Anyone else starting to think that Mari should be first-choice CB atm? He just seems to add that air of calm to the backline that I think we lost when we sold Emi, and we never look like we're about to descend into panic and chaos with him there.
Anyone else starting to think that Mari should be first-choice CB atm? He just seems to add that air of calm to the backline that I think we lost when we sold Emi, and we never look like we're about to descend into panic and chaos with him there.
C'mon guys. That's too subdued for me. I have as many doubts about Arteta as most on here, but let's enjoy a lovely win.
For once, the manager realised that Laca is effective up front with mobile runners in support. I was in 2 minds about whether Martinelli should have started on the left but Pepe in front of Xhaka worked well, and I don't think Xhaka gets the credit for being really solid out of position there. I was worried about Ceballos in MF but the manager as right to keep the set up that won against Sheffield. Giving Partey that responsibility for anchoring MF really suits him. Also - look at the benefit of keeping a well working CB pairing - even if Luis and Gabriel may be better individual 'footballers'.
So he resisted changing too much, and we looked really well balanced and mobile - albeit that Sparta were poor, both in approach and execution.
I'm not going overboard, and I will not believe that Arteta has turned a corner until we have played well against proper opposition and shown some consistency. We need to see what happens when Luis and Auba are fit...and it'll take more than this to break the manager's Willian fetish.
But let's at least acknowledge the success that the manager has made of a mix and match team with 4 previous nailed on starters out. Can't remember us being this devastating going forwards and secure at the back for a while and it felt great.
Putting the laughter back into manslaughter
yes i think he should be first choice - you kind of don't notice him until he calmly works a bit of skill, which i always think is a good signOriginally Posted by I am invisible
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