Manchester United U21s 3 v Arsenal 2 - Match Reaction

[Kano]

At the start of 2015 we had found a team that worked. Unexpectedly Wenger put Cazorla next to Coquelin and Ramsey out on the right. It reinvigorated Santi's game after it had become a bit stale as the years caught up with him on the wing. Ramsey's work ethic allowed Bellerin to get forward and also meant he could come inside to create an extra man in midfield. Aaron was still finding runs into the box but his finishing had deserted him.

Since losing Cazorla Wenger hasn't managed to find that same balance in the team. Ramsey in the middle just isn't working. Elneny or even Iwobi deserve a shot there, the latter showing excellent distribution when played in the number 10 role so far. Theo is only a sub, nothing more. Campbell needs to get back onto the pitch if Ramsey is not going to be put out wide and get Alexis into the middle to see if that shakes up his form. Welbeck we have to be careful with because he's been out for quite a while but going by recent performances he should be on the pitch starting.

[mastermind84]

Yes, a recurring pattern and a recurring problem so one of 3 possibilities. First, Wenger wants Ramsey to abandon ship to add to the attacking threat. Second, Wenger sees it happening but can't get Ramsey to follow instructions. Three, Wenger doesn't see it happening. The first option is more likely. Wenger has already said he likes to pressure opponents while relieving the threat to our own defence by keeping possession in the opposition half. So for me, Ramsey's lack of discipline is actually Ramsey following instructions. This is reinforced by the recklessness of Flamini positionally when he plays. Ramsey would be dropped if he was defying Wenger and if Wenger can't see it happening at all the we're in deeper shit than we thought.

Conclusion. It's the football management equivalent of the Emperor's New Clothes but nobody with a voice has piped up yet.

i think this too.

Mostly because we have seen a very disciplined and ball recycling Ramsey in the past. We even saw it against Leicester the last league match.

But just because he can ball recycle does not mean he is great at it or you get hte best out of him. He is clearly better when going forward.

[Power n Glory]

Yes, a recurring pattern and a recurring problem so one of 3 possibilities. First, Wenger wants Ramsey to abandon ship to add to the attacking threat. Second, Wenger sees it happening but can't get Ramsey to follow instructions. Three, Wenger doesn't see it happening. The first option is more likely. Wenger has already said he likes to pressure opponents while relieving the threat to our own defence by keeping possession in the opposition half. So for me, Ramsey's lack of discipline is actually Ramsey following instructions. This is reinforced by the recklessness of Flamini positionally when he plays. Ramsey would be dropped if he was defying Wenger and if Wenger can't see it happening at all the we're in deeper shit than we thought.

Conclusion. It's the football management equivalent of the Emperor's New Clothes but nobody with a voice has piped up yet.

A combination of 1 and 3. He likes Ramsey running forward but doesn't see the adverse effect it has. Ramsey isn't being coached right and I've mentioned this before, but if Wenger had any interest in developing Ramsey, he wouldn't play him on the right. What can he possibly learn in that position besides bombing forward and looking for goals? He needs to learn how to control a midfield, picking out the right pass, building from deep, etc. Get those basics down and he'll start to find himself in goal scoring positions. But our manager isn't coaching that and I also think he's encouraging this reckless style without correction. He mentioned the mistake we made against Monaco when playing Barca but who does he think should be back covering when we get hit on the break?

[Power n Glory]

i think this too.

Mostly because we have seen a very disciplined and ball recycling Ramsey in the past. We even saw it against Leicester the last league match.

But just because he can ball recycle does not mean he is great at it or you get hte best out of him. He is clearly better when going forward.

Leicester City was a bit of a different game. They had 10 men and played 4-4-2 so the centre wasn't as tight and squeezed like we see for other games.

[Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie]

It will be interesting to see what the atmosphere is like at the Emirates

Last season I went to the first home games after the 2-1 defeat to United and 3-2 defeat to stoke when the Anti Wenger atmosphere was rife.

In the Dortmund game walking to the stadium you could tell it was muted, no singing no chants and no expectation of doing that much, however the atmosphere improved as the game went on.

Same with the first home game after Stoke, nervous atmosphere first half and improved when we went 3-0 up in second half. There were Wenger out banners outside the stadium but fans who were annoyed by Wenger being called a cunt at Stoke station sang his name.

Be interesting to see what the reception is like Wednesday especially if there is not markedly improved performance

[Niall_Quinn]

Be interesting to see what the reception is like Wednesday especially ifwhen there is not markedly improved performance

Fixed it for you.

[Munchies]

We'll win on Wednesday I think

Get smashed on Sat

[mastermind84]

Leicester City was a bit of a different game. They had 10 men and played 4-4-2 so the centre wasn't as tight and squeezed like we see for other games.

He was still not going into forward spaces as often and sat back and just moved the ball.

Its not his game but he can play that way. That was just this season but he has done it many times before in the past.

[Power n Glory]

We took Coquelin off for Walcott and Ramsey had to sit. Not sure if he was given instructions but again, it was a different game. He understands what's required for DM but not for CM.

[mastermind84]

We took Coquelin off for Walcott and Ramsey had to sit. Not sure if he was given instructions but again, it was a different game. He understands what's required for DM but not for CM.

you just confirmed he can do that.

even if it was a different type of game, he has that in his locker. The temptation would have been to surge forward.