I might suggest that elneny has been close to our best player

spaceman spiff wrote:

I've seen how this movie ends

Yup. 2-0 loss with two sucker punches after 80 mins.

Elneny is really a different player under Arteta. And because he is more agile he is actually quite the opposite of Xhaka's weaknesses under pressing.

Need to get Nketiah and Pepe on asap.

Oh and Hector is our brightest path forward. Partey great too. I'm only worried about holding

Wilson wrote:

I'm a bit concerned at how exposed 1v1 our CBs are against their CFs. Two yellows at the back make that a concern.

We'll have to sub one of them in the second half for sure, probably Holding because he's the most aggressive one. I'd hold off as long as possible though. As soon as Mustafi steps onto the pitch the game is over for us.

banduan wrote:

Mancs have not been pressing. 2nd half will be a completely different game as I suspect they will suddenly start pressing then. They have more in the tank than us. We'll pay for not making these chances count. Only hope is for subs to create the spark.

I'm mostly worried about our press falling off. Hopefully Arteta makes positive subs early in the second half.

Bellerin has lost pace, but he's much better on the ball. Looks like a good option at rb right now.

Clrnc wrote:

Elneny is really a different player under Arteta.

He was really good under Wenger for a while too. It was mostly under Emery that he stalled.

Kel Varnsen wrote:

Bellerin has lost pace, but he's much better on the ball. Looks like a good option at rb right now.

He's head and shoulders our best RB, usually creates some of our best chances now too.

This game reminds of the 1-0 win with the late Adebayor goal.

Jinx.

Clrnc wrote:

Elneny is really a different player under Arteta. And because he is more agile he is actually quite the opposite of Xhaka's weaknesses under pressing.

Need to get Nketiah and Pepe on asap.

Elneny is doing what no one else does, he runs around looking for the ball. Makes it much easier to play out from the back. Then he moves it on quickly. He doesn't have many strengths but that makes Arteta-ball work.

Elneny plays a lot like Mikel did towards the end of his career. Just there to fill in gaps all day, one touch - two touch max and passes it to an open teammate. No wonder Arteta likes him.

Klaus wrote:

Clrnc wrote:

Elneny is really a different player under Arteta.

He was really good under Wenger for a while too. It was mostly under Emery that he stalled.

Yeah agreed. That period where he and Ospina was good for us in the 2nd half of the season.

He has his weaknesses but it seems like Arteta is giving him instructions to dare to run forward and not just recycle the ball

In an unusual turn of events, our top 2 passing players in a game are central midfielders. Partey and Elneny. Reflective of how we have controlled the game with 53% passing and 59% territory.
This has been very good. We need to keep up the intensity first 15 minutes. Toss on Nketiah. And then Pépé.

spaceman spiff wrote:

Elneny plays a lot like Mikel did towards the end of his career. Just there to fill in gaps all day, one touch - two touch max and passes it to an open teammate. No wonder Arteta likes him.

Lacks Artetas defensive ability and nous though. And long shooting and penalty taking. Has great hair though.

goon wrote:

Good news is we have a couple of good options on the bench in the form of Pepe and Ceballos.

Think Eddie could trouble this defence too.

But I still fear that we'll lose, and all the good performances will be forgotten. Need to score first in the second half.