Mikel Arteta appeared white as a ghost on the Molineux touchline on Wednesday evening, and it was not just the weather. The 43-year-old looked visibly shocked at what he was witnessing and understood the significance of the draw for both Arsenal and Manchester City, clubs with which he has strong connections. The Spaniard is only human, and being interviewed after being held by a team with just nine points appeared to weigh heavily on him; he seemed as uncertain as some of the players on the pitch about their ability to maintain their position at the top of the league.
Leadership Under Pressure
Having previously worked at the Etihad, Arteta will be fully aware of what Pep Guardiola is likely to communicate to his squad. While the Catalan manager is publicly respectful, he is known to convey his honest expectations in private. As the pressure mounts, Guardiola relies on a core group capable of performing with composure, while others may appear visibly unsettled. Arteta, for his part, has shown a willingness to employ unique methods to support his players mentally, recalling his innovative approach to ensuring individuals are relaxed and confident under pressure.
With eleven Premier League fixtures remaining, Arsenal have already demonstrated their ability to beat any team in the division. Success will not necessarily depend on selecting the most technically gifted eleven players, but rather those with the strongest character and leadership. This principle is evident in international tournaments, where penalty shootout takers are often chosen for their leadership rather than pure technique. Gareth Southgate, for instance, relied on Harry Maguire and Jordan Henderson, while Spain frequently turned to Sergio Ramos.
Experience Can Make The Difference
Players such as Christian Norgaard could provide stability both on and off the pitch. He may not possess the flair of an Eze or Odegaard, but his experience as a former Brentford captain suggests he can handle high-pressure moments. Football can be decided by the smallest of details, and selecting those with composure and leadership may ultimately determine whether Arsenal succeed in sustaining their campaign.
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Yes, it obvious some players like Zubimendi are gradually getting tired because of many games he has played and also considering this is the first time he is experiencing the rigor of playing in Epl.
If Arteta would not be unnecessarily rigid sticking to some favourite players, CNorgard should be given more minutes in Arsena premier League matches.. His stats as DM aren’t bad at all and he is good aerially.
As for experience, I don’t consider that as the main issue because players like DRice, Havertz, Odegard, Jesus and Saka all have a adequate experience playing for club and country. But they need to stand up, fight for the team and leaders on the pitch. There body language not good enough in recent matches.
Gabriel & Saliba should reorganize their defence they are losing it. They must return to how they started the season by not conceding goals for several matches. They must instill fear in opposition teams.
Norgaard has only played a combined total of 32 minutes in the premier league this season. He is so underused, and the sad thing is he’s a well established premier league player.
I think many will agree Derek
SueP,
Good evening, I see you’re still nicely positioned in the predictions league. I’m getting the bus engine warmed up for you’re open top bus parade through the streets of Islington.😂👍
Were you Reg Varney in a previous life, Derek? Nicely positioned but catching IGL is almost a lost cause I’m afraid
Gyokeres.
Trossard. Eze. Saka.
Rice. Norgaard.
Hincapie. Gabriel. Saliba. White.
Raya.
I’d like to see more Norgaard in games, likes passing forward, good reading of the game and positional sense. Zubimendi could use the break, especially against physical teams.
Durand,
I agree with you. And this is not the first post I’ve agreed with you either. It’s becoming a habit, keep up the good work. 😂👍
Derek
Kind words sir, but I just consider it common sense. Norgaard has quality, and too often we missed having composure in the midfield.
He’s on Elneny minutes but far more talent, think Norgaard is better than Jorginho, who got far more opportunities.
He brings a sense of calm, and I love how he does the simple things consistently. Keeps things ticking and gets the ball forward, no show-off dribbling, just smart business sense style play.
If he only has 32 minutes in PL that’s diabolical. I simple don’t believe Zubimendi was the better choice every time except 32 minutes.
I don’t see or know what Arteta does, but surely just 32 minutes is poor use and rotation.
Durand,
There you go again, making perfect sense. 👍
Yes
Rest Zubimendi he has been awesome for us but knackered
Norgard in
Saka a winger forget Central midfield
Cheers to what many would agree upon! Rice and Zubi have been criminally overused. But when Artera doesn’t trust someone this is what happens.
Nonsense. Who are our inexperienced youth. We are already an aging team with so many players having peaked and with nowhere to go. I agree that Norgard should be brought in, but that only to replace the weak and ineffective Zubamendi and the useless Odegaard. If anything we need youth. Skelley, kicking and biting in midfield, Nwaneri probing forward. Although it’s too late for that. I have a hunch that if this season is to be saved it will come from the boy wonder heroics of Max Dowman. Forget the tired and jaded experience of Jesus, Trossard and Harvetz. They are heading for the footballing knackers yard.
