On building chemistry under pressure, Madueke’s fresh legs, Gyökeres and the Pinnock Test, Hincapié’s trial by fire, and the ripple effects of Saliba’s absence
Amazing as always! I’ve learned so much from reading these.
Do you think Victor can be coached into using his arms better or staying side-on when contesting duels? Is it something you can learn or is it one of those things where you have it or you don’t? Do you think he’s a “coachable” guy?
You mentioned that the system we play induces decision fatigue… do you think our system is more “complicated” than say, City’s or Liverpool’s or Chelsea’s? (I can understand that some games can be more complex than others)
Lastly, you’re such an exceptional writer. I’m not, so it’s hard for me to put it into words, but every single one of your articles I’ve read has been great. You’re wicked smart and so well-read and so knowledgeable about so many topics. Bit of a weird question but… who the hell are you?! Your bio doesn’t give much away, but I’m so curious about you. Like, what’s your background? Where are you from? How’d you get into all this? No need to answer of course, but I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering!
There’s only one Billy Carpenter! Thanks as always, wishing you and your loved ones all the best. Happy holidays! ♥️
On Gyok: I think older habits are hard to break but there’s a chance he can fix some of the contact stuff. He’ll be under such pressure to.
On decision fatigue: I think our system wants everybody locked in 100% of the time, and recruits such players. Basically everybody behaves like a captain, responsible for everything, and that might get people frayed. I wrote about this in “Responsibility,” a recent long-read. Can tailor player portfolios a little
Like you Zak, I've wondered many times. But I think the biographical anonymity is part of the elements that make his brand so mysteriously delicious. Just as I was reading your comment, it popped into my mind that he is somewhat like the David Foster Wallace of Football. Why do I say this? I genuinely think he's one of those rare connoisseurs who is capable of making a convert (however temporary) of an apostate. DFW did the same for me with Tennis. I once read his long read about that sport and I came away with the sense that Tennis is a sport meant for extraordinary human beings. Of course, it's not really the sport or anything for that matter that is extraordinary, it is the eyes through which it's being seen. To see through the eyes of Billy is to see beyond and deeper than what reality itself offers.
I think about the same questions every time I read an article by Billy. I feel so blessed to have such an intelligent analyst and skillful writer as a fellow Arsenal fan.
It's also really impressive how he manages to add layers of history, culture, philosophy and so worth in such a natural way without it ever feeling pretentious.
Another banger Billy! I've only been playing pickup football for a year and only once a week, but I am really appreciating the connections you're able to make between Big Picture tactics and individual COACHABLE actions. Your points on things like body position, how to initiate contact, when to jump, etc. really get me thinking about my own practiced decisions and how I could better learn and train by watching what others do. Really makes me wonder what you'd be like as a coach...
The pressing part reminded me of two quotes by Juanma Lilo. The first one says "We do not play to press but we press to play." The second one says: "We press with our minds and not with our hearts."
Hi and merry Christmas Billy! I've laughed off the purely fan made Guehi links after the QF, but days later Idk if it's the extra holiday drinks that I now feel we can do a lot worse than Marc, not just for CB, but 6? I remember him playing there in the 23-24 season and before, I can actually see him doing it better in a double pivot 2 CB system that allows Saliba and Calafiori to venture forward like their dynamics when playing "behind" Norgaard.
These things are usually overblown, but there was something off about his reaction. Who knows. He can definitely play midfield like Akanji/Stones: watched him do it in a 5-0 against Villa. Also think he can play either full-back spot. I think it'd be a bizarre move in January, but I've been surprised before.
Nietzsche quote in the end - I am sold! I even suspect I would enjoy your writing even if it was about new Samsung smart fridge or the latest despatch from the fielda of cultural wars (semi joke).
Because I am a sucker for hindsight agony - do you think we really should have gone for Sesko, knowing what we know now? I understand we ofc would not swap strikers, but were Arsenal analysts on the money when they clearly preferred Sesko?
