Mikel Arteta: Aston La Vista To The Title?

[Macho]

There's obviously a lot of variables. For example a team like Southampton who on the face of things are playing good football, home or away teams will not sit back against them. They have the freedom of the pitch to play as expansively as they like.

And shock, when teams are open against us we play good football and create goalscoring chances. The issue we face is when we hit a team playing a low block, and that is, in my opinion, down to the lack of creative/technically gifted players in the squad and mainly in the final third.

Two prime examples are United with Bruno and Everton recently with James. James has completely changed Everton's fortunes in terms of attacking football, yes one technically gifted player can do that. Last season Everton were heavily dependent on Digne down the left to the point where he eventually got crowded out and Everton's main creator was nullified more often than not.

Now Everton have James, so the spotlight isn't on Digne, teams are trying to mark James out the game which allows Digne to have more space.

This is exactly what happened with United, they were abysmal going forward before Bruno signed, now they're very dangerous.

People can say "well one signing doesn't change anything its just one player" WRONG. One signing is just one player, correct, BUT that one player frees up so many other players around them. Hypothetically if we signed Bruno Fernandes tomorrow you immediately free up more time and space for Tierney, Saka, Bellerin and whoever is playing right wing. Along with having someone of Bruno's quality who can score from anywhere and create goals.

We need to find a good balance. We are currently balanced about 80-20 in defensive quality to attacking/technical quality.

That balance is in new creative signings.

Nope. Not buying it.

Buying a World Class player obviously fixes a lot but Wenger and Emery actually had worse squads than this and they got questioned when they blatantly got stuff wrong. The same should be asked of Arteta.

The whole blaming the squad is just weak. Also based on what we've seen so far, you'd have to question the scenario of what happens if Aouar actually came and didn't immediately hit the ground running.

Every attacking player who has thrived under Arteta so far were doing well by the time he got here (mainly Auba and Saka). However, some have gotten worse under his management, so shrugs from me.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

Nope. Not buying it.

Buying a World Class player obviously fixes a lot but Wenger and Emery actually had worse squads than this and they got questioned when they blatantly got stuff wrong. The same should be asked of Arteta.

The whole blaming the squad is just weak. Also based on what we've seen so far, you'd have to question the scenario of what happens if Aouar actually came and didn't immediately hit the ground running.

Every attacking player who has thrived under Arteta so far were doing well by the time he got here (mainly Auba and Saka). However, some have gotten worse under his management, so shrugs from me.

Not buying clear examples? Odd.

Wenger and Emery had worse DEFENDERS. And better ATTACKERS. That is all that needs to be said and it shows in the numbers.

i'm not blaming the squad, but there is quite a clear lack of creative players and even you can't deny that. If/when Arteta gets creative players in then I will truly judge him. But for now there isn't much that can be done. I don't actually see anyone trying to come up with solutions either. I just see that Arteta needs to do a better job with the players he has and Arteta isn't good enough.

Solution from most forum members was change formation, put Auba up top and Pepe starting! But that didn't work BECAUSE WE LACK CREATIVE PLAYERS

Shock.

 

[Football Manager]

We've scored very good team goals under Arteta as well. "Wengerball" was due to us having a lot of very good technicians in the team who could play quick, one touch football all the time.

Until we get a good amount of those technically gifted players back it'll stay the same. Players who need to take two or three touches before getting the right pass off are constantly in this current team because that's all we have right now.

100% correct

 

[Football Manager]

Nope. Not buying it.

Buying a World Class player obviously fixes a lot but Wenger and Emery actually had worse squads than this and they got questioned when they blatantly got stuff wrong. The same should be asked of Arteta.

The whole blaming the squad is just weak. Also based on what we've seen so far, you'd have to question the scenario of what happens if Aouar actually came and didn't immediately hit the ground running.

Every attacking player who has thrived under Arteta so far were doing well by the time he got here (mainly Auba and Saka). However, some have gotten worse under his management, so shrugs from me.

We had Cazorla and Sanchez with a shxt team.
Now who do we have?

Martinelli/Saka/Willian/Pepe are not Sanchez. Ceballos/Partey is not Cazorla. Other players like auba/Laca/nketiah/niles/willock...are absolute joke.

 

[GoonerJay24]

The job of the manager is to adapt the players he has to get the best possible results (no ****).