If we do not win the league, one of the things that will stick out for me is NOT using Norgard. It stick out like a big red spot on your nose, Zubimendi is not strong enough at 6. Maybe he should fight Odergaard further forward, maybe he can be used in certain games but he struggles big style when it gets physical and the heat is turned up to defend.
Reggie,
I’m of the same opinion, he doesn’t seem to be able to handle the more physical side of the game.
Which is alright when we’re dominating games, but when our backs are against the wall then his limitations show themselves.
Sorry Reggie,
I’m talking about Zubimendi. I must learn to explain myself better.🤦♂️😂👍
For Reggie & Derek
Too many of us are saying the same thing and have been doing so for quite a while.
We can’t all be daft.
Zubimendi should be moved forward to the Odegaard position as he is happy to take a shot on goal from outside the box although Havertz is better than both MZ and MO in that position.
I agree. We should try Zubimendi further forward and rest him against physical teams. Norgaard is underused too.
It’s going to be a really tough 11 games left for us and tough 12 games for City
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A fit, young and criminal free Partey would have been great in this midfield alongside Rice.
Zubimendi is not strong nor technical for a 6. I have been saying this since after the Sunderland 1st leg that we drew 2 – 2.
Even Jorginho is better than him in the 6.
Yet, to some people he is our signing of the season.
I believe Mosquera and Hincapie are playing their roles well more than him.
Take out the 6 goals that he has scored, then you will see that he is just an average player.
Arteta is forcing him to play more than Norgaard because he is Spanish. And that sentiment is not good.
Almost everyone will cry out for Norgaard to play more often but Arteta will never do that.
Arteta’s lack of flexibility will lead to him not continuing with Arsenal in the long run.
Two observations from your post SJ :
1. If you took out the goals of Haaland, he would be “just an average player.”
2. Arteta playing someone because he’s Spanish – so explain Vieira. Do you really believe MA would select a player due to his nationality?
Sir Ken,
Haaland is a striker and his duty is to score goals so he is doing his work well.
Fabio Viera is Portuguese not Spanish.
The role of a DM –
*Shield the defense from the midfield area by making interceptions, blocks, tackles, and recoveries successfully more often.
*Link the defense, midfield and attack together by taking the ball from the defense and making line breaking forward passes.
*Keeping hold of the ball under pressure and making a successful pass. i.e – Press resistant.
Zubimendi does not do any of those 3 things well up to 65%, so therefore he is an average defensive midfielder.
How many players in similar position can boast 6 goals? What you said about the goals is illogical.
6 goals for a DM is not bad but he should do his work as a DM first, then give us the goals as a bonus.
Maybe it’s just me that does not fancy him. He still has room for improvement.
SJ, I don’t think you fully understood Ken’s point about Vieira.
I guess I don’t.
I said Zubimendi is being played over Norgaard because he is Spanish.
Where does Vieira come from?
Vieira was given the chance but it was very clear that he was too lightweight. That is why he was kicked out.
Norgaard has not been given enough chance to prove himself.
sj, I’m not speaking on Ken’s behalf, but it looked to me as though he was saying that if Arteta was so fond of Spanish players over all others, then why did he pay over the top for a Portuguese? But, I may have misunderstood.
Sir Ken?!?! 😅 😅 😅
Take away Haaland’s goals though, as you did with Zubimendi and what does he contribute that’s more than The Arsenal player?
Let’s remind ourselves that we’ve lost just three games in all competitions – sit top of the PL and CL – into the 5th round of the FA cup – into the final of the Carabo cup…. yet you say Zubimendi is an average DM player.
Let’s also remind ourselves what other clubs were after his signature – Liverpool, City, Manure were all mentioned, yet he chose The Arsenal.
It’s the same old story with Arsenal fans, they have to have scapegoats, even when we are still in every competition and your assumption that MA is selecting him because he’s Spanish is another example of that.
We are now to believe that our manager doesn’t want to win anything, as all he cares about is playing Spanish players!!
Perhaps we should be looking at the mistakes our defenders are making?
You mention the Sunderland game – Raya and Gabriel were at fault.
The Wolves game – Raya and Gabriel were at fault – Timber off the boil in recent games – Califiori cannot stay fit and Saliba has missed recent games as well – Raya being lobbed by Richarleson…. all examples that have nothing to do with Zubimendi.
I do agree that Norgard should be seeing more game time and, perhaps the NL derby would be a good time to see him alongside Rice.
My mistake re Viera.
Judge Sir Kenneth Blades Parker (1945-)
You’ve finally found out my secret Jax!!
What gave me away and how did you source the information?
I thought I had covered my tracks, as I would be accused of being biased if I found fans of other clubs guilty!!
@ken1945
I’m curious as well as impressed Ken. If this is legitimate…🤔
No comment as I wish to take the 5th amendment!!
A clue wouldn’t go amiss though… these wigs really do make one itch!!
@ken1945
🤣
I have my methods Ken. That would make you another of our celebrity fans.😏. One or two here could do with a little judging.
Thank you SJ for saying the difficult truth. This has been the problem with Arteta. He favours his contrimen over ability. I wonder why he should drop Nogaard to the bench even when Zubi is not doing well. Until he becomes professional by placing the club’s interest above his, we will continue to struggle. Later, Raya has been making a lot of mistakes. He can as well rest him and give Balaga who also has PL experience chance to play.
Lately, Raya has…
It’s a problem that Arteta has picking his country men over ability or suitability on the field. I happen to like Norgard and want to see more of him getting a chance. What is particularly alarming to now realise is that our 2 main goal keepers are both Spanish.
You people are just embarrassing yourselves.
😂
Two observations from your post SJ :
1. If you took out the goals of Haaland, he would be “just an average player.”
2. Arteta playing someone because he’s Spanish – so explain Vieira. Do you really believe MA would select a player due to his nationality?
So good it was posted twice 😅 😅
Thanks Ken1945,
I didn’t believe you’re first post. 😂👍
Sir Ken,
Haaland is a striker and his duty is to score goals so he is doing his work well.
Fabio Viera is Portuguese not Spanish.
The role of a DM –
*Shield the defense from the midfield area by making interceptions, blocks, tackles, and recoveries successfully more often.
*Link the defense, midfield and attack together by taking the ball from the defense and making line breaking forward passes.
*Keeping hold of the ball under pressure and making a successful pass. i.e – Press resistant.
Zubimendi does not do any of those 3 things well up to 65%, so therefore he is an average defensive midfielder.
Has Zubi been our sole DM though? When I watch games, Rice is sometimes the deeper of the two,sitting in front of the CBs. Doesn’t that make Rice the DM? Rice is certainly not playing higher in the pockets as he did last season.
Zubi has played further forward and and that is why he is our second top scorer in the PL.
For what it’s worth:
* Zubi has the most interceptions of all Arsenal players(32). Decs is second with 28. Zubi has the third most tackles(46)- Timber first with 57 and Decs with 48. Only Saliba & Gabriel have made more clearances. He has also won more aerial duels than any midfielder in the PL.
*Zubi has made the MOST line breaking passes of any Arsenal player- he’s one of the leading players in the league actually. He’s also had 9 through balls- only Merino and Odegaard have more in the squad.
* Zubi has the lowest pass miscontrol percentage in the PL. That literally makes him one of the most press resistant players in the league.
Zubi is actually elite at the things you say he’s poor at. He has flaws, but not the ones you mention.
I don’t know where you get all these stats from.
I guess I am watching a different Zubimendi.
Most of his passes are sideways. I can’t recall how many line breaking passes he has given.
The errors he has made that led to goals conceded are just stuck in my head.
Hopefully, he gets some rest if Arteta ever gives him one and his performances get to improve.
The stats are from the Premier League website.
Part of the problem in the analysis of Zubi is the comparison to Partey. He’s being expected to be Partey yet they are different players playing slightly different roles.
Still,their passing stats are pretty much similar. Zubi is averaging 0.62 key passes per 90. Partey averaged 0.63 last season. They both average 7 progressive passes per game.
Pretty much all DMs play more side way passes than any other kind of pass by the way. It’s their job to recycle the ball and that mostly involves moving it from side to side. Doesn’t matter if it’s Rodri,Rice,Busquets,Kante or Caicedo- they all play lots of sideway passes.
Sometimes we also forget it’s Zubimendi’s first season in the Prem. He’s adapted well relative to other players. His level is even higher than the level Rodri showed in his first season, and he’s only going to improve.
Arteta has also failed him to an extent by overplaying him.
Onyango, yes Zubimendi & Rice seem to rotate, which often puts Zubi in the final third where he can and has made goal scoring contributions. I can only remember that one horror misplaced pass against United to criticise him seriously for, so I think he’s having a fine season.
Agreed. The comparisons to Partey are a bit off the mark because he’s clearly being asked to do something different. And I think he has a lot more to offer in the final third than what we’ve seen.
Zubimendi already has 6 goals for Arsenal. Partey had 9 in five years. Zubimendi might surpass Partey’s total by the the end of this season. Clearly shows the Spaniard has been given the license to join the attack. Both fine players imo.
