Put Auba up top and Odegaard wide. Though on current form I don’t think you can drop Pepe.
Official: Mikel Arteta is the new Arsenal manager.
I reckon that's our best bet as well. Do we know more about Saka? Wouldn't mind Pépé and Ødegaard out wide next match if Saka is still injured.
Don’t think there are any nailed on starters except for Leno, Tierney, Partey, Saka.
Been thinking that if we can successfully change from the 343 to an effective 4231 mid-season, then we can also do so going from the 4231 to Arteta's preferred 433.
IMO it could give us even greater flexibility and cover regarding starting selections, balance and roles in a 'horses for courses' capability.
Forwards
Stikers = PEA, Laca, Pepe, Martinelli;
Creative/winger = Saka, MO, ESR, Willian;
Midfield
#8/10 = ESR, MO, Saka, Ceballos, Willian;
#8 = Partey, Saka, Xhaka, Ceballos, Willock, AMN, Elneny;
#6 = Partey, Xhaka, Elneny, AMN, Chambers.
Ray wrote:Don’t think there are any nailed on starters except for Leno, Tierney, Partey, Saka.
Tempted to add Holding, ESR & Lacazette to that list of names based upon recent form - regardless of shape.
https://www.football365.com/news/january-2021-premier-league-transfer-window-the-winners-liverpool
Mikel Arteta
Little over six weeks have passed since reports emerged of the ‘toxic’ atmosphere that had engulfed Arsenal’s dressing room. It was the Daily Mirror who claimed that the ‘large group of players’ Mikel Arteta presided over was creating problems, with ‘some’ said to be ‘unhappy’ at the ostracisation of ‘big characters and personalities’, Mesut Ozil and Sokratis in particular.
There has been an obvious revival in terms of results since. Their 2-1 loss to Everton came the day before that story was published, their seventh winless Premier League game in succession. They have now gone as many consecutive league matches unbeaten. It might be pure coincidence, perhaps the quirk of a kinder list of fixtures, but it is interesting to note that the upturn in form has come when those squad issues were cut off at the source.
Mesut Ozil has left for Fenerbahce. His last appearance for the Gunners may have been in March but he cast an undeniable and foreboding cloud over the team. That distraction is gone. So, too, Sokratis, a popular figure thus one whose continued exclusion posed obvious issues. The same can be said for Shkodran Mustafi and Sead Kolasinac. Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles might not have been disruptive behind the scenes but their loans further reduce the risk of disharmony in a healing squad, while giving both Premier League experience. And as regrettable and frustrating as it has been to see William Saliba’s career stall in north London, he and Arsenal both benefit from this temporary separation with a view to a fresh start in the summer.
Even before assessing the shrewd, risk-free arrivals of Mathew Ryan to bolster their goalkeeping options and Martin Odegaard as an exciting creative option, Arsenal have overseen a necessary squad refresh. Those ‘factions’ that were developing under Arteta have become fiction, and further proof that he has full backing from the board.
3 years later
Gonna check this interview out in full but an interesting little clip there.
Went back to the first page to review reactions when he became our manager back in 2019. He has blown my expectations out of the water. I really had nothing to judge him on initially and was very wary as to whether he could indeed be the one to bring us back to the level where we are constantly in the mix and challenging for top honors.
Today I have no doubt that he was a great choice, and with a bit of luck, we will end up champions again pretty soon. He is the real deal. Still learning, but he is growing and adapting fast, and that in itself is a fantastic attribute. Next season will likely bring us the final iteration and completion of the team he has been building these past 5 years. Hope we do it this season, but happy to go another 5 years under him if not.
As an old member of this community once posted:
“MA…
MAGA!”
We are well on our way. Great job and kudos to Mikel and his team.
JazzG I'm strangely optimistic about this one, we should have signed him 1.5 years ago but better late than never. I'm sure that 1.5 years more under Pep has done him a lot of good as well.
I hope we back him to overhaul the squad because this squad simply isn't up to the required level. Saying that even with what we have we should be doing much better.
Went back to check my view, got this one right.....I think!
Interesting that two of the best young managers around at the moment both got relatively high profile jobs from the get go and both us and Leverkusen are reaping rewards from that decision (Sociedad B don’t count).
Both were highly rated within the game before taking those jobs too.
I think a lot of clubs are starting to realise that the man is far more important than the CV.
goon I think a lot of clubs are starting to realise that the man is far more important than the CV.
There's been a change in the detailed knowledge managers need to have to compete in recent years. This year it's gotten to the part of the hype curve where it feels like a step change, with a number of the apparent old guard being cleared out, and a number of younger coaches seemingly found out as well.
There was a decent report on the hot competition in the "manager transfer market" on the Athletic the other day, with various clubs sniffing around the possibility of poaching McKenna the latest example. Klopp's departure is perhaps half an admission his advantages are becoming relatively more marginal.
Arsenal has been lucky, savvy or both to appoint a manager whose tactical approach is so fit for the times, as well as one with a stubborn personality capable of pushing through his agenda with the right backing.
Is it just a reflection of what's going on in the player market right now? Clubs have more and more data at their fingertips, it's difficult to get an advantage on recruiting the next big thing so boards are more willing to take gambles on unproven talent.
11 days later
Need to get this sorted asap, deserves to be one of the best paid managers in the league.
8 days later
Didn't know where to post this, but think this is probably the right place. Enjoy!
That is eew.
Top one's our everything.