So when is Saka back then?

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03-25-2025, 07:50 AM
WES

So when is Saka back then?

We were told March. It's almost April.

He's dead, isn't he? :-(
03-25-2025, 08:35 AM
PSRB

Quote:

Originally Posted by WES

We were told March. It's almost April.

He's dead, isn't he? :-(

Back at the weekend, apparently
03-25-2025, 09:17 AM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSRB

Back at the weekend, apparently

When we don't have a game
03-25-2025, 09:27 AM
Maravilloso Marvo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

When we don't have a game

A faultless performance
03-25-2025, 09:32 AM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maravilloso Marvo

A faultless performance

Indeed - and glad we rested Ethan for that one

(decent goal last night
https://x.com/hmdhq1/status/1904300033006264606 )
03-25-2025, 09:36 AM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

When we don't have a game

I am guessing the target is getting him available for the Real Madrid games. Would be great to have him for those.
03-25-2025, 10:22 AM
Sir C

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

I am guessing the target is getting him available for the Real Madrid games. Would be great to have him for those.

It will be a good learning experience for him to undergo a 7 goal hiding :-(
03-25-2025, 10:52 AM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir C

It will be a good learning experience for him to undergo a 7 goal hiding :-(

If Saka is playing, Real are finished. And they know it :-)
03-25-2025, 11:48 AM
Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir C

It will be a good learning experience for him to undergo a 7 goal hiding :-(

Of Real. Agreed. Want a hattrick of GAs from the young lad. Home and away.
03-25-2025, 11:50 AM
Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Indeed - and glad we rested Ethan for that one

(decent goal last night
https://x.com/hmdhq1/status/1904300033006264606 )

It was. I know he's young, will make mistakes, have games that pass him by etc, as he still has a lot to learn and to develop physically.

And I know we'll almost certainly spend big on a striker.

But I'd like to see him tried as a no.9 from the bench, with Kai as a 2nd No.10 at IL. He gives the height, plus added creativity.
03-25-2025, 02:16 PM
7sisters

Quote:

Originally Posted by WES

We were told March. It's almost April.

He's dead, isn't he? :-(

Running along the same lines as the City verdict. Another of those mysteries ?
03-25-2025, 02:36 PM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

It was. I know he's young, will make mistakes, have games that pass him by etc, as he still has a lot to learn and to develop physically.

And I know we'll almost certainly spend big on a striker.

But I'd like to see him tried as a no.9 from the bench, with Kai as a 2nd No.10 at IL. He gives the height, plus added creativity.

Absolutely nothing in Nwaneri's game suggest he is a No 9. He's ideally suited to the wing or MO's position
03-25-2025, 03:18 PM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Absolutely nothing in Nwaneri's game suggest he is a No 9. He's ideally suited to the wing or MO's position

Perhaps even deeper in midfield, later in his career. His technique and balance lend themselves well to playing in small spaces and it may well be that playing wide proves a waste of that ability.

I don't think we know exactly what he is yet. We just know he is capable of becoming very ****ing good at it.
03-25-2025, 08:36 PM
Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Absolutely nothing in Nwaneri's game suggest he is a No 9. He's ideally suited to the wing or MO's position

MA's said he's thinking of playing him as a 9. He played there as a kid at times, and some webpage the other day showed his yoof starts and goals in different positions. 10 in 8 playing as a CF.

Leo's played there {and done rather well at times} and he's a small winger with a top first time shot.

Play Kai at IL for height and creativity {and he won a lot of duels that first half season playing there, even though he couldn't score for toffee at the time.} Dec at DM. And then you can play B, Odin, Ethan, Kai and a LW. Pwoppa front five that, with Dec behind them and the best back 5 since TA's days.
03-26-2025, 09:49 AM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

MA's said he's thinking of playing him as a 9. He played there as a kid at times, and some webpage the other day showed his yoof starts and goals in different positions. 10 in 8 playing as a CF.

Leo's played there {and done rather well at times} and he's a small winger with a top first time shot.

Play Kai at IL for height and creativity {and he won a lot of duels that first half season playing there, even though he couldn't score for toffee at the time.} Dec at DM. And then you can play B, Odin, Ethan, Kai and a LW. Pwoppa front five that, with Dec behind them and the best back 5 since TA's days.

The biggest challenge this kid is facing is that for probably the first time in his life he is entering a level of football where he isn't comfortably the best player on the pitch every week. He needs to add a layer of caution to his game that he has probably never needed before, even when stepping up through the age groups early.

