Having largely refused to rotate during this hectic schedule, Mikel Arteta strangely picked just before the International Break to give Jesus and Sterling a rare start. Beginning with a player who Chelsea were not even going to submit in their squad was a gamble, but neither he nor Jesus can knock on the office door on Monday bemoaning a lack of opportunities.
Our manager maybe was in danger of overcomplicating things by selecting Jorginho but instead of Partey getting a rest, he was asked to be a makeshift right back. That’s despite Tomiyasu fit enough to be on the bench along with Kiwior.
Was this taking Southampton lightly?
Some Gooners say judging by the atmosphere that was the case, the visitors goal waking the Emirates up.
Some of our fans were asking for this to be Nwaneri’s first Prem start (not sure based on what).
While I spent the morning playing semantics saying we won’t go unbeaten this season, but being told I can’t have that opinion because it’s not literally impossible.
By half time on Saturday, on his return Aaron Ramsdale had only had to deal with one shot by halftime, the loudest sheer from the crowd had been his welcome back, while Southampton missed two sitters in the second period.
None of this is a criticism. In fact, the best thing for a team is to make mistakes while still winning. It means everyone can learn while not losing any points in the process.
To be Champions though we have to learn.
The last two title races were decided by fine margins, but ultimately given the standard Man City have set, we can’t avoid too many games where we have an off day.
We had a couple last Christmas and ultimately that meant the only way of winning the Prem was to be flawless.
This weekend we got away with underestimating our opponents, but better opponents will catch us cold.
One of those acts of complacency needs to be Thomas Partey not as a full back. It was an experiment our boss tried last season. As crazy as it sounds now, that meant Gabriel was dropped, this only changing when the Ghanian suffered another lengthy injury.
The 31-year-old didn’t disgrace himself in that role and it should be stressed the footballing intelligence it needs to take to start in one position and time when to step into midfield.
Arteta got the idea by doing the same with Zinchenko. However, wanting both full backs to be hybrid midfielders is maybe over coaching?
Trying to be too clever?
We had left and rights backs going into the middle, centre backs moving across to cover, strikers dropping deep, wingers tracking back. It was like everyone was getting in each other’s way.
We since have moved on to almost playing 4 centre backs across the back line. Something again copied from the Etihad. It’s led to us being one of the best defensive teams in the division. If we do get over the line this time it will be because of how organised we are, Arsenal can now win games in a manner unlike ourselves in the last few decades
That wasn’t as apparent this weekend.
Don’t try to fix something not broken.
Play defenders in defence and midfielders in midfield.
Dan
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We have been down this road before trying square pegs in round hole, the gaffer is stubborn and no doubt we will see it again.
But the gaffer is close in getting both wing backs inverted, if and when he does, Arsenal will be a different animal.
I can see what he’s doing, so am not looking at it negatively, we just don’t have all the players to play effectively like that just yet, but I can see what’s he’s hell bent on doing.
As for the Nwaneri kid, I would started him, but not starting him there is no way I would have brought him on, throwing him in at the deep end.
Is good to give someone like sterling and Jesus chance. to start some games , so that our opponent would not know our game plan.
I will equally say Tommy never fit , that why he started partey.
Instead of starting Partey at RB Arteta should have started Tomiyashu, and if needed he could have substituted him with Partey latter if needed. That way Partey could have got much needed Rest.
Due to Arteta’s stubbornness Arsenal lost some valuable points in last 2 seasons which are cost us the EPL
GBH (LOL)
His stubbornness hasn’t cost us any points this season though has he?
Jesus and zinchenko have done their part demonstrating the high demand work culture of a super club. Don’t see them offering anything more. Time to let them go. Fresh face will make our rotation more dynamic and effective.
What’s the evidence you have to indicate that Tomiyasu is fit enough to start… And have you ever seen kiwior play in that position before… And what makes you think Arteta took Southampton lightly.. if Jesus and Sterling can’t start this type of matches what are they doing in our club then… Arteta only select out of the available options… We can’t win every matches early,some will be won towards the middle and some towards the end of Matches …The important thing is winning no matter when or how we do it.
I seen Calafiori start right back and Kiwior left back
Not long ago, the pair of Jesus and Zinchenko was the best twin thing to happen to us. Their arrival, all too suddenly lifted the way other players thought and acted. Sadly though, going forward, we have an obligation now to sound them nicely to Saudi moneybags. They served their purpose and it is done and dusted. Jesus and Sterling, together in attack, are a punishment to the fans.
I don’t think Arsenal ‘struggled’ because of rotation. I think it had more to do with having played midweek. If anything,rotation was supposed to help us cope with fatigue.Had nothing to do with underestimating the opponents.
This conclusion is based on my observation of all the teams that had midweek games.Liverpool barely beat Palace and could have drawn if a penalty was correctly awarded against VVD. City struggled against Fulham at home,conceding twice, and could have droped points if Fulham took their chances.
Chelsea that has been flying recently only managed a draw at the bridge,despite Forest playing with ten for some minutes. United and Villa were both awful against each other and neither managed to score. Tottenham surrendered a 2-0 lead,losing 3-2 in the end. These examples show just how the midweek fixtures take a toll on players. They aren’t robots.
It’s difficult to be flawless after European nights. You just need to get a result and we did. I think Sterling and Jesus did their part tiring the Soton defense,making it easier for the subs. We also needed to get them up to speed because they’ll be needed. We don’t want them to be rusty when called upon,do we?
About Partey,it was no experiment. We just had no options,unless you count young Nichols. He was our best option and he had a good game. I don’t think Partey plays there if White,Timber or Tomi are considered fit enough to start.
Just because a player is fit to be on the bench doesn’t imply they are fit to start. From my years of watching football,I’ve noticed that players returning from mid to long term injuries are gradually introduced into the team. 15 minutes here,30 minutes there,until they are considered ready to play 90+ minutes.
This is what happened even when Partey came from injury. Timber as well. I’m no coach or doctor but I’m sure there are very good reasons why it happens that way.
Please refrain from using simple logic as it doesn’t suit dan’s narrative. If he says tomiyasu was fit to start despite only passing a late fitness test after having played a grand total of 0 min this season, then he is fit.
His opinion is FACT and cannot be contested. Learn your place simple mortal!!!
Sorry Ackshay, but Dan makes pertinent opinions here and he’s entitled to do so – if MA put Tomiyasu on the bench, then he was fit… that’s plain and simple logic.
Why weaken a midfield that’s been excellent, when we had, following MA’s logic, a RB on the bench?
Partey was not overstretched during the game and, of course, he had the magnificent CB pairing to help him out… as Tomiyasu would have done.
Onyango’s point above yours is also worth considering, as I’m sure MA did, but I can’t help but think if Southampton wasn’t the club to re-introduce Tomiyasu from the start, then, with CL opponents and Liverpool coming up next, why would fifteen odd minutes prime him for such opponents?
Of course, we could have Timber or White back by then, fingers crossed 🤞
Fit to play and fit to start are 2 different things. Tomiyasu been injured for months and was only recently cleared. He wasn’t gonna last 90 min and shuffling the team in game would have been more dangerous.
You think Arteta would risk an injury prone right out of injury especially knee when he’s
Mostly been cautious about rehabilitating injured players.
Calafiori right back
Kiwior left back
Fans are at best amateurs as managers.
They slate Arteta all last season for under-rotating, then slate him for over-rotating this season. He’s spinning like a top by now.
They won 3-1. Not lost in ages. He seems to know what he’s doing?