Fulham reaction and player ratings

[HCZ_Reborn]

It’s abundantly clear Martinelli’s effectiveness was enhanced by having Zinchenko beside him (which then seems to me that if we were going to spend thirty million pound on a position we didn’t need to sign a player in, the obvious solution was to sell Tierney first). Tierney behind him he stopped trying to beat his fullback and sent in early crosses when none of our players are anywhere near 6ft. And Tierney himself seems to enjoy being injured so he can be looked after by his boyfriend who works as a chef for the club.
The same works in other areas of the pitch you’re only as good as the people behind you. For me Odegaard was anonymous for huge chunks of last season because he wasn’t getting the ball in a timely fashion. With Elneny playing on Saturday, he actually realised he had to take the initiative himself but the attacks were few and far between compared to the last two games because Elneny is a safety first player who cannot make forward passes, and operates too deep.
Xhaka’s box to box position won’t work against any team that has a midfield that knows how to press on the ball so that’s completely useless to us as well.
As I said at the start of the summer I say now, it is criminally negligent to go into the season with the central midfield that we have now. And if that’s not addressed as a priority above any other consideration it only solidifies my conclusion that we won’t get top four and that Arteta has to go

[selassie]

It’s abundantly clear Martinelli’s effectiveness was enhanced by having Zinchenko beside him (which then seems to me that if we were going to spend thirty million pound on a position we didn’t need to sign a player in, the obvious solution was to sell Tierney first). Tierney behind him he stopped trying to beat his fullback and sent in early crosses when none of our players are anywhere near 6ft. And Tierney himself seems to enjoy being injured so he can be looked after by his boyfriend who works as a chef for the club.
The same works in other areas of the pitch you’re only as good as the people behind you. For me Odegaard was anonymous for huge chunks of last season because he wasn’t getting the ball in a timely fashion. With Elneny playing on Saturday, he actually realised he had to take the initiative himself but the attacks were few and far between compared to the last two games because Elneny is a safety first player who cannot make forward passes, and operates too deep.
Xhaka’s box to box position won’t work against any team that has a midfield that knows how to press on the ball so that’s completely useless to us as well.
As I said at the start of the summer I say now, it is criminally negligent to go into the season with the central midfield that we have now. And if that’s not addressed as a priority above any other consideration it only solidifies my conclusion that we won’t get top four and that Arteta has to go

Been reading today that Partey's injury will keep him out the next few weeks. Apparently Elneny picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend too so we are now 2 men down in Central Midfield. If anything this is a blessing in disguise. Arteta and Co need to FIX central midfield now, no more ignoring it and spending on luxuries. We need players now who can start and contribute in central midfield. Pay whatever it takes.

[mandela8]

Been reading today that Partey's injury will keep him out the next few weeks. Apparently Elneny picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend too so we are now 2 men down in Central Midfield. If anything this is a blessing in disguise. Arteta and Co need to FIX central midfield now, no more ignoring it and spending on luxuries. We need players now who can start and contribute in central midfield. Pay whatever it takes.

That's a disaster if true about Partey, man. Elnonentity also being injured would soften the blow though, somewhat.

Hopefully force Arteta into playing Lokonga. That's what Arteta needs, a removal of all options as he invariably chooses the wrong one.

[selassie]

That's a disaster if true about Partey, man. Elnonentity also being injured would soften the blow though, somewhat.

Hopefully force Arteta into playing Lokonga. That's what Arteta needs, a removal of all options as he invariably chooses the wrong one.

Lokonga doesn’t look ready to me which in itself is a bit of an issue.

He’s a project, Arteta even said in the press conference a few weeks back that neither party knows if he is a 8 or 6. He’s a project player.

[mandela8]

Lokonga doesn’t look ready to me which in itself is a bit of an issue.

He’s a project, Arteta even said in the press conference a few weeks back that neither party knows if he is a 8 or 6. He’s a project player.

Intradesting...seems pretty fuckin daft to spend that money on a player they don't even know where to play him. This guy played almost every game for Anderlecht the season before last, winning the POTY, so he was clearly established in his position there.

Sounds like Arteta doesn't know and is ruining another player.

[Niall_Quinn]

It’s abundantly clear Martinelli’s effectiveness was enhanced by having Zinchenko beside him...

Apart form the self evident fact there's no such thing as Martinelli's effectiveness (at least not on the handful of occasions I've watched over the last couple of years), you can take this prediction to the bank. The progressive play you have noticed in Zinchenko will be trained out of him by the end of this season. Make a note, call me when it happens.

But true, watching the two City lads play is the only enjoyable aspect of an Arsenal performance. Rather like when Auba arrived, or indeed Tierney. Enjoy it because it will be short lived.

[mandela8]

Apart form the self evident fact there's no such thing as Martinelli's effectiveness (at least not on the handful of occasions I've watched over the last couple of years), you can take this prediction to the bank. The progressive play you have noticed in Zinchenko will be trained out of him by the end of this season. Make a note, call me when it happens.

But true, watching the two City lads play is the only enjoyable aspect of an Arsenal performance. Rather like when Auba arrived, or indeed Tierney. Enjoy it because it will be short lived.

Cheer up, mate.

[Niall_Quinn]

Cheer up, mate.

I'll laugh like a delirious fool if I am proved wrong. Okay?

[HCZ_Reborn]

I'll laugh like a delirious fool if I am proved wrong. Okay?

No you won’t, you’ll come up with an essay sized explanation that almost no one will bother reading about how you were actually right and how all those who pointed out you were demonstrably wrong have interpreted what you said incorrectly even though your diatribe will be to your mind crystal clear as to what you actually meant to say.

Then you’ll retreat into the abyss again

[Niall_Quinn]

No you won’t, you’ll come up with an essay sized explanation that almost no one will bother reading about how you were actually right and how all those who pointed out you were demonstrably wrong have interpreted what you said incorrectly even though your diatribe will be to your mind crystal clear as to what you actually meant to say.

Then you’ll retreat into the abyss again

Well then you can direct me back here, can't you? Though maybe we'll have signed another game changer by then.