ESR return - update - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

ESR return - update

Kel Varnsen

Terrific player. Good to have him back. If he's physically back to his old self, then I'd expect even better things from him going forward. Good players tend to thrive even more when playing in a well functioning side.

KingslandBarge

Amazing player who was just getting started. We’re so lucky to have him but just hope he’s over the groin issues and better conditioned all around. Missed 3 months from a hamstring injury in his breakout season too so we need to be careful with his career.

Burnwinter

Pepe LeFrits Half forgotten those deceptively smooth, long strides with the ball at feet. Even when he strikes he tends to look like he's passing it.

HomeSteak

Do you guys think that one day he can play that Xhaka role for us?

goon

HomeSteak I think he's perfect for it in theory, he has the right qualities and more when you compare him to Xhaka. He's struggled in the past when tested there but I'm really curious to see him now that we have a functioning side with the likes of Partey and Zinchenko in there freeing him up to push forward and putting less emphasis on playmaking when it comes to the left 8 role.

The one thing he lacks in comparison to Xhaka is the pressing intensity. He's pretty good at cutting out passing lanes but not so sure if he's switched on enough for the secondary press (after the forward line). But you can work on this in games against teams who are less likely to break through the press.

Coombs

goon The one thing he lacks in comparison to Xhaka is the pressing intensity.

He's got nowhere near the passing range or ability yet. Much more of a ball carrier. We'd have to adjust significantly.

RocktheCasbah

Worth remembering, he's only 22 with 85 appearances in the bank for us - so lots of room and time for him to develop. We may well have ended up with a different result against Newcastle had it been Emile in the position Granit found himself in early on.

Was just looking at Emile's goals record and he's only scored 4 less (21) than Bukayo (25) despite 40 appearances fewer. So what we might lose defensively, we'd make up in an attacking sense. Although I do wonder about the physical demands of the role given that Emile has proved a little fragile.

It'd be very timely to have him back now.

goon

Just noticed Arteta mention 'left attacking mid' as one of the positions he can play in the most recent press conference, in fact it was the first position he mentioned.

Pepe LeFrits

He actually first said attacking midfield or winger, then asked if he could replace Odegaard, he said he could or could play left attacking midfield.

He'll start tonight I expect.

Qwiss

I really hope they've fixed him this time. He's a game changer if he can stay fit.

Big Willie

Qwiss For real. Easily up there with Saka and Martinelli in terms of potential. Just hope his career doesn't turn into one of those "what could have been" ones.

RocktheCasbah

Big Willie Fingers crossed the length of time his rehab and return to training has taken means he is now completely free of issues - I know from my own experience (albeit without a crack team of medical professionals around me), groins can be very tricky things to manage once, er, breached.

Big Willie

RocktheCasbah yeah I know what you mean. Had a groin/hip injury back in 2015 that took a few years to get fully over, every time I stepped onto the pitch and tried a couple instep shots I felt it. Although that could be explained by me stopping football during that time aside from a random kick about once every 9/10 months or so.

QuincyAbeyie

Interesting that he says the surgery was for an injury that has plagued him for the last 3-4 years - wasn't aware that it was always (/often) the same injury. Gives you hope that he might not actually be that injury prone and that he's over it now.

est

Really hope that he's over his injury woes and back to his best soon.

One of my favourite players in the squad. His dribbling and ball carrying prowess gets talked about a lot, but his quick one touch passing in congested areas and the creativity to inject pace and movement into the attack by showing for the ball, playing it one touch and turning to make a run is often overshadowed.(5.22 in the video 😍 ) Not to mention that he looked to be developing a killer-instinct in the final third as well.

Last season there was a spell when he was basically carrying us. I can't wait to see him at that level again, but this time knocking it about with much improved Odegaard and Xhaka and more consistent Saka and Martinelli/Jesus/Eddie, while the likes of Zinchenko, Partey and White are offering support from behind. 🤤

Doc

est

Totally Agree

He hasn't developed as well as our other youngsters for various reason and still has a bit to do to become a top level player, but I really hope he does.. brilliant attitude, and plays a smart game, probably just needs to add a bit more variety to his arsenal.

He reminds me of Rosicky in certain ways, lovely pass and move player that can cause havoc but can also fade in and out of games... Interested to see how he does for the remainder of the season as tend to find players of his style can improve dramatically the better the team around them is.

I actually still see him as a winger, best position for him to make an impact right now... but if we can keep Zinchenko fit and having him now play more the controller role in midfield.. can definitely see the upside to having a player of his type as the 8.

Mentioned it in another thread but if we don't get a winger, getting to see more of ESR (if he can stay fit hopefully) is definitely a silver lining for me.

Burnwinter

He'll need to come back on the wing, but perhaps he can also play 8 in the Europa to see if he can figure out the required assertiveness. Nothing against this season's Xhaka but it'd be good if he could take a rest.

Don Pacifico

I do worry that injuries will end up curbing his career - touch wood they don't obviously.

What do people think about who starts vs Martinelli if both are fit and on form? I'd probably have a slight preference for ESR given I think his all-round game is a bit more polished and that Martinelli's style of play means I think he can drive significant damage as a super sub.

Big Willie

Don Pacifico I love ESR but Martinelli is a freak of nature in that wing role. That pace and power and ability to keep pressing and chasing everything down is so important to our game.

Claudius

Agree with Will. Martinelli is incredible. martinelli is a beast. The big thing right now is he is often isolated, facing 1-3 defenders on the left. What we need is more variety of movement from Xhaka and more of a leftward bias from Nketiah and Odegaard to support him.