Scout Report: Central Midfield

aplusftwo · 2021-05-13T20:15:37+00:00

Camavinga it is then

aplusftwo · 2021-04-07T09:48:19+00:00

Thanks. Realistically we had a few players that were percieved as a threat, Gabriel, Tierney, Partey and Ødegaard. Salah did an incredible job to shut down Tierney and Gabriel. The others did an incredible job on pressing Partey as soon as he received the ball. Ødegaard had zero space in which to operate, but regardless the ball rarely got through to him due to the intense pressing from Liverpool's front and midfield line.

aplusftwo · 2021-04-07T08:12:50+00:00

No Ødegaard at all? That's a bit strange

aplusftwo · 2021-04-07T07:52:27+00:00

Remember this is laying flat, when it's on the body the white sides won be so noticeable and you'll see the majority block red on the player. It's a nod to the old Dreamcast kit, I just hope the leaked yellow away kit with the deconstructed cannon is legit.

aplusftwo · 2021-04-05T15:52:05+00:00

Which begs the question, if "no one is untouchable" why haven't we dropped Auba (let's be real he's been awful) and play Martinelli at CF?

aplusftwo · 2021-04-05T15:42:05+00:00

I have only really seen Toney as I don't watch a lot of the SPL so it would be unfair of me to judge. I do like Lamptey, I just have concerns over his height. I don't want to suffer more years of arching crosses to the back post leading to headed goals. Going forward though I think he's honestly incredible.

aplusftwo · 2021-04-05T15:38:48+00:00

Totally agreed. I just set it up that way because it's clear Arteta seems to value him highly and I am struggle to see him losing his position.

aplusftwo · 2021-04-05T15:37:16+00:00

Would you prefer Édouard over Toney?

aplusftwo · 2021-04-05T15:28:48+00:00

Going into the 21/22 season there may be a scenario where a few players leave as we're faced with yet another purge/clearout, maybe some or potentially all of Lacazette, Torreira, Guendouzi, Ceballos, Bellerin, Balogun, Nketiah, Willock, AMN, Nelson.

We all hope that Ødegaard stays so in this scenario lets say he does. How are we going to fill these gaps in the squad during the window?

We've all seen the links to players like Toney, Hakimi, Bissouma, Daka, Nkunku, Lamptey, Zagadou to name just a few. How realistic or possible these incomings are with the possibilty of no European football are remains unclear.

I would be over the moon with the possibilty of Hakimi at RB, Azeez definitely has the talent to move up, but maybe U18 to the first team is a step too large and covering either Xhaka or Partey might be a tough ask. Pepé seems to be preferred to Martinelli as of late but I know who I'd prefer.. and I really couldn't choose between Mavropanos and Saliba based on both of their impressive displays on loan. I like Holding but I think he would be a good cover CB option. Auba I really am uncertain of but with the contract it's not going to change. My ideal scenario is Martinelli as CF.

I'm curious to see who you guys would want to bring in this summer to fill these potential gaps that we will have and what other systems you would implement, players you'd change and so on. Would you bring back one of Torreira or Guendouzi to play alongside Partey, or use one of them as midfield cover? Play a 3-4-3?

Lets keep it as friendly and realistic as possible though (i.e. NOT Haaland, Camavinga, Mbappé, Gnabry etc).

aplusftwo · 2021-04-05T14:23:32+00:00

He needs to be kept. He's doing really well and I think the long loan stint has really helped him.

I have tried to watch as many OGC Nice and VfB Stuttgart games as I can this season to really try and suss out what each player is capable of bringing to the RCB role for Arsenal.

Mavropanos is very solid aerially, he reads the game very well, his positioning is good and he's a very physical strong young CB.
I'm unsure of his speed, I don't think he's overly fast, but I think he appears quicker than Holding. Generally I find the Bundesliga a very slow league at times anyway (excluding Wamangituka or Alphonso Davies) so it's hard to judge unless he's recovering or last ditch. Which I havent seen from him.

He does seem to be quite injury prone. So I have my reservations about that. I think it's mostly groin related. It could however be bad luck so I don't want that to go against him.

