13 Sep 2020 21:16:31
Interesting read this morning that got me thinking about some debates on this site.

Fulham were useless and did the one thing you shouldn't do to Granit and Elneny. Give them time to think. Not because they are creative but because they are a little slow and one paced. This made our midfield look a little better than it is. So Granit and Elneny clearly aren't the answer but can we afford the answer?

Did you think Elneny did enough and is the solution. Plenty writers on line are praising him. He had a decent game and looked ok because Fulham were useless. May be he could shine because of that or may be he shone because if that.

I still think finding a partner for Granit is priority number 1.

The other piece the articles touched on was our lack of Invention in central areas and that's continued since Ozil was ostracised. You would need to have your head in the sand if you think we don't need to address that.

I also think we need more creativity in midfield and if Ozil is not an option who is? Aouar Or ESR or may be Pepe in the middle. Although Pepe could slow us down to much and we can be pedestrian at times

I don't think but could be wrong that Dani is good enough to fill those shoes but our budget may mean.

Granit, Elneny and Dani ( uninspiring midfield at best )

Either Aouar Or Partey or there's no party

If we are to compete then for me:

Granit, Partey and Aouar

Like I say - my order of choice is Partey and if we can afford it Aouar otherwise in house options as between ESR, Pepe, Dani and Willian we could fill the ACM role

Think this is our key gap now

Thoughts?

1.) 13 Sep 2020
13 Sep 2020 22:05:10
I honestly don’t understand what’s so fuss about Partey and Aouar, they are not more than 10-15% improvement on our current midfield of Xaka and Dani and Mo as back up.
It’s not like Partey and Aouer are world- beaters, sometimes player look better than they actually are in their current team and current environment.
Also I believe the need of Defensive midfielder has been obsolete for last 4-5 years and are thing of a past. Modern football doesn’t need brute DM but best passers and all round MFs, teams prefer to press and defend collectively. Otherwise The so called Kantes and Matic would have been worshipped and valued more than Messy and Ronaldo.
And about Creative player, I don’t think Aouer is better than even current Ozil ( and we done even need him) ,

I would rather bet on finding our own custom trailer-made solution in midfield from our youths, (even if he’s not a world-beater but balances the team perfectly)

Sorry for big rant, “once you reach a certain age you become permanently unimpressed by a lot of rubbish “
😉.

2.) 14 Sep 2020
13 Sep 2020 22:45:06
Hi Desi, yet France are world champions with Kante and Pogba while Portugal with Ronaldo and Argentina with Messi aren't, successful teams in the modern game still need a player that can break up attacks before they get going and turn defence into attack in a split second, possibly more now than ever in a game where quick counter attacking football is king.

3.) 14 Sep 2020
13 Sep 2020 22:57:34
Elneny only got the start as Ceballos was behind with pre season, because of Madrid being in Champions league, Ceballos will start against The Hammers. This will speed up the midfield.

4.) 14 Sep 2020
14 Sep 2020 00:07:14
I believe we need a 6 an 8 and a 10. But obviously need to move other players on first. or bring ozil back.

5.) 14 Sep 2020
14 Sep 2020 07:34:34
I'm not sure we will ever see Mesut in an Arsenal shirt again.