₦airaland Forum

Trossard hits the post. That did not need a heavy shot. The angle was already set, he just needed to guide the ball.

Another attempt hits the post.

Why the hell is Odegaard passing the ball again? I mean you are inside the box with an angle to shoot!

We hold on to the ball needlessly

Zubi needs to help us more with progressing the ball from deep.

Long balls into the box is our weakness

Even Arteta is Nervous.

Only Rice Dey compose.

Odegaard and Saka just Dey play rubbish.

Saka just pass the freaking ball.. You don beat 1 man why attempt another needless dribble!

These extra touches inside the box are annoying the hell out of me!

Make Arteta use sub waste time na... Norgaad should come in

We win. That's what's important

Roland17:
These extra touches inside the box are annoying the hell out of me!

We are always going back. Very annoying. We don't lesrn

I’ll take the three point even with the rubbish play

Spy360:
We win. That's what's important

Omo eh... 5th time we'll be celebrating Christmas top of the table. Let's hope it's different this time.

mostob:
Omo eh... 5th time we'll be celebrating Christmas top of the table. Let's hope it's different this time.

We really need Gabriel back. He seems to be the leader in this team.

Not that Hincapie is doing bad. But we lack leadership

Omo. Na scrappy win and hitposts tonight o.

Ive accepted that the Odegaard that used to press backlines that year is gone gone gone. That aspect of his game died in LUTH alongside a large part of his creativity. Gyokores didn't impress tonight despite the goal. We lack creativity overall. And no solution in sight.

That misplaced pass from Raya to Hincapie, i blame Raya more. These two better communicate well. Hin thought that bal would go long. Hincapie and clearances tonight since that mistake😂😂😂

Overall, something gats change. Especially this shot on goal. Last 4games and e be like we never shoot 12 on goal yet. Kilode?

Record person fit use to hold body for now. Now 19.

BAB next

E cancelled with a W. Can we?

Shegzdave:
I’ll take the three point even with the rubbish play

Seems its only Trossard that has this edge among the attackers since December. Saka sef dey move one kine way. Stats dey make am look like e dey perform but he's not.

Zubimendi needs to do more for this team. He has been playing basic football for a while now. He doesn’t do enough with progressing the ball from the back despite numerous instances where he receives the ball first from the goalkeeper. Even when we progress and he receives the ball, he looks to pass back or sideways. When he receives the ball, Rice is still sitting deep.

Defensively, I am seeing Rice sitting back quite a bit more than usual to support Zubi. I rarely see him in dangerous areas like we are used to and that is because we are exposed if Rice isn’t around the same press area as Zubi. Rice doesn’t press ahead of Zubi because if he gets beat, we are toast. Tactically, Arteta is having to employ zonal marking more than we should because it keeps Rice around the same Triangle as Zubi.

We need more from Zubi to help out overall play.

Roland17:
Zubimendi needs to do more for this team. He has been playing basic football for a while now. He doesn’t do enough with progressing the ball from the back despite numerous instances where he receives the ball first from the goalkeeper. Even when we progress and he receives the ball, he looks to pass back or sideways. When he receives the ball, Rice is still sitting deep.

Defensively, I am seeing Rice sitting back quite a bit more than usual to support Zubi. I rarely see him in dangerous areas like we are used to and that is because we are exposed if Rice isn’t around the same press area as Zubi. Rice doesn’t press ahead of Zubi because if he gets beat, we are toast. Tactically, Arteta is having to employ zonal marking more than we should because it keeps Rice around the same Triangle as Zubi.

We need more from Zubi to help out overall play.

I concur with your observation. Zubi is basicallly playing football. He needs to add some danger in his game.

Last season Rice used to invert into the LAM position where he is a threat, but that role has been given to Calafiori instead. I think it makes us tactically weaker. For example, being left footed Calafiori cannot shoot easily from that position outside the box. I'd prefer he inverts into DM rather than LAM.

Spy360:
I concur with your observation. Zubi is basicallly playing football. He needs to add some danger in his game.

Last season Rice used to invert into the LAM position where he is a threat, but that role has been given to Calafiori instead. I think it makes us tactically weaker. For example, being left footed Calafiori cannot shoot easily from that position outside the box. I'd prefer he inverts into DM rather than LAM.

Exactly!

Thank you for adding the Calafiori angle. Whenever Calafiori starts, he starts inverting from the opponents half of the LAM, before finding his way into the edge, which means Rice remains behind to provide that cover.

In contrast, MLS inverts from the DM/DLP position. He is able to progress possession with the ball. It alap provides cover for Zubi so that Rice can go forward. All of these adjustments are to accommodate Zubi and ensure Rice isn’t straying too far from Zubi’s press/ possession triangle.

He really needs to let loose and help our offense move faster. This season, the few times Rice has gone forward, he is racing back as fast as he can to keep the shape with Zubi. We all know how lethal Rice is around the danger zones. Coming into this season, we all agreed he needs to be around those zones more. With Zubi and Rice sitting back, our ball progression stagnates.

