✍️ OFFICIAL Martin Ødegaard

[Xln]

Need a cf imo

I share the same opinion. People are sleeping on this position cause we have Auba and Laca there but honestly they aren't working out as they should. Have a feeling with an elite striker we can make top 4 easily right now with the current signings.

 

[Sebastes]

I would go with "None" if that choice existed as I'm personally not that fond of having their kind of 'specialst' AM. Out of the two I went with Ødegaard though as I just think he is the more talented player.

 

[Red London]

I was talking to my friends about the AM position today and we all kind of came to the conclusion that in a non European season for us, we're not sure that the AM is as pressing of a concern as we think it is.

When you compare CM and AM here, its an entirely different ball park in importance. CM was already weak but Xhaka is now leaving, and we are going to have a lack of numbers in that area. The player will need to be injury resistant and top quality, because there is still an element of uncertainty about Partey.

My point about AM not being that important is all in theory though. Its kind of dependent on ESR staying fit. ESR is the real deal imo, and the fact that he has the ability to float wide and interchange with our wingers is amazing. I geniunely love the trio of Saka ESR and Pepe behind our striker. Its why I wanted Buendia and mentioned Nkunku recently, these are players capable (I'm pretty sure) of doing that also. As @Sebastes says, having a specialist in such an area really does hamper you. We had issues with this in regards to Özil, always having to play a certain way or one man would be out the game.

The second condition is Arteta's view of Saka sometimes playing AM. I think Arteta needs to be more flexible with Saka. He geniunely looks the same at LB, LWB, no.8, AM, RW, LW. Its actually crazy. And again, he suits what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. He is very good at pressing, he is dynamic, he can interchange / swap positions with Pepe from the right and lets say drift out wide to the left to support Martinelli and put him through (this is for if ESR is injured/unavailable). I think @The_Playmaker had a similar opinion on the matter.

I have come to the conclusion that signing an AM damages Pepe and Martinelli just as much as ESR- probably more tbh. Because when we sign an AM, ESR will spend a lot of time out wide on the left. This takes up Martinelli's potential spot and also makes it so Saka is less likely to play LW to accomodate Pepe.

If someone told me have 70m to spend on the two positions I would be extremely tempted to gamble on ESR's fitness, as well as consider Saka there. I would try to go all out for Phillips or Tielemans or whoever is top class and improves us (I understand there may not be so many out there). Saying all this though, I would still support bringing in a quality player like Ødegaard or Maddison and be excited about the transfer.

 

[samspade]

I was talking to my friends about the AM position today and we all kind of came to the conclusion that in a non European season for us, we're not sure that the AM is as pressing of a concern as we think it is.

When you compare CM and AM here, its an entirely different ball park in importance. CM was already weak but Xhaka is now leaving, and we are going to have a lack of numbers in that area. The player will need to be injury resistant and top quality, because there is still an element of uncertainty about Partey.

My point about AM not being that important is all in theory though. Its kind of dependent on ESR staying fit. ESR is the real deal imo, and the fact that he has the ability to float wide and interchange with our wingers is amazing. I geniunely love the trio of Saka ESR and Pepe behind our striker. Its why I wanted Buendia and mentioned Nkunku recently, these are players capable (I'm pretty sure) of doing that also. As @Sebastes says, having a specialist in such an area really does hamper you. We had issues with this in regards to Özil, always having to play a certain way or one man would be out the game.

The second condition is Arteta's view of Saka sometimes playing AM. I think Arteta needs to be more flexible with Saka. He geniunely looks the same at LB, LWB, no.8, AM, RW, LW. Its actually crazy. And again, he suits what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. He is very good at pressing, he is dynamic, he can interchange / swap positions with Pepe from the right and lets say drift out wide to the left to support Martinelli and put him through (this is for if ESR is injured/unavailable). I think @The_Playmaker had a similar opinion on the matter.

I have come to the conclusion that signing an AM damages Pepe and Martinelli just as much as ESR- probably more tbh. Because when we sign an AM, ESR will spend a lot of time out wide on the left. This takes up Martinelli's potential spot and also makes it so Saka is less likely to play LW to accomodate Pepe.

