On the moment, Saka's winner, Arteta's gut, the lineup du jour, the daisy-chain of Rice and Lewis-Skelly and Eze, West Ham lessons, the full-back question, and the walk into the roar
I always look forward the your writing. Sometimes it feels like I'm reading a work of fiction from someone truly brilliant. My example doesn't make sense, but I imagine that if Calafiori was a writer this is how he'd write.
Meanwhile, yes, I agree with many of the things you wrote in this wonderful work.
Gyokeres has been a revelation so far. It appears as though he's simply making little things work better now. Or maybe it's the other reason you gave, reducing his on-ball responsibility by surrounding him with actual ballers has done much for his overall play.
But that and the fact that he looks and feels like a different player with the way he's looking to peel off his markers instead of occupying them all game.
There's also something different about the balls we send his way in recent games. Unfortunately, I'm too emotional to rewatch our games but it feels as though the long balls are aimed at his chest. Maybe it's him positioning himself that way.
Gyokeres has improved a lot and this is good for Arsenal and the fans. A better Gyokeres makes the team more competitive.
With Rice, I have no words. He's such a wonderful player to have around. He feels like salt in a bowl of broth. Unseen but tasted. And when it's missing, everyone at the table knows something is wrong.
The same applies to Saliba and Calafiori.
In my opinion, the intention of creatain players and the general vibes are the biggest differences in recent weeks. Players who want to hurt by doing what they want, Gyokeres willing to hog possession more than usual (from him) and many more instances.
Wonderful work from you, Billy. I look forward earnestly to your next work.
I enjoyed the passage of play breakdowns in this particular article a lot. These parts of your articles always have me scrolling up and down to look again at gifs. Saka’s quote, “I just try to stay alive. Sometimes it bounces for you, sometimes it doesn’t, but you have to be there. And I was there,” is a good one to just carry around in your daily life. Sometimes things go your way and other times they don’t, but as long as you’re alive and keep on living it’s a chance to go again and get the desired result. If you just keep on breathing, you can go again. Let’s make this run in one to remember! Thanks for the words as always, Billy.
I was starting to worry about your next piece Billy.. I really missed your writing. And then you show up on my birthday <3.. Bless you, your writing, and your love for the Arsenal.
Amazing read man! I'm not an Arsenal fan nor Artita's biggest fan but i hope Arsenal clinch the title just for you. Even though it's about Arsenal, every read has been an encyclopedic journey of learning about the game. Also, I love the fact that quoted one of my favorite poets in the beginning of the piece. And yes i think the plural of hoof is hoofs. Than you so much Billy ♥️
Top read. After the West Ham game I was actually also considering Zubimendi at RB. Would benefit more from him being outside the block and combining in the final third too. Kind of like Timber except better in the offensive aspect and a bit (teeny bit depending on fitness) weaker in the defensive. I asked RohanJivan about it on his substack too and some friends in a group chat (the boys shut it down immediately lol)
Great piece as always. I wonder if Arteta is tempted to play a Odegaard Eze Rice midfield that we briefly saw against West Ham (H). I would like to have as many of our deep block specialists as possible starting, with either MLS joining the pivot with Rice from lb (with Eze and Ø as the 10s), or starting Calafiori do his usual thing and have Odegaard join Rice deeper in build up
Really great read before the final flourish of this really great season so far. Love the way you channelled your inner Billy (Beane) on the flexibility of players not necessarily replacing each others’ skills on a one-for-one basis, but in combination. Of course all Arsenal supporters desperately want two titles here, but for goodness sakes let’s hope the players stay healthy and can win the first two fixtures so the match in Hungary is icing on the cake. I think the squad is chuffed to play PSG again to get revenge for last year. Cheers and COYG!
It’s nice to see how prescient my Rice comment on last month’s article was. Specifically switching his role to the right, and how that would do wonders for our balance and buildup. What’s the opposite of aged like milk? Maybe Mikel is a bbq sub.
As you’ve been saying for months. This game is in large part about combination, triangles and basically just not putting fish up trees.
Rice is still free to roam and often finds himself high and left. But this new deep and right starting position clearly works wonders for his skillset and those around him.
I thought it had the potential to open our whole game up, and since switching Rice and Zubimendi / MLS there’s been a dramatic change to our play.
Deploying players in positions that maximise - 1 their superpowers and - 2 the collective overrides everything outside of basic effort in my opinion. When you are balanced you trust your teammates to pass, receive and move. And you play well. Victory through harmony after all.
But damn this has been hard work. I fundamentally feel there’s no reason why we couldn’t have seen this lineup 8 months ago. Even last season. We also had exactly the same back 7 available then.
It really has been a tough watch waiting for Arteta to lose this blind spot and finally optimise our most-played player. But oh well, here we are. Looking forward to the PSG preview, and here’s to the league! 💪
I always look forward the your writing. Sometimes it feels like I'm reading a work of fiction from someone truly brilliant. My example doesn't make sense, but I imagine that if Calafiori was a writer this is how he'd write.