I'm guessing the wide positions are a better place to learn and grow than the central ones.
03-26-2025, 10:07 AM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

MA's said he's thinking of playing him as a 9. He played there as a kid at times, and some webpage the other day showed his yoof starts and goals in different positions. 10 in 8 playing as a CF.

Leo's played there {and done rather well at times} and he's a small winger with a top first time shot.

Play Kai at IL for height and creativity {and he won a lot of duels that first half season playing there, even though he couldn't score for toffee at the time.} Dec at DM. And then you can play B, Odin, Ethan, Kai and a LW. Pwoppa front five that, with Dec behind them and the best back 5 since TA's days.

Arteta says a lot of things about No 9 (Smith Rowe comes to mind). Very noticeable that since the injuries Trossard played 60 minutes against Leicester Merino has started every game since. I'll say it again there is literally nothing in EN's game that suggests his best position would be No 9 - look at him. Running for deep and crisp passing. Why would put him in a position where he can be easily isolated
03-26-2025, 10:07 AM
WES

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

The biggest challenge this kid is facing is that for probably the first time in his life he is entering a level of football where he isn't comfortably the best player on the pitch every week. He needs to add a layer of caution to his game that he has probably never needed before, even when stepping up through the age groups early.

I'm guessing the wide positions are a better place to learn and grow than the central ones.

The 'third midfielder' question seems to be the outstanding one. I'm sure Arteta knows he needs a striker, and with Saka, Martinelli, Nwaneri and Trossard he has wide options.

But not sure I see where he's going in midfield if he buys Zubimendi. Rice and Ode must be in midfield, but with whom? Havertz, Nwaneri and Zubimendi are all very different players and would result in a very different midfield. Then there is the Partey question as well.

A lack of creativity suggests Nwaneri or a player like him, a lack of goals maybe Havertz, control of midfield Zubimendi. Not sure even Arteta knows what he wants. Maybe the ability to choose any of the three. :shrug:
03-26-2025, 10:35 AM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by WES

The 'third midfielder' question seems to be the outstanding one. I'm sure Arteta knows he needs a striker, and with Saka, Martinelli, Nwaneri and Trossard he has wide options.

But not sure I see where he's going in midfield if he buys Zubimendi. Rice and Ode must be in midfield, but with whom? Havertz, Nwaneri and Zubimendi are all very different players and would result in a very different midfield. Then there is the Partey question as well.

A lack of creativity suggests Nwaneri or a player like him, a lack of goals maybe Havertz, control of midfield Zubimendi. Not sure even Arteta knows what he wants. Maybe the ability to choose any of the three. :shrug:

I don't think we have got the midfield we intended. Our options don't fit together very well and we haven't had a great balance in the two central roles since Xhaka left. Rice has been playing very well in recent months but it has to be said, he and Partey are not a natural fit together, despite being our best two midfielders. Merino has yet to convince in the Xhaka role, and Havertz didn't look like a good fit there at all.

I still think that is what is ****ing up Martinelli. The midfield pushes even more of our possession out to the right and when Martinelli does receive the ball it tends to be on the touch line with no support within 20 yards of him.
03-26-2025, 12:27 PM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

I don't think we have got the midfield we intended. Our options don't fit together very well and we haven't had a great balance in the two central roles since Xhaka left. Rice has been playing very well in recent months but it has to be said, he and Partey are not a natural fit together, despite being our best two midfielders. Merino has yet to convince in the Xhaka role, and Havertz didn't look like a good fit there at all.

I still think that is what is ****ing up Martinelli. The midfield pushes even more of our possession out to the right and when Martinelli does receive the ball it tends to be on the touch line with no support within 20 yards of him.

Fair points - although the lack of a consistent left back hasn't helped Martinelli either.
03-26-2025, 12:33 PM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Fair points - although the lack of a consistent left back hasn't helped Martinelli either.

True, although the left back normally sits inside rather than trying to get out to Martinelli.

I think Odegaard gives us a right side bias as well, as does the fact that our best player is out there. But when Xhaka was getting up alongside Martinelli we had a more varied attack. And were more vulnerable defensively.....

It is pretty complicated, and probably best left to the likes of Arteta :-)
03-26-2025, 12:36 PM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

True, although the left back normally sits inside rather than trying to get out to Martinelli.

