ESR return - update: Page 2 - The Arsenal discussion community: One More in the Tolly

ESR return - update

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.

James

This may upset a few of you, but I would not be at all stunned if we end up cashing in on Smith Rowe in a year or two. He’s obviously talented, but like others have suggested, I worry that his development might not be on the same trajectory as the rest of this side. I absolutely hope I’m wrong there (the Smith Rowe part).

Gazza M

James id' agree with this, and not because i don't think he's a class player. he's one of my favourites to watch. i don't see him dislodging the wide players assuming we get the the new guy in, and i don't see him playing a role in the midfield 3 because he goes missing too often and doesn't have a feel for dictating a game like the other quality AMs in the league (ode, KDB, bernardo). he's an impact player that thinks forward most of the time. if he's happy to stick around as a guy that plays the maximum volume of 'second choice' minutes, then it's fine.

RocktheCasbah

James Where is the "unlike button"???

Don Pacifico

I've actually been thinking that too but mainly because I'm not sure how much he'll be relied on with his injuries. I'd be open to it for the right price but obviously my heart says I'd love to see him star for us.

Claudius

Don Pacifico the better we get while he struggles with injury, the more likely this becomes. 2 years ago at this point, ESR was branded as our saviour. Now we have a set starting 11 plus Nketiah, Tierney, Tomi leading us to top of the table. He has a lot of work to do to prove his durability to be a part of this core rotation.

Same goes for guys like Lokonga and Tavares. 2 years ago they have a chance. Now the standard is too high.

Coombs

I dunno, think he could just as easily become our main man. Could score and assist more than Saka, certainly more than Martinelli, and with Odegaard a bit deeper and more central, he could be a killer left 8/10. We know that Arteta sees him as an option at CF as well.

RocktheCasbah

Coombs Agree with this. I've always thought of him as a bit like Sam Curran in the England cricket team, he usually makes something happen wherever he's playing. Okay, I know the false 9 experiment didn't quite work, but that was in quite a dysfunctional Arsenal team.

Is there a tendency to forget that he is still only 22? The impact he had in the first team 2 years back is actually rather remarkable and, had it not been for the inexorable rise of Bukayo Saka, perhaps more would be made of how good Smith Rowe actually is, how big his impact and was and how much he could still grow. I mean, he isn't just a finisher, looking at his speed dribbling with the ball, look at the way he can play those little give and gos in tight spaces. He's almost like a hybrid of Rosicky & Pires to me.

I also think that it's very clear, if you listen to Mikel Arteta, that the manager absolutely loves him, and not just for saving his job two years ago...

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