Bukayo Saka (7)

Discuss anything Arsenal-related. Tune in to get the latest news, and discuss results, performances, tactics, etc.

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Power n Glory » Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:17 pm

Yago wrote:Why the f**k would we change his position when he's doing so well where he's playing now?
User avatar
Power n Glory
Member of the Year 2022
Member of the Year 2022
 
Posts: 7930
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:02 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Power n Glory » Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:18 pm

Power n Glory wrote:
Callum wrote:No need to use Saka as a #10 when we have both Odegaard and Smith Rowe. He's killing it on the right wing, so why change that?


I can see the narrative getting hijacked or lost. Original post..

If we didn't have Smith Rowe, I'd want to see Saka play through the middle but it looks like he can do damage anywhere on the pitch.


I wouldn't move Saka whilst he's on hot form but if we ever found ourselves needing a number 10 he and Smith Rowe share similar qualities.
User avatar
Power n Glory
Member of the Year 2022
Member of the Year 2022
 
Posts: 7930
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:02 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Power n Glory » Mon Apr 12, 2021 1:21 pm

DiamondGooner wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:If we didn't have Smith Rowe, I'd want to see Saka play through the middle but it looks like he can do damage anywhere on the pitch. Most talented player to come through our academy in years.


No way, not for me, the guy is a winger through and through.

Why would you want to waste his ability to beat a man and be comfortable wide by changing his position?

He's not a pure supplier type guy like Ozil or Zidane, he's a winger who runs, crosses, scores etc he's an excellent winger .......... why would we mess with that?

Saka with his abilities sitting in the 10 just spraying balls around being creative is a waste imo.
User avatar
Power n Glory
Member of the Year 2022
Member of the Year 2022
 
Posts: 7930
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:02 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby thebigbangtheo » Mon Apr 12, 2021 2:31 pm

Power n Glory wrote:
thebigbangtheo wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:
thebigbangtheo wrote:
Tony Adams wrote:I still think CM next to Partey as a dlp


I too believe that ultimately his best position is most likely to prove to be in central midfield, as not only does he possess the running power, guile, technical ability, vision and intelligence to play the role to the highest standards, more importantly he has the right mentality and selfless attitude to team work. Furthermore, this is also the primary reason why him playing at left back is a waste of his resources in my opinion.

Whilst not for one moment suggesting direct comparisons are warranted, he has elements to his game of a fashion mindful of Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Robert Pires to ME, but as I've alluded once or twice before, if I was having to liken him to anyone in particular with all sentiment aside, it would be David Rocastle.

That I would still look to best utilise him further forward of central midfield and from the flanks in particular with a view to developing his prowess in front of goal, this should work to enhance his game in preparation for evolving into a midfield kingpin.

The notion of playing alongside Partey has some traction to me too, but more with the Ghanaian as his partner in crime at right CM to Saka's left CM, with a bonafide DM behind them or likes of a Smith-Rowe in front of them at AM. Without getting too carried away, such a personnel could see a rebirth of a midfield diamond behind a front two drawn from Martinelli, Pepe and Balogun.


Agreed but wouldn't mind seeing ESR Partey Saka line up in a 4-3-3 as well.

Shame he got injured but liked his energy. Seemed to have a good partnership with Pepe down that side, kept popping up on the inside of Pepe which gave that extra support and enabled them to one two it down the flank. Opens things up for Chambers overlapping as well. Good to see Partey have someone to play off as well.


Likewise, I'm in agreement with your thoughts on a possible midfield trio of Smith-Rowe, Partey and Saka being workable.

Also glad it was picked up that there was an understanding with Pepe that developed to also encourage a good showing from Chambers at right back as well as offer a bit of liberation for Partey.


That 10 role has been key to some of our better performances. Initially, when we bought Willian I thought Arteta would shift Saka to that 10 role because there was talk of him being able to play there. Hopefully, he gets more games there if ESR isn't fit.

