Waffiman wrote:Sleaky72 wrote:Chief Waffiman, I respect ur unique perspective on matters concerning Arsenal and generally agree with ur assertions. But regarding Emery I’ve been categorically clear and I’m sure u might disagree with me but I’ll say it anyway. If he is fired B4 Xmas and Fredo takes over, twill be becuz UV his mad Bromance with Xhak. I know ur a stats guy and will find a way 2 defend em but he will always fail the eye ball/ optics fest. He simply ain’t built 4 this league. I watched Juve/Inter and I clearly see this as a league in which a player of his mould would thrive in. As far as the EPL is concerned he will be the noose around the Emery’s proverbial neck. Now as for PEPE, I’m almost at the point in which I think he should be taken 2 a shrink or counselor. It’s almost there but his struggles are hurting the team. Simple as that.
Emery is at the pt, where I think the Xhaka thing has become personal with him and the fans. It’s a stupid and brainless tactic 2 employ and it might eventually cost him but I see a team that “is” very capable of competing once all the horses are fit and firing.
I know u luv Wenger but frankly I was so tired of his act that I’m just happy there’s a new face in the hot seat. Sorry and I know you hate that perspective but I’d had enough along with so many others .
We are 3rd because we have taken our chances whilst others have been rubbish. But you know it is going to get tougher unless our Coach makes changes.
Don’t u think Arsenal will get better when everyone is fit? Have you actually considered that perspective? If everyone is fit and he keeps tinkering with players who don’t belong I’d be the first one calling for his head. Listen Bruv not calling him the Spanish Jesus, I’m just saying the overreaction from so many is hysterical. It’s like they’re angry and salty that we won and can’t wait for the fall and subsequent “I told you so”. Sorry bt that’s absurd and pathetic for so called Gooners
My point is also that the hysterics are ridiculous because even if u look at a coach as accomplished as Pep, you can see how neutered his teams become once there are injuries 2 key players. And we are talking about one of the most expensive squads in football history talk less of Arsenal. Just saying!
Against Bournemouth, we did our homework, we pressed high and did not give them time to play. We won balls high up the pitch and got into good positions creating opportunities and some chances. But all too often, the forwards were isolated and a system that is supposed to produce fluid football, becomes very stale and rigid.
I don't think Arsenal will get better if everyone is fit because of his current system, I say this with special mention to the midfield. If we are to become better with this system, he has to change that midfield. I will explain why.
I will try my best to avoid the numbers because if I do, it looks like I have an agenda, which is not the case. I have defended Emery here and will continue to do so. However, we cannot hide concerns and I have raised them here many times.
The numbers in terms of key matrix like, shots allowed and shots allowed in your penalty area to the opposition are still a concern. Also, chances created and our shots, plus shot on target are still way below the average of the top teams. I am sure you must have observed, how long it took us to get a shot and a shot on target in that 2nd half. Why do we have these problems and why is he not changing it?
It has taken him time but it looks like he has settled on his preferred midfielders as Ceballos, Xhaka and Guendouzi in a 4-3-3. It was a diamond against Liverpool, then a flat 4-3-3 against Watford in which all 3 were effectively box to box midfielders (which did not work given the midfield personnel) to an initial 4-3-3 set up, which has Guendouzi playing right-sided and mainly behind the ball, but with Ceballos pushing into the 10 position, this movement in position of Ceballos especially makes it a 4-2-3-1.
One major tweak is the role of Pepe. Last season, when we had the ball, Iwobi played deeper of the wide players, whilst Mikh played a more position tucking in between the FB and CD in the zone just outside the penalty box. This season, Saka and Pepe play deeper tucking in the make the 3 with Ceballos, if he stays there, but he hardly does.
If it is 4-3-3, it feels like a 4-2-3-1. Why? Emery has always played the 4-2-3-1 shape out of possession. He used similar system in the Europa last Thursday, this is how Emery likes to play, build up with a double pivot. The man always wants protection behind the ball as well as pressing with a 10, pressing with the number 10 means he cannot play Ozil.
