Clrnc wrote:

Mirth wrote:

Fundamentally this squad is the vision of 3 managers and 3 CEOS - of course it's a disjointed mess. We're going to have to clear it out over successive transfer windows and not make anymore mistakes.

We have a squad of 9 CBs, 3 RBs and 1 LBs when Kolasinac is sold. It's hilarious.

And a sad midfield. Feels like sabotage 

Mirth wrote:

goon wrote:

Both side of the argument are right. Arteta needs more, but he also needs to deliver more with whatever he ends up with, not least the £70m man he's leaving on the bench every week.

Not sure he should pick a player just because he's worth £70m. The man accountable for the Pepe transfer was asked to leave the club.

Fundamentally this squad is the vision of 3 managers and 3 CEOS - of course it's a disjointed mess. We're going to have to clear it out over successive transfer windows and not make anymore mistakes.

I think he sort of does, not just because of the price tag, but because he's definitely one of the few genuinely talented players in the squad.

He's not at City where he can just wash his hands of him and say he didn't sign him so it's not his problem, the clubs needs Pepe to be a good signing even if not one that's value for money.

To be fair to Arteta, I don't think he's washing his hand of Pepe so much as trying to mould him, but sooner or later he needs to get him to deliver.

the center backs just kept getting hurt, making it hard to sell injured players and then you need replacements.

Klaus wrote:

Mirth wrote:

Yeah, because we'd concede 20 shots on target to the likes of Watford every week.

Well we've created the second least shots on goal this Premier League season so far. We're playing the only side that has been worse than us in that regard tomorrow. As good a time as any to adjust those depressing stats I reckon.

We need to make a statement tomorrow. At the moment its looking like our easiest league game until the middle of December.

goon wrote:

Mirth wrote:

Not sure he should pick a player just because he's worth £70m. The man accountable for the Pepe transfer was asked to leave the club.

Fundamentally this squad is the vision of 3 managers and 3 CEOS - of course it's a disjointed mess. We're going to have to clear it out over successive transfer windows and not make anymore mistakes.

I think he sort of does, not just because of the price tag, but because he's definitely one of the few genuinely talented players in the squad.

He's not at City where he can just wash his hands of him and say he didn't sign him so it's not his problem, the clubs needs Pepe to be a good signing even if not one that's value for money.

To be fair to Arteta, I don't think he's washing his hand of Pepe so much as trying to mould him, but sooner or later he needs to get him to deliver.

Yeah, I do think Arteta needs to ultimately work with him and get the most he can.

However personally I don't think Pepe is that talented.

I think generally Arteta has done an ok job in spite of a horrible squad. He has introduced a certain defensive structure and several players seem to play with a bit more confidence - although that might be the lack of crowds.. But he has also made some really odd team selections. Gabriel is obviously our best cb and Ceballos is obviously our best cm, and both were benched against Liverpool. Truly bizarre. Saka should also get a bigger role in the team.

Mirth wrote:

However personally I don't think Pepe is that talented.

Easily better than the alternatives. Problem is we've got the only 3 players who can actually play ball competing for that right wing position while filling out the rest of the XI with grafters. In the ideal world Pepe, Willian and Saka all start.

Kel Varnsen wrote:

I think generally Arteta has done an ok job in spite of a horrible squad. He has introduced a certain defensive structure and several players seem to play with a bit more confidence - although that might be the lack of crowds.. But he has also made some really odd team selections. Gabriel is obviously our best cb and Ceballos is obviously our best cm, and both were benched against Liverpool. Truly bizarre. Saka should also get a bigger role in the team.

Correct. I hope his lineup makes sense tomorrow.

Weekends results spooked me a bit. Happy to stick with 5 defenders until mikel gets the players he wants  :john:

Gazza M wrote:

Weekends results spooked me a bit. Happy to stick with 5 defenders until mikel gets the players he wants  :john:

I think the lack of a genuine #2 CB is what is having us retain the back3 atm, as Luiz is exposed in a back2.

That said I'd still consider changing formation to a 4231 against teams that will allow us to play, and retain the 343 for those teams that are expected to want the ball themselves.

If Arteta likes what he saw yesterday and decides that this 4231 is something to keep, what are the implications for our squad?

That line of 3 would have the following starters?
RW - Pépé
LW - Saka
10 - Willy

Does that open more opportunities for Nelson? Would Willock be used as Pépé relief? Who else plays in this set up? And what does it mean for Lacazette / Nketiah? And is the formation something he only uses against lesser clubs?

Claudius wrote:

If Arteta likes what he saw yesterday and decides that this 4231 is something to keep, what are the implications for our squad?

That line of 3 would have the following starters?
RW - Pépé
LW - Saka
10 - Willy

Does that open more opportunities for Nelson? Would Willock be used as Pépé relief? Who else plays in this set up? And what does it mean for Lacazette / Nketiah? And is the formation something he only uses against lesser clubs?

I think Laca and Eddie have to fight for their spot, at least till the Jan window. Are either really doing enough to be a guaranteed starter?

The flip side is there should be more room for Nelson, Willock and ESR assuming none leave today. In fact those 3 in behind Eddie or Laca against City in the league cup would be interesting. They can get used to it in the EL games.

Good formation for when Martinelli returns too

Agree with you. Neither of them have elevated themselves. Lacazette has really lost something since that injury last summer. He’s absolutely not the same player. Feel bad for him. All he does is drop back and bounce balls back into into midfield. You look at Firmino orchestrating and see that a less talented but smarter player is doing that pivot role much better. Or even the playmaking that Kane is doing now.

On Eddie: if we aren’t controlling possession and spending lots of time on the opposition box, I’m not sure how he’s going to shine. He has a lot to work on but it’s early days.

I think Eddie is a good counter attacking player too but we rarely get that room to exploit.

I think they are both valuable squad players though, I just think they're slightly outside the first XI for me.

IMO just about everything goes out the window with the signing of Partey - he changes our dynamics in both attack and defence in addition to providing options in terms of shape and roles.

I genuinely have no idea how Arteta is going to line up when it all gets going, in a good way. I'm excited.

Coombs wrote:

I genuinely have no idea how Arteta is going to line up when it all gets going, in a good way. I'm excited.

Point being Partey in midfield opens up so many opportunities as we no longer have to compromise in either selections or roles.  

With him we can now provide a midfield that is balanced and fit for purpose on merit.  The signing of any other CMs is now about either improving the quality in the other positions/roles, and/or investing to the future.  

I'm excited about the prospects of our attacking play with the handbrake off knowing the midfield has the cover defence in hand either through the middle or down the flanks.

The starting XI isn't finished as yet but we are a very big step closer.

If we're playing five at the back, it has be him and Xhaka with Xhaka subbing for Dani.

If we're playing 4 at the back, it has be him and Xhaka and Dani. Other options are a downgrade.

Does it get more complicated than that? Unless we think Arteta is going to go with 4-2-3-1 and have someone more advanced as a CAM. Even then it'll be Dani or Saka or maybe at worst Willian there.