• The Arsenal

  • ⚽ Aston Villa vs Arsenal, Saturday 24th, 5.30pm

Mirth it’s hard to compare Cala with Timber. We were 2-0 up when he came on so he could tuck in and play it safe whereas we needed timber to overload in midfield

I know. I said it was early days. It's just the feeling I get watching Timber's movement. Almost feels like an midfielder who is being forced to be a defender at times that he is drawn forward towards where the ball is. But still, only his 3rd game for us, let's see how it goes over the course of the season.

    Calafiori played 10 minutes after we had killed the game with the second goal. He looked slick, I liked his attitude but let's settle down. Timber had a good game too. We are talking about 2 £50m players. I'm expecting a lot from both.

      Let’s also sppreciate that Timber is playing his second game so will be rusty. And he’s playing possibly our most complex position. So let’s be patient with both him and Calafiori.

      Clrnc they're very different players. Trossard doesn't beat up and down the wing like Martinelli did if he starts. Trossards an end product machine. Arteta used him perfectly today.

          Cala looked very good but he did get beaten 1 v 1 a couple of times, maybe just lack of sharpness/game state issues.

          I’m not getting too wrapped up in who’s going to be first choice though. The bonus is we’ve got 3-5 good options at full back now and can really rotate without losing much.

            goon those options are what we need. Get Merino in and we have it in midfield too.

            Then we need another addition to the forward line.

              Qwiss yes absolutely agree. Which is why Trossard is often more effective as a sub and Martinelli role is to tire defences out for him

                  From what Arteta is saying post-match, it sounds like Jesus' injury may keep him out for a bit of time. Wonder if that's partly why we've kept Nelson...?

                    Artetas comments there about having enough up from "if they're fit". Reckon either Jesus is bad or his losing faith in his fitness

                      Big Willie
                      Think harsh on Timber. That was his first start in one year and up against a CL team away. Calafori played well but he came on under easier game conditions. I’m sure if it was the other way round Timber would have looked as good. Good headache to have.

                          Qwiss

                          I read that as Mikel is slightly pissed off with Jesus’ availability or lack thereof. Should bode well for the transfer window.

                            Sicario2 - Tier 1 Think harsh on Timber. That was his first start in one year and up against a CL team away. Calafori played well but he came on under easier game conditions. I’m sure if it was the other way round Timber would have looked as good. Good headache to have.

                            I did clarify in my follow up post tbh mentioning exactly the same thing.

                              Gunner89

                              I should have added that he hasn't impressed me as an inverted left back as he's not really a ball progressor. I'm more keen on seeing him on his natural side where he would make better use of his speed and agility.

                              Our midfield and defence as a whole struggled to deal with Villa's mid-block, as has been the case since Porto away. The CB's weren't doing enough to step out from the back and the Partey-Timber axis wasn't doing enough to show for the ball.

                                  Excellent win in the end.

                                  I love how we can patiently build up in that 3-2 formation, that lets us really control games, but we need to mix it up sometimes. That quick long diagonal from Gabriel to Trossard for the second goal was exactly what we need to do a bit more often, change the pace and keep defenses guessing.

                                  It was a bit weird having Rice as our furthest-forward midfielder today. Not sure that plays to his strengths, and we left Partey quite isolated and were vulnerable on counters.

                                  I love the silky stuff from Ødegaard but we need more end product from him. He tends to be looking for clever “pre-assist” passes rather than the assist or the goal. Realistically he needs to hit 10 PL goals if we’re gonna win the league.

                                  Raya MOTM, he was terrific.

                                  Clrnc

                                  Trossard scores just as many when he starts games. Martinelli also suits coming off the bench when the game is more open. That is a better use of Martinelli who does way better when we have more space to play on the break so he can use his pace.

                                    Clrnc Calafiori will have the LB nailed down. Timber and White will rotate alot for RB. Tomi will be back to take minutes off Calafiori when he need a breather and also to provide cover for CBs.

                                    I doubt it unless Timber is injured. He looks much better suited to the invert LB role than Tomi. Tomi is good at RB though.