But we need a striker.
In other words not Eddie. and a I do like Mr Jesus but he does seem to have a habit of falling down constantly looking for free kicks and pens and it's getting annoying.
other notes: one of these days the other teams are going to break Saka
Preseason has been hyped up in recent times but it's still about building fitness more than anything.Originally Posted by Pat Vegas
But we need a striker.
In other words not Eddie. and a I do like Mr Jesus but he does seem to have a habit of falling down constantly looking for free kicks and pens and it's getting annoying.
other notes: one of these days the other teams are going to break Saka
I do worry we're going to miss Xhaka, not just on the pitch but as a leader in the dressing room.
I am not so keen on playing rivals in pre season. I thought the tackles on saka and odegaard were a bit too much.
However I agree on Xhaka we need a new policeman on the pitch. I noticed last season we didn’t tend to get bullied like before. So hope this doesn’t creep in again.
I don’t really understand the persistence with Nketiah. He never really established himself at any loan club, at least Patino achieved hero status at Blackpool. The decision to reward him with a 100k per week contract, following a bright spell in a few games is baffling. Who’s going to take him off our hands at those wages ?But we need a striker.
In other words not Eddie. and a I do like Mr Jesus but he does seem to have a habit of falling down constantly looking for free kicks and pens and it's getting annoying.
other notes: one of these days the other teams are going to break Saka
I fear we’re stuck him. Balogun’s days look numbered but at least he’s likely to command a far higher sell on figure, although it’ll be interesting to see who comes in for him. He’d be a very decent punt for a club like West Ham.
He went on loan once at a club that was doing all right but Nketiah didn't really fit Bielsa's philosophy. Patino went on loan and did "well" for a club that got relegated. Odd comparison to make really. Difficult to get players who are happy to sit on the bench but are able to make an impact when needed. The way he came in and covered for Jesus was incredible - worth paying over the odds for. Not saying it's best in the long run. Balogun does appear to be a whiny little **** who isn't prepared to fight for his place (see also giving up on England to play for the US)
Yup. 5 pts behind when we started, 5 pts when Jeez came back. Also, in that 1-0 defeat to Everton, just before they scored Eddie beat 2-3 down the left and put it on a plate for Ødin.
In latter games, Ødin and Eddie both missed simple chances made by the other.
My only issue is that he's fine when we start - and after he lost his place to Leo, he seemed to suss what he needed to do more from the left to get Gabby involved when he came on once.
But we haven't found a way of playing him when chasing a winner. MA hasn't come up with a way of chucking on more strikers like AW used to.
Maybe Saka at RB and Jeez RW with Eddie central but all switching? But we need a way of playing Eddie in a front two or whatever when chasing the game. He's a great poacher - look at the MU winner.
That point is spot on - Martinelli much more effective with Jesus and Trossard
Please never say Saka at RB again
I'm thinking when playing vs a packed defence at 1-1 with 10 mins left. Instead of a back 3 with Zinny inverting into MF on the left, bring Eddie on for him. BW shuffles across for a back 3. Saka as the free role FB but basically, you'd have him and Jeez switching positions on the right with Eddie mostly central but able to go right with those 2 to join the overload, with added Ødin or Eddie switching with Gabby on the left with added Havertz.
What I'm really saying is we need a formation switch where Eddie comes on for a defensive player when chasing the game. I dunno what it is but we need one. We can shut up shop now - Jorgy or Partey on for a number 8/10, maybe even Timber for Saka.
But with all this extra creative/scoring talent on the bench - Eddie, ESR, Leo, Fabio, RN - how do we bring on one of them in place of one of the back 4 when facing a team parking the bus?
I’m indifferent towards Balogun but have to acknowledge what he achieved in France. It’s clearly put him firmly in the transfer window. and, to be fair to the lad, why should he now accept his career going into reverse by warming the bench.
There’s a real opportunity for any player to take on that 9 shirt at Arsenal, it’s obviously beyond Nketiah but it depends if Arteta sees enough in Balogun to allow him a run at it,
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