Last season I think Arteta did that brilliantly, and it showed in the results we had. We had **** defenders that couldn't defend 1v1, so he went to 3 atb (not rocket science as wenger and emery did this successfully) which strengthened us defensively, but also made sure most of our attacks went down the left where we are strongest. He also utilised the long ball in behind for Auba to run onto to great effect. This shows really good management, and indicates to me that Arteta knows what hes doing on a tactical level at least.

The problem with these highly specialised formations that only have a few patterns of attack is it doesn't take long for teams to adapt to them, which i think they have now. Add on top of that we've only added Willian in an attacking sense, we are still extremely limited going forward. This is where our problem has been this season IMO.

Of course this means Arteta must come up with a new way of utilising the abilities of the players to improve our attack, but with the context of the fixtures we've had (we've played 4 teams that finished above us last season) I understand why he has persisted with the 343.

I'd suggest keeping it simple, Saka on the left, Willian 10, Pepe on the right, Auba at 9. Willian and Pepe divide opinion, but they're still our best players in the respective positions imo. Partey behind them should help sustain attacks.

442 better than 4231 or 433 with this playing personnel

 

[MikelHadADream]

442 better than 4231 or 433 with this playing personnel

To be honest I wouldn't mind seeing that either. Auba and whoever up top, Saka and Willian wide, Partey and whoever in the middle.

 

[Football Manager]

442 better than 4231 or 433 with this playing personnel

——————Martinelli——Pepe———————
Saka————Partey———Ceballos——Willian
Tierney—Luiz/Holding—Gabriel——Bellerin
—————————Leno—————————-

 

[MikelHadADream]

There's obviously a lot of variables. For example a team like Southampton who on the face of things are playing good football, home or away teams will not sit back against them. They have the freedom of the pitch to play as expansively as they like.

And shock, when teams are open against us we play good football and create goalscoring chances. The issue we face is when we hit a team playing a low block, and that is, in my opinion, down to the lack of creative/technically gifted players in the squad and mainly in the final third.

Two prime examples are United with Bruno and Everton recently with James. James has completely changed Everton's fortunes in terms of attacking football, yes one technically gifted player can do that. Last season Everton were heavily dependent on Digne down the left to the point where he eventually got crowded out and Everton's main creator was nullified more often than not.

Now Everton have James, so the spotlight isn't on Digne, teams are trying to mark James out the game which allows Digne to have more space.

This is exactly what happened with United, they were abysmal going forward before Bruno signed, now they're very dangerous.

People can say "well one signing doesn't change anything its just one player" WRONG. One signing is just one player, correct, BUT that one player frees up so many other players around them. Hypothetically if we signed Bruno Fernandes tomorrow you immediately free up more time and space for Tierney, Saka, Bellerin and whoever is playing right wing. Along with having someone of Bruno's quality who can score from anywhere and create goals.

We need to find a good balance. We are currently balanced about 80-20 in defensive quality to attacking/technical quality.

That balance is in new creative signings.

The first two paragraphs are spot on. Its no coincidence that the back end of last season we experienced success against teams that came onto us. We could defend in numbers and use our only few strengths: the left hand side and the ball in behind for Auba.

Teams have now realised this is basically all we have and just sit back and don't press us. Despite what some on here are saying, we don't have the creative players to successfully break down low blocks on a consistent basis, its as simple as that.

 

[DUFFMAN]

The first two paragraphs are spot on. Its no coincidence that the back end of last season we experienced success against teams that came onto us. We could defend in numbers and use our only few strengths: the left hand side and the ball in behind for Auba.

Teams have now realised this is basically all we have and just sit back and don't press us. Despite what some on here are saying, we don't have the creative players to successfully break down low blocks on a consistent basis, its as

Exactly simple as that.

And when we do try we get results like Leicester.

We had more chances but they were half chances.

If we had the players we would have finished them as they were inviting us on.

Such a tricky predicament.

 

[Riou]

Can anyone name any footballers in our squad that are as talented and creative in the final 3rd as Henry, Bergkamp, Pires and Kanu?

Or even as good as...Fabregas, Rosicky and Hleb or Cazorla, (peak) Özil and Sanchez?

We have such a lack of creativity in this team that it's startling...Partey and Ceballos are quality players (especially Thomas) but they are better playing deeper, neither are good at playing between the lines in the attacking half of the pitch.

Auba, Laca, Pepe and Eddie are all best when getting on the end of chances, you don't want any of them on the ball for too long, while Özil and Willian are past it...only one is Saka.

That's way I understand Arteta playing this way, we just don't have many good "footballers" anymore.

