Mikel Arteta: Aston La Vista To The Title?

[Rasmi]

I think he is young but very good. Sort of like what Verane was when he first came up. I am intrigued by your list though. Would you be kind to name them?

Player for player Man U, city, Sp**s, Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester has better defenders than us. Wolves is very good coached team defensively. These 7 will concede less than us

 

[Macho]

Player for player Man U, city, Sp**s, Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester has better defenders than us. Wolves is very good coached team defensively. These 7 will concede less than us

The only Man U defender id take is AWB and even then, he’d get blown up on these boards because of his inability to go forward.

Sp**s back line is **** also, so this is simply not true. Toby might get in next to Gabriel but that’s about it.

 

[Manberg]

There is a huge gap between players losing confidence and players not playing for the manager. Players losing confidence is where we’re at. They don’t have confidence in each other. Lack of confidence is what prevents risk taking. Players won’t make passes because they don’t expect teammates to make runs. Players don’t make runs because they’re not expecting teammates to make the passes.

Results are more important than the performances at this stage (until we can get 2 or more creative players). Arteta has to find a way to fix things.

 

[Rasmi]

There is a huge gap between players losing confidence and players not playing for the manager. Players losing confidence is where we’re at. They don’t have confidence in each other. Lack of confidence is what prevents risk taking. Players won’t make passes because they don’t expect teammates to make runs. Players don’t make runs because they’re not expecting teammates to make the passes.

Results are more important than the performances at this stage (until we can get 2 or more creative players). Arteta has to find a way to fix things.

players losing confidence comes from the managers tactics not working and them keep getting bad results

 

[Manberg]

players losing confidence comes from the managers tactics not working and them keep getting bad results

Pretty sure the change in tactics proves that to be false.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

We've only conceded 10 goals and we're 12th. 6 of those came in two games against Villa and Liverpool.

We quite clearly have one of the better defences in the league @Rasmi man for man Gabriel and Tierney get into most if not all PL teams currently. Bellerin has been doing very well also! But there's a lot of good right backs in the league.

 

[Rasmi]

We've only conceded 10 goals and we're 12th. 6 of those came in two games against Villa and Liverpool.

We quite clearly have one of the better defences in the league @Rasmi man for man Gabriel and Tierney get into most if not all PL teams currently. Bellerin has been doing very well also! But there's a lot of good right backs in the league.

Tierney is not better than chillwell, reguilon or Robertson. All 3 are levels ahead of him on the ball

 

[HairSprayGooners]

Tierney is not better than chillwell, reguilon or Robertson. All 3 are levels ahead of him on the ball

Chilwell is similar going forward but not great defensively. Reguillon and Robbo are both good, but Tierney isn't levels below them give it a rest.

 

[Blood on the Tracks]

We've only conceded 10 goals and we're 12th. 6 of those came in two games against Villa and Liverpool.

We quite clearly have one of the better defences in the league @Rasmi man for man Gabriel and Tierney get into most if not all PL teams currently. Bellerin has been doing very well also! But there's a lot of good right backs in the league.

I've been quite critical of Bellerin but it feels like he's finally starting to get over that nasty injury he had.

I'll probably never be his biggest fan in the world and I think long term he could still be upgraded on but I don't worry about seeing him in the starting 11 anymore, which is nice.

 

[Trilly]

Against Leicester we attacked from the start.

There was most definitely not 10 men behind the ball.

When we lose the ball we tend to give up on not winning it back and instead drop back into shape. It's invites pressure.

As a side that struggles with getting the ball into the final third it doesn't make sense either, winning the ball higher up the pitch would align better with our lack of creativity.

 

[MikelHadADream]

The job of the manager is to adapt the players he has to get the best possible results (no ****).

Last season I think Arteta did that brilliantly, and it showed in the results we had. We had **** defenders that couldn't defend 1v1, so he went to 3 atb (not rocket science as wenger and emery did this successfully) which strengthened us defensively, but also made sure most of our attacks went down the left where we are strongest. He also utilised the long ball in behind for Auba to run onto to great effect. This shows really good management, and indicates to me that Arteta knows what hes doing on a tactical level at least.

The problem with these highly specialised formations that only have a few patterns of attack is it doesn't take long for teams to adapt to them, which i think they have now. Add on top of that we've only added Willian in an attacking sense, we are still extremely limited going forward. This is where our problem has been this season IMO.

Of course this means Arteta must come up with a new way of utilising the abilities of the players to improve our attack, but with the context of the fixtures we've had (we've played 4 teams that finished above us last season) I understand why he has persisted with the 343.

I'd suggest keeping it simple, Saka on the left, Willian 10, Pepe on the right, Auba at 9. Willian and Pepe divide opinion, but they're still our best players in the respective positions imo. Partey behind them should help sustain attacks.

 

[Penn_]

That period between the players still remembering Wengerball but being rejuvenated by Emery remains some of the best we’ve played in recent years.


Went down hill very quickly from there.

 

[MikelHadADream]

When we lose the ball we tend to give up on not winning it back and instead drop back into shape. It's invites pressure.