Meanwhile, yes, I agree with many of the things you wrote in this wonderful work.
Gyokeres has been a revelation so far. It appears as though he's simply making little things work better now. Or maybe it's the other reason you gave, reducing his on-ball responsibility by surrounding him with actual ballers has done much for his overall play.
But that and the fact that he looks and feels like a different player with the way he's looking to peel off his markers instead of occupying them all game.
There's also something different about the balls we send his way in recent games. Unfortunately, I'm too emotional to rewatch our games but it feels as though the long balls are aimed at his chest. Maybe it's him positioning himself that way.
Gyokeres has improved a lot and this is good for Arsenal and the fans. A better Gyokeres makes the team more competitive.
With Rice, I have no words. He's such a wonderful player to have around. He feels like salt in a bowl of broth. Unseen but tasted. And when it's missing, everyone at the table knows something is wrong.
The same applies to Saliba and Calafiori.
In my opinion, the intention of creatain players and the general vibes are the biggest differences in recent weeks. Players who want to hurt by doing what they want, Gyokeres willing to hog possession more than usual (from him) and many more instances.
Wonderful work from you, Billy. I look forward earnestly to your next work.
I enjoyed the passage of play breakdowns in this particular article a lot. These parts of your articles always have me scrolling up and down to look again at gifs. Saka’s quote, “I just try to stay alive. Sometimes it bounces for you, sometimes it doesn’t, but you have to be there. And I was there,” is a good one to just carry around in your daily life. Sometimes things go your way and other times they don’t, but as long as you’re alive and keep on living it’s a chance to go again and get the desired result. If you just keep on breathing, you can go again. Let’s make this run in one to remember! Thanks for the words as always, Billy.
The best, as always. What an incredibly emotional week we are in for. Up The Arsenal.
I was starting to worry about your next piece Billy.. I really missed your writing. And then you show up on my birthday <3.. Bless you, your writing, and your love for the Arsenal.
Amazing read man! I'm not an Arsenal fan nor Artita's biggest fan but i hope Arsenal clinch the title just for you. Even though it's about Arsenal, every read has been an encyclopedic journey of learning about the game. Also, I love the fact that quoted one of my favorite poets in the beginning of the piece. And yes i think the plural of hoof is hoofs. Than you so much Billy ♥️
Top
As always, FANTASTIC. You are seriously the best, Billy! Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge.
Outstanding as always. Lock in LFG!
you're THE GOAT
A great read and fluent writing as always.
The next 3 fixtures and the permutation behind the lineups makes much sense. COYG!
Top read. After the West Ham game I was actually also considering Zubimendi at RB. Would benefit more from him being outside the block and combining in the final third too. Kind of like Timber except better in the offensive aspect and a bit (teeny bit depending on fitness) weaker in the defensive. I asked RohanJivan about it on his substack too and some friends in a group chat (the boys shut it down immediately lol)
Anyways, looking forward to your next writeup 🤝
Great piece as always. I wonder if Arteta is tempted to play a Odegaard Eze Rice midfield that we briefly saw against West Ham (H). I would like to have as many of our deep block specialists as possible starting, with either MLS joining the pivot with Rice from lb (with Eze and Ø as the 10s), or starting Calafiori do his usual thing and have Odegaard join Rice deeper in build up
Really great read before the final flourish of this really great season so far. Love the way you channelled your inner Billy (Beane) on the flexibility of players not necessarily replacing each others’ skills on a one-for-one basis, but in combination. Of course all Arsenal supporters desperately want two titles here, but for goodness sakes let’s hope the players stay healthy and can win the first two fixtures so the match in Hungary is icing on the cake. I think the squad is chuffed to play PSG again to get revenge for last year. Cheers and COYG!
Cheers Billy, top work as always.
It’s nice to see how prescient my Rice comment on last month’s article was. Specifically switching his role to the right, and how that would do wonders for our balance and buildup. What’s the opposite of aged like milk? Maybe Mikel is a bbq sub.
As you’ve been saying for months. This game is in large part about combination, triangles and basically just not putting fish up trees.
Rice is still free to roam and often finds himself high and left. But this new deep and right starting position clearly works wonders for his skillset and those around him.
I thought it had the potential to open our whole game up, and since switching Rice and Zubimendi / MLS there’s been a dramatic change to our play.
Deploying players in positions that maximise - 1 their superpowers and - 2 the collective overrides everything outside of basic effort in my opinion. When you are balanced you trust your teammates to pass, receive and move. And you play well. Victory through harmony after all.
But damn this has been hard work. I fundamentally feel there’s no reason why we couldn’t have seen this lineup 8 months ago. Even last season. We also had exactly the same back 7 available then.
It really has been a tough watch waiting for Arteta to lose this blind spot and finally optimise our most-played player. But oh well, here we are. Looking forward to the PSG preview, and here’s to the league! 💪
top top top as always. Let's get it over the line boys