Spy360:

Like I said players have a combination of all three skills in them. But one usually dominates the others. It's like temperament.

Odegaard is very cerebral but his technicality dominates his brain work. Howbeit he is more cerebral than many cerebral midfielders.

As for the description of Rice in the bolded, goes to show that he is more of a physical player.

Ok

mostob:
Let me guess
Elneny
Partey
Cedric the Pensioner
Nketiah
Jorginho
Maybe one of Nelson/ESR/Kiwior.
Ramsdale might move too.

Likely incoming are Hato, Toney, Zubimendi or Douglas Luis.
Another goalkeeper might come in if Ramsdale leaves.

Accurate list for departure. I don't want to think of the Rams departure sha. Dunno why.

Add that Thuram guy as incoming.


Fantasy incoming so far-Mbappe😂😂😂
Real vivid imagination

daveP:
Accurate list for departure. I don't want to think of the Rams departure sha. Dunno why.

Add that Thuram guy as incoming.


Fantasy incoming so far-Mbappe
Real vivid imagination

Thuram ke? I don't think so.
Mbappe is going to Madrid.

mostob:
White, Jorginho, Jesus, Saka, Saliba have all played for us this season while nursing injuries.

I hate the way Partey is doing like a new bride. FFS, he is supposed to be a leader in this squad. Now, he is out of Burnley's match with returning date unknown. At least Zinchenko dey do on and off.

A fully fit Partey in that squad eh, The whole league will feel it.

Vieira had a surgery in November but he is closed to returning.
ESR twisted his ankle in training. He jumped to avoid a tackle and baba got injured like that.
Jesus may make the squad.
Tomi is back
Timber had a setback

I don't understand how u people always get angry about players staying out injured . I understand that as a fan it's frustrating to see a good player miss crucial matches due to injury , but when a player is injured and the medical team certify him as being unfit there's u or the player can do about it .

An injured player is an injured player. Do u expect an injured Partey to force himself into the starting line-up or what ?

The koko is Partey is an elderly man suffering injuries that come with age as an African ; it is what it is . There's nothing anybody can do about it. Even we wey dey play 5-aside set , no be the way our body be 10 years ago e be now .

mostob:
Thuram ke? I don't think so.
Mbappe is going to Madrid.

yeah. The OGN guy. Although Fab Ro never tok this one, but some other tabloid, sources are raising doubts about move to Madrid.

Shegzdave:

Some of them are failed coaches that returned to punditry but they won’t cut Arteta some slack

Funny lots

it's not about slack slicing sef. Its just they feel like just picking on.

Spy360:

It is obvious that fans underrated White.


There are three categories of skills for footballers. They are physical, technical and cerebral.

Physical - stamina, speed, endurance

Technical - ball control, dribbling, crossing, shooting (especially curling the ball), finishing

Cerebral - positioning, movement, spacial awareness

Every player has all three but one or two will dominate their skillset. When you look at Gabriel, you know he is more of physical. When you look at Saka he is more of technical, when you look at White you see that he is more of cerebral.

Please note, that a physically or technically inclined player may even be more cerebral than a cerebrally inclined player. For example, Rice is a physically inclined player but is more cerebral than Elneny who is a cerebrally inclined player.

Cerebral players are the ones the manager uses to determine, control and direct their onfield tactics. At Arsenal, Arteta uses White to a great effect in controlling how he wants the team to play. Other players include Havertz, Jorginho etc.

The reason why you would almost certainly see White and Kai in an Arteta line up is because they are the brain of the team. The likes of Gabriel, Saliba, Rice may be the bone, while Saka, Martinelli, Jesus, Zinchenko are the hands, White and Kai are the brains. They will always find a space in the line up.

Yeah White is very much underrated and underappreciated with respect to what he brings to this team

But

While your analysis of different categories of skills in football is beautifully crafted, I don't quite agree with it.

1. In your categories, I believe it should be only two (physical and technical) and that the categories of cerebral should be given to technical cos that's essentially what technical skills is all about (spatial awareness, positioning and movement).

2. You concluded by calling Havertz, Jorginho and White "the brains" of the team.
Hmm, We all know that title belongs to Odegaard presently and to some extent Rice.
This duo are the ones that's making this system tick cos they involve much in the buildup, control, shape and press of the system, transitioning of attack and understanding the use of space well.
Calling them hand and leg or whatever is a great disservice to the work they're doing at arsenal.

Take out Odegaard and put Havertz (your brain) in his position and take out Rice and put Jorginho (your brain) in his position and let's see whether this system won't crumble.
The only person who can confidently replace Rice in this setup for long is Partey and that's because he also is another brain of the team.

Meanwhile the people you termed as Cerebral or the "brain of the team" players are the players that can be easily be replaced without feeling any huge drop in form. Everyone knows this. White for Tomi, Havertz for ESR/Trossard, Jorginho sef na bench player.
There's a reason they're called "brains" to start with.


3. I would love to see any article, site or blog (or even videos) where you at least referenced this write-up from, for clearer understanding, cos I've searched and searched and I didn't see any Cerebral skill in any category of skills for footballers.
I will be expecting.

BlueRayDick:


I don't understand how u people always get angry about players staying out injured . I understand that as a fan it's frustrating to see a good player miss crucial matches due to injury , but when a player is injured and the medical team certify him as being unfit there's u or the player can do about it .

An injured player is an injured player. Do u expect an injured Partey to force himself into the starting line-up or what ?

The koko is Partey is an elderly man suffering injuries that come with age as an African ; it is what it is . There's nothing anybody can do about it. Even we wey dey play 5-aside set , no be the way our body be 10 years ago e be now .

But Partey don overdo. Without kicking the ball, baba don get injured again. Make the guy do fast and comot.

mostob:
But Partey don overdo. Without kicking the ball, baba don get injured again. Make the guy do fast and comot.

Na elderly man we sign na

Jodera:

Nice...
One of the most underrated Arsenal player.... Ben White

but the guy is very consistent,one of my favorite

BlueRayDick:

Na elderly man we sign na

Mandela27:
but the guy is very consistent,one of my favorite

Yeah, really consistent.
And his understanding with Saka is very very good

Jodera:

Yeah, really consistent.
And his understanding with Saka is very very good

Yeah very true

Regardless of the down talks or/and hypes, i believe the next phase is where he singlehandedly begins to make things change for the team, getting tense situations changed and grabbing more spotlight. I dunno if Refs will protect him in return sha. Cos ororo enjoyed that. Salah does too.

Jodera:

Yeah, really consistent.
And his understanding with Saka is very very good

I even appreciate him more considering the number of epl fullbacks that are in the hospital so far(over 14)

The position that has suffered since the switch to modern football is the fullbacks. They're expected to defend, attack, invert, make assists, join setpieces set up and recover on counters, and be in a 3v1 situation where teammates leave them sometimes. Plus they're also playing close to the white line so the consciousness of not conceding throws and cks or foolish passes that will jeopardize the team is all on them. They also don't even shoot screamers and score stunners for reasons I don't get. Yet.....


They're also the most likely to get changed positions among defenders

Lb or rb to winger, cm dlp, wb

Mikel Arteta is set for a new contract at Arsenal. His current deal expires in 2025 and the club want to secure his future amid interest from PSG and others.

Mikel Arteta is fully focused on his project at the Emirates and doesn’t want any other club. #arsenalfanaticsnews #NorthLondonForever #AFC #Arsenal #COYG

28-year-old Carlos Cuesta could be tempted by an opportunity to take his first senior role, but is only likely to consider an approach when the season is completed. Several other Championship sides are also thought to have shown an interest in Cuesta taking over in the summer, although Arsenal are believed to be determined to resist any approaches. [@ed_aarons] #afc #arsenalfanaticsnews

Jodera:
Yeah White is very much underrated and underappreciated with respect to what he brings to this team

But

While your analysis of different categories of skills in football is beautifully crafted, I don't quite agree with it.

1. In your categories, I believe it should be only two (physical and technical) and that the categories of cerebral should be given to technical cos that's essentially what technical skills is all about (spatial awareness, positioning and movement).

2. You concluded by calling Havertz, Jorginho and White "the brains" of the team.
Hmm, We all know that title belongs to Odegaard presently and to some extent Rice.
This duo are the ones that's making this system tick cos they involve much in the buildup, control, shape and press of the system, transitioning of attack and understanding the use of space well.
Calling them hand and leg or whatever is a great disservice to the work they're doing at arsenal.

Take out Odegaard and put Havertz (your brain) in his position and take out Rice and put Jorginho (your brain) in his position and let's see whether this system won't crumble.
The only person who can confidently replace Rice in this setup for long is Partey and that's because he also is another brain of the team.

Meanwhile the people you termed as Cerebral or the "brain of the team" players are the players that can be easily be replaced without feeling any huge drop in form. Everyone knows this. White for Tomi, Havertz for ESR/Trossard, Jorginho sef na bench player.
There's a reason they're called "brains" to start with.


3. I would love to see any article, site or blog (or even videos) where you at least referenced this write-up from, for clearer understanding, cos I've searched and searched and I didn't see any Cerebral skill in any category of skills for footballers.
I will be expecting.

I have no issues if you don't accept my idea. I can also say that you were unable to refute them.

You always ask for references but when you see them you turn around again to deny them or reject them.

The YouTube video below is fourfourtwo (I don't know if you're conversant with the magazine, but they have a strong reputation with Arsenal FC). It's a short video analysing our game with Liverpool. Listen carefully.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPnwo9cY1e8?si=gRnYehytSqCpPT84

Spy360:

I have no issues if you don't accept my idea. I can also say that you were unable to refute them.

You always ask for references but when you see them you turn around again to deny them or reject them.

The YouTube video below is fourfourtwo (I don't know if you're conversant with the magazine, but they have a strong reputation with Arsenal FC). It's a short video analysing our game with Liverpool. Listen carefully.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPnwo9cY1e8?si=gRnYehytSqCpPT84

Excellent analysis. That Liverpool game was one of Arteta's best from tactical POV.
However, TBH, this video didn't categorically states who is cerebral, who is cerebellum and who is medulla oblongata. It is just a match analysis.

daveP:
Regardless of the down talks or/and hypes, i believe the next phase is where he singlehandedly begins to make things change for the team, getting tense situations changed and grabbing more spotlight. I dunno if Refs will protect him in return sha. Cos ororo enjoyed that. Salah does too.

This is really an excellent feat.
Saka of ystdy don reach 100g/a.

I even read that he's already equalled his g/a of last season and we're already in Feb. Wow!!!

This guy just keeps getting better and better. Kudos to him

daveP:
I even appreciate him more considering the number of epl fullbacks that are in the hospital so far(over 14)

The position that has suffered since the switch to modern football is the fullbacks. They're expected to defend, attack, invert, make assists, join setpieces set up and recover on counters, and be in a 3v1 situation where teammates leave them sometimes. Plus they're also playing close to the white line so the consciousness of not conceding throws and cks or foolish passes that will jeopardize the team is all on them. They also don't even shoot screamers and score stunners for reasons I don't get. Yet.....


They're also the most likely to get changed positions among defenders

Lb or rb to winger, cm dlp, wb

Spot on with your observations. 💯💯

Spy360:

I have no issues if you don't accept my idea. I can also say that you were unable to refute them.

You always ask for references but when you see them you turn around again to deny them or reject them.

The YouTube video below is fourfourtwo (I don't know if you're conversant with the magazine, but they have a strong reputation with Arsenal FC). It's a short video analysing our game with Liverpool. Listen carefully.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPnwo9cY1e8?si=gRnYehytSqCpPT84

Is the bolded you trying to indirectly tell us you formed those terms from your head yet you want us to just gobble it up because you're the alpha and omega of football?
Even people wey dey embark on project, write articles and essays always have references to show yet you couldn't even bring one. Typical you, always forming words and definition of football terms from your head then turn around to accuse me of always rejecting it.

NB: Just because Havertz was instrumental in the first goal against Liverpool doesn't make him the "brain" in our team. I've watched that video a day after our win against Liverpool and because of you I have to rewatch it again, no where was cerebral ever mentioned (which was what I asked you to bring).
I guess you didn't watch his analysis Vs west ham where he specifically said it's through Odegaard our football flows and it was an in-game decision from Arteta that White have to play the Inverted role just so that Odegaard would be accessible. To put it clearly, Arteta basically have to bring Odegaard into the game for we to break their defensive shape.
If you've not watched it, see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5beivGJWHFc?si=4v65V5EPBhoo_3QD


Also, try and watch this too and see how Rice is also the brains behind this team. It also answers why we always need a false 9(in this system) instead of the traditional 9 most of us are always clamouring for here.

A traditional 9 won't make this system flow well. It's one of the main reasons arsenal got better when Auba was exiled and it's also one of the main reasons Nketiah isn't seeing match presently again (Jesus, Havertz, Trossard in that order). I'll encourage all of us to watch it if we haven't

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPEJlPKWY84?si=5UEvVbh_JeAYR34f

mostob:
Excellent analysis. That Liverpool game was one of Arteta's best from tactical POV.
However, TBH, this video didn't categorically states who is cerebral, who is cerebellum and who is medulla oblongata. It is just a match analysis.

You sef don see him diversionary tactics

Spy360:

I have no issues if you don't accept my idea. I can also say that you were unable to refute them.

You always ask for references but when you see them you turn around again to deny them or reject them.

The YouTube video below is fourfourtwo (I don't know if you're conversant with the magazine, but they have a strong reputation with Arsenal FC). It's a short video analysing our game with Liverpool. Listen carefully.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPnwo9cY1e8?si=gRnYehytSqCpPT84

What this analysis impresses on me mostly is we need a pacy finisher in that place. Dazall. Once again, he's very lucky that Saka was there to finish that move.

Jodera:
This is really an excellent feat.
Saka of ystdy don reach 100g/a.

I even read that he's already equalled his g/a of last season and we're already in Feb. Wow!!!

This guy just keeps getting better and better. Kudos to him

Sincerely. Imagine if he wasn't tracked by 2 to 3 shirts. He for pass that number by now. It's over to him to take the UCL by storm and announce himself well to Europe elite competition.

Jodera:
Is the bolded you trying to indirectly tell us you formed those terms from your head yet you want us to just gobble it up because you're the alpha and omega of football?
Even people wey dey embark on project, write articles and essays always have references to show yet you couldn't even bring one. Typical you, always forming words and definition of football terms from your head then turn around to accuse me of always rejecting it.

NB: Just because Havertz was instrumental in the first goal against Liverpool doesn't make him the "brain" in our team. I've watched that video a day after our win against Liverpool and because of you I have to rewatch it again, no where was cerebral ever mentioned (which was what I asked you to bring).
I guess you didn't watch his analysis Vs west ham where he specifically said it's through Odegaard our football flows and it was an in-game decision from Arteta that White have to play the Inverted role just so that Odegaard would be accessible. To put it clearly, Arteta basically have to bring Odegaard into the game for we to break their defensive shape.
If you've not watched it, see it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5beivGJWHFc?si=4v65V5EPBhoo_3QD


Also, try and watch this too and see how Rice is also the brains behind this team. It also answers why we always need a false 9(in this system) instead of the traditional 9 most of us are always clamouring for here.

A traditional 9 won't make this system flow well. It's one of the main reasons arsenal got better when Auba was exiled and it's also one of the main reasons Nketiah isn't seeing match presently again (Jesus, Havertz, Trossard in that order). I'll encourage all of us to watch it if we haven't

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPEJlPKWY84?si=5UEvVbh_JeAYR34f

Your last paragraph is where you're wrong.


All the 9s we've been linked to will flourish in the setup. However, not all of them are excellent finisher. Imo, it seems Arteta is anticipating an arrival and is setting up the team to play in that way, even though we also know that he can tweak things to accommodate a 9 he likes that's better than Jesus in box. I'll mention just one-Lautaro. Auba situo is just a bad season with an ego striker doesn't mean we throw the baby with both bath, water and the cot.

daveP:
Your last paragraph is where you're wrong.


All the 9s we've been linked to will flourish in the setup. However, not all of them are excellent finisher. Imo, it seems Arteta is anticipating an arrival and is setting up the team to play in that way, even though we also know that he can tweak things to accommodate a 9 he likes that's better than Jesus in box. I'll mention just one-Lautaro. Auba situo is just a bad season with an ego striker doesn't mean we throw the baby with both bath, water and the cot.

Osimhen and Toney are obvious 9 that drop deep to facilitate build up and still be in the position to score if the needs arises and they're also good at pressing. So yeah, they'll flourish in this system. Especially Osimhen.

What I'm talking about is the traditional 9s that these types of attributes aren't their game. Our system will struggle with them . I'm not bad-mouthing Auba, just telling you that the system didn't suit him same way it doesn't suit Nketiah now.
They might get the goals but we might not be dominant or winning matches consistently

Jodera:
You sef don see him diversionary tactics

I was actually expecting his link to discuss more about the whole stuff. Infact, I was ready to learn sef.

daveP:
What this analysis impresses on me mostly is we need a pacy finisher in that place. Dazall. Once again, he's very lucky that Saka was there to finish that move.

Kai is terrible with finishing. For all his brilliant off the ball movements and awareness he lacks in that vital aspect. That was as poor as a school boy miss.

mostob:
I was actually expecting his link to discuss more about the whole stuff. Infact, I was ready to learn sef.

Actually, I knew he formed all those things from his head especially with those accompanying examples but I just wanted to give him benefits of doubt to prove me wrong.

Him no disappoint at all

Spy360:

Kai is terrible with finishing. For all his brilliant off the ball movements and awareness he lacks in that vital aspect. That was as poor as a school boy miss.

That's tue more reason coach playing him as CF is wack. If football was 12 men i wouldn't mind having him in any free role on the pitch. What's painful is he's missed 16 chances to bury balls this season. If we didn't win most of those games by others scoring, even you no go wan talk or defend him. But yeah, off the ball.

Jodera:
Osimhen and Toney are obvious 9 that drop deep to facilitate build up and still be in the position to score if the needs arises and they're also good at pressing. So yeah, they'll flourish in this system. Especially Osimhen.

What I'm talking about is the traditional 9s that these types of attributes aren't their game. Our system will struggle with them . I'm not bad-mouthing Auba, just telling you that the system didn't suit him same way it doesn't suit Nketiah now.
They might get the goals but we might not be dominant or winning matches consistently

Okay. I get you.


Me i just felt like he rushed Auba into it. Someone is used to a system for decade of his career approaching 30 and you want to now change his OT of attacking just like that. Not that he was not scoring o. Golden boot too o.

The grace he's giving Kai, he never gave Auba. The ish is no one can determine the depth of a fall off with a manager. That's where Auba really messed up.


They don't suit style, yet ya forcing figs to turn apples?? Haba.