Country: Iceland
Xhaka had 9 tackles against Bournemouth.
-
! ! ! IMPORTANT MESSAGE ! ! !
Discussions about police investigations
In light of recent developments about a player from Premier League being arrested and until there is an official announcement, ALL users should refrain from discussing or speculating about situations around personal off-pitch matters related to any Arsenal player. This is to protect you and the forum.
Users who disregard this reminder will be issued warnings and their posts will get deleted from public.
Mohamed Elneny: What is he good 4?
- Thread starter Trilly
- Start date
- Replies 4,095
- Views 415,730
- Status
Country: Iceland
Jury
A-M's drunk uncle
It doesn't matter really. He's not a defensive midfielder and neither is Elneny. Theo has come through games with good tackle stats. Doesnt mean he's combative of particularly defensive.
Jury
A-M's drunk uncle
Id like to say we'll see if it works, but we probably wont even get the chance.
When we bought Xhaka we found arguably the closest thing to Xabi Alonso possible and we shouldn't forget that.
Xabi Alonso is a brilliant player who basically plays DM without actually "defending." They guy was never a stats leader on tackles or aerial dominance, and he never looked like he was "defending." He also wasn't known for attacking either, yet it was obvious that the team was better when he was on the field.
He excelled with his range of passing and intelligence, and this is what we have with Xhaka. Right now Wenger is building up his EPL intelligence.
Additionally, Xabi Alonso has always developed strong midfield partnerships: Mascherano at Liverpool, Busquets with Spain, and Modric at Real Madrid.
Xhaka right now is learning the nuance of many partnerships at Arsenal since it is unlikely that we will have a set midfield two. He's young and in a new league, so it can take a handful of months to figure everything out.
Xhaka can have 9 tackles in a match without "defending" because that is how he plays. He played well this weekend, and I'm confident that he will continue to improve this season.
Xabi Alonso is a brilliant player who basically plays DM without actually "defending." They guy was never a stats leader on tackles or aerial dominance, and he never looked like he was "defending." He also wasn't known for attacking either, yet it was obvious that the team was better when he was on the field.
He excelled with his range of passing and intelligence, and this is what we have with Xhaka. Right now Wenger is building up his EPL intelligence.
Additionally, Xabi Alonso has always developed strong midfield partnerships: Mascherano at Liverpool, Busquets with Spain, and Modric at Real Madrid.
Xhaka right now is learning the nuance of many partnerships at Arsenal since it is unlikely that we will have a set midfield two. He's young and in a new league, so it can take a handful of months to figure everything out.
Xhaka can have 9 tackles in a match without "defending" because that is how he plays. He played well this weekend, and I'm confident that he will continue to improve this season.
N
NotAUserName
Guest
@GunnerBP Think it was him and mostly Khedira in a midfield two and Modric and Di Maria in Ancelotti's 4-3-3.
say yes
forum master baiter
Wouldn't agree that Elneny is slow (or maybe I've just completely missed that), and I think it's clear that Xhaka can tackle.
What would be your preferred midfield combo?
Yeah, I forgot about Khedira. Good call.
4R5Emaniac
Always fresh from Bangladesh
The pace of the double pivot shouldn't be a big deal given we have two CBs with recovery pace, are quick with/without the ball. Elneny is pretty quick in his head and can play at a high fluid tempo. He does have good running patterns to have enough recovery pace imo.
Xhaka is a defensive midfielder btw in terms of positioning-European football style- but also a controlling midfielder. Having both Xhaka-Elneny is a great platform for players behind and ahead of them.
I don't understand personally what the point is of a player that dives into tackles like snapping at opposing team's ankles for show on TV. Its pointless and rather have players on their feet in every move. We have to reach a place where attacking, defending and transitioning is collectively tied together and in sync. Like an orchestra. That is obviously my personal POV.
Xhaka is a defensive midfielder btw in terms of positioning-European football style- but also a controlling midfielder. Having both Xhaka-Elneny is a great platform for players behind and ahead of them.
I don't understand personally what the point is of a player that dives into tackles like snapping at opposing team's ankles for show on TV. Its pointless and rather have players on their feet in every move. We have to reach a place where attacking, defending and transitioning is collectively tied together and in sync. Like an orchestra. That is obviously my personal POV.
Jury
A-M's drunk uncle
There are so many that are yet to properly tested that it's hard to say. In theory and in practice, so far, Caz and Coq are and have been the best partnership. I like playing with a proper DMF so it has to be Coq plus another. We've not shown that any other partnership without Coq can be trusted to be disciplined under Wenger. Another reason why I want him to retire.
redanddread
The stone that the builders refuse
yes he did...
With the way we play, having Xhaka as our deepest midfielder makes perfect sense.
Still itching to see that Xhaka-Ramsey partnership. I think it has a bit of everything.
Still itching to see that Xhaka-Ramsey partnership. I think it has a bit of everything.
Last edited:
4R5Emaniac
Always fresh from Bangladesh
Yep, also play close to the cbs so that Kos, Xhaka and Mustafi make the team play with most of the team facing forward or ready to turn when a pass finds them. Ramsey could work but he is not technically up to Arsenal level like rest of the team and he runs backwards to our goal under pressure basically killing any momentum. Small things add up to big things etc etc.
Rocky
Swears he's not a Tottenham fan
Another man down...
The injury record at Arsenal is unacceptable and they need a root and branch investigation with a major focus on their pre-season preparations.
The injury record at Arsenal is unacceptable and they need a root and branch investigation with a major focus on their pre-season preparations.
Country: Iceland
Most uninspiring signing Wenger have made.
Country: England
Never knew poo was grey.
say yes
forum master baiter
I had a similar reaction when I saw the lineup tbf.
N
NotAUserName
Guest
A few pages back and most were saying he should be our starting midfielder with Santi out.
redanddread
The stone that the builders refuse
UpTheGunnerz
Vrei sa pleci dar una una iei
Player:Elneny
He really should. Along with Granit Xhaka. Coq for the more physical away games. The Basel Boys will swizz up the Emirates!
- Thread starter
- #2,700
Country: England
Wenger is a massive problem. You can tell Coq is the antithesis to a Wenger midfielder but Arsène is almost forced to play him because he knows his midfields are poor when it comes to the defensive side of the game.
He could simply spend one summer drilling his midfield to defend as a unit but I guess that would be too outlandish.
- Status