As a side that struggles with getting the ball into the final third it doesn't make sense either, winning the ball higher up the pitch would align better with our lack of creativity.

I get what you're saying, but I think a big reason we invite the pressure is that we know we will have the numbers to cope the oppositions attacks, and in an attacking sense it draws them onto us, allowing us to play put from the back and beat their initial press. We've had a lot of success doing this since restart, although I think teams have no figured this out.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

That period between the players still remembering Wengerball but being rejuvenated by Emery remains some of the best we’ve played in recent years.


Went down hill very quickly from there.

We've scored very good team goals under Arteta as well. "Wengerball" was due to us having a lot of very good technicians in the team who could play quick, one touch football all the time.

Until we get a good amount of those technically gifted players back it'll stay the same. Players who need to take two or three touches before getting the right pass off are constantly in this current team because that's all we have right now.

 

[Riou]

We've scored very good team goals under Arteta as well. "Wengerball" was due to us having a lot of very good technicians in the team who could play quick, one touch football all the time.

Until we get a good amount of those technically gifted players back it'll stay the same. Players who need to take two or three touches before getting the right pass off are constantly in this current team because that's all we have right now.

We have gone from the likes of Vieira and Fabregas to Granit Xhaka as our main CM these last few years, but people wonder why we can't play quality football anymore

 

[Macho]

Until we get a good amount of those technically gifted players back it'll stay the same. Players who need to take two or three touches before getting the right pass off are constantly in this current team because that's all we have right now.

Hold on, what happened to "these are the same players that failed 3 managers"? are they suddenly gone now?

This is my biggest problem I have with this Arteta's reign and its frustrating, the players keep getting blamed and some of you refuse to acknowledge the real issues.

Auba Xhaka and Lacazette are supposedly the worst players in the league, aight cool, fine- but the Hale End lot are technical enough as this is a prerequisite coming through the academy, but where are they? Özil where is he? Where was Pepe before Leeds?

Some of you defend stuff that shouldn't be defended and I didn't see this when Emery was doing some of the same stuff.

At least Emery forced some of the younger players like Saka, Willock, Guendouzi, AMN with mixed results- what's Arteta done in this regard?
How many player's confidence has he ruined already?

Can you confidently say there even is a Saka or Martinelli if they were coming up in this current regime? Be honest.

 

[Trilly]

Hold on, what happened to "these are the same players that failed 3 managers"? are they suddenly gone now?

This is my biggest problem I have with this Arteta's reign and its frustrating, the players keep getting blamed and some of you refuse to acknowledge the real issues.

Auba Xhaka and Lacazette are supposedly the worst players in the league, aight cool, fine- but the Hale End lot are technical enough as this is a prerequisite coming through the academy, but where are they? Özil where is he? Where was Pepe before Leeds?

Some of you defend stuff that shouldn't be defended and I didn't see this when Emery was doing some of the same stuff.

At least Emery forced some of the younger players like Saka, Willock, Guendouzi, AMN with mixed results- what's Arteta done in this regard?
How many player's confidence has he ruined already?

Can you confidently say there even is a Saka or Martinelli if they were coming up in this current regime? Be honest.

Pretty privilege is a real thing.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

Hold on, what happened to "these are the same players that failed 3 managers"? are they suddenly gone now?

This is my biggest problem I have with this Arteta's reign and its frustrating, the players keep getting blamed and some of you refuse to acknowledge the real issues.

Auba Xhaka and Lacazette are supposedly the worst players in the league, aight cool, fine- but the Hale End lot are technical enough as this is a prerequisite coming through the academy, but where are they? Özil where is he? Where was Pepe before Leeds?

Some of you defend stuff that shouldn't be defended and I didn't see this when Emery was doing some of the same stuff.

At least Emery forced some of the younger players like Saka, Willock, Guendouzi, AMN with mixed results- what's Arteta done in this regard?
How many player's confidence has he ruined already?

Can you confidently say there even is a Saka if he's coming up in this current regime? Be honest.

In terms of quick, one touch "wengerball" passing, yes, they are pretty bad. Xhaka slows everything down, Laca slows everything down, Auba when he's on the ball, slows everything down. You can allow for one of these sort of players in the team, Auba up front scoring the goals for example.

Emery had Mikky, Iwobi and Özil. Whilst the former two aren't exactly world class they were still pretty good technically and had the ability to play one and two touch football/find intricate passes. I refuse to blame the Özil situation on Arteta as its quite obviously a lot deeper than that.

The hale end lot are technical enough? Willock is technically not there, he is more of a Ramsey type. Saka is there, he's playing. Nelson can beat a man but he's horrific in the final third. Nketiah is abysmal on the ball, excellent finisher, but terrible in a team that wants quick passing. AMN is also nowhere near good enough, bloke is an elite athlete but you're greatly mistaken if you think he is any good technically.

I'd go as far as saying Pepe isn't good for one touch passing and such either. Another good finisher when he's there, wand of a left foot. But just not there technically.

Ceballos is a good example of a player who fits what we want nicely. Technically he's pretty amazing, levels above players like Willock and Xhaka.

