Mikel Arteta: 67

[2Smokeyy]

He used the squad better ar the start of the season as far as being more flexible, even with the injuries.

Normal to fall back into his preffered team and tactics now that most our squad is fit and we are being chased for the title but he lost a little bit of that edge.

I think what City done to us in recent seasons definitely plays a part both for Arteta and the players. At times it feels like we’ve been showing City and even Liverpool a bit too much respect when in reality neither of them are at the level they were once at.

If we focus on ourselves and play at the level we’re capable of then I don’t think many teams can really hurt us, like you said we showed good spells of that at the beginning of the season. The way City defended against us earlier this season and how Liverpool set up a couple of weeks ago kind of told us that they were fearful of what we can do. Even Bayern looked completely thrown off when we brought on Martinelli and Madueke to run at them - they’re regarded as probably the most in-form team in Europe by some and one of the favourites for the CL.

 

[Tnegs]

The lack of form in the attacking positions hasn’t made selections easy either. Neither Eze or Ode have really staked a claim to being a starting player and in the striker position you have really mediocre options for a team that is doing so well. Only Trossard is performing above expectations while Saka is doing well but definitely playing below his full potential. The system might be rigid and restrictive but the players can certainly do a lot more than what they are doing at the moment.

 

[Blood on the Tracks]

Systems and opposition tactics obviously play their part but look at our xG in this game compared to the Forest one. They're basically the same.

2.37 Vs 2.39.

Sometimes football is as simple as putting the ball in the net when you get chances. It doesn't need to require tactical overhauls or bringing in a load of new players.

 

[High Elbow]

As it stands we just have to keep what we're doing while pep has to prove he is the genius i dont think he is. If i dont rate pep who started his manegerial career with the likes of messi you can bet i dont rate arteta. I just play along the game that managers actually earn their millions coz they can actually dictate the bounce of a ball and make a player dribble past 3 players and put one in the top corner (messi). Anyway that's a whole different discussion. #COYG

 

[Gooner Zig]

There are legitimate criticisms with the way we approach certain PL games but this Inter tie showed me that 90% of the problem is that the PL is Haram, not us. I'm not having any haramball accusations against Arteta anymore, sorry but our PL opposition have no interest in playing us and are content to clog the middle and force us wide.

 

[sakalacaxhaka]

There are legitimate criticisms with the way we approach certain PL games but this Inter tie showed me that 90% of the problem is that the PL is Haram, not us. I'm not having any haramball accusations against Arteta anymore, sorry but our PL opposition have no interest in playing us and are content to clog the middle and force us wide.

Couldn't agree more, the tactics of the premier league even in games near the bottom of the table are seeing teams set up extremely difficult to break down low blocks

Tactically the premier league is at another level to the rest of europe, largely through the influence of the top level coaches all wanting to come to the league, through the earning opportunity and the exposure, along with the fact in large the quality of players is at a better level

Arteta does have ways of playing which in certain games make us seems defensive, but I feel this is largely due to how often we get punished for every single mistake we make, teams have 7/8 chances against liverpool/city and might score one or two, whereas teams seem to score from any chance they get against us

The concern I have is how easy we've made this group stage look, it won't take long for the european teams to adopt a similar approach to what we have in the prem when we get to the latter stages, and our attacking play from the wings has to improve

 

[Sammy1887]

 

[Bloodbather]

Tbf he’s Spanish. It’s pretty much the same language. It’s like a Saudi putting on Egyptian accent. Easy

They are similar languages and from the same language family (Latin) but same language is a huge stretch. They're not mutually intelligible at all. Even Spanish and Portuguese, which are closer, aren't really mutually intelligible.

It's easier to learn for a native speaker of Spanish, but that's about it. You need to put in the work and Arteta clearly has. He says it's a hobby of his, anyway.

 

[Steps]

They are similar languages and from the same language family (Latin) but same language is a huge stretch. They're not mutually intelligible at all. Even Spanish and Portuguese, which are closer, aren't really mutually intelligible.

It's easier to learn for a native speaker of Spanish, but that's about it. You need to put in the work and Arteta clearly has. He says it's a hobby of his, anyway.