We won't be keeping Ceballos and I don't think we'll be able to keep Odegaard. But I wouldn't be in a hurry to pay whatever Real wants for Ode if Saka or ESR continue to play well. I want us to prioritise the development of Saka and ESR.


Yeah, now having reinstated the '10' role within our team structure, we've seen a more progressive movement forward in transitioning from the more attritional nature of last season's 3-4-3 set-up addressing our functionality issues.

Significantly though, how the role is now played dispenses with the more traditional highly gifted luxury player type from yesteryear like he who shall remain anonymous, for a more robust Swiss army knife hybrid type like a Kevin de Bruyne. A bit like switching from analogue to digital or DVD to Blue-ray I suppose.

The likes of Tierney, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Pepe, Martinelli and the up and coming Azeez, all possess the ability to be proficient in two positions which is another of the strong factors governing why I would like the purchase of Emi Buendia from Norwich added to our mix of midfielders.

According to the missus who thinks she's bloody Columbo, I'm a bit of a greedy bastard after eating a good portion of her Easter egg before manipulating the foil wrapping to show otherwise and replacing it back in the box, with that single little shard of chocolate on my jumper betraying my feining innocence. With that being said it's probably why I would also look to keep Odegaard as well if the right price could be brokered.
thebigbangtheo
Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
 
Posts: 1140
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2017 10:04 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby DiamondGooner » Mon Apr 12, 2021 2:47 pm

theHotHead wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:You guys dismissed the idea of being able to play through the middle the other week!

Would prefer Saka to pay as the 10 but if push came to shove and we need him to play a CM as DLP with Odegaard or ESR ahead as a 10, I wouldn't outright dismiss the idea.

I don't know who dismissed him playing him the middle. Him playing in an offensive capacity would work anywhere across the front line. Him playing as a DLP is an entirely different beast, not least because playing offensive passes is probably not even half of what a DLP does - possibly half at best !! So why would it make sense to play Saka there ???

Saka does his damage in the final third, you can't just pick up a player from there and dump him into the edge of the first third and think it would work. In the same way ESR as a DLP would be a terrible idea. DLPs have a range of passing the best in the entire team. They are also good in tight situations in the middle of the park. We have not seen any extensive range of passing from Saka to suggest he could play there


Agree.

When I initially thought of him in the CAM role I didn't like it because I thought he'd be expected to play like an Odegaard or ESR but yesterday he played more like a Second Striker / WF operating behind the ST and that is fine, just as long as we're not giving up his capacity as an attacker.
Image
User avatar
DiamondGooner
SE13
SE13
 
Posts: 30379
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2012 11:35 am
Location: At the Gucci store

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Power n Glory » Mon Apr 12, 2021 3:00 pm

thebigbangtheo wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:
thebigbangtheo wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:
thebigbangtheo wrote:
Tony Adams wrote:I still think CM next to Partey as a dlp


I too believe that ultimately his best position is most likely to prove to be in central midfield, as not only does he possess the running power, guile, technical ability, vision and intelligence to play the role to the highest standards, more importantly he has the right mentality and selfless attitude to team work. Furthermore, this is also the primary reason why him playing at left back is a waste of his resources in my opinion.

Whilst not for one moment suggesting direct comparisons are warranted, he has elements to his game of a fashion mindful of Steven Gerrard, David Beckham and Robert Pires to ME, but as I've alluded once or twice before, if I was having to liken him to anyone in particular with all sentiment aside, it would be David Rocastle.

That I would still look to best utilise him further forward of central midfield and from the flanks in particular with a view to developing his prowess in front of goal, this should work to enhance his game in preparation for evolving into a midfield kingpin.

The notion of playing alongside Partey has some traction to me too, but more with the Ghanaian as his partner in crime at right CM to Saka's left CM, with a bonafide DM behind them or likes of a Smith-Rowe in front of them at AM. Without getting too carried away, such a personnel could see a rebirth of a midfield diamond behind a front two drawn from Martinelli, Pepe and Balogun.


