Maybe
You're wrong, no?
The game plan where you start your attack from the back requires "intelligent" and competent defenders on the ball.
You just can't play like that with Bellerin and Mustafi, they just don't understand that game and they don't have the technical quality to play it. Both insecure with the passing and both are afraid of the ball.
STEP 1: Leno passing to Mustafi is how we started our attack. You make a plan and the first guy who receives the ball is the guy who doesn't want that ball and panics with it. What Mustafi does is kicking the ball forward and loses it - results with - we are defending again with a squad that is not designed to defend.
STEP 2: Mustafi passes the ball to Bellerin (if he doesn't kick it upfront), and Bellerin is the guy who doesn't want the ball (again). He either loses it by passing forward or gives it back to Mustafi/Leno. Bellerin is a guy who thrives when making runs, never with playing from the back.
STEP 3: That would be the case where Mustafi/Leno/Bellerin pass the ball to CM. Again we have a problem that we don't have a midfielder who is great at receiving the ball and turning with it. That's why our fall was so sharp since we lost Cazorla. Xhaka is OK player, probably Torreira also, but none of our midfielders can do that job at the required level. That step is also the reason we've seen a sharp decline of Özil since Cazorla left. The ball never gets to him where he wants it (between the lines)
Now, before we start talking about how we lack goal scorers, or how ****e is Pepe, or how Laca is a bum or how Eddie/Martinelli are too young, I'm listening to explanations how exactly do we ever progress from any of the first 3 steps.
That's why my expectation of Saliba is so high and I don't care how old he is, he will fix 2 of those problems alone. That is also why I look forward to ESR, the guy can receive the ball and move with it, unlike any other midfielder that we have.
My worry is that Arteta won't go that way simply because of their age and he will continue with Xhaka/Mustafi/Bellerin thing again next season. Wouldn't say that he doesn't want to do it, more like he will feel under too much pressure and will go with a more "safe" approach, which will cost him his job in the end
You just can't play like that with Bellerin and Mustafi, they just don't understand that game and they don't have the technical quality to play it. Both insecure with the passing and both are afraid of the ball.
STEP 1: Leno passing to Mustafi is how we started our attack. You make a plan and the first guy who receives the ball is the guy who doesn't want that ball and panics with it. What Mustafi does is kicking the ball forward and loses it - results with - we are defending again with a squad that is not designed to defend.
STEP 2: Mustafi passes the ball to Bellerin (if he doesn't kick it upfront), and Bellerin is the guy who doesn't want the ball (again). He either loses it by passing forward or gives it back to Mustafi/Leno. Bellerin is a guy who thrives when making runs, never with playing from the back.
STEP 3: That would be the case where Mustafi/Leno/Bellerin pass the ball to CM. Again we have a problem that we don't have a midfielder who is great at receiving the ball and turning with it. That's why our fall was so sharp since we lost Cazorla. Xhaka is OK player, probably Torreira also, but none of our midfielders can do that job at the required level. That step is also the reason we've seen a sharp decline of Özil since Cazorla left. The ball never gets to him where he wants it (between the lines)
Now, before we start talking about how we lack goal scorers, or how ****e is Pepe, or how Laca is a bum or how Eddie/Martinelli are too young, I'm listening to explanations how exactly do we ever progress from any of the first 3 steps.
That's why my expectation of Saliba is so high and I don't care how old he is, he will fix 2 of those problems alone. That is also why I look forward to ESR, the guy can receive the ball and move with it, unlike any other midfielder that we have.
My worry is that Arteta won't go that way simply because of their age and he will continue with Xhaka/Mustafi/Bellerin thing again next season. Wouldn't say that he doesn't want to do it, more like he will feel under too much pressure and will go with a more "safe" approach, which will cost him his job in the end