As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
The goal from Martinelli was very well taken, the speed he runs with the ball and the chasing defender could not get near him....quality
big question i have had for years is why he dont play Martinelli in the middle...or even try it???
The endn of the season is coming and of course another transfer window not far behind it for the cone boy to show yet again why he is NOT the man to take this team forward - I have zero doubts that one of the priorities on cone boys target list is another winger to take the left wing spot from martinelli, but anyone who has watched this team can see that martinelli has done more in the last month even, than odeargod has done all season. I dont give a shit if you are talking about a sunday league team or a champions league team because in every team set up your number 10 attacking midfielder is supposed to be THE main creator and to chip in with regular goals - our captain has done neither but instead of focusing on him, the spotlight will be on the attackers who he is meant to be supplying. Last nights goal was a prime example of what martinelli can be if the supply line is better - if it was casper the disappearing captain that received the ball (instead of merino) he would likely have twisted and turned on the ball before losing it or passing sidewards or backwards. Merino gets the ball and looks up and see's the run martinelli is making and releases it early for him to use his speed to run onto it and the rest is history Now I know the fact that madrid had to push forward at that stage left big gaps to run in behind that probably wouldnt be there playing against a team with low blocks, BUT the principle remains that forward players thrive on early fast ball, and instead of looking to upgrade martinelli we should be shining the spotlight on the problem we have with our disappearing captain
Agreed 100%. That fast early ball from Merino was perfection and we all know Odegaard would not have made that pass. He'd have taken three touches, pirouetted, taken another touch and looked to pass sideways or backwards. I've lost count of the number of potential fast breaks that have broken down at Odegaard's feet.
As much as we need a striker we also need a better number 10.
Just a note for anyone looking at booking a Munich ticket.....just in case.. .....you may already know, but save yourself a fortune and don't fly into Munich, last time I went we flew into Salzburg in Austria and got the train up to Munich, about 2 hours and it costs about £20, dead easy and we saved a couple of hundred quid on flights doing it that way!!
Im going into Frankfurt on AVIOS, but the train tickets will be £100+. Better than the grand I recogn a direct flight into Munich will cost if we get there.
The goal from Martinelli was very well taken, the speed he runs with the ball and the chasing defender could not get near him....quality
big question i have had for years is why he dont play Martinelli in the middle...or even try it???
Yes, I was suggesting playing him through the middle last night and Trossard on the left. It’s certainly possible in the 1st leg of the semi with Partey out and merino having to play alongside Rice. Can’t see Arteta doing it.
The goal from Martinelli was very well taken, the speed he runs with the ball and the chasing defender could not get near him....quality
big question i have had for years is why he dont play Martinelli in the middle...or even try it???
Yes, I was suggesting playing him through the middle last night and Trossard on the left. It’s certainly possible in the 1st leg of the semi with Partey out and merino having to play alongside Rice. Can’t see Arteta doing it.
Trossard has been so shit of late, I'm not sure I would even give him a game against ipswich
Totally agree Augie, Trossard has been shit. I think he's signed out. He's off to Saudi and doesn't want to ruin a good contract by doing a hamstring in the last few games of the season. We don't really have any alternatives (Sterling )......So I expect him to play but equally expect him to do fuck all.
Totally agree Augie, Trossard has been shit. I think he's signed out. He's off to Saudi and doesn't want to ruin a good contract by doing a hamstring in the last few games of the season. We don't really have any alternatives (Sterling )......So I expect him to play but equally expect him to do fuck all.
Exactly what I think. He’s signed the big money contract and is coasting home.
Totally agree Augie, Trossard has been shit. I think he's signed out. He's off to Saudi and doesn't want to ruin a good contract by doing a hamstring in the last few games of the season. We don't really have any alternatives (Sterling )......So I expect him to play but equally expect him to do fuck all.
Exactly what I think. He’s signed the big money contract and is coasting home.
