Also playing at leftback, left wing and 8 is not as disruptive as some might make it out to be.
What was disruptive was playing him out at right wing though as he was clearly uncomfortable against City. He didn’t know how to come in to be effective or to cross. It was a bloodclot. He looked good Saturday at 8. We just fucked up another decent start. He hits the bar. He’s half a foot on putting Auba through on goal etc. So fine margins here.

What I do find interesting though is his pass map. It is completely against and along the flank. There is one cross-field ball to Pépé and none out right to Ceballos. His biggest combination was to Aubameyang and vice-versa (6 each). He also linked with Holding, Guendouzi and Kola. There is one Saka to Ceballos where Ceballos goes wide left of Saka. That’s the only link up between our 2 attacking midfielders all game!

Ceballos In contrast is much more mobile on the other tip of the V. Moves all over the park and passes everywhere. Many more cross-field balls. In the process, he neglects Pépé and gives him only two passes, both successful. This is part of why Pépé looks so bad. 5 passes from Bellerin and 2 from Pépé isn’t feeding the beast to Coombs’ point.

Perhaps we create a team similar to Dortmund's 3-4-3? With the the two wider centebacks a cross between a traditonal CB and FB. It would sure suit the players we have and, in particular, the young players we have.

Something like:

Chambers--Saliba--Tierney
Nelson----Guendouzi----Partey*----Saka
Pépé--Auba--Martinelli

*make believe is fun.

Did Saka really play LB in the academy? I remember before he emerged people were constantly clamouring for a LB to come through and none were even remotely close, think the last one was that 5'5 midget with the barrel name who left already I think.

It was confirmed by an academy coach if I remember, but it isn't really the point. Guys like Bale, Cole, and Wan-Bissaka demonstrate it's not about what you think you are, but what you can offer a team on the pitch. These kids all want to be Wingers, AMs, and Strikers, but it's not FUT. Saka could be a left-sided Dani Alves or work his way up the pitch in 4 or 5 years. Now he's just another little boy lost in an Arsenal wasteland.

I know it's not the point, agree with the rest of your post too but I'd never heard him playing LB unless it was in like the U15s. I don't count Pepe as a potential goalie either

jones wrote:

I know it's not the point, agree with the rest of your post too but I'd never heard him playing LB unless it was in like the U15s. I don't count Pepe as a potential goalie either

You never know. Could come in handy like the time Leeds captain Lucas Radebe spent most of the game in goal. He acquitted himself well and was only beaten by a late Keane winner that he got his fingers to. The way our injuries and cards are piling up, Pépé should stay ready

jones wrote:

I know it's not the point, agree with the rest of your post too but I'd never heard him playing LB unless it was in like the U15s. I don't count Pepe as a potential goalie either

Arsenal tried him there for a bit in the U18s and then again in the U23s, but I don't think he was impressed. He has played left back quite a lot for the England youth sides though; more often than not whenever I have kept an eye on it.

In some rare good news, it sounds like Saka is indeed close to a new deal.

goon wrote:

In some rare good news, it sounds like Saka is indeed close to a new deal.

Homesteak, you need to report more stuff like this. Fewer injuries.
Very good!!

I saw something before the Brighton game with Arteta saying a deal had been very close just before the season was suspended.

Claudius wrote:
goon wrote:

In some rare good news, it sounds like Saka is indeed close to a new deal.

Homesteak, you need to report more stuff like this. Fewer injuries.
Very good!!

😆

Bukayo Saka is close to agreeing a new Arsenal contract. Sportsmail understands only a few small details now need to be finalised before teenager Saka's long-term future at Arsenal is secured.
Arsenal have been in talks over a new deal for versatile Saka for some time now and he is now close to agreeing a new contract despite strong interest from Liverpool.[
@MailSport]

'Everything is going to be done very shortly' - Saka set for new Arsenal deal, says Arteta

https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/saka-set-for-new-arsenal-deal-arteta/je9d2gl4i0rj10hca9r0in0er

One less headache. Now onto the other 20

Biggest signing well make this summer.

This shit had better pay off. The next time Kia has a Tevez-Mascherano double-combo we need to get first dibs.

Arteta on Saka: "He has a manager that has total belief in him and a club that totally support him. He has team-mates that adore him. It is in his hands [if he stays]. The maturity that he shows on the pitch is really good."

After the game, not sounding as good. Or is it just me?

That's really not sounding good at all. Hes not even hopefull.

If you were Saka, why would you stay? He surely has a bunch of suitors that are doing much better than we are footballistically and financially speaking. And with our general injury record...