Gervais
Established Member
Imagine not rating him when we signed him. Couldn’t be me.
It was a great buy in January, especially deadline day.
One problem I see even apart from him in 1vs1 situations and dribbled past, which we all knew is not his forte.
In this game there were a few situations where he tried to anticipate a pass, and missed it quite obviously. Then both of the opposition players got past him, and he had no chance to recover with his speed.
It's very obvious to me that he is not enough for an UCL season. He has to be the 3rd choice DMF. That's why we need Rice or someone like it.
But overall he has been solid, and in this game there was this one pass to Saka which was perfect. Got Saka to a 1vs1 situation, which could have resulted in a penalty some other day if Kristensen would have made a mistake behind him.
Personally I have many times suggested that Xhaka could be an emergency DMF backup. But Arteta hasn't done it, like I have said, there hasn't been anyone else who is similar level for the LCM role. But he is also slow.Do we? Or could we get by with Partey Jorginho and in emergencies, Xhaka in that DM position? I feel a more dynamic, physical attack minded 8 would make a bigger difference than Rice. Having said that, i wouldn't be mad at Rice at all.
Rice with this midfield is overkill. It’s basically a new toy for the sake of it. 3rd choice DM is Mo. Hell people forget Xhaka is a DM. To compete with the elite teams as we seen vs City. We need better ball players. I just fear next season Ødegaard get injured and we become a workman team that lacks any magicDo we? Or could we get by with Partey Jorginho and in emergencies, Xhaka in that DM position? I feel a more dynamic, physical attack minded 8 would make a bigger difference than Rice. Having said that, i wouldn't be mad at Rice at all.
Think he was spent indeed. Reason why he was laying on the floor every 2 mins for small fouls. Needed a rest I think.Been excellent on the ball but still poor defensively. When we are dominating possession it’s not an issue at all but between 70-80 mins when Leicester started to get on top, the weaknesses became evident especially since he was probably physically spent. The partey for oordegaard change seemed to halt leicester’s momentum
Let’s hope we can continue to completely dominate possession
Feels like he is better in the Xhaka role more than than Partey role imo. Great signing,The signing is worth it alone just because it allows us to rest Partey.
I’m wondering if we can get away with using Jorginho to rotate Xhaka.
He was good defensively. Goods teams will always be able to hurt us with our setup with xhaka playing so far up.Been excellent on the ball but still poor defensively. When we are dominating possession it’s not an issue at all but between 70-80 mins when Leicester started to get on top, the weaknesses became evident especially since he was probably physically spent. The partey for oordegaard change seemed to halt leicester’s momentum
Let’s hope we can continue to completely dominate possession