 

[Blood on the Tracks]

Hold on, what happened to "these are the same players that failed 3 managers"? are they suddenly gone now?


Auba Xhaka and Lacazette are supposedly the worst players in the league, aight cool, fine- but the Hale End lot are technical enough as this is a prerequisite coming through the academy, but where are they? Özil where is he? Where was Pepe before Leeds?

From what I've read no-one is saying that Auba, Xhaka, Lacazette etc are the worst players in the league. I rate all 3 to some degree, obviously Auba higher than the other two, but they are 3 players with glaring deficiencies in their game.

It's possible to believe all 3 of those players are good but that they are also overrated by Arsenal fans to some degree. That doesn't make them the worst players in league by any stretch of the imagination.

Not every player has to be viewed as the best or worst in the league, there is a middle ground, which at least Xhaka and Laca fall into at least in my eyes. It wouldn't be particularly hard to upgrade either with a decent bit of money and If we want to progress back into top 4 and ultimately challenge for titles these are two of the players you'd want to replace.

Auba's all round game is pretty poor at the best of times and when he's out of goal scoring form it makes him look a liability on the pitch. I don't care though as I know he's a 25 goal a season striker just going through a rough patch.

 

[MikelHadADream]

Can anyone name any footballers in our squad that are as talented and creative in the final 3rd as Henry, Bergkamp and Pires?

Or even as good as...Fabregas, Rosicky and Hleb or Cazola, (peak) Özil and Sanchez?

We have such a lack of creativity in this team that it's startling...Partey and Ceballos are quality players (especially Thomas) but they are more deep players, neither are good at playing between the lines in the attacking half of the pitch.

Auba, Laca, Pepe and Eddie are all best when getting on the end of chances, you don't want any of them on the ball for too long, while Özil and Willian are past it...only one is Saka.

That's way I understand Arteta paying this way, we just don't have many good "footballers" anymore.

This. From Arteta's time here, in my opinion he has shown he is willing to adapt to the players strengths and weaknesses. An example of this is how we play from the back, get the ball to Tierney who then chips it in behind for Auba. Unfortunately teams have figured this out so now just drop off.

I find it hard to believe that a guy who was by all accounts a major part of the coaching staff for a team that scored 200 league goals in two seasons wants to be playing the way we are currently. Hes even mentioned in the past he has to set the players up to suit their strengths.

We are not going to be able to play fluid football through the middle of the pitch when we only have one player that can receive the ball in tight areas, its just the harsh reality that some people can't seem to accept.

 

[A_G]

The last line reminds me of Mik

 

[Macho]

Not buying clear examples? Odd.

Wenger and Emery had worse DEFENDERS. And better ATTACKERS. That is all that needs to be said and it shows in the numbers.

i'm not blaming the squad, but there is quite a clear lack of creative players and even you can't deny that. If/when Arteta gets creative players in then I will truly judge him. But for now there isn't much that can be done. I don't actually see anyone trying to come up with solutions either. I just see that Arteta needs to do a better job with the players he has and Arteta isn't good enough.

Shock.

You listed the entire squad and said they are incapable of good football, that's pretty much blaming the squad.

But since you continue hiding I will break it down for you.


The players that led the way in xG+A in Emery's first season are still here. Miki had 4 assists for the season, 3 of them were against Fulham (hi Willian) - you've made too much of his contributions whilst he was here, but he has been essentially replaced as Miki played out wide for us like Willian does.

Ramsey, Iwobi and Miki were matched or outperformed by Saka, Martinelli and Pepe the following season statistically. Ramsey aside, we actually improved on them. The irony is Ramsey wasn't the most technical player I mentioned and yet we miss him the most. This doesn't match what you said about the players lacking technique.

The attack isn't that bad on paper and Auba was contender for golden boot with the same personnel as this season, minus Özil who was in and out under both Emery and Arteta.

Some of the blame does lie with form, but the tactics and the way we are set up is not working at the moment, but instead of saying that - the players are getting blamed as not being good enough. They probably aren't for top 4, but what we are seeing is abysmal.

Even then, the last players to score in open play were dropped (Lacazette after Liverpool and Pepe after Sheffield Utd) so maybe that could have been handled better as well.

Either way, we should be doing so much better going forward with the players we've got. We definitely lack a #10 or a Ramsey, but that's no excuse for what we are seeing as even when we had Özil and Miki, were heavily rotated and not as influential as we had hoped.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

You listed the entire squad and said they are incapable of good football, that's pretty much blaming the squad.

