something i noticed with Man City yesterday to look out for heading forward... Grealish is too slow for City in these tight, high pressure type of games. He is not the nifty type of player for that's needed to move the ball quickly and smartly, neither is he quick enough to spot out runs or positions on the pitch to put himself and the team in on the front-foot when attacking. Grealish is by all means just a ball-carrier that can draw in defenders and pick a pass, but he needs time and space for that.

In high pressure games throughout the season and the latter stages of the CL i do not think he should play because he'll just become a non-factor that slows down City's momentum whenever they move forward. He only came alive yesterday after City scored and hence the Chelsea defense gave him more space because they were trying to get back into the game. Now of course, i think Grealish could still adapt to the system and become more fluid in it and that could help (much like Sterling and Mahrez became more efficient in the system over time as well), but his fundamentals will never change. So let's see if Pep will be aware to this.

I know how you feel Firenze, me too weekend ruined for a penalty kick missed on last minutes

Let's go

COYG

SMITH ROWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Auba scores. What a counter ffs.
2-0

WHAT A GOALLLLLL

WHAT A RUN BY ESR

Every time Arteta and Ole are in a trouble and about to get the boot, their respective teams turn into invincibles lol.

Saka scores.
3-0

SAKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

FUCK YES

Whats happened with Spurs? And how is White doing for Arsenal? Worth the fee? Hows Partey been doing?

BarcaLearning wrote:Whats happened with Spurs? And how is White doing for Arsenal? Worth the fee? Hows Partey been doing?

White is settling down finally. Good solid displays. Great on the ball but suspect in the air.
Partey is class. Complete midfielder

Odegaard is an amazing playmaker

55m CB, Serie A defender of the year being benched by Dier

Kaladin wrote:55m CB, Serie A defender of the year being benched by Dier

Nuno is a low tier manager.

Nuno got the tactics wrong from minute 0. What does Alli bring to the team? the amount of space Arsenal has in midfield, Spurs could be playing without a midfield and no one would notice.

When Kane returned:

Our finishing has been ruthless for a change. Not like we've battered Spurs with shots.

Spurs have this issue where they're trying to play a mid-block with a narrow front three that blocks the opposition pivot, but their full-backs don't get tight to the wide players. So when a team works the ball out there, the Spurs midfield has to shuffle over to protect the flank. Then a team can work it back inside and play right through the middle.

Then when Spurs try to squeeze up, their press lacks compactness so a team can play through the first line of pressure and just blitz them through the middle aka Arsenal's 2nd goal. Their lack of defensive compactness forces them into deeper blocks so they end up being easy to keep the ball against. Nor are their centre backs or mids able to control the game in possession because they're selected for their defending and pressing. Except Alli, who's just meh. The deeper he gets, the worse he is as a player.

The longer balls to Kane aren't a bad idea since White is weak in the air and can be drawn out, but if Kane's not up to it for whatever reason, they might as well be passing it back to Arsenal.

Is this the first time Arsenal plays it's best 11 since the new signings joined?

El Gunner wrote:something i noticed with Man City yesterday to look out for heading forward... Grealish is too slow for City in these tight, high pressure type of games. He is not the nifty type of player for that's needed to move the ball quickly and smartly, neither is he quick enough to spot out runs or positions on the pitch to put himself and the team in on the front-foot when attacking. Grealish is by all means just a ball-carrier that can draw in defenders and pick a pass, but he needs time and space for that.

In high pressure games throughout the season and the latter stages of the CL i do not think he should play because he'll just become a non-factor that slows down City's momentum whenever they move forward. He only came alive yesterday after City scored and hence the Chelsea defense gave him more space because they were trying to get back into the game. Now of course, i think Grealish could still adapt to the system and become more fluid in it and that could help (much like Sterling and Mahrez became more efficient in the system over time as well), but his fundamentals will never change. So let's see if Pep will be aware to this.

I want to see Grealish play in David Silva's old role as an 8. It seems like he'll be the starting LW this season instead. Foden's been training to play CM all season apparently so no more LW for him either.

Casciavit wrote:Is this the first time Arsenal plays it's best 11 since the new signings joined?

Either this team or one vs Burnley last week. Swap Xhaka out for Pepe or another forward in a 4-1-4-1 shape.

Keeper + backline is set. Has to play every game basically because the alternatives are rubbish on the ball.

Casciavit wrote:

El Gunner wrote:something i noticed with Man City yesterday to look out for heading forward... Grealish is too slow for City in these tight, high pressure type of games. He is not the nifty type of player for that's needed to move the ball quickly and smartly, neither is he quick enough to spot out runs or positions on the pitch to put himself and the team in on the front-foot when attacking. Grealish is by all means just a ball-carrier that can draw in defenders and pick a pass, but he needs time and space for that.

In high pressure games throughout the season and the latter stages of the CL i do not think he should play because he'll just become a non-factor that slows down City's momentum whenever they move forward. He only came alive yesterday after City scored and hence the Chelsea defense gave him more space because they were trying to get back into the game. Now of course, i think Grealish could still adapt to the system and become more fluid in it and that could help (much like Sterling and Mahrez became more efficient in the system over time as well), but his fundamentals will never change. So let's see if Pep will be aware to this.

I want to see Grealish play in David Silva's old role as an 8. It seems like he'll be the starting LW this season instead. Foden's been training to play CM all season apparently so no more LW for him either.

I am curious how City will set up against Liverpool next weekend. Liverpool are having a mixed season so far in terms of performances. I felt like Klopp already tried 4-2-4 as a test towards the end against Wolves and it worked to great extent the last time Liverpool had played against ManCity. But 4-2-4 means surrendering midfield control. With Thiago being injured, I guess Klopp might go for the same.
Pep on the other hand is unpredictable and may go with some weird line up.

I think they'll play the system they've been playing since last year. Defensively it's a 4-4-2, but when they get on the ball it's more of a 3-3-4.



So something like this on the ball at least. Gundogan, Stones, and Zinchenko are injured so I think these will be the ones starting. Maybe Mahrez for Jesus because Mahrez holds the ball better, but Pep might want Jesus to start because he's a better presser. I think he'll go with Foden and KDB up front as double false 9's.

Thx RG, its good to see Arsenal finally on the up hopefully, its not right that they've been down for so long under performing basically.

Lots of ggs coming up, Man C v Liverpool will be another awesome game

"double false nines" peak Pep

where is CSpurs and BC?