Finesse
Well-Known Member
I get bored watching us attack. Pretty much every team in the Prem attacks better than we do. Auba’s goals drying up was inevitable. Feeding on scraps.
Willian as CF spelled disaster from the beginning.
Again this is the opportunity cost of our new found hard to beat accolade. Word on the street is they look solid now , Arteta got them working hard and they defend as a team. Excellent if you ask me. In addition for the very first time we finished a game in Manchester still thinking we were in it and could nick a draw instead of the usual praying for the ref to stop our misery / no need for extra time.
However this alone has been Arteta’s work for all these months. Bringing everyone to shape and line. From the strikers right to defence. 120% as he prescribed. This has taken away inventive freedom. Every chance now looks choreographed and lacking in genuine freedom. Only Saka has the spark and genuine freedom in his decision making. The rest look worried to try or making sure they keep to the scripts.
West Ham and Sheffield United could have gone sideways for most part of the game. This is a genuine assessment. Arteta is still trying to keep the shape and create more. I can see why he brought Willian as the false 9 to bring in Auba and Pepe. I don’t recall him doing any of that all game. Auba taking 6 shots in 5 full games is a worry we must address.
To what extent do we sacrifice structure and shape to become more inventive and create more?
Yes what if we scored from the 2 we created yesterday! Fine , what if they scored from all they created too? We are hanging on chances missed because we are getting used to the fact we don’t create a lot and not because the opponents defence is too good.