If someone told me have 70m to spend on the two positions I would be extremely tempted to gamble on ESR's fitness, as well as consider Saka there. I would try to go all out for Phillips or Tielemans or whoever is top class and improves us (I understand there may not be so many out there). Saying all this though, I would still support bringing in a quality player like Ødegaard or Maddison and be excited about the transfer.

I’ve been thinking this too of late. The only trouble is there’s not much cover and since Saka and ESR are likely to start together most of the time there’s not too much room for rest even if they both cover the am position. I would also say Saka has limited experience here, it would’ve been useful if he was tested out more in this position last season. That said I do think the club should have signed Buendia, I don’t much like the alternatives and think we’ll end up regretting it.

 

[AbouCuéllar]

I was talking to my friends about the AM position today and we all kind of came to the conclusion that in a non European season for us, we're not sure that the AM is as pressing of a concern as we think it is.

When you compare CM and AM here, its an entirely different ball park in importance. CM was already weak but Xhaka is now leaving, and we are going to have a lack of numbers in that area. The player will need to be injury resistant and top quality, because there is still an element of uncertainty about Partey.

My point about AM not being that important is all in theory though. Its kind of dependent on ESR staying fit. ESR is the real deal imo, and the fact that he has the ability to float wide and interchange with our wingers is amazing. I geniunely love the trio of Saka ESR and Pepe behind our striker. Its why I wanted Buendia and mentioned Nkunku recently, these are players capable (I'm pretty sure) of doing that also. As @Sebastes says, having a specialist in such an area really does hamper you. We had issues with this in regards to Özil, always having to play a certain way or one man would be out the game.

The second condition is Arteta's view of Saka sometimes playing AM. I think Arteta needs to be more flexible with Saka. He geniunely looks the same at LB, LWB, no.8, AM, RW, LW. Its actually crazy. And again, he suits what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. He is very good at pressing, he is dynamic, he can interchange / swap positions with Pepe from the right and lets say drift out wide to the left to support Martinelli and put him through (this is for if ESR is injured/unavailable). I think @The_Playmaker had a similar opinion on the matter.

I have come to the conclusion that signing an AM damages Pepe and Martinelli just as much as ESR- probably more tbh. Because when we sign an AM, ESR will spend a lot of time out wide on the left. This takes up Martinelli's potential spot and also makes it so Saka is less likely to play LW to accomodate Pepe.

If someone told me have 70m to spend on the two positions I would be extremely tempted to gamble on ESR's fitness, as well as consider Saka there. I would try to go all out for Phillips or Tielemans or whoever is top class and improves us (I understand there may not be so many out there). Saying all this though, I would still support bringing in a quality player like Ødegaard or Maddison and be excited about the transfer.

I take these points and there have been times when I've been inclined to think this way, and I do worry there aren't enough minutes to go around for ESR, a 10, Pepe, and Saka (saying nothing of Martinelli, who needs to be developed as a CF, IMO, with Laca being sold), but I think for a team that struggled so much to create last season, it is a massive risk going into the season without a bonafide chance creator.

ESR is not this yet nor is Saka.

Now, is there a chance that by improving our build-up play (via White at CB, better RB, and better CM alongside Thomas) and by putting our faith in ESR and Saka to continue developing as creators, that we can create enough for a top club? Yes, definitely. But I feel it is really a massive risk, and if we all accept that the biggest weakness in this team is chance creation--where we simply do not create at a rate acceptable for a top team--then I think we have to accept that we are taking a massive, massive risk if we decide to not directly address that problem with a bonafide chance creator.

Also, I am not so sure I agree with the idea that Ødegaard and Maddison are specialists--these are modern 10s, they do work off the ball, and in pressing (part of the reason Arteta really liked Ødegaard). I don't think comparing them to Özil and calling them 10s in the specialist mode is the right way to profile them. Is Bruno Fernandes any less of a 10 than them? Is Mason Mount in the role he plays for Chelsea? De Bruyne? I don't really think so.

I think the reality is that if we want to make a run for top 4 we need both a top CM and a top playmaker. That's just the reality of our competition, we are competing with incredibly talented and powerful squads and coming off a season where we didn't create nearly enough for a top 4 push.