The goal from Martinelli was very well taken, the speed he runs with the ball and the chasing defender could not get near him....quality
big question i have had for years is why he dont play Martinelli in the middle...or even try it???
Yes, I was suggesting playing him through the middle last night and Trossard on the left. It’s certainly possible in the 1st leg of the semi with Partey out and merino having to play alongside Rice. Can’t see Arteta doing it.
Trossard has been so shit of late, I'm not sure I would even give him a game against ipswich
Ok, stick Saka on the left and Nwaneri on the right. I was simply thinking of how to play Martinelli up front….which won’t happen anyway. What’s the alternative with Partey out, Merino up front and Jorginho, if fit, as DM? No thanks.
Partey will be a big fucking loss in the first leg. Jorginho with his concrete boots. Zinchenko brain farting his way around. Or MLS shoved up with Timber left back and White right back.
Such a bloody daft yellow too - Dec's reaction said it all. Definitely a problem to ponder for that first leg
Completely pointless yellow.
You all think he's shit so should be no loss!
Us believers always knew...must get that new contract
Will be a huge miss but softened slightly as home first leg so hoping we can cope, albeit not with jorginho who psg will simply run around as he's too immobile.
Maybe merino back there Gabi in middle and trossard on left. But merino is effective up front to an extent and seems like he can pick a pass...I hope this gives him confidence for when he's used in his proper position and we start to see something from him when he's in midfield.
If we move MLS up I think we lose something as he's immense bringing it out from LB under pressure and carrying the ball gaining yards....if we want him to sit then we lose that.
But, can anyone remember a better performance by an Arsenal midfielder than Declan Rice tonight? Love Paddy to bits, but I can't even remember Vieira having a game like that...
Rice put in a tremendous performance, some on here dont like to admit it but Rice as i have always said is truly a WORLD class midfielder
his workrate up and down the pitch breaking up danger and starting attacks doing all the unglamourous unseen work is amazing
Viera was another great player
I think he's godd but have issues at times as he hasn't done this in the pl against dross when we need him. Perhaps this is the moment he steps up to the next level and does this sort of thing week in week out grabbing games by scruff of neck as he did here, he clearly can do doing it against PL dross should be easy!
The goal from Martinelli was very well taken, the speed he runs with the ball and the chasing defender could not get near him....quality
big question i have had for years is why he dont play Martinelli in the middle...or even try it???
Hopefully this is him back full of confidence as he can be lethal. Been crap lost season improved a lot in recent games and here was back to his excellent old self. Let's hope it stays that way as he's a major weapon when on form.
Pisses me off how the media saying psg favourites and how good they are now and as if it will be an upset if we beat them. Fck off , we have the beating of anh side in it I think...although I fear barqca as Barca and we never beat them overall...we owe them...and inter as will low block us to death despite being pretty average on paper...mkitarian still starting for them and he was past it with us FFS.
Oh what a night...So fucking happy...Rice was immense, as was Timber snd MLS...But honourable mentions for Kiwior and Merino...Partey was solid, but fucking ridiculous yellow card. Two great goals...One gripe, there was three uncharacteristic mistakes from Saliba, one led to the goal...However we will forgive him that.
On we go.....
Don't want to get negative, but thought the same thing about Saliba. Shaky at times tonight and not been on his best form recently. Still, no harm tonight.
on his best form lately did you miss the first leg and the Brentford game ?
Now I know the fact that madrid had to push forward at that stage left big gaps to run in behind that probably wouldnt be there playing against a team with low blocks, BUT the principle remains that forward players thrive on early fast ball, and instead of looking to upgrade martinelli we should be shining the spotlight on the problem we have with our disappearing captain
.....you may already know, but save yourself a fortune and don't fly into Munich, last time I went we flew into Salzburg in Austria and got the train up to Munich, about 2 hours and it costs about £20, dead easy and we saved a couple of hundred quid on flights doing it that way!!
