Summer Transfer Misery and Recriminations.

[mastermind84]

You've got to learn how to put arguments into context. I'm talking about Theo playing as striker not as a winger.

Goal scoring is goal scoring, if you can score you should be able to from anywhere in the attacking 3rd. THats why we like Alexis so much. Theo had his chances and did not take them.

As for Xhaka, you said he's a player that can hold the midfield on his own and liberate both Jack and Ramsey to roam forward in a 4-3-3. It's unfair to put the blame on Coquelin (again) after Elneny just showed how it's done whilst playing without Xhaka. If you haven't watched the 2nd half of the City game, it's worth watching to see what I'm talking about. Coquelin is not the problem. You can't remain static in midfield and think you'll have all the time in the world to make a pass. Blink mentioned Xhaka had a lot of time to spray those passes around when watching those youtube clips. He may need some time to adapt to a faster league. But watching Elneny, how he kept things ticking was that he never stopped running when the ball was deep. If it went to the wing backs or CB he's always running to make himself available or finding the gaps so the pass can be made to him at the right angle. He'd always slip away from his marker and not point elsewhere so he doesn't receive the ball. I like that about him and it's also why Cazorla works well even if playing with Coquelin.

I will always put the blame on Coquelin. You need ball players in that part of the midfield. Xhaka can liberate others, but he needs others around him to liberate too.

Cazorla works with Coquelin because they stand close together because they mask the others deficiencies (Cazorla not be able to run and Coquelin being terrible on the ball). Watch where Xhaka is on the pitch in relation to who he is partnering with in comparison to Coqzorla. Xhaka often ends up everywhere, but sometimes further back with the CBs. Coqzorla are often pushing up. Its different.

Elneny and Xhaka would be dynamic because Elneny doesnt have to be near Xhaka as Xhaka can find him, and Elneny moves it quickly. I think Xhaka and Ramsey would work well too because of Ramsey being a bit more forward.

The only person I really dont want partnering Xhaka is Santi because he that is a slow midfield which will expose us.

[Power n Glory]

Goal scoring is goal scoring, if you can score you should be able to from anywhere in the attacking 3rd. THats why we like Alexis so much. Theo had his chances and did not take them.


I will always put the blame on Coquelin. You need ball players in that part of the midfield. Xhaka can liberate others, but he needs others around him to liberate too.

Cazorla works with Coquelin because they stand close together because they mask the others deficiencies (Cazorla not be able to run and Coquelin being terrible on the ball). Watch where Xhaka is on the pitch in relation to who he is partnering with in comparison to Coqzorla. Xhaka often ends up everywhere, but sometimes further back with the CBs. Coqzorla are often pushing up. Its different.

Elneny and Xhaka would be dynamic because Elneny doesnt have to be near Xhaka as Xhaka can find him, and Elneny moves it quickly. I think Xhaka and Ramsey would work well too because of Ramsey being a bit more forward.

The only person I really dont want partnering Xhaka is Santi because he that is a slow midfield which will expose us.

Goal scoring is goal scoring, if you can score you should be able to from anywhere in the attacking 3rd. THats why we like Alexis so much. Theo had his chances and did not take them.

Really? Put Giroud out wide, you think he's more likely to score more or less?

How comes Elneny was able to work well with Coquelin? You'd have to watch the game to comment.

[mastermind84]

Really? Put Giroud out wide, you think he's more likely to score more or less?

How comes Elneny was able to work well with Coquelin? You'd have to watch the game to comment.

The problem with a lot of football fans is that we think positions are static. Just because they start out wide does not mean they are playing like chalk line and cross winger. Especially in our formation where we ask our fullbacks to provide the width. Theo's finishing was abysmal last season, but he still got his chances. That was the problem. Wenger's tactics allows freedom of attacking movement provided its in space, so if you find space in front of goal you take it. I kind of want Ozil out on the right to start because I think it will give him more freedom.

Elneny didnt work well with Coquelin. Did you watch the West Ham game last season? We couldnt keep the ball. I feel that match is what lead Wenger and Co to rubberstamp the Xhaka deal lol. The two played together the next week against Crystal Palace, then Coquelin was put in the bushes from then onward. Neither Elneny or Coquelin are progressive with their passing.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

Essentially next weekend we are trying to fit our three best central midfielders from the avaliable five.