Agreed on some of this - it takes a lot of work. I speak English natively, German (poorly), Spanish (decent), Italian (very poorly), and I can read French and Latin. I personally think the crossover from Spanish to Italian is much easier than Spanish to Portugese (in the little I've studied), but that might just be me.

Either way, hats off to Mikel. It was a very impressive thing to see. He didn't hesitate and clearly is very comfortable with Italian.

 

[BigPoppaPump]

Agreed on some of this - it takes a lot of work. I speak English natively, German (poorly), Spanish (decent), Italian (very poorly), and I can read French and Latin. I personally think the crossover from Spanish to Italian is much easier than Spanish to Portugese (in the little I've studied), but that might just be me.

Sounds like you need to study harder tbh.

 

[viktor]

 

[Tnegs]

A Martinelli-Gyokeres-Walcott frontline would be the most frustrating thing we’ve seen. Would be well entertaining if only for the meltdown on here.

 

[viktor]

 

[El Realista]

I find it insulting that you insinuate we are “Set Piece FC.” I can understand the criticism coming from fans of other clubs, but it’s hard to hear our own supporters complaining about the way we score. It is not like we are playing bad and losing. We are actually winning, but it seems like that is not enough for some people. And it seems I’m not the only one who feels this way:

That’s on you, but stats were posted here about how we struggle to crack teams when. We don’t score the first goal with set pieces. If you feel offended that’s not my comment, it’s what is happening with the team. Again, don’t put words on me I didn’t say, because I never said we shouldn’t score corners, just that we shouldn’t rely on them as our only tactic because again, the stats say when we don’t we lose points.

 

[El Realista]

A Martinelli-Gyokeres-Walcott frontline would be the most frustrating thing we’ve seen. Would be well entertaining if only for the meltdown on here.

Put Ødegaard behind them to add more frustration to the mix. Imagine those 3 runners with a 10 that is afraid of playing through balls to open spaces.

 

[El Realista]

The lack of form in the attacking positions hasn’t made selections easy either. Neither Eze or Ode have really staked a claim to being a starting player and in the striker position you have really mediocre options for a team that is doing so well. Only Trossard is performing above expectations while Saka is doing well but definitely playing below his full potential. The system might be rigid and restrictive but the players can certainly do a lot more than what they are doing at the moment.

You can change the whole attack and the new players will struggle. It is the system.

 

[Kuroske]

You can change the whole attack and the new players will struggle. It is the system.

The system is fine. The system has taken us to the top of the Champions League unbeaten, top of the Premier League with a 7-point lead, and the League Cup semi-finals.

What we’re missing is the final piece to turn this team into a dynasty.
A Jesus-type centre forward, but 15 cm taller and more clinical.
A younger, faster version of Trossard.
And an Ødegaard who rediscovers his form and starts taking more risks with his passing instead of playing everything safe.

 

[HattoriHanzo]

The system is fine. The system has taken us to the top of the Champions League unbeaten, top of the Premier League with a 7-point lead, and the League Cup semi-finals.

What we’re missing is the final piece to turn this team into a dynasty.
A Jesus-type centre forward, but 15 cm taller and more clinical.
A younger, faster version of Trossard.
And an Ødegaard who rediscovers his form and starts taking more risks with his passing instead of playing everything safe.

True.
We have top quality defence and midfield, but not top quality attack.
The only top quality attacker in Arsenal is Saka, but also he lacks consistency,
LW is weakest spot in Arsenal, we also need better CF.

Arsenal should sell Martinelli and G. Jesus, maybe even Gyokeres and Havertz (depends how they will play before summer) and replace them with top quality players.
I don't expect that they will sell Gyokeres and Havertz, but I would consider selling them in summer.

There is also big question mark around Ødegaard.

 

[Bloodbather]

Rooney would've been absolutely perfect for this team as a CF. Presses, can link up play, and scores goals.

 

[Tourbillion]

There is also big question mark around Ødegaard.

For me, THE question marks are around Ødegaard and the entire LWF roster.