On your second point: Sesko was ahead in my rankings, I think there’s a likelihood of that being the retrospective view too, yeah. Desperate to be proven wrong. As I said in the piece, his goals can really hit different. So it’ll really fun if they start going in.
How much hope do you hold out for Gyok to be coached into better habits? In the Wolves game I wondered out loud why he didn’t attempt different types of duels - is there evidence of his single minded determination allowing coaches to develop his play? Is there even time in the schedule for that this season?
Also, watched Sesko for the first time today (v.Aston Villa) - he reminds me of Darwin. Physical attributes of terminator, but seems to need love to shine.
Thanks for the labor of love. As always an excellent, fun, read.
It's cloudy. In Gyökeres' column: forwards often have different chapters to their career, and develop little tricks to improve their goal-scoring as time goes on. Top-15 scorers in the top-5 leagues last year included Salah, Lewandowski, Kane, Budimir, Guirassy, Schick, Sorloth, Wood, etc. To his credit, he feels very stubborn and intense, and he'll feel the real necessity to iron these things out now, as there will be few avenues for goals otherwise. The other thing is that he may regain a half-step of pace, which'll make things easier.
Going against him: there's less training, and some of the struggles (contested aerials, preparing for duels, pure touch, etc) can be some of the more difficult things to improve upon.
Agreed on Šeško. Was never the finished article, but so interesting.
I hope we can get everyone healthy all at once with enough time left in the season for the automatisms between players to kick in; no more decision fatigue!
Amazing as always! I’ve learned so much from reading these.
Do you think Victor can be coached into using his arms better or staying side-on when contesting duels? Is it something you can learn or is it one of those things where you have it or you don’t? Do you think he’s a “coachable” guy?
You mentioned that the system we play induces decision fatigue… do you think our system is more “complicated” than say, City’s or Liverpool’s or Chelsea’s? (I can understand that some games can be more complex than others)
Lastly, you’re such an exceptional writer. I’m not, so it’s hard for me to put it into words, but every single one of your articles I’ve read has been great. You’re wicked smart and so well-read and so knowledgeable about so many topics. Bit of a weird question but… who the hell are you?! Your bio doesn’t give much away, but I’m so curious about you. Like, what’s your background? Where are you from? How’d you get into all this? No need to answer of course, but I’m sure I’m not the only one wondering!
There’s only one Billy Carpenter! Thanks as always, wishing you and your loved ones all the best. Happy holidays! ♥️
On Gyok: I think older habits are hard to break but there’s a chance he can fix some of the contact stuff. He’ll be under such pressure to.
On decision fatigue: I think our system wants everybody locked in 100% of the time, and recruits such players. Basically everybody behaves like a captain, responsible for everything, and that might get people frayed. I wrote about this in “Responsibility,” a recent long-read. Can tailor player portfolios a little
Like you Zak, I've wondered many times. But I think the biographical anonymity is part of the elements that make his brand so mysteriously delicious. Just as I was reading your comment, it popped into my mind that he is somewhat like the David Foster Wallace of Football. Why do I say this? I genuinely think he's one of those rare connoisseurs who is capable of making a convert (however temporary) of an apostate. DFW did the same for me with Tennis. I once read his long read about that sport and I came away with the sense that Tennis is a sport meant for extraordinary human beings. Of course, it's not really the sport or anything for that matter that is extraordinary, it is the eyes through which it's being seen. To see through the eyes of Billy is to see beyond and deeper than what reality itself offers.
Wow, I just spend some time learning about DFW. I think I’ll seek out the tennis long read. Thanks for that :)
Thanks so much for this great comment. It does a lot for me.
Happy holidays my friend ♥️
I think about the same questions every time I read an article by Billy. I feel so blessed to have such an intelligent analyst and skillful writer as a fellow Arsenal fan.
It's also really impressive how he manages to add layers of history, culture, philosophy and so worth in such a natural way without it ever feeling pretentious.
You rock out world Billy!