*He made a careless foul on Wirtz against Liverpool that led to Szoboslai scoring a worldie free kick.
*He made another careless foul on a Sunderland player that led to Ballard scoring from the free kick.
*He got dispossessed and lost the ball under pressure against Tottenham which led to Richarlison scoring and taking away the clean sheet in that game.
*He played a careless back pass to Raya against Man United instead of driving forward with the ball or playing a forward pass and that led to Mbuemo scoring.
Oh well, he’ll have to go then!
Everyone commits fouls. It’s part of the game. Besides, if someone commits a foul, the resultant free kick is a different phase of the game and it all depends on how you defend it. The fouls are simply not errors.
For instance, we conceded a throw in to Brentford the other day which led to a goal. Should we blame the player who conceded the throw in? No, we should have defended the throw in better. Should we blame our defenders for conceding corners if the corners result into goals?
And sometimes there’s no one to blame because it’s just magic from the opponent,like in the case of Szobo. 99% of the time no one scores from there.
Everyone makes errors. Even big Gabi passed to Evanilson for Bournemouth goal,among other errors like the mixup with Raya for the Sunderland equaliser. Still doesn’t change my mind that he’s been the best CB in the legue.
So only costly error is the United one. But then Zubimendi has won us a lot more games, defensively and offensively.
If you want to be fair, mention the positive contributions of a player even as you list the negatives. Rice,Gabriel and Zubimendi are the three players to win us the most points with their defensive and offensive contributions inspite of any errors.
That Zubi can’t handle physicality just isn’t true. He’s shown he can handle the Prem.
The physical flaw he has is that he doesn’t have recovery pace. When teams are breaking in transition towards our goal, he can’t keep up and he’s more likely to foul or he’ll get run past. But when the ball/opponent is in front of him, he can tackle/intercept no problem.
And being poor against counters isn’t unique to Zubi. Partey in his last season had lost pace and struggled in counter attacking situations(PSG game comes to mind). Jorginho struggled too. But this is not issue because we splashed over 100M on a certain West Ham man who is ELITE at defending counters. Whether it’s Jorginho,Partey or Zubi in the pivot,it’s always been Rice doing that job.
Thing is,ALL players have flaws and that is the essence of partnerships- one player covers for the flaws of the other. For instance, Saliba is not elite in the air – Gabriel is. Gabi is not an elite passer- Saliba is. Gabriel is the more aggressive one. Saliba is the more composed one. Zubi/Rice is great partnership because they make each other better.
This double posting is catching.
Jax,
Thank goodness for that, I thought I was getting double vision. 😂👍
Derek, sometimes it takes around five minutes for a comment to load on the article, so it’s tempting to send it again. I assume it has something to do with all the ads & other junk cluttering up Just Arsenal.
Although, in my case, it could be poor 5G home broadband upload speeds🤣.
Jax,
I hear you, I feel you’re pain. 😂👍
I believe Norgaard will do better than Zubimendi despite his age, if given the chance to because he has the EPL experience for years and he was the captain of a good Brentford side.
I don’t get why Norgaard hasn’t played more this season. I thought he would have been the perfect player to give us fresh legs in the final 15-20 minutes of games.
Zubi is the better player and PL signing of the season so far imo,but he’s been overused. 3000 minutes already is insane and the lack of rest has contributed to some of his erratic decision making.
Timber is another player,who like Zubi, has been overused and his levels have dropped lately. I think White,like Norgaard,should have been used more.
Spot on @Dan, Arsenal need the experience and cool heads. We can point fingers all we want, but how do you throw a 2 nil lead against bottom of the table side? So for me its obvious one of the factors was experience and cool heads.
I know there’s going to be a lot of scapegoats individually at this point, in this case Zubimendi. But for me Arteta is not evolving as a manager, every season its the same things. Not enough rotation, negative approach, crumbling under pressure etc.
The game against Wolves seemed like a done-deal after the early goal. But as it went on, despite the 2nd goal, I started feeling that it could well go wrong. Which it did. The instant reaction is that Arsenal caved-in under pressure and bottled-it against a bottom-of-the-league team. However it was also a game in the cold and rain against a big dirty physical team up-north. Exactly the type of fixture Arsenal have often struggled with for a very long time. Throw-in some questionable ref decisions and 2 points lost. So as much as it’s instinctive to feel like this is the beginning of the end of Arsenal’s title challenge, it would also not surprise me if they regroup and regain some form and composure and get back to winning ways as England leaves the winter behind. There is hope!
b.t.w… I do know that Wolverhampton is in the West Midlands. Used to go there for work quite a lot. It’s considerably further north than Watford, and it’s cold, which makes it “Up north”.