Bukayo Saka: Saka The Net

[Trilly]

You can't coach someone to be faster or stronger, and I agree even technique is somewhat static. But you certainly can coach up a player's tactical understanding, awareness, movement, decision-making etc; in other words, how effectively they use their natural ability. Its easy to forget how much coaching and training is involved behind the scenes.

Yeah agree.

E.g. Walcott and Wenger. Pep/Mikel and Sane/Sterling. I want to wait a bit longer though before I can say Mikel is extracting the maximum out of his attackers. Jesus/Saka/Ødegaard (even Trossard) are absolute manager’s dreams in terms of natural ability, decision making and workrate.

What Mikel is doing with (imo a fairly limited player in) Martinelli would be the kind of evidence I’m looking for so we’ll see with time how that goes. As you know I’m not a fan of how he did in the past with Auba/Laca/Pepe who were admittedly flawed but not as bad as we made them look imo.

 

[Henry boi]

GDEEP says Martinelli is the poorest winger in the whole of the PL lol, the guy is totally lost when it comes to football.

 

[El Duderino]

GDEEP says Martinelli is the poorest winger in the whole of the PL lol, the guy is totally lost when it comes to football.

@GDeep™

 

[Sanchez11]

Why are posters bringing Gabi into it ffs?

 

[GDeep™]

Martinelli your favourite player?

Hasn't developed at all under Arteta though.

From THREE YEARS AGO? Couldn’t find anything new could you?

 

[say yes]

From THREE YEARS AGO? Couldn’t find anything new could you?

He hasn’t developed at all under Mikel so why does it matter if it was three years ago?

 

[El Duderino]

Why are posters bringing Gabi into it ffs?

It's the new forum subject where people go over the top with.

Also an international break, so it's par for the course with AM.

 

[A_G]

 

[Sanchez11]

It's the new forum subject where people go over the top with.

Also an international break, so it's par for the course with AM.

Yes, certain posters with agendas.

 

[Batman]

Yeah agree.

E.g. Walcott and Wenger. Pep/Mikel and Sane/Sterling. I want to wait a bit longer though before I can say Mikel is extracting the maximum out of his attackers. Jesus/Saka/Ødegaard (even Trossard) are absolute manager’s dreams in terms of natural ability, decision making and workrate.

What Mikel is doing with (imo a fairly limited player in) Martinelli would be the kind of evidence I’m looking for so we’ll see with time how that goes. As you know I’m not a fan of how he did in the past with Auba/Laca/Pepe who were admittedly flawed but not as bad as we made them look imo.

Also worth mentioning that Arteta is the one who made Zinchenko into a LB. Nobody on earth plays the position quite like he does atm so that's another big plus in his column as a developer of talent IMO.

 

[GDeep™]

He hasn’t developed at all under Mikel so why does it matter if it was three years ago?

I said previously he’s developed as a regular scorer, but as a player I don’t think he’s developed that much, still relies heavily on his physicality. Would say he’s probably declined as a dribbler etc.

Guy is always running into dead ends with his head down.

 

[GDeep™]

Yes, certain posters with agendas.

Tag them?

 

[MikeVinna]

I said previously he’s developed as a regular scorer, but as a player I don’t think he’s developed that much, still relies heavily on his physicality. Would say he’s probably declined as a dribbler etc.

Guy is always running into dead ends with his head down.

Yeah I always feel like he could do more on the ball. Especially cutting in. On the flipside thats exactly where Saka is a lot better and more consistent than Gabi. So good at giving himself that yard and keeps his head up.

 

[GDeep™]

You’re really reaching here. That’s a player saying nice things about a coach when asked about him.

Nobody is saying Arteta doesn’t help players, he clearly does, we’ve seen it. I’m just saying he’s not winger magician that some make him out to be because that hasn’t been seen, maybe outside Saka.

Like I said, Sterling was close to winning the league at 17 because of his goals/assists/play, he was a phenomenal player on a massive trajectory.

Martinelli I don’t think has improved much as a footballer.

 

[Trilly]

Also worth mentioning that Arteta is the one who made Zinchenko into a LB. Nobody on earth plays the position quite like he does atm so that's another big plus in his column as a developer of talent IMO.

Ngl that’s the kind of **** Pep has been pulling. Did it with Lahm first so I’m not really gonna give him that one

Can’t have this narrative that Pep did nothing and Arteta did every innovative thing at City while they were both there.

 

[2Smokeyy]

What by going slightly backwards away from goal?

Don’t think he did that for today’s goal but yeah noticed he’s been doing it a few times.

Yeah, Robben vs Fiorentina is the best example. If he masters that style, he’ll become lethal even when teams try to stifle him.

The way he opened his body up for today’s goal was top class, not really similar to those Robben goals but this one was:


I’ve noticed him trying it on a few occasions this season. Probably something they’ve worked on.

 

[Sanchez11]

Tag them?

How long you got?

 

[Riou]

Why are posters bringing Gabi into it ffs?

Saka and Martinelli are the two best wingers in the league now, every conversation should always involve them, as that what happens when you are the top of the tree.

 

[grange]

Giroud was the main striker playing in front of great creative players and only managed 16 at a much older age. For Nelli to be close to that total, playing out wide and not taking penalties is impressive.

I'm very thankful we have real Arsenal fans here like you and @say yes

 

[Geofranco]

I’m with you on this.

Think the manager can have a bit of an effect (e.g. tactics) but ultimately it’s about giving them opportunities.

Sane for example greatly benefited from City’s set up that gave him loads of transition and 1v1 opportunities. He’s not really impressed since leaving city.

Manager can improve your performances/output but not sure he can make you into a player you’re not. Otherwise why aren’t Martinelli and Saka developing equally under him?

I mean Martinelli had an injury that kept him out for almost a year. Saka has been very durable and barely misses game time. That's very crucial at this stage of their careers. Plus they are just different players. Martinelli has always been instinctive and explosive, Saka has always been more measured in his style, playing at his own pace, taking what the defense gives him and not forcing the issue.