16 Jul 2019 08:12:38
Morning All,
A very good game last night against Colorado Rapids. We set up in 4-3-3 with Saka and Martinelli on the wings and they were both very impressive. Both players got themselves a goal as well which was really good to see, although the goal of the game has to go to Olayinka with a superb effort from distance. You could argue that it was 4-2-3-1 with John-Jules pushing further forward of Burton and Olayinka in the middle but overall, a very good performance. Dominic Thompson had a solid game at LB and was substituted for Kolasinac in the 62nd minute. For some reason he looked exhausted by the 80th minute and was caught napping at least twice leaving space in behind. Medley and Chambers also played well as a CB pairing with Mustafi coming on for Chambers about three quarters of the way through. I would be inclined to keep Chambers with the uncertain future of Koscielny and potentially Saliba being loaned back to St Etienne if the deal goes through. He did the basics right and that's what we need tbh. Nketiah and John-Jules looked very promising and done everything right except getting it in the net. They both deserved goals for their efforts but I'm sure they'll get more game time over the coming fixtures. Aubameyang, Lacazette and Ozil came on with about 9 minutes left but the game was already dead by then and we knocked it around until the final whistle.
To summarise, I enjoyed the game and it was a breath of fresh air seeing Saka, Martinelli and the other youth players show the first team how it's done. Martinelli and Saka stood out from an attacking point of view and their confidence on the ball was wonderful to watch. Although Olayinka, Thompson, John-Jules and Willock also looked sharp. Next game, Bayern Munich. COYG.


1.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 09:28:15
Appreciate that summary of the game, cheers for writing it up!


2.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 10:07:24
No worries mate :)


3.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 10:16:52
Thanks Glenn.


4.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 10:32:26
Thanks for the report, much appreciated. I read somewhere that we played 4-4-2, so it was interesting to learn of the formations from you. We have some exciting youngsters and we still have Nelson as well.


5.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 10:56:36
No problem Arg. For me it was clear that Martinelli and Saka were playing out wide with Nketiah through the middle. John-Jules was tucked in behind him with Olayinka and Burton so unless so perhaps they lined up as 4-4-2 and decided to change it early on. I did miss the first 10 minutes because my alarm wasn't loud enough! Nelson will most likely feature against Bayern on Thursday morning with more from the first team.


6.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 11:43:35
Cheers Glen mate, while the rest of got our kip you was up and watching the game, that's dedication for you.
If our players show half your commitment next season we will finish top 4 absolute minimum, well done mate and thanks for the excellent feed back from the game, top notch stuff.


7.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 13:05:24
You're welcome Gunner mate. Seeing as ticket prices are so expensive and travelling to London and back from Devon, isn't just expensive but a pain in the arse, I have to show my commitment in other ways! I wouldn't want to be the typical fan who never goes to see their team play but always likes a good moan, so a couple hours of my sleep can surely be sacrificed to watch the game! If our coaching staff watched the game properly, they'll see that some of these players are ready for the challenge.


8.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 13:40:49
If Emery gave them a chance both on and off the pitch by fielding them and setting them up with practical sensible tactics and game plan, I'd get behind them and the manager 100% even if it meant dropping out of the europa for a season or 2 Glen mate.
But it's no good giving them a chance in the shirt but setting them up with a game plan that is doomed to failure before they get on the pitch.


9.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 14:20:27
Maybe the issue is majority of these players can't stick to the plan set for a full 90 mins or more if needed?


10.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 14:31:33
I agree mate, however some of these players possess traits that current players in the squad don't have. We are trying to provide width with Iwobi and Mkhitaryan yet none of them are wide players, nor think like wide players when they're on the pitch. In my opinion, Nelson, Saka and Martinelli are automatic upgrades in that respect purely based on the fact they are natural wide players. Arsenal need to utilise their players in the right areas, regardless of age or experience. If you can't or are unsuccessful in recruiting then surely you have to play your youth in these positions, not settle for playing Iwobi on the wing, Maitland-Niles at RB, Xhaka at CB or Mkhitaryan at LWB which has happened this season.


11.) 16 Jul 2019
16 Jul 2019 18:10:24
I genuinely think with a better game plan and tactics that makes us much much more difficult to score against confidence would boom amongst players and fans alike.
Right now every one fans pundits alike expect us to be easy pickings again next season and the players can't help but feel that too.
Change our win 5 3 approach Shared by Arsene and Emery and I don't think it would a coincidence if we suddenly improve dramatically.
Any side that's not worried about conceding 3 goals is always going to be on a hiding to nothing.