Agreed but wouldn't mind seeing ESR Partey Saka line up in a 4-3-3 as well.

Shame he got injured but liked his energy. Seemed to have a good partnership with Pepe down that side, kept popping up on the inside of Pepe which gave that extra support and enabled them to one two it down the flank. Opens things up for Chambers overlapping as well. Good to see Partey have someone to play off as well.


Likewise, I'm in agreement with your thoughts on a possible midfield trio of Smith-Rowe, Partey and Saka being workable.

Also glad it was picked up that there was an understanding with Pepe that developed to also encourage a good showing from Chambers at right back as well as offer a bit of liberation for Partey.


That 10 role has been key to some of our better performances. Initially, when we bought Willian I thought Arteta would shift Saka to that 10 role because there was talk of him being able to play there. Hopefully, he gets more games there if ESR isn't fit.

We won't be keeping Ceballos and I don't think we'll be able to keep Odegaard. But I wouldn't be in a hurry to pay whatever Real wants for Ode if Saka or ESR continue to play well. I want us to prioritise the development of Saka and ESR.


Yeah, now having reinstated the '10' role within our team structure, we've seen a more progressive movement forward in transitioning from the more attritional nature of last season's 3-4-3 set-up addressing our functionality issues.

Significantly though, how the role is now played dispenses with the more traditional highly gifted luxury player type from yesteryear like he who shall remain anonymous, for a more robust Swiss army knife hybrid type like a Kevin de Bruyne. A bit like switching from analogue to digital or DVD to Blue-ray I suppose.

The likes of Tierney, Saka, Smith-Rowe, Pepe, Martinelli and the up and coming Azeez, all possess the ability to be proficient in two positions which is another of the strong factors governing why I would like the purchase of Emi Buendia from Norwich added to our mix of midfielders.

According to the missus who thinks she's bloody Columbo, I'm a bit of a greedy bastard after eating a good portion of her Easter egg before manipulating the foil wrapping to show otherwise and replacing it back in the box, with that single little shard of chocolate on my jumper betraying my feining innocence. With that being said it's probably why I would also look to keep Odegaard as well if the right price could be brokered.


Agree. Massive fan of the energy ESR and Saka bring to the role especially. Reminds me of the best of Wengerball. The quick pass and move play. I'm not 100% sure what Willian was supposed to be doing but it looked like he replaced Saka and the energy wasn't there. If we sign anyone else to play the role they have to able replicate that same energy and quick one touch pass and move patterns.
User avatar
Power n Glory
Member of the Year 2022
Member of the Year 2022
 
Posts: 7930
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:02 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Arsenal Tone » Mon Apr 12, 2021 3:07 pm

theHotHead wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:You guys dismissed the idea of being able to play through the middle the other week!

Would prefer Saka to pay as the 10 but if push came to shove and we need him to play a CM as DLP with Odegaard or ESR ahead as a 10, I wouldn't outright dismiss the idea.

I don't know who dismissed him playing him the middle. Him playing in an offensive capacity would work anywhere across the front line. Him playing as a DLP is an entirely different beast, not least because playing offensive passes is probably not even half of what a DLP does - possibly half at best !! So why would it make sense to play Saka there ???

Saka does his damage in the final third, you can't just pick up a player from there and dump him into the edge of the first third and think it would work. In the same way ESR as a DLP would be a terrible idea. DLPs have a range of passing the best in the entire team. They are also good in tight situations in the middle of the park. We have not seen any extensive range of passing from Saka to suggest he could play there


Like Wenger did with Cazorla?
Raya/Ramsdale
White/Tomiyasu--Saliba/Timber--Gabriel/Kiwior--???/Zinchenko
???/Jorginho
Odegaard/Smith Rowe----Rice/???
Saka/Jesus-------------------Martinelli/Trossard
???/Havertz
User avatar
Arsenal Tone
SE13
SE13
 
Posts: 40751
Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2009 7:03 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Power n Glory » Mon Apr 12, 2021 3:22 pm

Tony Adams wrote:
theHotHead wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:You guys dismissed the idea of being able to play through the middle the other week!