Additionally, the styles of Xhaka and Guendouzi also forces the shape because they both like to play from deep helping with build up play. But the problem comes with Ceballos, he too likes to drop deep and initiate play. Ceballos, does not like to receive the ball between the lines like number 10's relish, he wants the ball deep and across the lines.
This is a problem because he is no number 10. He is willing but also not very effective in doing the dirty work of pressing, however, his limitations in this position nullifies the quick progression of the ball from defence to forwards, e.g. most defence splitting passes between the lines from Guendouzi and Xhaka are not possible. Why? Ceballos is not in the zone or not making himself available to receive the pass because he is always looking to drop back to receive the ball. Bottomline, all 3 CMs are very similar - a major problem.
As we saw last season, Ramsey was the perfect player for this role gave us all the solutions and goals. He is having a great time at Juve. Emery's preference for deeper midfielders for inter alia, their defensive cover negates attacking balance with the players he picks in that midfield. Also, we do not probe through the middle, despite teams looking to cover our preferred wide area of attack, we hardly go through the middle. Instead, you might find Guendouzi and Ceballos in the middle zone just in front of the centre circle, looking to pass it wide.
Our front three are isolated, looking like they are going to die of starvation due to lack of service. Any attacking move of any note tends to happen when Aubamayeng drops deep to link up, but this is not his strength, it is not really Lacazette's either but he is better at it. With Pepe and Saka staying in half wide positions, the only only players to link up with them are the FBs, who are always the widest players giving real width.
Also, at times I wonder if the players understand what movements to make in possession, or is it that the players want to react differently to what has been coached. Whatever it is, too many players tend to end up in one zone, and they lose the ball.
It is not working because of that midfield. The midfield is filled with similar players because the Coach is searching for work rate and creativity. He wants a number 10 that plays asca number 8. But but he had Ramsey and still has Ozil. He does not trust Ozil, Per says Ozil must get himself fit. Every Coach has a right to pick and chose his players, if he does not want Ozil, so be it. I respect the man's right, it is his job and I do not know a thing compared to him.
The midfield is not the right combination of players with different attributes. The midfield is not diligent and athletic enough to cover those runs into the channels that expose us continuously. Many here single out Xhaka, but he does what he does best, just like Ceballos and Guendouzi. We need more athleticism, more pace, we need better runners, greater defensive know how. We need one holding MF and 2 box to box MFs. None of the 3 are box to box MFs.
Against Standard Liege, Emery has found a midfield balance that's better than he has with the Xhaka, Ceballos and Guendouzi. He played a proper 4-3-3 by staggeribg the three in the centre, Ceballos, to the left of the holder Torreira, going to the ball asking for it to make things happen, whilst to the right, Willock pushed up towards the number 10 position with the ball, but stayed up to get in the face of their deep playmaker without ball. Willock also had his duties of covering runs from CM - the proper box to box role, none of Xhaka, Guendouzi and Ceballos can play.
But what I loved about the Torreira, Ceballos and Willock combo was they switched their roles most notably in the last 10-15 mins occasionally. Sometimes Willock dropped deep to receive ball, while Ceballos and Torreira pushed higher on the pitch. This is what 4-3-3 is all about, every coaching manual tells you it is what good 4-3-3 play is all about.
I was impressed with what I witnessed against Liege, albeit limited opposition. I have always had this in mind but my midfield 3 is Guendouzi instead of Ceballos. I know it is hard on Ceballos, but he has been taken out too easily in away games this season, hence my choices. If we are to have a midfield that provides a platform for our front 3 to play, whilst being diligent, athletic and strong enough to defend. We must ditch the 3 of Ceballos, Xhaka and Guendouzi. Emery, will have no choice, he cannot continue to wing it. We we play better opposition, that midfield will be exposed and if he does not change it, he will not get results.