Riou
In The Winchester, Waiting For This To Blow Over
Country: Northern Ireland
Player:Gabriel
I think we are ready to see Ode/ESR/Lokonga (maybe even Saka sometimes) flank Partey as two number eights.He had a couple decisions on the ball I didn't like (one in middle of the pitch where he had a direct pass to Ødegaard on and he decided to go sideways with a lifted ball and hit a Sp**s player with it), another where he could've played Tierney through on the ground in the final third and he decided to huff it into the box.
That said, the rest of his game was good and you can't underestimate his contribution to the 2nd goal. One because he bails Ramsdale out from a bit of poor decision making which could've easily been the 1-1. Two because he manages to turn that near disaster into a goal scoring move.
When Roma and the manager who rates you higher than any other in world football values you at less than £15m despite being under 30, you'll run towards anyone.When we scored the first, he ran towards the supporters to celebrate...that's commitment, especially when most of them don't like him
Hope that the injury isn't as bad - we're a bit short in midfield as it is, admittedly Lokonga and AMN reduce the pressure a little, but for all his faults Xhaka performs more often than not and if both him and Partey are out together in January we'll almost certainly have problems.
I looked at the numbers of Xhaka vs various midfielders that we were linked with back in the transfer window and one of the things that stood out was how good he is in the air compared to most. I mean it's not surprising, he's 6ft and can play as a utility CB but still - he definitely gives us some physicality. Ultimately I think Lokonga becomes the better player, but right now Xhaka is an experienced premier league operator and whilst not perfect he has the ability to dominate in matches (when not giving away goals).Love him or hate him (I'm not his fan), he adds positional discipline and physical presence to the midfield.
I feel really confident that we're winning most areal duels and 50/50s i in the middle with him and Partey. Also we rarely lose shape.
That's because you started watching Arsenal only after Xhaka joined.HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANIT!!
One thing is obvious that you add the trait of handsomeness to that, in general, ugly league!
As for the match, Xhaka returns and I see the best match I have ever seen Arsenal play against Sp**s! Kudos to you !
Well there’s an international break coming, so he’ll be out for about 4 weeks. Don’t know where you heard this though.Its being said he’s out for 6 weeks
You're still alive? Did you get a 3 day ban on the Roma forum?HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANIT!!
One thing is obvious that you add the trait of handsomeness to that, in general, ugly league!
As for the match, Xhaka returns and I see the best match I have ever seen Arsenal play against Sp**s! Kudos to you !