I think these first two games more than anything should have shown people that we don't need a dedicated defensive specialist in our midfield. Just 3 really good all action players.

No. We have been rubbish going forward and we have been rubbish defensively in midfield.

We haven't been rubbish defensively in midfield.

Ricky1985 wrote:

We were against Sunderland.

For about 20 minutes. After that we were fine, and all day today.

Captain wrote:

No. We have been rubbish going forward and we have been rubbish defensively in midfield.

Until we start concede goals this season, that statement his invalid

In what world?

The midfield parts like the red sea; the fact that we have played two sets of smudgers without an attacking interest amongst them doesn't change that.

Either Arteta or Diaby has been in central midfield ALL the time.
Also, you know as well as I do that we usually concede to both Sunderland and Stoke away. Stoke didn't threaten us once today. Hasn't happened before.

I think our overall shape defensively has been a big improvement from last season. We've generally pressed pretty well too.

Arteta holds it all together though. Without him we have problems.

I'm more worried by our attacking three than the midfield three

Captain wrote:

In what world?

The midfield parts like the red sea; the fact that we have played two sets of smudgers without an attacking interest amongst them doesn't change that.

So it's been rubbish because they've failed to stop theoretical attacks?

timBO! wrote:

I think our overall shape defensively has been a big improvement from last season. We've generally pressed pretty well too.

Arteta holds it all together though. Without him we have problems.

Arteta isn't doing anything differently from what he did last year. The only difference really is Diaby for Song - and we look better for it as a team. Defensively anyway...

In the two games we have played this season we have never been caught out of position. Our goal has not been threaten once so far.

Sure Sunderland play defensive but they never threaten us. Last season we would have thrown the kitchen sink to score against Sunderland and get sucker punch on the counter. We have played very discipline so far and have kept our shape. Stoke not even threaten us Vito Mannone wasn't even call into action against them

otfgoon wrote:
Captain wrote:

In what world?

The midfield parts like the red sea; the fact that we have played two sets of smudgers without an attacking interest amongst them doesn't change that.

So it's been rubbish because they've failed to stop theoretical attacks?

It's been rubbish because as soon as the opposition turns it up, the midfield becomes non-existent. 😐

Captain wrote:
otfgoon wrote:

So it's been rubbish because they've failed to stop theoretical attacks?

It's been rubbish because as soon as the opposition turns it up, the midfield becomes non-existent. 😐

I didn't know you have a crystal ball to see into the future.

I don't. I watched the game today and last week; amazing, I know.

Captain wrote:
otfgoon wrote:

So it's been rubbish because they've failed to stop theoretical attacks?

It's been rubbish because as soon as the opposition turns it up, the midfield becomes non-existent. 😐

In what way? As in they don't press?

Perhaps I'm looking at it too simplistically but Stoke failed to create anything that was even remotely half a chance through the midfield. I can't remember an occasion where they got any joy at all in that area.

The only area where I thought we didn't do well defensively is pressing further up the pitch which Cazorla, Podolski, Giroud and Gervinho were responsible for.

Not sure why you've quoted me Rexy.

I agree with you that we look better defensively, more organised with better shape. But Arteta is absolutely key to making it work, and we have nobody else who can do that job.