thebigbangtheo wrote:What I think is a fair statement to make is that the manager seems to recognise that squads can prove more efficient with one, two or three players even who are capable of playing in more than one position.
I for one am glad not to have heard mention again of Saka playing left wing back suggested by some at the time his best position. That he occupies the right wing as well as he does the left whilst a few see a role in midfield might still be his best position yet, that ability to play multiple roles to the same high level is like the evolvolution of the utility player beyond just doing a job.
Maitland-Niles failed to recognise that the qualities spotted to suggest a better return from full back, should outweigh personal preferences when his best performance was in nullifying one of the league's most feared attacking players along with his most notable efforts being identified there also, which along with consistent reliability, would have earned a lot of credit in the bank in the event of playing midfield arising and at the very least then just need show adaptability and versatility to warrant further consideration.
However, Maitland-Niles' loss could be Chambers gain. That he would at best be battling for fifth spot on my roster of five central defenders for next year, his competency at right back implies being good squad back up there too gives additional cover the likes of which Liverpool wish they'd had.
Both Bellerin and Chambers suffering long term injury have hampered their development but in the latter showing much more fight and determination is why he joins Cedric in leap frogging the Spaniard in my opinion. The sight of him getting bounced off Jack Grealish as though wearing an inflatable fat suit with shades of Lomu Vs Underwood, put the seal on things for me
Good post but what I'll add about AMN is that I don't think he opted out of playing as right back. Central midfield is his preference but from the sound of his interviews, not playing at all was his problem at Arsenal and why he wanted to move. Finding a team willing to play in his preferred position was a bonus.
With Chambers, it was a solid performance but it doesn't mean he'll get a run of games and keep his place. He played his first 90 minutes against Dundalk in the group stages of the Europa ages ago and has been called upon until now. I don't know if he keeps his starting place after this performance. That's the problem with Arteta. It's not really a meritocracy and a good performance doesn't necessarily mean you've earned a starting place. For certain players even after a few good performances, one blip can push you out of the team as if the other games didn't build enough credit with him. I don't know how AMN lost his position to Bellerin and Cedric considering how poor they performed in comparison to him. Also, if a good utility player is valued then surely AMN would have had more playing in other areas in the pitch when needed. That didn't happen and he was just frozen out but he's not the only one.
Is Rob Holding fit? He hasn’t played a game in over a month. I believe we've played 7 games since his last appearance. What's happened?
Then we have Nelson never getting a chance.
Pepe in his best form all season but getting dropped back to the bench.
Cedric having a good run then getting dropped and reduced to sporadic appearances.
..Martinelli....it's a lot. Xhaka, Leno and Saka if fit are probably the only nailed on starters in this team. I think the squad is too big for him. When asked about players that aren't being featured, on two occasions now he has said there isn't much more the fringe players can do in training to get into the squad. They're training hard and playing well but they have to be patient. During the Europa League when the kids were playing he said that and recently when asked about Martinelli. We'll see how it plays out but I don't think being able to play multiple positions will work in Chambers' favour.