I think Odegaard gives us a right side bias as well, as does the fact that our best player is out there. But when Xhaka was getting up alongside Martinelli we had a more varied attack. And were more vulnerable defensively.....

It is pretty complicated, and probably best left to the likes of Arteta :-)

If you remember how left-side biased our best team was - Henry, Bergkamp, Pires, Cole and Vieira all were there or naturally drifted there and we overloaded one flank. You just someone as good as Freddie and Lauren to work the other side
03-26-2025, 01:30 PM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

If you remember how left-side biased our best team was - Henry, Bergkamp, Pires, Cole and Vieira all were there or naturally drifted there and we overloaded one flank. You just someone as good as Freddie and Lauren to work the other side

Fair point. I don't think teams were quite as well organised then. Also, Pires, Henry, Vieira and Bergkamp are four of the best players I have ever seen. That team could have won games with you and me on the right flank :-)
03-26-2025, 02:25 PM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

Fair point. I don't think teams were quite as well organised then. Also, Pires, Henry, Vieira and Bergkamp are four of the best players I have ever seen. That team could have won games with you and me on the right flank :-)

I did write to Wenger suggesting he give me a game. TBf I actually take a better corner than any of them for a start
03-26-2025, 02:28 PM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

I did write to Wenger suggesting he give me a game. TBf I actually take a better corner than any of them for a start

Rice and Saka take the best corners I've seen since Brian Marwood.
03-26-2025, 02:33 PM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter

Rice and Saka take the best corners I've seen since Brian Marwood.

Absolutely - Rice is particularly good for a central midfielder. Reminds we it was a Marwoodian anniversary today or yesterday. A truly brilliant signing even if he didn't last long
03-26-2025, 11:26 PM
Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

If you remember how left-side biased our best team was - Henry, Bergkamp, Pires, Cole and Vieira all were there or naturally drifted there and we overloaded one flank. You just someone as good as Freddie and Lauren to work the other side

Freddie and Ralph were both MFs which helped if you're having a winger and a FB who's basically a winger on an overloaded other side.

But we all remember Dennis playing through balls to Freddie which also helped balance things. I do think we'll see Dec and Kai tried again with Odin if we buy a top striker, certainly at times. And MnM deserves his chance.

I agree about perpetually changing LBs, but hopefully MLS can make the place his own and will learn to get into the inside left channel to work with Gabby, or cover Dec when he advances into that position.

2 Decs would be nice. What's this Zubimendi like?
03-27-2025, 11:11 AM
Luis Anaconda

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

Freddie and Ralph were both MFs which helped if you're having a winger and a FB who's basically a winger on an overloaded other side.

But we all remember Dennis playing through balls to Freddie which also helped balance things. I do think we'll see Dec and Kai tried again with Odin if we buy a top striker, certainly at times. And MnM deserves his chance.

I agree about perpetually changing LBs, but hopefully MLS can make the place his own and will learn to get into the inside left channel to work with Gabby, or cover Dec when he advances into that position.

2 Decs would be nice. What's this Zubimendi like?

Also we had Gilberto who was basically like two players in one. Criminally underrated imo
03-27-2025, 11:41 AM
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Also we had Gilberto who was basically like two players in one. Criminally underrated imo

I quite liked Edu in a central role. Wish he'd stayed with us longer.
03-27-2025, 11:50 AM
redgunamo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

Freddie and Ralph were both MFs which helped if you're having a winger and a FB who's basically a winger on an overloaded other side.

But we all remember Dennis playing through balls to Freddie which also helped balance things. I do think we'll see Dec and Kai tried again with Odin if we buy a top striker, certainly at times. And MnM deserves his chance.

I agree about perpetually changing LBs, but hopefully MLS can make the place his own and will learn to get into the inside left channel to work with Gabby, or cover Dec when he advances into that position.

2 Decs would be nice. What's this Zubimendi like?

The "top striker" solves all our issues.

Watched Real Madrid a few times lately; when Mikel takes over THERE, football is Finnish, imo. We need to keep him at all costs :-\
03-27-2025, 11:53 AM
redgunamo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luis Anaconda

Also we had Gilberto who was basically like two players in one. Criminally underrated imo

Yep. Loved him. Cannot imagine any team that wouldn't improve with Gilberto in it.
03-27-2025, 12:56 PM
Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

Quote:

Originally Posted by redgunamo

Yep. Loved him. Cannot imagine any team that wouldn't improve with Gilberto in it.