 

[Red London]

I take these points and there have been times when I've been inclined to think this way, and I do worry there aren't enough minutes to go around for ESR, a 10, Pepe, and Saka (saying nothing of Martinelli, who needs to be developed as a CF, IMO, with Laca being sold), but I think for a team that struggled so much to create last season, it is a massive risk going into the season without a bonafide chance creator.

ESR is not this yet nor is Saka.

Now, is there a chance that by improving our build-up play (via White at CB, better RB, and better CM alongside Thomas) and by putting our faith in ESR and Saka to continue developing as creators, that we can create enough for a top club? Yes, definitely. But I feel it is really a massive risk, and if we all accept that the biggest weakness in this team is chance creation--where we simply do not create at a rate acceptable for a top team--then I think we have to accept that we are taking a massive, massive risk if we decide to not directly address that problem with a bonafide chance creator.

Also, I am not so sure I agree with the idea that Ødegaard and Maddison are specialists--these are modern 10s, they do work off the ball, and in pressing (part of the reason Arteta really liked Ødegaard). I don't think comparing them to Özil and calling them 10s in the specialist mode is the right way to profile them. Is Bruno Fernandes any less of a 10 than them? Is Mason Mount in the role he plays for Chelsea? De Bruyne? I don't really think so.

I think the reality is that if we want to make a run for top 4 we need both a top CM and a top playmaker. That's just the reality of our competition, we are competing with incredibly talented and powerful squads and coming off a season where we didn't create nearly enough for a top 4 push.

In reference to your number 10 point I would say players who have the propensity to go missing when you don’t control the ball can be quite one dimensional sometimes, and that’s what’s I mean about Maddison and Ødegaard. I do think that Ødegaard certainly has the ability to drop in and collect the ball but IMO he didn’t show enough of that here (yet).

Anyway maybe I phrased it wrongly, I like super modern 10s who are extremely malleable, I genuinely think that’s the way to go in the non distant future. I really think Saka and ESR are that. They can operate in a large amount of areas across the midfield line and interchange. That’s why Buendia was my no.1 target going into the summer, we wouldn’t have had to assure him first team football or build around him as well.

 

[Red London]

I’ve been thinking this too of late. The only trouble is there’s not much cover and since Saka and ESR are likely to start together most of the time there’s not too much room for rest even if they both cover the am position. I would also say Saka has limited experience here, it would’ve been useful if he was tested out more in this position last season. That said I do think the club should have signed Buendia, I don’t much like the alternatives and think we’ll end up regretting it.

Yeh it certainly would be a risk, but just a theory. I would have said sign Olise as he would add some numbers at least, but he just won’t be ready right away. Since ESR really announced himself in December, Olise has been pointless anyway.

Buendia was the one, he was the one. We didn’t need a needle moving AM as much as we need a CM imo. Buendia would have been malleable, versatile and not need the team built around him (can play RM AM no.8).

 

[Barry]

I would go with "None" if that choice existed as I'm personally not that fond of having their kind of 'specialst' AM. Out of the two I went with Ødegaard though as I just think he is the more talented player.

Said it before, but Sabitzer as dual cover for CM and AM would be a sensible signing that offers something different to what we have in both positions. Looking unlikely because there are no links, but would be an intelligent pick up this year (if a bit of a gamble with no league experience).

 

[RunTheTrap]

I was talking to my friends about the AM position today and we all kind of came to the conclusion that in a non European season for us, we're not sure that the AM is as pressing of a concern as we think it is.

When you compare CM and AM here, its an entirely different ball park in importance. CM was already weak but Xhaka is now leaving, and we are going to have a lack of numbers in that area. The player will need to be injury resistant and top quality, because there is still an element of uncertainty about Partey.

My point about AM not being that important is all in theory though. Its kind of dependent on ESR staying fit. ESR is the real deal imo, and the fact that he has the ability to float wide and interchange with our wingers is amazing. I geniunely love the trio of Saka ESR and Pepe behind our striker. Its why I wanted Buendia and mentioned Nkunku recently, these are players capable (I'm pretty sure) of doing that also. As @Sebastes says, having a specialist in such an area really does hamper you. We had issues with this in regards to Özil, always having to play a certain way or one man would be out the game.

