I see your point in that but tbf we do also need experienced heads in coaching roles, we can't just have 100% pure new inexperienced coaches so I'm not surprised he's still brought in experienced people aswell. Same goes for the squad, we can't just have pure young players between the ages 18-22/ academy players hence why he's probably looking at Partey to come in and not another young CM.
I don't see Laca being any more creative tbh. In fact, other than his physical strength and hold up play, I don't see much of his impact in games. Forwards are about goals and assists. I think that forward line definitely scores more than the current one.
I know he's dropped off this season.
Martinelli has the most ball recoveries p90 of any of our forwards so leading the press is not one of his problems. I'd argue that Nketiah is a better example of leading a press also, as his pressing is very good. I think you mean his possession game, which obviously Laca is the main choice in that regard, Martinelli and Auba aren't necessarily technical wizards, although I think Martinelli is underrated in that regard. Nketiah's possession game is relatively underrated also.
Yeah, he was. I was his first defender in here when most were having a go at him. However, just like in any other job, a terrible performance in the current year can't be cushioned by a good one in the years gone by. Alex is doing worse numbers than Giroud was doing and we all know how his predecessor was labelled and abused.
I quite agree with @MutableEarth's view on this. Martinelli does most things that are expected of a striker and since he is young there is a lot of room for learning and improving. Plus he is the future. Laca, on the other hand, certainly looks like the type of players that reach their prime quite early then regress when they are supposed to be in their prime same as Özil. If we are smart, we should sell right away when he still has got an over 25m potential market value or get less than that or non at all in subsequent windows.
Lacazette is being mentioned within the context of Arteta's tactics
Nah, same thing happens with Özil and even though I think he’s a waste of space - even thats been done to death I muted that thread too.Anytime Lacazette is mentioned you get really emotional
It's the technical balance of the team. If Tierney had been fit, maybe Saka would have played with Auba CF and Pepe RW. Nelson LW is another decent shout but he's had his injuries (and detractors) too. The problem isn't with Auba playing CF as a concept, but the sh*tty lopsided midfield (could extend lopsidedness to the whole XI) that isn't able to accommodate playing him there. Play him there and you create another pothole in the team. Martinelli - as stated - is more like Auba, so having two of them sacrifices some level of possession and control because we don't have the right midfielders to complement them.
Do you think Arteta will try to change the set up to get more out of Pepe? It feels like our left hand side is highly concentrated while Pepe is left quite isolated on the right hand side. He doesnt get a properly overlapping RB. I also noticed when watching in the stands (more noticeable that way) that we just give Pepe the ball and expect him to do stuff with it, the CAM doesnt roam enough to the right. Bellerin doesnt come to support. So it always ends up being Pepe by himself vs 2-3 players (PL instantly realised his 1on1 threat after his debut at Anfield).
Interesting point about Pepe - I actually disagree with a small part of your point in that I think part of his problem is not just being isolated but that Özil has been getting in his way a little bit and occupying similar spaces as him at crucial times in moves. I agree on the point of Bellerin though - he hasn't really been himself since returning and AMN's tweaked role meant he was overlapping as much. So Pepe's definitely struggled to fit himself into the team as well as we would like.
I just think that Pepe isnt getting the ball in the right positions, it feels like the opposing defence is so settled when he has the ball at his feet. He undoubtedly poses a massive threat when 1on1 with a defender so if you can create overloads and some confusion/panic in the defence you can drag some players out of position or isolate them. Right now Pepe gets the ball and he has a lot to do to get anywhere.
Pepe is just an awkward fit at the moment, as are most of the players. They don't actually have a lot of chemistry and this is one of the reasons why it's been hard to get the best strengths out of a lot of the players. Thank God Aubameyang has been scoring like a mad man for 2 years.
Guendouzi will get more than enough games here, while Smith-Rowe will most likely go back out on loan - maybe back to Huddersfield Town.
There is nothing to feel for the man when he's got the likes of Elneny, Mikhi, Xhaka, Torreira, Mustafi, Sokratis, Laca etc on the rooster. A fire sale is actually in his best interest.
