No. In fact he's been quite clear in highlighting the huge gulf in quality between us and the teams above us (I can't even call them our rivals atm) that will need to be closed before we can think about that kind of football.Originally Posted by Letters
No. Arteta plays Xhaka every game because he's the best midfielder we've got.
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We parked the bus, plain and simple. Second half was painful viewing, but we got the job done. This was more luck than executing a decent game plan.
The gap between us and the likes of Liverpool and City is huge, we have a lot of work to do.
We also play 343 with wingbacks for the same reason - because we're light on central midfielders and ACMs, but heavy on wide players. I don't suppose for one minute that it's actually Arteta's preferred system, but for now it's a good fit for what we have.
Park the bus and hope there's enough quality up top to keep knicking goals - that's basically where we are right now.
Tbf, I do think there's some pragmatic planning going on there - I don't think it's nothing but blind luck - but yeah, it's not exactly pretty and it's not particularly clever stuff. Basically Mourinho football, but with shitter players.
Still, is there really much point in pushing this bunch to try and play like fast, complex possession football yet? We lack too many attributes for it, and I'm not convinced a lot of them are even fit enough to play that way, so it would just be a giant mess. For now, we've given them a task that's within their ability to achieve and that's restoring a bit of pride and confidence - that'll do for now, and should see us through these last couple of weeks.
Please tell me you're being sarcastic...?
Xhaka has played well since the Arteta took over.
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Xhaka’s game has certainly improved. For starters, he passes it forward and has been finding attackers in good positions. That coupled with a lethal shot and steady improvement, could bode well.
If you don’t send this signature to ten people, you will become a Spurs fan.
Xhaka doesn't make stupid mistakes leading to goals as much, so that's an improvement. I also agree that his passing has improved a bit.
Still don't think he's good enough. High up the list of players that need to be replaced.
I don’t think any individual game tells you where you are.
The season as a whole does that and I think we know where we are which is a million miles away from really competing.
It was refreshing to hear Arteta admit as much after the game. I like what Arteta says and while he hasn’t performed miracles did you really expect him to with our squad?
My only concern is whether he is taking is in the right direction. Few tentative signs that he might be.
We’ll know more next season.
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