Coombs wrote:

We really need to play with 3 midfielders, and/or the wide men need to attack the box more (and earlier). When the striker drops into midfield the space need to be attacked so much earlier, and we need a player who can release the runners. Dani and Tom make the most sense to me as a midfield pairing, if we're sticking with this 442/343 thing.

Agree with this.
The striker dropping back would work if he was turning and feeding the other forwards. But he is sending the ball back into the other two midfielders who then keep it. So dynamic has to change.

I’d try Ceballos or Willian at the top. See which one of them can distribute out better from there. Between them, Partey and the centre backs, we should hopefully have enough vertical passing and movement. And then we can figure where we want Auba, 7 or 9.

If we're playing with a midfield 3 then I see no reason to retain the false9/DLF role at CF, and would prefer the CF to play closer to goal to open space for the midfield to push up into without having the CF drawing defenders into the same area. Even if there isn't space behind the defenders to exploit IMO PEA is best utiised when he is in and around the area - regardless of starting position. Similarly when there is space he doesn't have to start/stay central if playing as CF provided we are not playing a linking role at CF.

I also wonder if Arteta is waiting for Martinelli to return to then be able to play PEA at CF.
This would give Arteta options of having a creative/assist styled player (Saka/Willian) and a WF/goal scorer (Martinelli/Pepe) for each flank. I found it interesting he tried Nketiah in a wide role on the left v Rapid Wein midweek.

I think because of the circumstances of this season, the lack of fans and the lack of much rest there is a real prospect of an unusual final table. This may allow a team who you wouldn't normally expect to have a chance of a higher finish. One of those seasons we seen to get every now and then where the level of the current dominant top sides drops.

I think Arteta needs to be trying to press that opportunity if there this year.

Anzac wrote:

I also wonder if Arteta is waiting for Martinelli to return to then be able to play PEA at CF.

Methinks when Martinelli returns he'll play CF.

I don't know, Arteta has never shown any indication that he thinks of Martinelli as a centreforward. Martinelli himself says he's a left winger too. Definitely think he's the Auba replacement in a few years, even if he's not a like for like player.

I'd love to see Martinelli, Auba and Saka as the front three at some stage this season. I think that attack has a bit of everything.

He does apparently prefer the wing, but if you simply look at his skillset I think he's a better fit for a striker than a winger. It doesn't really matter where he plays for the next couple of years though, as long as he gets his minutes.

awooga83 wrote:

I think because of the circumstances of this season, the lack of fans and the lack of much rest there is a real prospect of an unusual final table. This may allow a team who you wouldn't normally expect to have a chance of a higher finish. One of those seasons we seen to get every now and then where the level of the current dominant top sides drops.

I think Arteta needs to be trying to press that opportunity if there this year.

Let’s pray. Today is a good chance to state his case. Arteta is already building a decent defensive base. If he he can construct a half decent attack before Christmas, he stands a chance.

fuck him.

Curse of Mesut on him

Meatwad wrote:

fuck him.

What is this nonsense

It was always going to be the next phase that would paint a better picture of him as a coach. He did well to revive us from being flat on the canvas, helped by some astonishing finishing from aubameyang. Without that he has find another way to get us rolling forward or we'll be quickly seeing this as another season wherw we're content to eke out europa league football

He needs to stop playing players that keep letting him down - that’s on him.

He needs to be more decisive with subs.

He needs to completely rest 60/70 per cent of the team for Europa, we got a shit easy group, we don’t need to treat it so seriously. We can’t play practically the same team twice in 4 days.

He needs to play players in their right positions.

Gazza M wrote:

It was always going to be the next phase that would paint a better picture of him as a coach. He did well to revive us from being flat on the canvas, helped by some astonishing finishing from aubameyang. Without that he has find another way to get us rolling forward or we'll be quickly seeing this as another season wherw we're content to eke out europa league football

Agree, we are well into his time now and a period to show what his management is about. He has to show what's next from getting a difficult to beat side and to make us a threat as well. Most opposition know that Aubameyang is the only real danger so if you snuff him out or his form isn't at it there isn't much else in the team. He has to work out a way to get us to threaten from somewhere else.

If you hire a manager who’s never managed before part of that involves bearing with his evolution and mistakes he will make along the way. I’ve been critical of him in the last few games but I trust him to get it right. There’s no denying though that we’re one of the least creative teams in the league right now and it’s a problem he needs to fix sharpish because it will cost us points if not. We will suffer a lot of draws and smash and grabs if we don’t.

It is disappointing. The football is just so bad, so bad. I would have taken 9 points from 6 at the start of the season if the football was encouraging but it has not been and that's the kicker. I know we have been so resolute defensively but at what cost? The style of football we're playing is acceptable only if we're winning and that's not the case at the moment. Three wins in six in the league playing the way we have is painful.

I hope he has another gear in him because I want him to succeed but I don't think I'll tune in next week. It has been a rough year and to be made to sit through 90 minutes of turgid football is really taking a toll. It is not healthy for me and I hate it. I wish football and Arsenal did not mean as much to me as it does but as it stands it is just another thing in my life that doesn't work.

Sicario wrote:

He needs to stop playing players that keep letting him down - that’s on him.

Here's the problem with that: the list of those players is long...

In CF we have Laca and Nketiah. Wings we have Pepe and Willian.

That said, Nelson's omission from the squad is looking less reasonable by the minute.

I was watching Juve play after our match, another team who looked similarly terrible and disorganized under their new manager. They scored a worldie from Kulusevski to salvage a draw, but the difference in attacking intent and risk taking is stark.

We don't pour players forward when chasing a goal. We pass it far too safe 99% of the time. Even when there are obvious players open in a offensive position we always choose to pass it back. Pass it to the guy who can turn his marker and flick away for a 1-2 and we are in a good position. I noticed this time and time again every match under Arteta. It's definitely by design to decrease 1 touch football and play it safe. There's literally zero attacking patterns.

And playing 3 CMs are supposed to make you defensively extremely solid so your wide man could concentrate mostly on attacking but both of them spend more time chasing shadows instead. It's just weird.