It is amusing that in their last two games, against Manchester City and then Everton, Arsenal haven’t scored a single goal, which is truly unlike them this season.
The Gunners’ strength now seems like their weak point after Tony Cascarino noted that teams have now found a way to neutralise the Gunners’ attack. For the first half of the PL campaign, Arsenal’s attack was unbearable, and all of Arteta’s forward selection (Jesus, Martinelli, and Saka) had something they were cooking.
Now Martinelli isn’t at his best, so opponents don’t have to worry about him; now all they worry about is Saka.
As per Tony Cascarino, opponents now gang up on Saka, knowing that if something incredible happens, Saka will be the man behind it.
“Clubs have now identified Arsenal’s weak point in offense and are now doubling up on Bukayo Saka whenever he has the ball. Why this is an issue to the Gunners is because Martinelli is not as threatening on the left side of the pitch, which makes it easier to invest all the energy in stopping Saka. Arteta needs to change that fast at possible or else the club will drown,” commented Tony Cascarino on talkSPORT.
👀 “One thing that stands out for #AFC teams are now doubling up on Saka!”
🤔 “Saka has loads about him, but many players in the past had this issue.”
Have teams found a way to minimise the threat of Arsenal star Bukayo Saka? ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/oibDAIAsH4
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 5, 2023
When Arsenal last won, they defeated Manchester United 3-2, and Luke Shaw was completely overpowered by Saka’s brilliance; thus, Saka is key in Arteta’s attack. At the moment, Martinelli hasn’t been as lethal as we’ve come to expect from him.
So, if that’s the case, why shouldn’t Martinelli take a break and Trossard be given a chance to start, to continue his impressive run of 7 goals in 18 league games?
With Trossard breathing new life into Arteta’s attack, teams may not focus solely on neutralising Saka and give one of them more space.
Sam P
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I think he’s actually spot on
Yes! On point.
On point.
The Brazilian hangs o the ball too long.
Arsenal may have majority possession but its goals that count.
Speed up the passing and shoot on sight
I agree
And holds the ball when facing 2 defenders, does nothing but pass back, at least Saka will try and come inside but martinelli seems to not want to try this
I think anyone who knows football knows this is BS, if you double up on an opponent there’s space elsewhere, so you move the ball quickly and hence why goals won’t be an issue
Everton played to not lose and when that happens it’s difficult u less you score early
Why all so much negativity writhing fans is beyond me
We have a chance
If we finished second it would still be a massive plus so go and support the team no matter what
Agree 100%.
If we had played at a higher tempo against Everton, which we do most of the time, we could have created much more.
We actualklky started out the first 10-15 min. witha higher tempo, but for some reason, we dropped a bit.
That’s what happens sometimes, and we have shown, we can do better. COYG
+1
Absolutely agree. If we had moved the ball faster it wouldn’t have mattered whether teams doubled on Saka or not.
Well said
The opposition just need to minimize the direct passes from Partey and Odegaard to our wingers
Martinelli is currently not as effective as before, but he can learn from Trossard
But Saka could get too comfortable, as he is the only inverted RW specialist at Arsenal
I don’t think Vieira/ Nelson/ Trossard will be as dangerous as Marquinhos on the right wing and loaning Marquinhos out could be a big mistake
If it is as simple as you say GAI (minimise the direct passes) why has it only just happened?
We are missing Jesus, who helped with Martinelli’s game and, when Tierney was the LB, it also gave our Brazilian wonder kid more help.
But it would be interesting to see Trossard play, that’s what having a squad is all about.
Agree wholeheartedly Ken.Neither Zinchenko nor Xhaka are capable of running beyond Martinelli on a regular basis to divert defenders from doubling up on our young winger.In any event Arteta needs to give the front three more freedom to interchange as they are becoming decidedly predictable stuck out on their respective touch lines.The obsession with playing inverted wingers has gone too far in my opinion as opposition Managers will emphasise the need to restrict the wingers to their weak side in the knowledge that they cannot deliver dangerous crosses with their “swinger”.
Thank you Grandad for mentioning how we are getting double teamed on the wings.
Xhaka and Zinchenko are good going into the midfield, but offer nothing in terms of overlapping our wingers and opening up space.
Teams quickly close down Martinelli and Saka, and predictably there is nowhere to pass but back without anyone overlapping them.