Would prefer Saka to pay as the 10 but if push came to shove and we need him to play a CM as DLP with Odegaard or ESR ahead as a 10, I wouldn't outright dismiss the idea.

I don't know who dismissed him playing him the middle. Him playing in an offensive capacity would work anywhere across the front line. Him playing as a DLP is an entirely different beast, not least because playing offensive passes is probably not even half of what a DLP does - possibly half at best !! So why would it make sense to play Saka there ???

Saka does his damage in the final third, you can't just pick up a player from there and dump him into the edge of the first third and think it would work. In the same way ESR as a DLP would be a terrible idea. DLPs have a range of passing the best in the entire team. They are also good in tight situations in the middle of the park. We have not seen any extensive range of passing from Saka to suggest he could play there


Like Wenger did with Cazorla?


Exactly! Another player that could play anywhere and had loads of experience on the wing, as a 10 and then shifting to the CM role later in his career.

Luka Modric is another example. Used to a load of games as left winger in Croatia, then as a 10 to finally settle as CM for Real Madrid.

Saka is a special player. Would definitely like to see if he's able to flourish further up front and turn into a goal/assist machine. He's still young and developing. But if it turns out that he's not quite the goal/assist machine, I see nothing wrong with the CM suggestion.
User avatar
Power n Glory
Member of the Year 2022
Member of the Year 2022
 
Posts: 7930
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:02 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby swipe right » Mon Apr 12, 2021 3:39 pm

Power n Glory wrote:
Tony Adams wrote:
theHotHead wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:You guys dismissed the idea of being able to play through the middle the other week!

Would prefer Saka to pay as the 10 but if push came to shove and we need him to play a CM as DLP with Odegaard or ESR ahead as a 10, I wouldn't outright dismiss the idea.

I don't know who dismissed him playing him the middle. Him playing in an offensive capacity would work anywhere across the front line. Him playing as a DLP is an entirely different beast, not least because playing offensive passes is probably not even half of what a DLP does - possibly half at best !! So why would it make sense to play Saka there ???

Saka does his damage in the final third, you can't just pick up a player from there and dump him into the edge of the first third and think it would work. In the same way ESR as a DLP would be a terrible idea. DLPs have a range of passing the best in the entire team. They are also good in tight situations in the middle of the park. We have not seen any extensive range of passing from Saka to suggest he could play there


Like Wenger did with Cazorla?


Exactly! Another player that could play anywhere and had loads of experience on the wing, as a 10 and then shifting to the CM role later in his career.

Luka Modric is another example. Used to a load of games as left winger in Croatia, then as a 10 to finally settle as CM for Real Madrid.

Saka is a special player. Would definitely like to see if he's able to flourish further up front and turn into a goal/assist machine. He's still young and developing. But if it turns out that he's not quite the goal/assist machine, I see nothing wrong with the CM suggestion.

Sorry to disagree guys. Cazorla, Silva, Modric, KdB these guys moved from CAMs and AMs to 8s because of their reading of the game. Their job was solely to facilitate transition play. Which is to take advantage of the opposition losing possession and being out of position. While Saka is a good player and over the years may be able to develop that vision and creativity he isn’t there yet due to inexperience. Instead he’d be left chasing the game and trying to win the ball back which would be a waste. What we need is a second Partey to operate as a double pivot. Ironically we already have that in Guendozi.
swipe right
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp
 
Posts: 7701
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 5:05 am

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Power n Glory » Mon Apr 12, 2021 3:57 pm

swipe right wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:
Tony Adams wrote:
theHotHead wrote:
Power n Glory wrote:You guys dismissed the idea of being able to play through the middle the other week!