Aouar is again a player who can play that way. I'd say we probably need 4 players around the spine of the side who are technically astute to be able to play pretty football again.

 

[Macho]

In terms of quick, one touch "wengerball" passing, yes, they are pretty bad. Xhaka slows everything down, Laca slows everything down, Auba when he's on the ball, slows everything down. You can allow for one of these sort of players in the team, Auba up front scoring the goals for example.

Emery had Mikky, Iwobi and Özil. Whilst the former two aren't exactly world class they were still pretty good technically and had the ability to play one and two touch football/find intricate passes. I refuse to blame the Özil situation on Arteta as its quite obviously a lot deeper than that.

The hale end lot are technical enough? Willock is technically not there, he is more of a Ramsey type. Saka is there, he's playing. Nelson can beat a man but he's horrific in the final third. Nketiah is abysmal on the ball, excellent finisher, but terrible in a team that wants quick passing. AMN is also nowhere near good enough, bloke is an elite athlete but you're greatly mistaken if you think he is any good technically.

I'd go as far as saying Pepe isn't good for one touch passing and such either. Another good finisher when he's there, wand of a left foot. But just not there technically.

Ceballos is a good example of a player who fits what we want nicely. Technically he's pretty amazing, levels above players like Willock and Xhaka.

Aouar is again a player who can play that way. I'd say we probably need 4 players around the spine of the side who are technically astute to be able to play pretty football again.

And yet again you're avoiding my point

Most of these players you say that aren't good enough, get into teams traditionally way down the table who play much better than us currently? Why do some of you gloss over that?

How can someone who can strike the ball and have a wand of a foot like Pepe not be capable of one touch passing? He does it plenty of times especially has his dribbling has drastically been reduced this season.

How did Saka and Martinelli get to the point where they are now?

Even Ceballos who you admit is good enough to play that way, it took two injuries to get into the premiership team now.

What does Arteta do with a baby Saka or a brand new Guendouzi and Martinelli? do they get ahead of Willian, Elneny and Auba or are they playing U23's with Saliba?

Also yes, every Hale End player that makes it this close to the squad is at a certain technical level otherwise they are let go, its literally a given.

You and Riou keep dancing around the issue and refuse to admit Arteta's shortcomings yet choose to blame the whole squad instead, its poor.

Arteta has turned around the fortunes of a couple experienced heads in Xhaka, Luiz and Mustafi but who has he brought through?
who has he developed?

Anyone who is not ready made like Gabriel and has actually needed coaching, he has cast aside so far - so if he actually managed to get Auoar who definitely needs coaching at 22, what does he do with him? There's a lot you refuse to acknowledge in your defence of him.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

And yet again you're avoiding my point

Most of these players you say that aren't good enough, get into teams traditionally way down the table who play much better than us currently? Why do some of you gloss over that?

How can someone who can strike the ball and have a wand of a foot like Pepe not be capable of one touch passing? He does it plenty of times especially has his dribbling has drastically been reduced this season.

How did Saka and Martinelli get to the point where they are now?

Even Ceballos who you admit is good enough to play that way, it took two injuries to get into the premiership team now.

What does Arteta do with a baby Saka or a brand new Guendouzi and Martinelli? do they get ahead of Willian, Elneny and Auba or are they playing U23's with Saliba?

Also yes, every Hale End player that makes it this close to the squad is at a certain technical level otherwise they are let go, its literally a given.

You and Riou keep dancing around the issue and refuse to admit Arteta's shortcomings yet choose to blame the whole squad instead, its poor.

Arteta has turned around the fortunes of a couple experienced heads in Xhaka, Luiz and Mustafi but who has he brought through? who has he developed? if he did get Auoar who definitely needs coaching at 22, what does he do with him? You gloss over a lot.

There's obviously a lot of variables. For example a team like Southampton who on the face of things are playing good football, home or away teams will not sit back against them. They have the freedom of the pitch to play as expansively as they like.

And shock, when teams are open against us we play good football and create goalscoring chances. The issue we face is when we hit a team playing a low block, and that is, in my opinion, down to the lack of creative/technically gifted players in the squad and mainly in the final third.

Two prime examples are United with Bruno and Everton recently with James. James has completely changed Everton's fortunes in terms of attacking football, yes one technically gifted player can do that. Last season Everton were heavily dependent on Digne down the left to the point where he eventually got crowded out and Everton's main creator was nullified more often than not.

Now Everton have James, so the spotlight isn't on Digne, teams are trying to mark James out the game which allows Digne to have more space.

This is exactly what happened with United, they were abysmal going forward before Bruno signed, now they're very dangerous.

People can say "well one signing doesn't change anything its just one player" WRONG. One signing is just one player, correct, BUT that one player frees up so many other players around them. Hypothetically if we signed Bruno Fernandes tomorrow you immediately free up more time and space for Tierney, Saka, Bellerin and whoever is playing right wing. Along with having someone of Bruno's quality who can score from anywhere and create goals.

We need to find a good balance. We are currently balanced about 80-20 in defensive quality to attacking/technical quality.

That balance is in new creative signings.