The second condition is Arteta's view of Saka sometimes playing AM. I think Arteta needs to be more flexible with Saka. He geniunely looks the same at LB, LWB, no.8, AM, RW, LW. Its actually crazy. And again, he suits what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. He is very good at pressing, he is dynamic, he can interchange / swap positions with Pepe from the right and lets say drift out wide to the left to support Martinelli and put him through (this is for if ESR is injured/unavailable). I think @The_Playmaker had a similar opinion on the matter.

I have come to the conclusion that signing an AM damages Pepe and Martinelli just as much as ESR- probably more tbh. Because when we sign an AM, ESR will spend a lot of time out wide on the left. This takes up Martinelli's potential spot and also makes it so Saka is less likely to play LW to accomodate Pepe.

If someone told me have 70m to spend on the two positions I would be extremely tempted to gamble on ESR's fitness, as well as consider Saka there. I would try to go all out for Phillips or Tielemans or whoever is top class and improves us (I understand there may not be so many out there). Saying all this though, I would still support bringing in a quality player like Ødegaard or Maddison and be excited about the transfer.

I like Smith Rowe a lot, but it’s not fair on him and his development if we don’t sign anyone to help him. First of all, ESR is good for his age but he’s up against grown men who are vastly more experienced. Grealish, KdB, Bruno Fernandes, Foden, Mount, Havertz, Maddison, Sancho etc. Come on, let’s be honest with ourselves, in this current moment of time does ESR start for any club in the top 4? And let’s not use things like potential, because potential is not an accurate system to gauge talent and effectiveness. I think we are over-indexing ESR’s talent in an abnormally poor Arsenal team. I mean ESR’s competition was a finished Willian and Willock. If this was a half competent Arsenal team, he would have to do a lot more to be starter.
However, I will say, I don’t think it necessarily has to be another attacking midfielder but it could be a LW for example. I’m not saying ESR should be benched but it not fair to put the creative onus on him. Ideally, we sign a more established attacking midfielder or winger and let ESR be the secondary playmaker or goal threat. Similar to how Iwobi was Özil’s Padawan.

 

[The_Playmaker]

I like Smith Rowe a lot, but it’s not fair on him and his development if we don’t sign anyone to help him. First of all, ESR is good for his age but he’s up against grown men who are vastly more experienced. Grealish, KdB, Bruno Fernandes, Foden, Mount, Havertz, Maddison, Sancho etc. Come on, let’s be honest with ourselves, in this current moment of time does ESR start for any club in the top 4? And let’s not use things like potential, because potential is not an accurate system to gauge talent and effectiveness. I think we are over-indexing ESR’s talent in an abnormally poor Arsenal team. I mean ESR’s competition was a finished Willian and Willock. If this was a half competent Arsenal team, he would have to do a lot more to be starter.
However, I will say, I don’t think it necessarily has to be another attacking midfielder but it could be a LW for example. I’m not saying ESR should be benched but it not fair to put the creative onus on him. Ideally, we sign a more established attacking midfielder or winger and let ESR be the secondary playmaker or goal threat. Similar to how Iwobi was Özil’s Padawan.

Players develop in different ways. It is pretty much set up for ESR to have s breakout year. He gets better the more he plays and if he is given responsibility he will take it. I think we need to sign someone like an Olmo, Aouar or Nkunku to have the numbers to rotate and deal with injuries without losing the way we play.

I never liked Ødegaard because of how he sits in the right half space he blocked Saka and Pepe from moving infield regularly. Maddison will occupy the central space and offer little running in behind, meaning that little interchange will take place between the forwards.

ESR has the ability to understand space. Pepe, Auba, Saka, Martinelli all have this awaress and ability to find space. Aouar would add to this and since he is able to play off the left, it would make the most sense.

DATA BLOG: THE ESR EFFECT

Buckle up people, Adam Rae Voge (@AdamVoge) is back with a bang. If you follow Arsenal with any degree of closeness, you’ve heard the talking point by now: “After Boxing Day, when Arsenal pulled off its infamous 3-1 upset of Chelsea, the club played top-four football.” Boxing Day brought the...

le-grove.co.uk

That is half a season of influence. This is the perfect season to give him game time as his body can handle 1 game a week.

 

[Sebastes]

Said it before, but Sabitzer as dual cover for CM and AM would be a sensible signing that offers something different to what we have in both positions. Looking unlikely because there are no links, but would be an intelligent pick up this year (if a bit of a gamble with no league experience).

Players develop in different ways. It is pretty much set up for ESR to have s breakout year. He gets better the more he plays and if he is given responsibility he will take it. I think we need to sign someone like an Olmo, Aouar or Nkunku to have the numbers to rotate and deal with injuries without losing the way we play.

I never liked Ødegaard because of how he sits in the right half space he blocked Saka and Pepe from moving infield regularly. Maddison will occupy the central space and offer little running in behind, meaning that little interchange will take place between the forwards.

ESR has the ability to understand space. Pepe, Auba, Saka, Martinelli all have this awaress and ability to find space. Aouar would add to this and since he is able to play off the left, it would make the most sense.

DATA BLOG: THE ESR EFFECT

Buckle up people, Adam Rae Voge (@AdamVoge) is back with a bang. If you follow Arsenal with any degree of closeness, you’ve heard the talking point by now: “After Boxing Day, when Arsenal pulled off its infamous 3-1 upset of Chelsea, the club played top-four football.” Boxing Day brought the...

le-grove.co.uk

That is half a season of influence. This is the perfect season to give him game time as his body can handle 1 game a week.

These are the kind of players I'd go for. They're all a little different, but more than anything they all work well in a 433, which is what I'd really like to see.

Tbf, I think Ødegaard could operate as a RCM in the free 8 mould as well, but as pointed out he occupies a space that's kind of awkward for us as a team and I think suboptimizes the impact of Pépé and Saka when they's played as RW. I'd also cast some doubt on his physical ability/strength in duels when played in a midfield 3 (same goes for Nkunku, mind)

 

[tcahill]

I was talking to my friends about the AM position today and we all kind of came to the conclusion that in a non European season for us, we're not sure that the AM is as pressing of a concern as we think it is.

When you compare CM and AM here, its an entirely different ball park in importance. CM was already weak but Xhaka is now leaving, and we are going to have a lack of numbers in that area. The player will need to be injury resistant and top quality, because there is still an element of uncertainty about Partey.

My point about AM not being that important is all in theory though. Its kind of dependent on ESR staying fit. ESR is the real deal imo, and the fact that he has the ability to float wide and interchange with our wingers is amazing. I geniunely love the trio of Saka ESR and Pepe behind our striker. Its why I wanted Buendia and mentioned Nkunku recently, these are players capable (I'm pretty sure) of doing that also. As @Sebastes says, having a specialist in such an area really does hamper you. We had issues with this in regards to Özil, always having to play a certain way or one man would be out the game.

The second condition is Arteta's view of Saka sometimes playing AM. I think Arteta needs to be more flexible with Saka. He geniunely looks the same at LB, LWB, no.8, AM, RW, LW. Its actually crazy. And again, he suits what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. He is very good at pressing, he is dynamic, he can interchange / swap positions with Pepe from the right and lets say drift out wide to the left to support Martinelli and put him through (this is for if ESR is injured/unavailable). I think @The_Playmaker had a similar opinion on the matter.

I have come to the conclusion that signing an AM damages Pepe and Martinelli just as much as ESR- probably more tbh. Because when we sign an AM, ESR will spend a lot of time out wide on the left. This takes up Martinelli's potential spot and also makes it so Saka is less likely to play LW to accomodate Pepe.

If someone told me have 70m to spend on the two positions I would be extremely tempted to gamble on ESR's fitness, as well as consider Saka there. I would try to go all out for Phillips or Tielemans or whoever is top class and improves us (I understand there may not be so many out there). Saying all this though, I would still support bringing in a quality player like Ødegaard or Maddison and be excited about the transfer.

Disagree but very thoughtful and well argued post.

ESR is an injury prone player, and is likely to miss at least several games this season. Next in line is Willian.

He's also a young fella, who we've only seen playing well for one half season. Drops in form, especially when there's no competition, are common for young players. He'll be shouldering the entire attacking burden from midfield while also being our main creator. Very risky strategy.

There's a good point you've raised that we might not need to blast big bucks on a Maddison, and instead focus on a good partner for Partey. I wouldn't be against a cheaper alternative who can challenge ESR rather than instantly start over him.

 

[HaffBR]

I was talking to my friends about the AM position today and we all kind of came to the conclusion that in a non European season for us, we're not sure that the AM is as pressing of a concern as we think it is.

When you compare CM and AM here, its an entirely different ball park in importance. CM was already weak but Xhaka is now leaving, and we are going to have a lack of numbers in that area. The player will need to be injury resistant and top quality, because there is still an element of uncertainty about Partey.

My point about AM not being that important is all in theory though. Its kind of dependent on ESR staying fit. ESR is the real deal imo, and the fact that he has the ability to float wide and interchange with our wingers is amazing. I geniunely love the trio of Saka ESR and Pepe behind our striker. Its why I wanted Buendia and mentioned Nkunku recently, these are players capable (I'm pretty sure) of doing that also. As @Sebastes says, having a specialist in such an area really does hamper you. We had issues with this in regards to Özil, always having to play a certain way or one man would be out the game.

The second condition is Arteta's view of Saka sometimes playing AM. I think Arteta needs to be more flexible with Saka. He geniunely looks the same at LB, LWB, no.8, AM, RW, LW. Its actually crazy. And again, he suits what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. He is very good at pressing, he is dynamic, he can interchange / swap positions with Pepe from the right and lets say drift out wide to the left to support Martinelli and put him through (this is for if ESR is injured/unavailable). I think @The_Playmaker had a similar opinion on the matter.

I have come to the conclusion that signing an AM damages Pepe and Martinelli just as much as ESR- probably more tbh. Because when we sign an AM, ESR will spend a lot of time out wide on the left. This takes up Martinelli's potential spot and also makes it so Saka is less likely to play LW to accomodate Pepe.

If someone told me have 70m to spend on the two positions I would be extremely tempted to gamble on ESR's fitness, as well as consider Saka there. I would try to go all out for Phillips or Tielemans or whoever is top class and improves us (I understand there may not be so many out there). Saying all this though, I would still support bringing in a quality player like Ødegaard or Maddison and be excited about the transfer.

This damages ESR as much as Martinelli, but that is Arteta and you don't know what he wants, so far his results are between bad and mediocre. Martinelli shines more starting from the left and attacking space from there, like a typical inside forward. Meanwhile, ESR exceeds more with freedom to carry the ball through the center of the pitch, but specially in creating numerical superiority on any side of the field with short combinations.

I don't know what Martinelli has to develop more, if greater technical security etc. to be a starter. But he should be imo for his qualities, about ESR he needs to develop the final pass and more freedom to shoot. These two players for me have more obvious qualities than someone like Saka imo, he is more regular in all positions but very good in none.

Pepe I think is overrated, at least by when I see it, he makes many bad decision on the pitch imo, doesn't looks as direct when he attacks the space, not a good passer or dribbler. He is improving and his finishing is good, but I think he would never make it imo.

Arsenal whatsoever usually did better when ESR (and Martinelli) was on the pitch rather than Pepe.

Expected Goal difference generated when the players were on the pitch last season:

End Product threat

Creativity

Key Pass:


I mean I like the way ESR play and also his ability to actually understand space and the dynamics, I think Arsenal if something would need a player in the some mold and versatility of his like Brandt or Olmo (rather than Aouar or Maddison). But yes Arsenal needs a better partner to Thomas first, as for example Locatelli, Neuhaus or Bruno Guimarães.

If it is only one position, then Arsenal needs a good DLP/CM first.

 

[HaffBR]

Olmo, for example, can play as False 9, CAM, LW, RW, he would be my first option probably and then Bruno Guimarães to play with Partey and would be my second option, I think Locatelli would be the ideal but would never happen.

 

[Barry]

Players develop in different ways. It is pretty much set up for ESR to have s breakout year. He gets better the more he plays and if he is given responsibility he will take it. I think we need to sign someone like an Olmo, Aouar or Nkunku to have the numbers to rotate and deal with injuries without losing the way we play.

I never liked Ødegaard because of how he sits in the right half space he blocked Saka and Pepe from moving infield regularly. Maddison will occupy the central space and offer little running in behind, meaning that little interchange will take place between the forwards.

ESR has the ability to understand space. Pepe, Auba, Saka, Martinelli all have this awaress and ability to find space. Aouar would add to this and since he is able to play off the left, it would make the most sense.

DATA BLOG: THE ESR EFFECT

Buckle up people, Adam Rae Voge (@AdamVoge) is back with a bang. If you follow Arsenal with any degree of closeness, you’ve heard the talking point by now: “After Boxing Day, when Arsenal pulled off its infamous 3-1 upset of Chelsea, the club played top-four football.” Boxing Day brought the...

le-grove.co.uk

That is half a season of influence. This is the perfect season to give him game time as his body can handle 1 game a week.

Great article you posted by the way. ESR is a funny player in that you look at his stats and apart from G+A - which were pretty decent for a debut season - they were pretty underwealming. But then you only need to see him play to see the quality he brings to the side; his pace, technique and movement. Even his defensive stats look worse than the contribution he seems to make in matches where he was constantly harrying and tracking back.

Article seems to suggest that his value is starting to show in the XGChain and XGBuildup metrics. I think if he stays fit next season we will see all of his numbers jump quite dramatically.

 

[goldengod]

I was talking to my friends about the AM position today and we all kind of came to the conclusion that in a non European season for us, we're not sure that the AM is as pressing of a concern as we think it is.

When you compare CM and AM here, its an entirely different ball park in importance. CM was already weak but Xhaka is now leaving, and we are going to have a lack of numbers in that area. The player will need to be injury resistant and top quality, because there is still an element of uncertainty about Partey.

My point about AM not being that important is all in theory though. Its kind of dependent on ESR staying fit. ESR is the real deal imo, and the fact that he has the ability to float wide and interchange with our wingers is amazing. I geniunely love the trio of Saka ESR and Pepe behind our striker. Its why I wanted Buendia and mentioned Nkunku recently, these are players capable (I'm pretty sure) of doing that also. As @Sebastes says, having a specialist in such an area really does hamper you. We had issues with this in regards to Özil, always having to play a certain way or one man would be out the game.

The second condition is Arteta's view of Saka sometimes playing AM. I think Arteta needs to be more flexible with Saka. He geniunely looks the same at LB, LWB, no.8, AM, RW, LW. Its actually crazy. And again, he suits what I was talking about in the previous paragraph. He is very good at pressing, he is dynamic, he can interchange / swap positions with Pepe from the right and lets say drift out wide to the left to support Martinelli and put him through (this is for if ESR is injured/unavailable). I think @The_Playmaker had a similar opinion on the matter.

I have come to the conclusion that signing an AM damages Pepe and Martinelli just as much as ESR- probably more tbh. Because when we sign an AM, ESR will spend a lot of time out wide on the left. This takes up Martinelli's potential spot and also makes it so Saka is less likely to play LW to accomodate Pepe.

If someone told me have 70m to spend on the two positions I would be extremely tempted to gamble on ESR's fitness, as well as consider Saka there. I would try to go all out for Phillips or Tielemans or whoever is top class and improves us (I understand there may not be so many out there). Saying all this though, I would still support bringing in a quality player like Ødegaard or Maddison and be excited about the transfer.

Agree with a lot of these points but that's why our profile of an AM should be a young cheap talent. Someone like Olise if he hadn't already gone. Essentially get another Lokonga who can offer depth and a rotation option to ESR rather than automatically taking his place.

 

[TornadoTed]

Players develop in different ways. It is pretty much set up for ESR to have s breakout year. He gets better the more he plays and if he is given responsibility he will take it. I think we need to sign someone like an Olmo, Aouar or Nkunku to have the numbers to rotate and deal with injuries without losing the way we play.

