How Arsenal vanquished a worthy foe; what hard-won tactical lessons were learned; a four-year contract for the four-role White; an øde to Ødegaard; the pushing CBs; the difference Raya brings; plus, much more
A wonderful column, dissecting a fabulous week for us. I do not mind the delay, as it gives us time to look at games objectively after our euphoria has settled. And I would love a part and parcel on Kiwior. Watching his game grow this year shows another phase of how astute our business has been. He has been wonderful to watch mature in the Lb "role." Cheers, and keep it up!
Absolutely. His ability to read the game, especially defensively is a huge positive. Plus, I think many underrate his passing ability. Such astute spending on him. To me he’s a must start against City, for security purposes.
As the only person in a Kiwior kit in the Emirates on opening day against Forest this year (my family is Polish), I have enjoyed his rise as much as any other subplot of the season. I’ve watched him with the national team for a couple years now but I admit I didn’t expect him to be so useful so soon.
(Another excellent article. I'd love to read your analysis of Kiwior, and anything about the profiles you feel the team should go for in the summer window)
In answer to your concluding questions Billy: it ain’t broke, please don’t fix it. Keep on keeping on. It’s a fun informative and generous read always.
Hi Billy, nice piece you have here. I would argue another way to break mid-blocks and low blocks is to have someone who can receive the ball in the middle under pressure and instantly drive at the heart of the opposition team to. Think Phil Foden/Musiala profile.
Xavi Simons - whom we have been linked before is of a similar ilk. What are your thoughts on adding someone like this to our current crop of 8s?
ESR used to have that in his locker to a lesser extent - but maybe his injuries/confidence/growth spurt took it away from him.
Agreed. I covered that a bit in the mid-block piece (I think it was #4) but probably deserved even more real estate. That's certainly Pep's idea: go through the middle with smart, unsettling dribblers. It'd still be really hard against what Porto offered.
I couldn't love Xavi Simons as a player more, so you will get a "yes" from me any way you slice it. I could personally get behind adding Xavi if the striker signing is a real speed-freak, which is needed in the actual front-line; signing a Xavi would probably have to be met with an outgoing in the advanced midfield role. He's flexible, but I'd be really bullish about him doing the Ødegaard controller-to-10 thing, which is no small feat.
As unsettling as it is for certain Arsenal fans, I think you would do Xavi Simons in and ESR out in present day.
I feel like Xavi Simons, Sesko, and an out and out winger (Nico W. or Neto) in, while selling Nketiah, Reiss, ESR would add so many different dynamics to our build up and attack. Especially the 3 incomings I listed here can play 2-3 positions for versatility.
But that does leave us a bit thin for the 6 position and the defender position.
Interesting to hear what your priority is in terms of incoming for positions and names.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, so thank you very much! I like to check fbref from time to time and one particular statistic I don't feel comfortable with is switches. During games I think there are times we could take advantage of switching play but we don't do it. Do you think it's not very important?
Why do I have a nasty feeling Pep is going to do something similar? Ederson is more than capable of replicating Costa’s role here and they have the CBs to do it as well. He’s shown twice last season he’s willing to bend his tactics in big games like this too.
So good Billy, thanks as always. You warned us about Porto, but would us Arsenal fans listen!... There are rarely easy games at this point but I thought, tactically, Porto were a level above most of our opponents this season.
'Half spaces!'....was what sprung to mind as that Rice header crashed into net vs Brentford.
Looking forward to the inevitable Kiwior, Biereth, Havertz article. :)
While I agree, that's just an incredibly short list. Camavinga, Bruno, Luiz (who I have questions about as #6 depth), Neves, not sure who else. FDJ hasn't been the best at coverage this year but that'd probably change, and I'd be first in line for him. Onana/Wieffer can maybe jump a level in passing, but they're not Jorginho, at least not yet.
Time to give Mainoo the Arteta powerpoint treatment 😜
I'd personally have them very close, marginally lean towards Zubimendi at the moment probably if the money is even because he helps with the specific question at hand (touch passing and tempo in tight spots), but man, Onana has such a special base, and I'm dying to see him in a more positional setup. He's still younger than many would expect (22), and has got legit passing potential amongst everything else.
Cheers Billy. One of your most impressive pieces by the way.
Re Onana: it’s those long legs - makes you feel like Arteta is going to do wonders with them. Also the Arsenal in us want to recreate a Diaby v2 in this current Arsenal squad.
A wonderful column, dissecting a fabulous week for us. I do not mind the delay, as it gives us time to look at games objectively after our euphoria has settled. And I would love a part and parcel on Kiwior. Watching his game grow this year shows another phase of how astute our business has been. He has been wonderful to watch mature in the Lb "role." Cheers, and keep it up!
Here's the moment I really wanted to celebrate with him:
https://x.com/billycarpy/status/1767889563945488746?s=20
Absolutely. His ability to read the game, especially defensively is a huge positive. Plus, I think many underrate his passing ability. Such astute spending on him. To me he’s a must start against City, for security purposes.