Not just in terms of individual ability but who will best play together

My preference would be Xhaka, Elneny and Cazorla (who would be playing the Ozil role)

And assuming we sign no-one else (which is an assumption we should be very prepared to make) between now and Sunday


My line up would be Cech, Bellerin, Chambers, Koscielny, Gibbs, Xhaka, Elneny, Cazorla, Alexis, Ox and Walcott

I don't think Wenger has any choice but to risk Koscielny he's not actually injured, this short of match fitness thing won't wash....when Ramsey played on Sunday five weeks after playing against Belgium, and Koscielny will be playing five weeks after playing Portugal.

[Power n Glory]

The problem with a lot of football fans is that we think positions are static. Just because they start out wide does not mean they are playing like chalk line and cross winger. Especially in our formation where we ask our fullbacks to provide the width. Theo's finishing was abysmal last season, but he still got his chances. That was the problem. Wenger's tactics allows freedom of attacking movement provided its in space, so if you find space in front of goal you take it. I kind of want Ozil out on the right to start because I think it will give him more freedom.

Elneny didnt work well with Coquelin. Did you watch the West Ham game last season? We couldnt keep the ball. I feel that match is what lead Wenger and Co to rubberstamp the Xhaka deal lol. The two played together the next week against Crystal Palace, then Coquelin was put in the bushes from then onward. Neither Elneny or Coquelin are progressive with their passing.

You didn't watch the game yesterday so never mind. Elneny not progressive with his passing?

We play fluid football but statistically central players are more likely to find themselves in a better shooting position. But say we were to play Giroud wide, how likely is he to find himself in the right position to shoot even if our formation is fluid?

[Power n Glory]

It doesn't even have to go that far with Giroud playing on the wing. Why else would Welbeck and Sturridge push to play up front rather than on the wings?

[mastermind84]

You didn't watch the game yesterday so never mind. Elneny not progressive with his passing?

he isnt. Or at least he wasnt last season. Elneny wasnt a progressive passer and that did not help our midfield.

I have seen an improvement in that this preseason, but its not enough to say he is a progressive passer. He doesn't. Thats not really a slight on him either. Its not his game, and Im cool with that.

We play fluid football but statistically central players are more likely to find themselves in a better shooting position. But say we were to play Giroud wide, how likely is he to find himself in the right position to shoot even if our formation is fluid?

I dont think Giroud would spend all of his time out wide like I feel you are insinuating.

Alexis didnt find himself out wide all the time either.

[mastermind84]

It doesn't even have to go that far with Giroud playing on the wing. Why else would Welbeck and Sturridge push to play up front rather than on the wings?

because of English football mindset, imo.

Theo showed he could score a bunch of goals out wide in the past. So has guys like Bale, C., Messi, even Muller, Robben, etc.

[Power n Glory]

he isnt. Or at least he wasnt last season. Elneny wasnt a progressive passer and that did not help our midfield.

I have seen an improvement in that this preseason, but its not enough to say he is a progressive passer. He doesn't. Thats not really a slight on him either. Its not his game, and Im cool with that.


I dont think Giroud would spend all of his time out wide like I feel you are insinuating.

Alexis didnt find himself out wide all the time either.

We'll agree to disagree on Elneny. If you watch the City game things may become more clear. But a partnership with Xhaka is worth seeing.

I’m not insinuating the players have to stay wide but we often have a congestion problem when everyone wants to crowd the middle. You also have to consider the amount of ground a player has to cover moving from the flanks to the centre. Timing of runs is important and if you’re often coming from a deep area of the field, the best chances won’t fall to a winger compared to a striker. Stay too close to the centre you leave the wing exposed, so if the ball breaks down your side for a counter you have a lot of ground to cover. It’s why Wenger said Walcott isn’t good on defence.

[Power n Glory]

because of English football mindset, imo.

Theo showed he could score a bunch of goals out wide in the past. So has guys like Bale, C., Messi, even Muller, Robben, etc.

You've listed some of the best in the world and guys that can dribble.

Another example. Where is Welbeck more likely to score goals from? Out wide or middle?