I never liked Ødegaard because of how he sits in the right half space he blocked Saka and Pepe from moving infield regularly. Maddison will occupy the central space and offer little running in behind, meaning that little interchange will take place between the forwards.

ESR has the ability to understand space. Pepe, Auba, Saka, Martinelli all have this awaress and ability to find space. Aouar would add to this and since he is able to play off the left, it would make the most sense.

DATA BLOG: THE ESR EFFECT

Buckle up people, Adam Rae Voge (@AdamVoge) is back with a bang. If you follow Arsenal with any degree of closeness, you’ve heard the talking point by now: “After Boxing Day, when Arsenal pulled off its infamous 3-1 upset of Chelsea, the club played top-four football.” Boxing Day brought the...

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That is half a season of influence. This is the perfect season to give him game time as his body can handle 1 game a week.

I like Ødegaard but that is my major concern also. I think it was made worse by Partey playing on the right and more advanced than Xhaka too. If whoever we sign to play to the left of Partey is more of a DLP then we would have the same problem with the centre/right zone getting too congested.

I think we would look more balanced if we had a 10 who naturally drifts more to the left to give the space for Partey to drive forward as well as Saka/Pepe come more central.

 

[blrgooner]

Frankly, I think an AM is absolutely necessary. I think ESR will go wide and he is at his best when he is drifting in from wide I think.
The way I see it, we Auba,Pepe,Martinelli are all players who are only good in the opposition third of the pitch and don`t contribute enough in the buildup( Pepe is a bit better but still not good enough). ESR, Ode, Saka etc are players whom we want in the half spaces where they get involved in the buildup and create chances for our forwards. I think different games need different type of combination between these players but losing an option there severely weakens us. We will have 3 among, ESR,Saka,Pepe and the new AM playing at all times so game time shouldn`t be a problem.

All this of course is considering we will play a 4 2 3 1. In this formation, I don`t see how someone like Martinelli or Auba become wide players. They have been mostly poor last season when they have played there too. I do rate Martinelli but he is not a left winger for me.

 

[HaffBR]

I think people here need to learn something, words like winger etc doesn't make sense nowadays more, this is about role now, and the players of the side of the pitch need to have more end product and they are usually more like Inside Forward who can attack the space etc like Werner, Pulisic, Salah, Mané, Rashford, Mbappe, Fati, Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo (since he moved to the left) and not more you trickster boy who can cross the ball. You can have a very elite wide playmaker there, but you also need someone who makes runs in the opposite side to compensate and usually a poaches.
You just can't go and play with guys who have around 30% or less expected end product (non-PK goals and assists expected per 90 relative to his team expected goal production) in both sides.

You just can't play with ESR and Saka/Pepe on the wings for example and then you **** about the team's chance creation is low, goalscoring is low, of course it would be low, you have guys who aren't agressive enough goal threat. Martinelli is the closest thing imo of a elite inside forward, goal threat Arsenal have on the side of the pitch and you need to use him properly next season.


Ideally you can set up like this imo:


Martinelli ---- Auba or Laca ---- Saka/Willian
------------------- ESR -----------------------

 

[Dutch D]

These are the kind of players I'd go for. They're all a little different, but more than anything they all work well in a 433, which is what I'd really like to see.

Tbf, I think Ødegaard could operate as a RCM in the free 8 mould as well, but as pointed out he occupies a space that's kind of awkward for us as a team and I think suboptimizes the impact of Pépé and Saka when they's played as RW. I'd also cast some doubt on his physical ability/strength in duels when played in a midfield 3 (same goes for Nkunku, mind)

I think this is my take at the moment as well. I do think Ødegaard isn't a 'specialist' number 10 like Maddison would be. He could play deeper as a RCM in the free 8 or RW, similar to Nkunku and Aouar (at LW), but it would be better to have someone that can occupy the left half space.

To be honest, I'd still take Ødegaard if he would be available. He's shown flashes of what he can do and I think he can only improve if he stays with us. Don't want another loan, though. It's permanent or nothing for me.

Midfield three of ESR, Partey and Ødegaard would be exciting against every team in the bottom half of the table.