odegaard is able to perform left-foot actions we lack at L8, we’ve see him do it e.g. porto. Kai at R8/10. Interesting.
I would start a double pivot of Partey and Jorginho. But we shouldn't press high at all. Sit deeper. Both of them can handle defending in smaller spaces. What they are poor at is eating up space like Rice would.
Do that and play on the counter. We can win playing that way. Partey and Jorginho have the through balls in them. And we need to play both Sterling and Martinelli alongside Saka to exploit their high line. Basically Ole ball is their weakness. We don't need to impose our game on them. Let them come at us because they are weak breaking teams down and finishing their chances. And we have a strong defense. They are weak on the counter as seen from the multiple trashings from Newcastle.
I hope Arteta has learned from that mauling at the Etihad 2 seasons ago when we all knew playing higher with Holding was suicide. Same for Partey and Jorginho. Set up right and even our bench midfield can handle spurs away.
Odegaard is integral to how we play
His intensity dictates our overall approach, his press sets off the press and when he’s on fire…we are on fire.
We just effed up with how we have constructed the squad because you can’t have a position such as his to be uncovered for injury.
Not that you need a comparable player happy to warm the bench but you ought to have another creativity node in the middle in the squad.
I’m not going to hold up Nwaneri for any criticism, not even a microscopic one because he’s only 17.
I think I’m gonna focus on all things Not Arsenal this upcoming week. Don’t need the irritation and aggravation …. ok I lied.
I wish I could, but sadly, it’s the life of a fan … smh
Norway has provided healthcare and education for Odegaard and family, its misguided to think he owes Arsenal more than Norway
Arsenal pay his wages not Norway!! It’s time this international nonsense for meaningless cups stopped and UEFA stopped inventing more excuses for playing matches
Arsenal paid his wage because Norway nurtured him. Get over yourself. He's not done anything aside from play for his country when he's supposed to..
When he gets injured playing for Arsenal and can't represent Norway, what then happens? Does it become ok suddenly because "Arsenal pays his wages"?
Arsenal is without Rice, Merino and Odegaard. What was supposed to be the main starting midfield.
Yet, we still have enough quality to just deal with it.
________Partey Jorgi________ (double pivot)
__________Havertz__________ (in front of the pair)
Saka______Jesus__Martinelli (for the threat in transition)
We're playing Ange's suicide football, then Rice will be back for Atalanta and City. High lines that our fast players can abuse.
Havertz already played there for Germany just a few days ago and probably again later today. He did so well vs Hungary.
Jesus, Partey and Jorgi help Martinelli with their technical skills and ability to make that long pass/through ball behind the defence.
Odegaard out for the 3 games (if he's even out for that long) might be a blessing in disguise.
I went for the same type of
line up. But mine is more of a 442. I wouldn't start Jesus right after an injury. Martinelli with Havertz uptop for me and Sterling on the left. Spurs are weak in behind and their fullbacks are also vulnerable. We can get some joy out of Sterling vs Porro especially.
The Odegaard bit being a blessing in disguise is hilarious though.
Cause Odegaard is so important versus the likes of City - 0 goals, 0 assists in 7 apps. With an xG - 0.24 and xA - 0.47 over 7 games (huh?!?!).
Or versus Spuds under Ange - 0 goals, 0 assists in 2 games - xG of 0.1, xA 0.2 over 2 games (lol).
Odegaard is near useless when the game is stretched or it has to be played in transition. Versus the likes of City, Bayern etc. We don't need him in such games. He's an issue.
"don't need him" what a pathetic comment. So you'd have two old age pensioners instead or the baby Nwaneri? Grow up and get a brain cell.