Another banger Billy! I've only been playing pickup football for a year and only once a week, but I am really appreciating the connections you're able to make between Big Picture tactics and individual COACHABLE actions. Your points on things like body position, how to initiate contact, when to jump, etc. really get me thinking about my own practiced decisions and how I could better learn and train by watching what others do. Really makes me wonder what you'd be like as a coach...
Oh, thank you, that’s so nice to hear.
The pressing part reminded me of two quotes by Juanma Lilo. The first one says "We do not play to press but we press to play." The second one says: "We press with our minds and not with our hearts."
Love that.
Billy Carpenter, you are my GOAT 🐐
Whewww... ♥️
Whew.
Hi and merry Christmas Billy! I've laughed off the purely fan made Guehi links after the QF, but days later Idk if it's the extra holiday drinks that I now feel we can do a lot worse than Marc, not just for CB, but 6? I remember him playing there in the 23-24 season and before, I can actually see him doing it better in a double pivot 2 CB system that allows Saliba and Calafiori to venture forward like their dynamics when playing "behind" Norgaard.
Am I stupid or what, please don't hold back!
These things are usually overblown, but there was something off about his reaction. Who knows. He can definitely play midfield like Akanji/Stones: watched him do it in a 5-0 against Villa. Also think he can play either full-back spot. I think it'd be a bizarre move in January, but I've been surprised before.
Nietzsche quote in the end - I am sold! I even suspect I would enjoy your writing even if it was about new Samsung smart fridge or the latest despatch from the fielda of cultural wars (semi joke).
Because I am a sucker for hindsight agony - do you think we really should have gone for Sesko, knowing what we know now? I understand we ofc would not swap strikers, but were Arsenal analysts on the money when they clearly preferred Sesko?
❤️
On your second point: Sesko was ahead in my rankings, I think there’s a likelihood of that being the retrospective view too, yeah. Desperate to be proven wrong. As I said in the piece, his goals can really hit different. So it’ll really fun if they start going in.
You're just so good at this. Why are clubs not hiring you?
That was soo 👍
Top top read ❤️
I'm lost for words. Thank you for the insights!
How much hope do you hold out for Gyok to be coached into better habits? In the Wolves game I wondered out loud why he didn’t attempt different types of duels - is there evidence of his single minded determination allowing coaches to develop his play? Is there even time in the schedule for that this season?
Also, watched Sesko for the first time today (v.Aston Villa) - he reminds me of Darwin. Physical attributes of terminator, but seems to need love to shine.
Thanks for the labor of love. As always an excellent, fun, read.
It's cloudy. In Gyökeres' column: forwards often have different chapters to their career, and develop little tricks to improve their goal-scoring as time goes on. Top-15 scorers in the top-5 leagues last year included Salah, Lewandowski, Kane, Budimir, Guirassy, Schick, Sorloth, Wood, etc. To his credit, he feels very stubborn and intense, and he'll feel the real necessity to iron these things out now, as there will be few avenues for goals otherwise. The other thing is that he may regain a half-step of pace, which'll make things easier.
Going against him: there's less training, and some of the struggles (contested aerials, preparing for duels, pure touch, etc) can be some of the more difficult things to improve upon.
Agreed on Šeško. Was never the finished article, but so interesting.
Awesome article - thanks for writing it
Thank you, Femi. ❤️
!!!
!
I hope we can get everyone healthy all at once with enough time left in the season for the automatisms between players to kick in; no more decision fatigue!
Meeee too.
Gyokeres is nowhere near the required standard, technically he’s poor, and doesn’t possess a single standout attribute.
His limitations stretch across the whole team, he limits the way we get up the pitch, stay up the pitch, and apply and sustain pressure.
Atrocious first touch, awful close control, and physically he’s bullied and overpowered by PL defenders
He’s not quick or agile, poor balance + agility, he’s got zero spring, and incredibly flat footed.
Berta’s first big swing, and he’s missed wildly.
“Loved the Nietzsche quote.”