This is one of the drawbacks to Zinchenko as an inverted LB, and makes a strong case where in some games Tierney overlapping Martinelli is a benefit on the LW.
Leeds and Soton did it before Dyche tweak the tactics
Assigning multiple players to pressurize Partey and Odegaard will make a gap in midfield, if the plan isn’t executed well. But Dyche must’ve studied our games against Leeds/ Soton and made a system to improve it
Martineli is still as good as he’s been, IMO, the difference is Saka has Odegaard, Partey and white to assist him, while Zinchenko drifts to the midfield with Xhaka, leaving Martineli alone, with 2/more opponents,
I think Nketiah should be subed for trossard not Martineli, a stronger replacement for xhaka should be considered so that we have more speed,stamina and skill in the middle of the park.
What? Saka has Partey, Odegaard etc while Martinelli has what?
Were Odegaard or Partey just assigned to feed Saka or the player with more influence will always be on the ball more than the one with less influence?
It looks like Saka is being favoured by the likes of Partey / Odegaard because he is much more dangerous with the ball than Martinelli at the moment. Marti seems be back to playing headless chicken football with his poor crossing, poor passing and very predictable tricks. He needs to relax try to do the basic right.
Saka seems to be on the ball more because that natural, everyone will try to get the ball to him at the moment because his final ball seems to end us dangerous while Martinelli’s final ball has been absolutely terrible since that Brighton Game. You get him the ball and you know you are getting nothing out of it in the end at the moment. That’s why Saka and Nketia seem to be fed the ball more than Marti.
My opinion of course.
The one thing no one seems to be talking about is the fact that Nketiah has been overused and fatigue is bound to set in at some stage. For all Jesus’ industry and play, there was always a certain Eddie readied to play the final half an hour!
Eddie looked knackered against Everton. So Arteta should consider shunting Troussard or Martinelli to the middle towards the final quarter of the game.
The point about Gabby’s form and end product has been made by comments herein and they are all right. Arteta ought to encourage him to be more unpredictable: #1. look up and give a direct pass/cross OR #2. Cut inside and repeat #1 if there’s space to shoot (you might get a return pass to do damage) OR #3. Make that mad dash towards the bylines (his favorite and overused)
In all Gabby should think and act quickly to make the numerical advantage during a quick break count!
This is total BS as John0711 pointed out above. There was a period earlier in the season where Saka was not as effective but Martinelli and others were getting the job done. Your whole team is not going to fire on all cylinders every single day. Again, doubling on a player leaves you short on other players. Am sure, Arsenal will start scoring again in the next match.
Good point but with that being said Trossard started vs Man City who didnt look a threat until Martinelli was brought and created two of our best chances
👍👍
what a load of rubbish spouted here lol ! Arsenal have 2 quiet games and its all over the wheels are falling off etc etc !! and from an ex footballer seriously ! really ? Just grow up cascarinio !! teams are doubling up on saka and martinelli not just saka !! what game does cas watch obviously not the game he is talking about !! As he would see that against City we just went with a weakened team as the FA cup is not as important as the league !! and against Everton well one they are always our bogey team but this time they had the places to play for as Dyche was watching his first game in charge !! Dyches teams always set up defensively but its not an excuse ! its a fact ! and we were not as up for it as Everton were and they were at home as well !! so really when a team plays 11 behind the ball like Everton did and get a lucky goal to hold on to fair play to them !! but it does not mean they have found our weakness !! not at all !!
You’re right. They do double up on saka, and also on Martinelli, but this doesn’t show so much because he is not trying to take them on like Same does, instead he ends up passing the ball back down the channel 90% of the time due to either lack of confidence of tiedness. Also this does cause space in the middle but Granit xhaka is not running through the middle to take advantage of this. Maybe like Martinelli, Granit Xhaka also needs a rest and replaced with Smith Rowe perhaps for a game of two to liven things up with faster interchange attacking football.
The writer is right about team doubling up on Saka only not too sure about the rest of the article.
Arsenal must return to basic and that is hit them hard and early then manage the game after.
Teams haven’t quite figured away around our high tempo play yet.
I have note with intrest the games we haven’t scored in Jesus was not available, with the near return of our talisman, life should be just a little easier soon.