Would prefer Saka to pay as the 10 but if push came to shove and we need him to play a CM as DLP with Odegaard or ESR ahead as a 10, I wouldn't outright dismiss the idea.

I don't know who dismissed him playing him the middle. Him playing in an offensive capacity would work anywhere across the front line. Him playing as a DLP is an entirely different beast, not least because playing offensive passes is probably not even half of what a DLP does - possibly half at best !! So why would it make sense to play Saka there ???

Saka does his damage in the final third, you can't just pick up a player from there and dump him into the edge of the first third and think it would work. In the same way ESR as a DLP would be a terrible idea. DLPs have a range of passing the best in the entire team. They are also good in tight situations in the middle of the park. We have not seen any extensive range of passing from Saka to suggest he could play there


Like Wenger did with Cazorla?


Exactly! Another player that could play anywhere and had loads of experience on the wing, as a 10 and then shifting to the CM role later in his career.

Luka Modric is another example. Used to a load of games as left winger in Croatia, then as a 10 to finally settle as CM for Real Madrid.

Saka is a special player. Would definitely like to see if he's able to flourish further up front and turn into a goal/assist machine. He's still young and developing. But if it turns out that he's not quite the goal/assist machine, I see nothing wrong with the CM suggestion.

Sorry to disagree guys. Cazorla, Silva, Modric, KdB these guys moved from CAMs and AMs to 8s because of their reading of the game. Their job was solely to facilitate transition play. Which is to take advantage of the opposition losing possession and being out of position. While Saka is a good player and over the years may be able to develop that vision and creativity he isn’t there yet due to inexperience. Instead he’d be left chasing the game and trying to win the ball back which would be a waste. What we need is a second Partey to operate as a double pivot. Ironically we already have that in Guendozi.


I agree on Saka's inexperience and we need to stretch his limits further up front. But I wouldn't put a limit on what he can or can't do. So far, wherever he has played, he's done really well including LB. So far, his reading of the game has been spot on and I wouldn't put it past him to adapt to a more traffic heavy role. If you look at Cazorla, he arrived from Malaga playing most games as a LW. He came to us and played as a AM for his first season and then back to LW or RW once Ozil arrived. He filled in at CM and made the role his own because of an injury crisis. That was it. It wasn't because Wenger thought he needed a player with great vision as a DLP. We just needed someone to fill a crisis and it stuck.
User avatar
Power n Glory
Member of the Year 2022
Member of the Year 2022
 
Posts: 7930
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:02 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Ach » Thu Apr 15, 2021 11:03 am

Ach
SE13
SE13
 
Posts: 35622
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2018 11:25 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Zenith » Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:34 am

Image
Image
User avatar
Zenith
Global Moderator
Global Moderator
 
Posts: 38022
Joined: Tue Dec 13, 2011 1:48 pm
Location: Across the North Sea, 200-something miles away from The Grove

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby swipe right » Fri Apr 16, 2021 12:38 am

Saka’s night.
swipe right
Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp
 
Posts: 7701
Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2018 5:05 am

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby thebigbangtheo » Fri Apr 16, 2021 3:37 am

As alluded to during a recent match day discussion with PnG as to why I'd much rather Xhaka at left back than Saka, and thus not sacrifice utilising his talents further forward from more venturous positions at the expense of the Swiss, would be like the difference between an AK-47 to go on a killing spree with compared to using a f***ing Mini-Gun. Well, I dare say Prague got riddled with bullet holes last night.
thebigbangtheo
Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry
 
Posts: 1140
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2017 10:04 pm

Re: Bukayo Saka (7)

Postby Power n Glory » Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:08 am

He's a special player. World class quality and good to see he had his shooting boots on. Definitely prefer him in an attacking role but he's so good and I doubt even playing at LB would stop him.

Really enjoy watching how he works with other players.
User avatar
Power n Glory
Member of the Year 2022
Member of the Year 2022
 
Posts: 7930
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2018 6:02 pm

PreviousNext

Return to Arsenal Talk

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 34 guests