Match Reaction Stoke 1-0 Arsenal

[Power n Glory]

It may look that way to an ably sighted observer, but there's more to it than that. The large gap in the centre forms a pretty, symmetrical pattern when combined with the huge holes on each flank. If you take a photo from above and cut it in half down the middle then put it against the mirror, you would have the whole photo back. Half the photo, twice the holes. This is not only excellent value but it can also be used to spot any stray coverage and work towards eliminating that too. The ideal contract situation should help next season when half the squad will disappear.

[Blink 1nce Quince 2wice]

I was starting to be won over by Xhaka but yesterday was really a day to forget from him. Poor awareness, casual when he needed to get a march on, over hitting balls....... though the passing was pretty pathetic all round. Even Lacazette horribly over hit a through ball I totally expected him to hit correctly.

I think two primary left backs in the central 3 is just the wrong balance. Have 3 CB's or 2 and a full back.

Ramsey, I didn't think had a bad game, Welbeck is everything but the finisher....if he could finish he would be close to RvP's level at his best...... and I didn't think Ozil had a bad game but clearly we haven't fully worked out how the hell Lacazette is going to integrate into this team and he and the rest of the team were on total different wavelengths. It looked like his medical was before the game then he just walked straight into the lineup.

[Niall_Quinn]

I don't think we'll see too much from Lacazette this season. Next season though, he can start putting out feelers to Barca and Madrid, maybe PSG or Bayern.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I don't know, he absolutely lashed that ahem offside goal in. I think he has already set himself apart.

[Niall_Quinn]

I don't know, he absolutely lashed that ahem offside goal in. I think he has already set himself apart.

He looks a good player. Doesn't look like Wenger has given much thought how to use him though. Probably wasn't part of the pre-purchase research. Yesterday he was asked to play the classic back-to-goal, hold it up bullshit when clearly his primary attributes are making the run beyond the defender and providing the key pass to play others in. A very useful player, if used properly. Henry was commenting on this earlier in the week. Wenger is deaf, so wouldn't have heard.

But I only partially jest when I say he'll be looking to step up soon enough. Why would he be planning a long term career here if he is any good? Good players move on to pursue their ambitions (and money of course), mediocre players thank their lucky stars they have landed here and hang on for grim life. If he's as good as we hope then enjoy him now because there will be absolutely no reason for him to stick around, especially as his next move is likely to be his last one.

Can Wenger get the best from him in the time he is here? No, is the answer to that question. Not unless he lucks into it, which is possible I suppose. He did that with Alexis, but then (Wenger being Wenger) he undid it.

[Power n Glory]

He looks a good player. Doesn't look like Wenger has given much thought how to use him though. Probably wasn't part of the pre-purchase research. Yesterday he was asked to play the classic back-to-goal, hold it up bullshit when clearly his primary attributes are making the run beyond the defender and providing the key pass to play others in. A very useful player, if used properly. Henry was commenting on this earlier in the week. Wenger is deaf, so wouldn't have heard.

But I only partially jest when I say he'll be looking to step up soon enough. Why would he be planning a long term career here if he is any good? Good players move on to pursue their ambitions (and money of course), mediocre players thank their lucky stars they have landed here and hang on for grim life. If he's as good as we hope then enjoy him now because there will be absolutely no reason for him to stick around, especially as his next move is likely to be his last one.

Can Wenger get the best from him in the time he is here? No, is the answer to that question. Not unless he lucks into it, which is possible I suppose. He did that with Alexis, but then (Wenger being Wenger) he undid it.

It all comes back to the midfield. Put Cesc back in the team and he'll supply Lacazette all day. Instructions from the manager helps but it also comes down to wavelengths and players watching Lacazette's runs or putting the ball into places where they anticipate him to run. We saw the video from Henry, there was no reason for Xhaka to not try to play him through on goal. If he needs to be told when to pass and micromanaged to that level that he can't work out for himself when to break from the script and play the killer pass, he has no business playing football at this level. It's like having a striker that has no composure in front of goal. You can't instruct them to have 'more composure'.

[AFC Leveller]

[Özim]

It all comes back to the midfield. Put Cesc back in the team and he'll supply Lacazette all day. Instructions from the manager helps but it also comes down to wavelengths and players watching Lacazette's runs or putting the ball into places where they anticipate him to run. We saw the video from Henry, there was no reason for Xhaka to not try to play him through on goal. If he needs to be told when to pass and micromanaged to that level that he can't work out for himself when to break from the script and play the killer pass, he has no business playing football at this level. It's like having a striker that has no composure in front of goal. You can't instruct them to have 'more composure'.

Do you mean Welbeck?

[Penguin]

Ramsey cannot play in central midfield until he learns common sense. We can't afford to have him wandering around in a free role and exposing our midfield. Especially when he's playing with Xhaka who doesn't have the legs to cover any ground.

Watch the goal again: http://arsenalist.com/f/2017-18/stok...-1-0-jese.html

Look at the player at the top right at the start of the video - yep the one in front of Lacazette and Welbeck. Yeah that's Ramsey. We end up losing the ball leaving two midfielders on Xhaka, so he dives in to a challenge in desperation because he knows those midfielders will easily pass around him. Our defending was bad too but that whole chance came about because of Ramsey.

That wasn't the first time that happened in the match. I was watching Ramsey and at one point he looked like he completely gave up on midfield to play as a striker. Our defenders couldn't get the ball up the pitch and Ozil had to keep coming deep to pick the ball off of them. It should be the CMs doing that and getting the ball to Ozil in those pockets of space he finds. We're a mess tactically.

[hobson's choice]

Ramsey cannot play in central midfield until he learns common sense. We can't afford to have him wandering around in a free role and exposing our midfield. Especially when he's playing with Xhaka who doesn't have the legs to cover any ground.

Watch the goal again: http://arsenalist.com/f/2017-18/stok...-1-0-jese.html

Look at the player at the top right at the start of the video - yep the one in front of Lacazette and Welbeck. Yeah that's Ramsey. We end up losing the ball leaving two midfielders on Xhaka, so he dives in to a challenge in desperation because he knows those midfielders will easily pass around him. Our defending was bad too but that whole chance came about because of Ramsey.

That wasn't the first time that happened in the match. I was watching Ramsey and at one point he looked like he completely gave up on midfield to play as a striker. Our defenders couldn't get the ball up the pitch and Ozil had to keep coming deep to pick the ball off of them. It should be the CMs doing that and getting the ball to Ozil in those pockets of space he finds. We're a mess tactically.

And I expect Wenger to start with this same midfield pairing again next week.