Martinelli is always predictable these days, and he doesn’t make things happen like Saka, so people always mark Saka because he is a master planner and can make anything happen in the final third, so trossard should first get a chance ahead of martinelli, because he can also make things to happen
We just miss GJ9 upfront, and ya’ll forget the amount of games pouring in, the boys are probably worn out, we saw Uniteds’ run of form before they came to the Emirates. We’ve been playing with the same XI for an estimated 65% to 75% since this season started
They are allowed to slip up on teams not in the to 4… As JM once said: win or get a point from your games against the four behind you
NB: United weren’t in the top 4 when we dropped points at OT, and I doubt we’ll lose a games against City(2) and the one against the toons as they currently complete the top 4
Weak point Arsenal have wtf we have no weak points we have 50 top off the league strong points and it’s gonna grow that’s all u haters need to know weak point my azz
Second, in scoring goals behind City and everybody is an expert, the Everton game was a one-off, tired legs, so what, let’s see what happens after Brentford and City game, for Zinchenko doesn’t pass to Martenelli, and cuts in, put Tierney there and you will see a different game. Klopp is spot on in what he said about Martinelli.
The front three really have to interchange more as they are decidedly predictable particularly so in the absence of overlapping full backs.I agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed by Ken concerning the impact on the form of Martinelli in the continued absence of Tierney.Neither Zinchenko nor Xhaka are capable of running beyond the young winger to divert defenders from doubling up on him.Little wonder he is looking jaded.
Teams are doubling up on Saka as well as Martinelli. That is expected because they are our most dangerous players at the moment in the absence of Jesus. The problem is with Xhaka and Odegaard. Both have been fantastic this season but they are not without weaknesses. Odegaard is not always as effective without space and Xhaka, who is more physical, is just not as creative. Martinelli obviously has a dip in form and confidence now but I believe he will be better when Jesus returns.
we would like arteta to start trossard and bench matinelli,mean while Saka to continue with his impressed performance.
Something as simple as getting Saka and Martinelli to switch flanks for 30 mins could completely upset the way a team lines up against us. We have to be flexible and adapt and it is an inability to do so that shines a light on Arteta’s inexperience as a manager or unwillingness or even stubbornness to bend to the will of the moment. Wenger was exactly the same. It’s his way or no way.
All the team needs is for the players to play with more zeal and strength. They didn’t show enough of that in the last two games.
I expect Odegaard to play closer to Saka to capitalize on the space created when two or more players concentrate on stopping him
This team lacks formidable proper depth. The natural backup players are still missing.
Jesus – Nketiah is okay.
Saka/Martinelli – Nelson is not enough. Loaning Marquinhos is not good at all. Trossard is not a natural replacement.
Xhaka/Odegaard – Emile and Fabio are fine.
Partey – We are completely lacking here. Jakub Kiwior is the natural backup right now in the squad. Elneny and Jorginho all lack the steel, height and speed to dominate in there. This is why we are always very so weak without Partey on the pitch. This is the most significant role in the success of Artetaball. This where we will loose or win the league this season. And there will be no reprieve for Arteta.
Zinchenko/White – Tierney/Tomiyasu is very okay.
Saliba/Mangalese – Jakub Kiwior is also perfect here. Holding’s limited mobility or intensity is becoming an issue, but he his managing himself well, and the team too is coping with him.
Ramsdale – Turner. No issue.
Pls stop critising Arsenals performance just cos they messed up a game or 2 talk about City Man or Liverpool I think they weak ass performances need some critism for a change sack someone or blame someone but we good we know it’s game to be won and lost and not every season can be an invincible season so chill we will win and win the league
Maybe, maybe not. Do you remember Robbery ( Robben- Ribery)? Week in week out spanning years mesmerized defenders at the wings. Bukayo and Martinelli are not natural wingers but they may up their games by being less stereotyped, improving upon their reflexiveness and feet work.
Again we to master patterns switch during matches. It perplexes opposing team.
I think we don’t have any main problem with our wingers though martineli isn’t doing his best perhaps let’s dwell on the defenders most especially where party plays,……if you check for the past three lost we had, ie against man city, man u and everton,…all these matches played had issues. We played man u in the match without party and we lost the game to them, we as well played man city with party defending in first half, in second he got a minor injury and was replaced, perhaps we all witnessed what happened after the replacement ,the same thing too happened after playing Everton when party was replaced.,…..our problem is with when he removed or not played at all,….. please guys let’s be vigilant