Claudius I agree, hence the "situations when we are cruising"/in control addendum, such as vs Forest last time out

    Coombs I don't disagree, but I am not saying we should start him every match, but rather he should be trusted and used more than what he got when Odegaard is out, and our results (losses) might have been different.

        Clrnc the way I see it, we over-adjusted to Odegaard's absence, and didn't even give our boys the chance to work it out themselves because we had the wrong combinations out on the pitch with widly different instructions. Not playing Nwaneri is part of that, and the new Clive Palmer argument that we'll see more of him now that Odegaard is back proves the point.

            DiabyKungFu This "psychological scarring" thing seems remarkably undertheorized.

            I agree with you on this. Also is it possible to be socialised in a given milieu without undergoing what might be viewed as damage, depending on your analytic lens?

            We know vaguely what that involves in any workplace ... but perhaps we're underestimating how much psychological pressure and expectation a hopeful such as Nwaneri has already sustained and survived in his short life. Getting from the academy to the first XI is like being a contestant on Squid Game.

            No one's saying throw Nwaneri to the wolves but I question why subbing him on in football matches would be a bigger mental health risk than benching him.

              This is such a boring discussion. The kid is playing. The kid is good. Some want to, or would have liked to see him get basically about 60 - 90 minutes of football more under his belt, others contend he's been eased in alright...

              I'm just glad Arsenal is back to form/ winning ways now.

              Coombs the way I see it, we over-adjusted to Odegaard's absence,

              Absolutely. One of the most notable thing about last nights match is how we worked the ball into the box on the floor. While Ode was out it was endless crosses swung in hoping Havertz would get his head on one of them. Obviously Ode is the best in the squad at this sort intricate play around the box but the rest are capable too, our attacks should have been more varied in his absence.

                Capable is a far cry away from the one of the best in the world.

                Pep’s head is proof of this.

                Panda reads very similarly to how Saka was profiled when he broke through. Fingers crossed.🤞

                  a month later

                  You can call me a true believer after yesterday's performance. I don't put much stock in substitute/league cup performances, but in his first league start in a tough game, he was excellent and best of all, Saka's injury is a blessing in disguise for him as RW is a much better role for him to be developed in as it carries less risk and amplifies his strengths.

                  From what I've seen, he's more of a forward than a midfielder, he's not really a build up player, but he's an attacker who will beat players and get shots and crosses in. That's why I think there was some hesitancy playing him in midfield, but I don't think Arteta will have any issues ramping up his starts as a forward.

                  They're still nursing him in. You can tell. With Saka the ball is sent down the wing to him quickly, basically as soon as he's available to receive. Partey would consciously wait until Odegaard and Timber were in position to support him before releasing the ball to Nwaneri. It left him with less time and space to try to beat his man one v one, but he was also not as isolated as he had been in previous matches when he's started without the regulars.

                  More meaningful minutes under the belt, good performance. On to the next one.

                    • Coombs

                    • Post #255

                    flobaba while that did happen, they also tried to play him early on a number of occasions when it wasn't really on. I even said out loud "maybe they think Saka is still out there".

                      • est

                      • Post #256

                      He also made a couple of absolutely brilliant runs in behind. If Odegaard had by his standards an average game, the passes would have found Nwaneri and he'd been in for a potential goal/assist.

                      Love how fearless and decisive he is. None of this standing around and passing backwards bullshit. He makes things happen.

                      He’s leaned out somewhat - I suspect it’s for agility, pace and stamina

                        • Qwiss

                        • Post #258

                        lorddulaarsenal he has a great burst. Dropped the shoulder and darted past his man quite a few times. Agility is certainly no issue.

                          • MistaT

                          • Post #259

                          Anyone found a match comp for him?

                            As much as the Saka injury sucks, the bright side is it will accelerate this player’s development in a safer part of the field. Even as a winge, he liked to come in to link with Odegaard and co. Once Timber learns this pattern, he can exploit width.

                            Things I liked

                            • actively wants the ball. Doesn’t hide like some
                            • great control. Doesnt lose the ball dribbling. Can weave through all kinds of situations. Looks like a YouTube player
                            • corners are a key part of our game. He takes them. This is a highly trusted player already

                            To work on

                            • not holding onto ball too long on dribbles.
                            • greater pressing intensity