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Slow news day.
Anyway, a pretty good analysis of the match and probably what we might go through this season if we don't address the simple issues that are holding us back.
https://youtu.be/unSSgTA9lkQ?si=-licLsDXur9kUKg8
I do quite like these videos but I’ll pace myself and wait for a slow work day (tomorrow).Quote:
Originally Posted by 21_GOONER_SALUTE
I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing that this result happened just before the interlull
I always feel like it sucks for the fans more if we have a shit result before the break because you’re left to ponder over it.
For the players though it’s out of sight and out of mind when they’re away with their national teams. I think it’s less likely to have a knock on effect with the next game.
I concur, will have quite little effect on our players especially as most of them are regular internationals.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marc Overmars
Again, I'm not that upset by the result and actually welcome the timing of it.
The upsetting thing is seeing the lack of progress in the team despite all the spending and quality options available.... and I think most fans are in the same boat.
As for Arteta, I really hope he doesn't use the time available to overthink and complicate this further, make the changes that the whole world is unanimous about and grow a pair when you play in big games and away from home....simple.
One good thing about Arteta is that he doesn't give a shit about what pundits say, and neither he nor his team will be affected by this disappointing result coming before the interlull.
I've seen a fair few Arsenal commentators say that we should not overplay his team selection at Anfield; nor underplay the challenges and potential pitfalls of trying to integrate a host of new players in the team - particularly given the injuries to at least 4 players who would have been nailed on to start the game.
It has also been said (rightly in my view) that our defence first approach last season was to a large extent down to the key injuries that we suffered.
To a degree I concur with this. My main criticism specific to Sunday was that the manager left his subs too late.
But as I've said elsewhere, I see Arteta's main problem as trying to eliminate risk and being too wedded to maintaining control of games. While I am not advocating a gung ho approach, if his players are coached into not taking risks (apart from at the back, it seems), then the payback is a dearth of opportunities to break the opposition's defensive structure and vulnerability when they score - too often (IMO) via goals that make a mockery of the Xg that Arteta's coaching seems to be based on.
This approach is also reflected in the way his subs are too often simply like for like - without any system change to put the opposition on the back foot.
People on here know that I hate black and white analysis, and it has to be recognised that Arteta's record against the big teams in recent years is very good - and better than our main competitors. Perhaps introducing more unpredictable forwards will make a difference against lower ranked teams who frustrated us with low blocks last season.
But where I think the consensus is now, is that if Arteta wants to win the league he needs to take the handbrake off and use his improved squad with the bravery needed to force results. He failed to do this on Sunday (whatever reasoned defences of our perfomance might say). I fear that if the manager is waiting to integrate his new players fully before changing his approach (if he is ever going to) then this will be too late.