But since you continue hiding I will break it down for you.


The players that led the way in xG+A in Emery's first season are still here. Miki had 4 assists for the season, 3 of them were against Fulham (hi Willian) - you've made too much of his contributions whilst he was here, but he has been essentially replaced as Miki played out wide for us like Willian does.

Ramsey, Iwobi and Miki were matched or outperformed by Saka, Martinelli and Pepe the following season statistically. Ramsey aside, we actually improved on them. The irony is Ramsey wasn't the most technical player I mentioned and yet we miss him the most. This doesn't match what you said about the players lacking technique.

The attack isn't that bad on paper and Auba was contender for golden boot with the same personnel as this season, minus Özil who was in and out under both Emery and Arteta.

Some of the blame does lie with form, but the tactics and the way we are set up is not working at the moment, but instead of saying that - the players are getting blamed as not being good enough. They probably aren't for top 4, but what we are seeing is abysmal.

Even then, the last players to score in open play were dropped (Lacazette after Liverpool and Pepe after Sheffield Utd) so maybe that could have been handled better as well.

Either way, we should be doing so much better going forward with the players we've got. We definitely lack a #10 or a Ramsey, but that's no excuse for what we are seeing as even when we had Özil and Miki, were heavily rotated and not as influential as we had hoped.

Oh ffs.

Why are you using xG+A for your argument jesus christ. We are talking about creativity. Mikky, Iwobi and Özil were Emery's biggest chance creators. All of which are no longer in the team. Simple as that.

 

[GoonerJay24]

To be honest I wouldn't mind seeing that either. Auba and whoever up top, Saka and Willian wide, Partey and whoever in the middle.

Nketiah would compliment Aubamayang best I feel with his movement and energy; obviously against the best opponents we should revert back to a 343, but generally 442 or 4222 is the most apt system for these players.

 

[Macho]

Oh ffs.

Why are you using xG+A for your argument jesus christ. We are talking about creativity. Mikky, Iwobi and Özil were Emery's biggest chance creators. All of which are no longer in the team. Simple as that.

Because I am proving to you that Mikky, Iwobi and Özil's output was replaced. In terms of actual goals, assists and clear cut chances.

And look at the numbers of goals and assists and ignore xG+A if you wish, Mikky, Iwobi and Özil were outperformed by Saka, Martinelli and Pepe.

The excuse that the attack simply isn't good enough doesn't wash. If you and others said this squad isn't enough for top 4 I would actually agree, but what I have been seeing on the forum is not correct. Arteta has some responsibility of how we look going forward.

We definitely need investment, but some tweaks can be made with the personnel we have for sure. No excuse to go this many hours with no goals in open play.

 

[HairSprayGooners]

Because I am proving to you that Mikky, Iwobi and Özil's output was replaced. In terms of actual goals, assists and clear cut chances.

And look at the numbers of goals and assists and ignore xG+A if you wish, Mikky, Iwobi and Özil were outperformed by Saka, Martinelli and Pepe.

The excuse that the attack simply isn't good enough doesn't wash. If you and others said this squad isn't enough for top 4 I would actually agree, but what I have been seeing on the forum is not correct. Arteta has some responsibility of how we look going forward.

We definitely need investment, but some tweaks can be made with the personnel we have for sure. No excuse to go this many hours with no goals in open play.

Okay, question. What would you do to increase our creativity with what we currently have? Go.

 

[Football Manager]

Nketiah would compliment Aubamayang best I feel with his movement and energy; obviously against the best opponents we should revert back to a 343, but generally 442 or 4222 is the most apt system for these players.

Oh god please don’t.

 

[dka1]

Either way, we should be doing so much better going forward with the players we've got. We definitely lack a #10 or a Ramsey, but that's no excuse for what we are seeing as even when we had Özil and Miki, were heavily rotated and not as influential as we had hoped.

It boils down to this.

Are the squad exemplary? No, no, hell no.

But there's not a snowball's chance in hell that they're as back as they look now.

Between Partey, Elneny, Ceballos, Saka, Xhaka, Willock, AMN, you're telling me you can't get a functioning midfield? BS.

Partey is WC, Ceballos has proven he can play to a high level and Saka is excellent given his age and would do a job in MF, that's three right there.

Get them playing with each other regularly to build some kind of relationship and stop chopping and changing the MF.

Arteta needs to sort it out, we're literally not as sh*t as he seems to believe or set up and the set up is making us look limp.