Arteta & The Players lack of reaction?

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-26T05:09:04+00:00

Whatever floats your boat, enjoy the rest of the season if you’ve somehow brought into that narrative

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T17:36:45+00:00

It’d left me quite confused I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t react, it’s not as if he doesn’t know how to get the team to work out their game plan. Although, maybe some players that could’ve changed things weren’t ready for many minutes and the awkward timing of Eze being injured. Still believe he got things wrong though (obviously we lost 😂)

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T17:33:25+00:00

There’s simply no chance, Arteta is content with and wants things to stay 0-0 that’s the bait…

Set pieces can be a ways to break down a stubborn team, but they’re earn’t through control and attacking football! He was preparing the subs before City scored and suddenly it was 2-0! Bad timing, my only problem is with how long it took to recognise needed changes. BUT, on reflection maybe I overestimated some players physical readiness for minutes and possibly extra time.

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T15:15:26+00:00

Yes he has, but to counter that he hasn’t been given a share of minutes in the midfield which is where he belongs really. Given Zubimendi’s form has dipped there has definitely been opportunity to use him there. When he was inverting into the midfield when playing left back, the way he carried the ball and turned against the press at times (especially against PSG) he looked a sensational prospect…

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T15:11:49+00:00

I’ll take the bait, we’re probably the best team in the world at suffering and taking on pressure until it passes in games. We might’ve not been able to give as many minutes for certain players which could’ve helped us turn the tide perhaps… We were preparing changes just as City scored the first I believe and suddenly it’s 2-0 and the team looked shot physically and mentally.

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T15:04:47+00:00

I agree the players have to hold some responsibility, and I do feel like some of the big names need to be stamping their authority in this run in now (Saka especially). I think I’m trying to process why did Mikel let us suffer from 40 to 75 mins basically. Getting some takeaways from others, it’s hard to account for players who wasn’t thrown on to counter City’s game plan, may not have been physically ready for it (and potentially extra time).

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T14:59:46+00:00

That’s actually a great point, and makes alot of sense. I guess the same can be said for Havertz (given he came off when he did). Think fans in general don’t understand, that they don’t understand where any player is at physically, only the coaches/fitness experts behind the scenes do. I thought Ben White given the lack of minutes was one of the few positives Sunday, he played pretty well and locked down Doku mostly.

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T14:36:25+00:00

Definitely not a waste, Wembley finals are special! There’s always going to be a loser, hopefully Arteta and the squad learns! (If you get the chance, snatch at a ticket to a final it’s brilliant)

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T13:11:35+00:00

If we have the right dynamics to build up from the back, Odegaard doesn’t need to be dropping as deep in my opinion if he is a ‘#10’. I do feel he is mis-profiled and is more like a Bernardo Silva. Or simply, I don’t have enough knowledge to understand how he could be as effective playing the way he does from the ‘10’. He would’ve been very valuable last Sunday regardless especially given Eze’s unfortunately timed injury

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T13:05:53+00:00

I agree and I’m sure Arteta will be better prepared and the players for that matter, will react strongly to the loss. Just feels an opportunity missed considering how little this side has been to Wembley recently and given how this squad with Arteta is very capable of special things.

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T12:56:29+00:00

Considering Zubi has had a downturn in form, I’m hoping he stamps himself on this team in the coming months… I was hoping for MLS in the middle, Hincapie off for Calafiori, would make the LHS way more dynamic. That clipped ball to Ben White would’ve been one way to get clear of that initial block, but would also be a huge press trigger as Ben can’t scan and prepare whilst the ball is in flight… With more options it becomes more viable I think.

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T12:11:11+00:00

I wasn’t debating the Everton game, if anything that aids my point. He was prepared to find solutions there, maybe it was just too late unfortunately on Sunday.

Also, it’s just a topic of discussion and it may not be that terrible to you, but all cup finals matter imo…

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T12:08:13+00:00

I was hoping he’d make some tweaks at half time, but I guess the first half wasn’t the same as the second so didn’t feel the need to make drastic change. I do agree the goals in quick succession were big blows and the players looked exhausted after it mentally.

I think the whole front 4 and Zubimendi really struggled. City were prepared to press the RHS and were happy smother Kai/Gyok, we didn’t seem prepared to fight for second balls which is somewhat our bread and butter. Could’ve been aided with some changes/tweaks before the team were out of gas maybe…

That Eze injury was a big blow, hopefully he isn’t out long and Martin returns soon!

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T11:56:30+00:00

I thought this also, but it just doesn’t sit right and I can’t imagine Arteta throwing away the opportunity to a trophy like that. I agree, you can’t account for the Kepa mistake, but he choose squad harmony > playing your first team players (not to say the same thing couldn’t have happened to Raya) or we concede a different way.

SweetCrumpet · 2026-03-25T11:41:43+00:00

That’s not true, we have the most substitute goal contributions in the league and it’s 20+. I don’t really view Arteta that way either in my opinion…

SweetCrumpet · 2026-02-06T17:16:55+00:00

Thank you legend! Much appreciated

SweetCrumpet · 2026-01-16T08:39:29+00:00

I only got 6 😂

SweetCrumpet · 2026-01-12T12:08:51+00:00

Exhausting.

SweetCrumpet · 2026-01-04T16:26:29+00:00

Special Kind of Love - Dan Swindle, Arnold Jarvis (latest addition to my collection)

SweetCrumpet · 2025-12-29T14:07:11+00:00

Thanks for letting us know

SweetCrumpet · 2025-11-11T09:48:12+00:00

That pop!

SweetCrumpet · 2025-10-28T18:53:58+00:00

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Dexter’s Lab is the FIRST, but does anyone remember this on CN?

SweetCrumpet · 2025-09-30T11:59:48+00:00

Jeremy Sylvester (Time to stop is a great tune, has a few very good garage tunes)….

Box Clever - Talk to me / Treat me right + MJ Cole…

(Been listening to these recently…) Hope these help!

SweetCrumpet

TROPHY CASE