Thomas Partey (5)

[theHotHead]

That would leave us way too open with ESR and Odegaard bombing forward.

If he plays Xhaka as the DM, yeah it will leave us a bit exposed but for some reason he's first choice. But being so conservative hasn't served us well. We concede anyway and don't have the attack to strike back. Also, all three in midfield should still have to work hard to defend. If Arteta says 4-3-3 is what he wants to play, he might as well teach them now instead of trying to readjust next season.

If you want someone to screen the defence it has to be Elneny, not Xhaka.

[theHotHead]

That would leave us way too open with ESR and Odegaard bombing forward.

If he plays Xhaka as the DM, yeah it will leave us a bit exposed but for some reason he's first choice. But being so conservative hasn't served us well. We concede anyway and don't have the attack to strike back. Also, all three in midfield should still have to work hard to defend. If Arteta says 4-3-3 is what he wants to play, he might as well teach them now instead of trying to readjust next season.

I think you're being dishonest in terms of us conceding, you're making it sound like we're wide open at the back like we were in the Wenger days which is not true. We've got the joint third best defence in the league this season and that's with our worst start in 40 years.

In terms of Xhaka, I think it's a case of not having much of a choice really. Elneny was given a chance alongside Partey but didn't take it, Ceballos is pretty useless. So it comes back to Xhaka. I think Mikel's aware that we need to find a partner for Partey, we were linked to Buendia in January so that's a good sign.

Oh really ?? According to Whoscored:
2020-21 (Arteta). We are averaging 11.6 shots conceded per game, puts us 10th for shots conceded.
2018-19 (Emery). We averaged 13.1 shots conceded per game, put us 10th for shots conceded.
2017-18 (Shit Wenger). We averaged 11.1 shots conceded per game, put us 6th for shots conceded.

"Like we were back in the Wenger days" he said, the shittest version of Wenger conceded less shots on goal than Arteta does, with his tightened up defence

[theHotHead]

In fact I will take it a step further, also taken from whoscored:

Arsenal's defensive rating (which takes into account shots conceded, tackles, interceptions, offsides and fouls):
2020-21. Rating 6.66, 13th place (Arteta)
2018-19. Rating 6.79, 5th place (Emery)
2017-18. Rating 6.92, 6th place (Wenger)

So much for us being better defensively. Interestingly, taken from the Premier League website:
2020-21. Number of saves so far 63, blocked shots 65, tackles 278.
2018-19. Number of saves 133, blocked shots 128, tackles 609.
2017-18. Number of saves 100, blocked shots 162, tackles 623.

The second lot of stats concur with the first, they tell us that more shots were blocked and more tackles were made by Emery and Wenger's teams, also that fewer saves were made by Wenger's team.

[Ach]

Here's another stat

We are tenth atm and possibly lower after games in hands are played.

N

[KG3]

Read somewhere that Partey has only completed four 90 minute games in all comps since joining

[Power n Glory]

That would leave us way too open with ESR and Odegaard bombing forward.

If he plays Xhaka as the DM, yeah it will leave us a bit exposed but for some reason he's first choice. But being so conservative hasn't served us well. We concede anyway and don't have the attack to strike back. Also, all three in midfield should still have to work hard to defend. If Arteta says 4-3-3 is what he wants to play, he might as well teach them now instead of trying to readjust next season.

If you want someone to screen the defence it has to be Elneny, not Xhaka.

That would be my preference as well for our remaining games. But you know Xhaka is the teachers favorite.

[Highbury Hillbilly]

Read somewhere that Partey has only completed four 90 minute games in all comps since joining

Sounds about right. All this pap about "our best midfielder" is incredibly premature. He's still developing a rhythm with the team.

[Arsenal Tone]

That would leave us way too open with ESR and Odegaard bombing forward.

If he plays Xhaka as the DM, yeah it will leave us a bit exposed but for some reason he's first choice. But being so conservative hasn't served us well. We concede anyway and don't have the attack to strike back. Also, all three in midfield should still have to work hard to defend. If Arteta says 4-3-3 is what he wants to play, he might as well teach them now instead of trying to readjust next season.

If you want someone to screen the defence it has to be Elneny, not Xhaka.

That would be my preference as well for our remaining games. But you know Xhaka is the teachers favorite.

Is luiz still suspended or could he sit in front of the defence with esr and ode in front of him?

[Ach]

He's not suspended but he can't sit in front of the defence with those 2 in front

[Power n Glory]

That would leave us way too open with ESR and Odegaard bombing forward.

If he plays Xhaka as the DM, yeah it will leave us a bit exposed but for some reason he's first choice. But being so conservative hasn't served us well. We concede anyway and don't have the attack to strike back. Also, all three in midfield should still have to work hard to defend. If Arteta says 4-3-3 is what he wants to play, he might as well teach them now instead of trying to readjust next season.

If you want someone to screen the defence it has to be Elneny, not Xhaka.

That would be my preference as well for our remaining games. But you know Xhaka is the teachers favorite.

Is luiz still suspended or could he sit in front of the defence with esr and ode in front of him?

Wouldn't mind seeing it but you just know that it won't happen unless we have an injury crisis.

[theHotHead]

That would leave us way too open with ESR and Odegaard bombing forward.

If he plays Xhaka as the DM, yeah it will leave us a bit exposed but for some reason he's first choice. But being so conservative hasn't served us well. We concede anyway and don't have the attack to strike back. Also, all three in midfield should still have to work hard to defend. If Arteta says 4-3-3 is what he wants to play, he might as well teach them now instead of trying to readjust next season.

If you want someone to screen the defence it has to be Elneny, not Xhaka.

That would be my preference as well for our remaining games. But you know Xhaka is the teachers favorite.

Is luiz still suspended or could he sit in front of the defence with esr and ode in front of him?

Wouldn't mind seeing it but you just know that it won't happen unless we have an injury crisis.

[EliteKiller]

Very odd reports, he's not injured and will be available this weekend, he asked to come off after feeling 'strange' leg sensations ... is this 'hard man' image deserved? Sounds a lot like he needs to toughen up and just get down to some hard work.

[Ach]

Out for the weekend and probably longer with a muscular injury

Time to let him go

[dc16]

Probably his best match. Thought he had some great moments.

Although he was a bit shaky at the end there, everyone else was crapping themselves at that point as well.

[Power n Glory]

Some real moments of quality from him. He'll get even better with a run of games.