Yup. He's what we needed when we signed GX. We had Santi and Ozil in MF and Alexis on the wings.

The trouble was that we signed MA after Cesc and Nasri left to play as our creative AM {almost a 10.} Next season we got Santi and MA became an 8. Then we got Ozil and the MF all shifted back one place so MA was playing as a DM in front of the back 4.

AW liked this cos MA was an intelligent enough footballer to play this role, while also having a creativity we didn't see in the likes of Song or Coq.

So he signed GX as a "deep lying playmaker."

But having spent all that money on him, MA started the season with GX on the bench and Coq and Santi in MF behind Ozil. It's almost like he realised GX didn't have the defensive attributes for the PL - got turned with people going past him.

Ironically, we only saw the best of GX in his final season when he had Wigwam behind him and Odin to his right. He could use his playmaking ability and box to box skills while having the protection behind him.

But had we had a Gilberto behind Santi and Ozil with Alexis, Olly and a fit and firing Feo, we'd have been much better.

Anyone know what this Zubimendi is like? I was hoping for the Dec-Kai-Odin MF, but Dec is doing so well in the box to box role. He should easily be getting double figures. If we was the fulcrum of MF like Lumpard and Gerrard were, you'd expect 15+ goals from him if he were also scoring penalties like they did.

He's such a complete MF. The year before, he signed Dec and Kai and started with them as DM and IL. And it was working well, other than Kai wasn't scoring. Kai was still winning duels etc. Now he can score when he's through, arrive late for crosses etc, while also creating and still winning duels and being an aerial outlet, it could work and give us that extra creativity and goal threat we've been missing. Dec could still get forward from DM and and score against park the bus sides.

But it's like MA spent ?170m on Dec and Kai yet neither have been playing in the roles for which they were bought. MnM gives us a more defensively secure option and Zubi might allow Dec to play in his new box-to-box role where he's great.

But if, Ganpati willing, we buy a world class striker, I still can't see him dropping Kai. He really knits the team together now he's playing well.
03-27-2025, 03:16 PM
PSRB

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganpati's Goonerz--AFC's Aboriginal Fertility Cult

Yup. He's what we needed when we signed GX. We had Santi and Ozil in MF and Alexis on the wings.

The trouble was that we signed MA after Cesc and Nasri left to play as our creative AM {almost a 10.} Next season we got Santi and MA became an 8. Then we got Ozil and the MF all shifted back one place so MA was playing as a DM in front of the back 4.

AW liked this cos MA was an intelligent enough footballer to play this role, while also having a creativity we didn't see in the likes of Song or Coq.

So he signed GX as a "deep lying playmaker."

But having spent all that money on him, MA started the season with GX on the bench and Coq and Santi in MF behind Ozil. It's almost like he realised GX didn't have the defensive attributes for the PL - got turned with people going past him.

Ironically, we only saw the best of GX in his final season when he had Wigwam behind him and Odin to his right. He could use his playmaking ability and box to box skills while having the protection behind him.

But had we had a Gilberto behind Santi and Ozil with Alexis, Olly and a fit and firing Feo, we'd have been much better.

Anyone know what this Zubimendi is like? I was hoping for the Dec-Kai-Odin MF, but Dec is doing so well in the box to box role. He should easily be getting double figures. If we was the fulcrum of MF like Lumpard and Gerrard were, you'd expect 15+ goals from him if he were also scoring penalties like they did.

He's such a complete MF. The year before, he signed Dec and Kai and started with them as DM and IL. And it was working well, other than Kai wasn't scoring. Kai was still winning duels etc. Now he can score when he's through, arrive late for crosses etc, while also creating and still winning duels and being an aerial outlet, it could work and give us that extra creativity and goal threat we've been missing. Dec could still get forward from DM and and score against park the bus sides.

But it's like MA spent ?170m on Dec and Kai yet neither have been playing in the roles for which they were bought. MnM gives us a more defensively secure option and Zubi might allow Dec to play in his new box-to-box role where he's great.

But if, Ganpati willing, we buy a world class striker, I still can't see him dropping Kai. He really knits the team together now he's playing well.

I don't profess to know stacks about the lad but everyone seems pretty excited about him coming in the summer. Even Dharmesh Sheth says it's pretty much a done deal. The fact he blew out the bin dippers last summer as Arteta said we'd sign him makes his arrival even more enjoyable.

On that subject, I'm thoroughly enjoying the Trent meltdown :hehe: