• The Arsenal

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

Encouraging mini-cameo by Calafiori, won headers, good tackling and seems to have the right pass on him.

Early days but still liked what I saw.

goon hopefully Merino coming in helps the midfield. Rice looks leggy after the summer. Partey still fades after the hour despite the goal. We need to be able to rest Rice and Ode too.

    goon it's that hole in the 8 position. Disrupts our balance and makes us a bit predictable.

      An angry Trosard (you can see that with his celebration) with a point to prove is a different player.

      Fuck Villa, fuck Martinez and fuck Emery. That was for last season.

      Let’s sign one more attacker and let’s fucking go.

      daredevil Think Timber has become quite overrated in his time out. He looked solid without really impressing. Calafiore has looked so good on the other hand.

      Timber kept leaving gaping holes at the back. Part of the reason Gabriel was so dodgy because the ball wide was almost never on as Timber was in midfield behind the attackers pressing. He was even doing a Zinchenko going all the way to the right wing on a number of occasions off the ball. It's something I was worried about seeing him back at the end of last season. Hopefully just bedding back in issues in a new position trying with a different style to when he was CB.

      Think Calafiori looks like the best combination of Zinchenko and Kiwior in his positioning, physicality and on the ball ability. Feels very much like a left sided Ben White. Still early days but I think he'll take that position in no time.

          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.

          Really should not be seeing Zinchenko too much

            Big Willie 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

                Guys, look at the movement of Trossard for the first goal when Saka have the ball. He's putting himself in the box and anticipating a loose ball as always.

                Then look at the 2nd goal, superb movement and then a dangerous ball into the box.

                2 things that Martinelli really struggle with unfortunately. Football intelligence

                  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.