Lol Emery died for this. Along with his comical English.
Arteta has had results go his way though, so this has been overlooked. Also, it’s Pool on the hunt for the title - not Pool in a cup game already having won the title it’s a different energy. We can’t look too deeply into this loss.
Credit to Arteta for having us walk into this game expecting something.
This is Emery ball though and we’ve been playing it for a while. Our forwards have been bailing us out with superb shot conversion against the run of play for a hot minute.
Chelsea FA cup final and Fulham opening day are the only exceptions. We’ve had a pragmatic cagey approach to every match thus far with Auba and Laca making the most of our 2 chances per game.
I saw someone say that just going with a standard Wenger 4-2-3-1 with Xhaka, Ceballos, Özil, Auba, Laca and Pepe/Willian would probably suit this squad better. Like we'd get battered by Liverpool with that but we'd probably get top 4 just cos we'd create more and beat the smaller teams.
Arteta has his whole progress and i'm with him on that journey, the guy clearly needs better players, and I think he's a coach who has potential to build a proper team. But honestly I think a standard Wenger season with this squad probably gets 4th, albeit 4th would be the ceiling.
Arteta wants balance and that's fine. But against weaker sides I'd probs just play an extra attacker and stop overthinking it. Cos even against weaker sides our shots taken and our xG isn't particularly impressive.