Sicario2 - Tier 1
Yeah, so while a lot of criticism is levied at Arteta, I actually like that you have called this out. Partey has really stepped out and is delivering at a very high level. And we suffered when he had to be redeployed to right back.
Which brings me to Rice. We acquired this guy for 100m pounds. When the team loses its 2 best players, it's the 100m pound I expect to step up and look a bit more like peak Stevie G, demanding the ball, dictating play, running at opponents. That for me has been the biggest disappointment in this process. If Rice was playing at the Partey level, nobody would be crying for Nwaneri.
I'm a big believer that football is a strong-link sport, and have said this often. You don't build quality through depth. You get it from having a core of great players. Players the opposition cannot live with. If those guys are injured or out of form, that's where things fall apart. Nobody misses Nelson when he's injured. But injuries, red cards, and bad form from Saka, Odegaard, Saliba, and Rice is a recipe for disaster.