As the only person in a Kiwior kit in the Emirates on opening day against Forest this year (my family is Polish), I have enjoyed his rise as much as any other subplot of the season. I’ve watched him with the national team for a couple years now but I admit I didn’t expect him to be so useful so soon.
🎶We've got super Bill Carpenta🎶
(Another excellent article. I'd love to read your analysis of Kiwior, and anything about the profiles you feel the team should go for in the summer window)
More about Harvertz please, never enough!
In answer to your concluding questions Billy: it ain’t broke, please don’t fix it. Keep on keeping on. It’s a fun informative and generous read always.
Thank you once again, Billy. It truly makes my day when your newsletter hits my inbox.
❤️
Hi Billy, nice piece you have here. I would argue another way to break mid-blocks and low blocks is to have someone who can receive the ball in the middle under pressure and instantly drive at the heart of the opposition team to. Think Phil Foden/Musiala profile.
Xavi Simons - whom we have been linked before is of a similar ilk. What are your thoughts on adding someone like this to our current crop of 8s?
ESR used to have that in his locker to a lesser extent - but maybe his injuries/confidence/growth spurt took it away from him.
Agreed. I covered that a bit in the mid-block piece (I think it was #4) but probably deserved even more real estate. That's certainly Pep's idea: go through the middle with smart, unsettling dribblers. It'd still be really hard against what Porto offered.
I couldn't love Xavi Simons as a player more, so you will get a "yes" from me any way you slice it. I could personally get behind adding Xavi if the striker signing is a real speed-freak, which is needed in the actual front-line; signing a Xavi would probably have to be met with an outgoing in the advanced midfield role. He's flexible, but I'd be really bullish about him doing the Ødegaard controller-to-10 thing, which is no small feat.
As unsettling as it is for certain Arsenal fans, I think you would do Xavi Simons in and ESR out in present day.
I feel like Xavi Simons, Sesko, and an out and out winger (Nico W. or Neto) in, while selling Nketiah, Reiss, ESR would add so many different dynamics to our build up and attack. Especially the 3 incomings I listed here can play 2-3 positions for versatility.
But that does leave us a bit thin for the 6 position and the defender position.
Interesting to hear what your priority is in terms of incoming for positions and names.
I got put on to your work via Arseblog. Cannot thank him enough (did the same with Second Captains).
Throughly enjoyed what I’ve read so far.
Excellent analysis.
Getting these a few days after the match is perfect. I get to dip back into all those emotions after they've had some time to settle.
Love your work Billy.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, so thank you very much! I like to check fbref from time to time and one particular statistic I don't feel comfortable with is switches. During games I think there are times we could take advantage of switching play but we don't do it. Do you think it's not very important?
The more I watch Mainoo the more I want him at Arsenal. He would be an unbelievable addition to the midfield. He looks like an 8 to me.
Can only hope UTD sell, which is very unlikely.
Thanks again for this magic Billy, I would really like to know what you think of Joao Neves next to Rice.
Pretty much perfect. I'd just expect it to be very pricey.
Why do I have a nasty feeling Pep is going to do something similar? Ederson is more than capable of replicating Costa’s role here and they have the CBs to do it as well. He’s shown twice last season he’s willing to bend his tactics in big games like this too.
!!!
Billy you are a genius. Great mix of stats, visuals and great writing. Keep it up.
So good Billy, thanks as always. You warned us about Porto, but would us Arsenal fans listen!... There are rarely easy games at this point but I thought, tactically, Porto were a level above most of our opponents this season.
'Half spaces!'....was what sprung to mind as that Rice header crashed into net vs Brentford.
Looking forward to the inevitable Kiwior, Biereth, Havertz article. :)
Cheers
Pair with Rice should put emphasis on finding someone with Jorginho’s passing capabilities but with legs to cover ground as well.
Zubimendi has neither unfortunately.
While I agree, that's just an incredibly short list. Camavinga, Bruno, Luiz (who I have questions about as #6 depth), Neves, not sure who else. FDJ hasn't been the best at coverage this year but that'd probably change, and I'd be first in line for him. Onana/Wieffer can maybe jump a level in passing, but they're not Jorginho, at least not yet.
Time to give Mainoo the Arteta powerpoint treatment 😜
Despite the obvious improvement needed with his passing and pausa game - will you still have Onana over Zubimendi for that role?
I'd personally have them very close, marginally lean towards Zubimendi at the moment probably if the money is even because he helps with the specific question at hand (touch passing and tempo in tight spots), but man, Onana has such a special base, and I'm dying to see him in a more positional setup. He's still younger than many would expect (22), and has got legit passing potential amongst everything else.
A non-answer for you!
Cheers Billy. One of your most impressive pieces by the way.
Re Onana: it’s those long legs - makes you feel like Arteta is going to do wonders with them. Also the Arsenal in us want to recreate a Diaby v2 in this current Arsenal squad.
Build-up is for cowards. Blast it long to Havertz with Rice/Onana circling around and go bash some nerds
🫠