Infact there have been moments where I have seen Odegaard come back to start possession with Zubi and Rice also staying deep. How the hell are we supposed to move the ball then? I understand this is difficult for Arteta and that is why I am blaming Zubi because he is making the tactics difficult for Arteta to execute.

Watching Raya yesterday, arteta is 200% dropping ramsdale
He was the best passer

Rice was everywhere yesterday, in fact since that Real Madrid gake last season Rice has been our best player in an Arsenal shirt.

It just seem as if Rice is the only one in our team who has that winning mentality that gives his all everytime he's on the pitch. Yesterday Rice was everywhere breaking Everton's attack play, sliding into the path of Everton players and repelling attacks after attacks. He also laid that pass to Trossard which ended up hitting the side bar following Trossard's placing shot.

One thing I noticed Saka requires is an AM who would be audacious to make a daring run at the opposition defence each time Saka gets double marked and he draws at least two defenders to himself. At that point, Saka needs either Eze or Odegaard to come to his left hand side, receive the ball from him and make a dashing run at whatever remains of the oppositions defensive set up. Whoever makes that run must be willing to dribble his way in without losing sight of other attackers' position in the box so as to be able to either pick a a nice final pass or strike a shot.

Now the problem with that scenario currently is that Odegaard will receive the ball, turn here and there and end up sending the pass side ways instead of penetrating deep into the heart of the opposition's defense.

Eze on the othrler hand would not even make himself available to receive the pass from Saka's foot. He would plant himself hiding behind opposition defenders and will somehow expect the ball to miraculously locate him thereby making the job of opposition defenders simple the moment they isolate Saka and close him down.

The drop in performance by Zubimendi has impacted on Rice venturing upfield. Before now, Rice always plays close to the edge of the opposition box when we are attacking and he's always available to play one or two outside shot. It just seem as if since that Chelsea game Rice has been handed a new responsibility of always staying behind to help our defense especially since our defence injury woes started. And I think that has affected our goal chances.

Hopefully Gabriel comes back ASAP and we get our MOJO back. It just seem as if the imbalance in our defense is what affects our overall attack play. It looks as if we play with so much caution upfront because almost everyone doesn't trust the defense so we take less and lesser risk upfront.

iamoyindamola:
Watching Raya yesterday, arteta is 200% dropping ramsdale
He was the best passer

took you so long to say this, knowing how much you criticised Raya's signing. 🫡

germaphobe:
took you so long to say this, knowing how much you criticised Raya's signing. 🫡

I didn't criticize raya signing, i criticize selling ramsdale

BlueRayDick:
Rice was everywhere yesterday, in fact since that Real Madrid gake last season Rice has been our best player in an Arsenal shirt.

It just seem as if Rice is the only one in our team who has that winning mentality that gives his all everytime he's on the pitch. Yesterday Rice was everywhere breaking Everton's attack play, sliding into the path of Everton players and repelling attacks after attacks. He also laid that pass to Trossard which ended up hitting the side bar following Trossard's placing shot.

One thing I noticed Saka requires is an AM who would be audacious to make a daring run at the opposition defence each time Saka gets double marked and he draws at least two defenders to himself. At that point, Saka needs either Eze or Odegaard to come to his left hand side, receive the ball from him and make a dashing run at whatever remains of the oppositions defensive set up. Whoever makes that run must be willing to dribble his way in without losing sight of other attackers' position in the box so as to be able to either pick a a nice final pass or strike a shot.

Now the problem with that scenario currently is that Odegaard will receive the ball, turn here and there and end up sending the pass side ways instead of penetrating deep into the heart of the opposition's defense.

Eze on the othrler hand would not even make himself available to receive the pass from Saka's foot. He would plant himself hiding behind opposition defenders and will somehow expect the ball to miraculously locate him thereby making the job of opposition defenders simple the moment they isolate Saka and close him down.

The drop in performance by Zubimendi has impacted on Rice venturing upfield. Before now, Rice always plays close to the edge of the opposition box when we are attacking and he's always available to play one or two outside shot. It just seem as if since that Chelsea game Rice has been handed a new responsibility of always staying behind to help our defense especially since our defence injury woes started. And I think that has affected our goal chances.

Hopefully Gabriel comes back ASAP and we get our MOJO back. It just seem as if the imbalance in our defense is what affects our overall attack play. It looks as if we play with so much caution upfront because almost everyone doesn't trust the defense so we take less and lesser risk upfront.

On Zubimendi and Rice being overworked..

1. It could be due to fatigue. Zubimendi rarely partakes in full training nowadays just to manage his load.

2. Arsenal with Gabriel at the back is a different team. Our defence has become weaker in the last couple of weeks so Rice staying back to cover the defence is understandable. With Saliba at the back yesterday, Rice was able to venture forward a bit (the pass to Trossard and a shot at the edge of the box). Even Zubimendi did hit the post from the edge of the box as well. You tend to take more risk when you're assured there's a 'rock' at the back.

We should be more concerned about the attackers and Odegaard especially.

mostob:
On Zubimendi and Rice being overworked..

1. It could be due to fatigue. Zubimendi rarely partakes in full training nowadays just to manage his load.

2. Arsenal with Gabriel at the back is a different team. Our defence has become weaker in the last couple of weeks so Rice staying back to cover the defence is understandable. With Saliba at the back yesterday, Rice was able to venture forward a bit (the pass to Trossard and a shot at the edge of the box). Even Zubimendi did hit the post from the edge of the box as well. You tend to take more risk when you're assured there's a 'rock' at the back.

We should be more concerned about the attackers and Odegaard especially.

Attack will cook once Arteta figures out when and how to use Gyokeres/Jesus/Merino , Eze/Odegaard and Trossard/Madueke/Martinelli. As for Saka, there's actually no one that can bench him in the squad except in cup matches.

We didn't play quite well in yesterday's 0-1 win away at Everton.
We barely created enough chances from open play,
The result absolutely spared our blushes, as Everton had their moments in the second half with that controversial non-penalty call.

The criticism on Zubimendi and Odegaard have been spot on.
Zubimendi and Odegaard play too safe, None of them have the ability to carry the ball through the midfield apart from Rice.

The stats from yesterday showed how shocking our lack of individual penetration was.

Saka completed 4 successful dribbles while Odegaard, Trossard, and Martinelli all had zero. We dominated possession but couldn't beat markers 1v1 or progress the ball fast enough in the final third.

This is exactly why we'll keep struggling to break down low block. Only Saka can't be our attacking threat.

That's also why I've been hesitant to blame Gyokeres. Yes, he has his flaws but the bigger systemic issue is the lack of space creation around him.

Without more dribbling threat, carries from midfield like Rice occasionally does or wingers beating their man consistently, he will keep on feeding on scraps against packed defenses.

Better creativity and penetration would give him and the whole attack more room to thrive.

Sheybi they all agreed say this foul no be penalty now... Why dem dey cry about yesterday's own

Gabzy1:
We didn't play quite well in yesterday's 0-1 win away at Everton.
We barely created enough chances from open play,
The result absolutely spared our blushes, as Everton had their moments in the second half with that controversial non-penalty call.

The criticism on Zubimendi and Odegaard have been spot on.
Zubimendi and Odegaard play too safe, None of them have the ability to carry the ball through the midfield apart from Rice.

The stats from yesterday showed how shocking our lack of individual penetration was.

Saka completed 4 successful dribbles while Odegaard, Trossard, and Martinelli all had zero. We dominated possession but couldn't beat markers 1v1 or progress the ball fast enough in the final third.

This is exactly why we'll keep struggling to break down low block. Only Saka can't be our attacking threat.

That's also why I've been hesitant to blame Gyokeres. Yes, he has his flaws but the bigger systemic issue is the lack of space creation around him.

Without more dribbling threat, carries from midfield like Rice occasionally does or wingers beating their man consistently, he will keep on feeding on scraps against packed defenses.

Better creativity and penetration would give him and the whole attack more room to thrive.

About Gyokeres... Man should work on his touches too. He needs to stop gumming body with defenders so he can find that separation.

iamoyindamola:
Watching Raya yesterday, arteta is 200% dropping ramsdale
He was the best passer

But his passes dey give HBP 😂

Especially to Hincapie

Roland17:
Exactly!

Thank you for adding the Calafiori angle. Whenever Calafiori starts, he starts inverting from the opponents half of the LAM, before finding his way into the edge, which means Rice remains behind to provide that cover.

In contrast, MLS inverts from the DM/DLP position. He is able to progress possession with the ball. It alap provides cover for Zubi so that Rice can go forward. All of these adjustments are to accommodate Zubi and ensure Rice isn’t straying too far from Zubi’s press/ possession triangle.

He really needs to let loose and help our offense move faster. This season, the few times Rice has gone forward, he is racing back as fast as he can to keep the shape with Zubi. We all know how lethal Rice is around the danger zones. Coming into this season, we all agreed he needs to be around those zones more. With Zubi and Rice sitting back, our ball progression stagnates.

Infact there have been moments where I have seen Odegaard come back to start possession with Zubi and Rice also staying deep. How the hell are we supposed to move the ball then? I understand this is difficult for Arteta and that is why I am blaming Zubi because he is making the tactics difficult for Arteta to execute.

Zubi is supposed to be able to break the press as a lone midfielder with a back three to allow Rice and Odegaard attack the final third.

He is struggling to do that and it's making our attack transition too slow, cautious, and regulated.

I hope he can brush himself up or may be he needs Gabriel on his side

mostob:
On Zubimendi and Rice being overworked..

1. It could be due to fatigue. Zubimendi rarely partakes in full training nowadays just to manage his load.

2. Arsenal with Gabriel at the back is a different team. Our defence has become weaker in the last couple of weeks so Rice staying back to cover the defence is understandable. With Saliba at the back yesterday, Rice was able to venture forward a bit (the pass to Trossard and a shot at the edge of the box). Even Zubimendi did hit the post from the edge of the box as well. You tend to take more risk when you're assured there's a 'rock' at the back.

We should be more concerned about the attackers and Odegaard especially.

You make a good point too