Random Arsenal Shit (When it's not worth starting a thread)

Saka and Martinelli are the two players that have made me feel positive about this club for the first time in years. First time I watched Saka play was against Eintracht Frankfurt about four years ago and even without the goal it was abundantly clear this was some player we had, it was a genuine pleasure watching him.

Martinelli I first saw in the home game against Standard Liege, his pace, his runs and his finishing were a joy to behold.


They’ve both been disappointing this season but it’s hard to think of a player who hasn’t. But we are bloody lucky to have both of them, and tieing them both down to new contracts was the best bit of business this club has done in a long time

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mac76

I realise arguing with you about this is the definition of pointless, but...

Saka isn't 'shite'.

He is very good at beating players and creating scoring opportunities for himself and other players

In terms of goals and assists, these are our top four players from last sseason (PL only):

Bukayo Saka 14+11
Martin Odegaard 15+7
Gabriel Martinelli 15+5
Gabriel Jesus 11+6

Is he perfect? no - Saka's faults are that he can drift out of games and also, as on Saturday, miss the odd easy chance - but even Haaland missed a pel at the weekend so Saka's hardly alone in that ...

He also occasionally takes too many touches in the area instead of passing more quickly

He can perhaps appear a bit one-dimensional in his play but is that him or the system, and tbh given I'm wishing we'd make more (or any) use of players like Tierney and Gabriel, I'm not going to complain about someone simply being good in his one favoured position.

you just can't dismiss those figures

---

And that's fine, man. Although, I will dismiss the assist stat as one of the most pointless in all of fitba. Meaningless nonsense.

Other than that, decent return. I think if you plug someone else in there then not only do they do better individual numbers but the team do too, in terms of style and output. Pure speculation, of course. But I'd put money on it, tbh. Far too many opportunities and chances die at his feet, as he slows the game down, cuts inside, struggle to make incisive passes, etc.

As usual, I will caveat by saying I do think he's at the mercy of Arteta's tactics. I'm almost positive he's instructed to do what he does, which is a probably why Arteta is so obsessed with him, as he robotically follows his instructions. I think if he was freed up a little we'd see more from him. I'd even just settle for him getting to the byline more often...obviously that'd require him to develop his right foot.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mandela8

https://twitter.com/AFCAMDEN/status/...38%2Fpage-5151

<sips tea>

---

Nice.

They should switch names with Arteta so we can count how many crazy people walk the earth.

Me and Thierry, man...

Thierry Henry : "You can't play Partey & Rice together in same midfield because neither can play the number 8 ball carrier role. Both are typical old school defensive midfielders and like to sit deep to anchor the midfield. Playing two defensive midfielders in a pivot is something Mourinho used to do ten years ago. It does not work anymore, especially if you want to be a possession based team with an attacking mentality..."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mandela8

Me and Thierry, man...

Thierry Henry : "You can't play Partey & Rice together in same midfield because neither can play the number 8 ball carrier role. Both are typical old school defensive midfielders and like to sit deep to anchor the midfield. Playing two defensive midfielders in a pivot is something Mourinho used to do ten years ago. It does not work anymore, especially if you want to be a possession based team with an attacking mentality..."

---

My view as well, for most games IMO we just need a back four with Rice in front - if people are saying no player is undroppable that needs to include Partey, it's about having a deeper squad we can draw on - Partey is older and more injury-prone, it doesn't hurt to manage his minutes anyway - he can play cup games, step in for Rice if injured etc

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mac76

My view as well, for most games IMO we just need a back four with Rice in front - if people are saying no player is undroppable that needs to include Partey, it's about having a deeper squad we can draw on - Partey is older and more injury-prone, it doesn't hurt to manage his minutes anyway - he can play cup games, step in for Rice if injured etc

---

I think another reason I’m annoyed with the Rice signing is because Partey has become undroppable and that for the reason you’ve described is not desirable. Rice doesn’t have the technical ability, the range of passing or strength of Partey and that’s even with all Partey’s flaws which includes a propensity to be casual in possession and in passing.

I genuinely think no one wants to admit what they know to be true about Rice which is that signing him was a massive mistake. His ability level was West Ham, he’s hard working, a tidy player and has good statistics. But statistics show our XG is higher than last season, so statistics are meaningless.

There seems to be a belief that if a player is determined and confident it will make up for a lack of natural ability but it doesn’t. Rice isn’t bringing anything to the team, away from home we had no problem keeping clean sheets and at home he doesn’t have the pace to be of any use when teams break on us.


The only possible use he has is alongside Partey when we want to play for a draw against teams like Man City. These brief cameos of him surging forward and shooting on goal are essentially a waste of an attacking move, he’s not a goalscorer.

So in reality we are absolutely reliant on Partey being fit for every game

https://x.com/gunnersc0m/status/1697...k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

Is this Lego Haired Mysteron Cadaver cunt trying to pretend that he didn’t play the same team and same tactics game in game out last season, regardless of who he was playing?

A proper sports journalist would have called him out on that

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HCZ_Reborn

https://x.com/gunnersc0m/status/1697...k_DvSqUkaQFrjw

Is this Lego Haired Mysteron Cadaver cunt trying to pretend that he didn’t play the same team and same tactics game in game out last season, regardless of who he was playing?

A proper sports journalist would have called him out on that

---

he really has gone nuts

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mac76

he really has gone nuts

---

Perhaps, and I know I say enough about his state of mind. But I just think he’s a garden variety Cunt when all said and done.

Maybe he’s got delusions of grandeur having been over promoted. And too many people thinking he’s some brilliant, pioneering coach


That said he’s not getting tetchy at the question, he’s more being patronising “look you pissants”

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mac76

he really has gone nuts

---

I mean, famously I am an apologist for him but holy shit that was deranged.