Jeff was good in parts, but he was wasteful and indecisive in the final third. He's not going to be a top level attacker, today just further confirmed that for me. He's not going to be a top level attacker, in my opinion, today just further confirmed that. I reckon he needs to move back into central midfield and really learn the role there. Exceptional touch and balance though.
Willock was another frustrating one. Absolutely ludicrous balance at times, throwing defenders out the stadium, put in some good crosses too, but he just doesn't have it in the final third. Passes at the wrong time, shoots at the wrong time, takes a touch at the wrong time...could be something very special but lots and lots to work on. Impressed with his strength and speed tonight, gonna be a great athlete once he's developed.
Stars of the show really were Bennacer and McGuane in midfield. Superb on the ball and tireless in their running and closing down. Passing was top notch all night, genuinely excellent all round performance from them both.
Bielik was outstanding at the back, stood up to everything they threw at him and none of the silly errors that have been a constant in his game this season.
Rest of the defence was decent too - which is a turn up for an Arsenal youth team. Ben Sheaf, normally a central midfielder, played at right back and was predictably excellent on the ball but also decent in his defensive work. He was up against a highly rated Liverpool kid and he was on top all night. Bola did well next to Bielik at centreback and the kid at left back, Tyrell Robinson, was very good - great cross for the winning goal. Not surprised his crossing was good, there's not much else going on in his game but he has an absolute sledge hammer of a left foot. If Dules were describing him I reckon he'd go with the black Podolski!
Mavididi and Hinds were good. They are decent across the board. Hinds has always had good technique, clever as he is stocky too, but nothing really outstanding to his game. Mavididi similar; good pace, strength, technique but nothing outstanding there. Won the game for us though and how the Liverpool keeper kept out a header Mavididi had that would have made it 3-1 is beyond me.
Next up is Man City in a two legged semi-final. That'll be a big step up from Liverpool and it'll be very interesting to see how they fare. I suspect some of the players will get a little found out. Also partly why I'm annoyed Malen and Nelson got about 10 minutes between them. They're not as physically advanced as Hinds and Mavididi but they're twice as talented and that'll really matter against a top youth side like Man City.