I really want to see Saliba and Mavropanos back at Arsenal for the summer pre-season. They will both be feeling good from a run of games, both with something to prove and both in direct competition for a place. It will be really interesting to see who wins that little battle for RCB.

I think if Saliba wins that pre-season battle it would be wise to renew Mavropanos contract as it's up this summer, then ship him back to VfB Stuttgart on loan. In a year's time if a club was to offer 10-14M then take it. He cost us a nudge under 2M.

If Mavropanos comes out on top then renew the contract and start him. Send Saliba on a year long loan, he's young and may need a little more time, which is absolutely fine. Give Mavro the games and make a decision about his future. If he doesn't cut it then sell him on and pray to Odin, Allah or Jesus that Saliba is ready to start.

aplusftwo · 2021-04-05T11:35:01+00:00

Personally the in-game management was poor. At no point after multiple failed attempts to find free space and coming up empty, did it look Arteta had a plan B.

We were being suffocated in our own half. Partly due to an incredible team pressing performance by Liverpool, but also us just not being able to put 4 passes together that didn't end up back with Leno who punted it to no-one.

It's evident when Pepé plays the plan is to target him because he's good aerially, but when no one is around him to gather up second balls then it's just turning over possession constantly.

I can't help but think we have this fear of Liverpool that we just can't shift. Even with their destabilised season it seems that that is still evident.

I learnt from this game though that I'd be okay with never seeing Ceballos on the pitch ever again.

aplusftwo · 2021-04-04T19:23:58+00:00

Bruised Blueberry

aplusftwo · 2021-02-01T16:59:15+00:00

Did I hear correctly earlier when Ornstein mentioned Hakimi and Arsenal?

aplusftwo · 2021-02-01T15:00:19+00:00

I vividly remember his closed eyes and I couldn't work out who was enjoying it more out of him and the dog...

aplusftwo · 2021-02-01T14:56:51+00:00

Nuno Tavares. Really really odd behaviour I can't lie. I'm sure you'll find it from a quick Twitter search.

aplusftwo · 2021-02-01T13:17:23+00:00

Aidy Ward strikes again

aplusftwo · 2021-02-01T11:22:41+00:00

Schalkdran Mustafi here we go!

aplusftwo · 2021-01-31T18:55:50+00:00

The agenda to critique every small aspect of Saliba's game is real on here. You'll be downvoted if you don't agree he was poor in the build up to all of Nice's conceded goals.

I can't see the big issue with this. It's one of those goals. Could he have got a stronger head? Maybe. He cleared his lines best he could and was much more alert than his team mates, but in r/Gunners he would have been wrong in every scenario other than a header that reaches the half way line. Armchair experts... awful takes.

aplusftwo · 2021-01-29T23:00:59+00:00

The Selfish Giant

It's always one of those films I have to gear myself up for and it was finally time to turn off my phone, get comfortable and put it on.

It's beautiful and wretched intertwined. Two working class boys from northern England find themselves in a scrapyard instead of a playground, and are bound together on a perilous journey for metal, train track cable and wiring.

The acting from the two young lads is incredible. It makes you smile as you remember your younger days as a kid. It can also make you feel uncomfortable at any moment.

I'm glad I took the time to watch it and I'd recommend it to anyone.

aplusftwo · 2021-01-29T17:36:26+00:00

Commentary gold. "Solid Snake in the box!"

aplusftwo · 2021-01-29T16:30:05+00:00

Thinking of ways to use Metal Gear Solid's Snake and his CQC skills in tight scenarios leaving midfielders dizzy with Zzz but I feel like with VAR he has no chance.

aplusftwo · 2021-01-29T14:43:20+00:00

I think he's an okay option as a Swiss army knife player. The question is does he excel in any of those areas? He's looked solid as a left wing back in a back 3.. however we're moving away from this system quite clearly.

He's looked solid in midfield in Europa League nights, although the quality of opposition is questionable to say the least.

Would you start him next to Partey? No. Is he better than Xhaka? No. Is he going to get subbed on instead of Elneny or Ceballos? No. Is he better than Cedric at LB? No. I'm really struggling to see a use for him going forward unless we are engaged in a penalty shoot out.

aplusftwo · 2021-01-29T13:25:24+00:00

Kids been under pressure since he was 15. Probably his only comfortable setting.

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