Brilliant. Great comments on Saliba, you put into words things I've sort of felt, but couldn't really label. Big Gaby is the emotional heart and soul and in terms of pure defending perhaps the best in the division, but Saliba is a wizard that can do things no other CB can. Also salivating at the kai-Saka-noni combo playing together. We really have so many looks, just gotta find the right niches for each. I'm liking the slight trend towards more directness too. We're built for that.
Somehow you missed or I missed the point that saka in the middle makes it impossible to double team him as when he is on the wing. Additionally it means Madueke cannot be double teamed because the nearest inside defender must attach tp saka.
Nice to have a new article from you! It feels like this is a good omen for the team to get back on track from the cases of the yips they seem to be having.
So, by the time I got around to savouring this new deli from Billy, Arsenal had managed to surrender a two goal lead to Wolves. The near fatal escape of first leg had finally come to claim its victim's scalp. It was harrowingly painful.
So, I have a "simpleton" response as well to all your brilliant analyses and surgical breakdowns: maybe Arsenal should simply just optimize for ruthlessly outscoring their opponents rather than optimizing for defensive efficiency. Most of the games we have lost or drawn this season have been by a goal margin. JUST ONE MORE GOAL would have been enough to banish the ghost of seasons past. Just one more goal, every time!!! Just one more goal is all it takes to render every horror mistakes and imperfections ultimately irrelevant!!!
Brilliant write up as always and yes...where are those triangles???
I see none of your set ups include Gykores.
Have to say my heart sinks every time he's chosen.
Supposed to be a shot monster. think the only time ive seen him hit the target with venom was when he hit the post vs Wigan. Look like a passenger in every game. Should it be anyone but (Martinelli even Califiori).
We are also terrible at counter attacks, which are genly avail when the opposition attack/take corners. Is Raya too slow to release? Are our runners unprepared? Why do we look so inefficient? Used to be a super strength with Wenger ball. What do the nos say?
Wigan was one of the more concerning ones, honestly. I always thought he'd just dominate a game like that for us; on 'total actions,' he was 1-for-16 that day. 1 for 8 on duels, 0 for 2 on passes, etc. He just kept falling down.
Pretty clear he should be used as a 70'+ player, at least for now. And maybe as an occupier against midblocks like Villa, with Havertz running off him. Something I just posted on socials: That was the sixth game that Martinelli and Gyökeres have started together in the Premier League. In those games, they’ve combined for 0 goals and 0 assists. Martinelli is 4-for-15 on crosses, and Gyökeres is yet to have a shot on target.
On counters: this is part of the problem with a selection issue like Wolves. You use your runners early, when there are no countering chances, and then when the game opens up, you're subbing on Trossard and Jesus. It's all tied together.
Well, what a difference a day makes. 2-2 to the worst team in the league. I find myself falling into despair that we will not bring it home again for the 4th year in a row. Not the kind of record you really want as a club. My dad, from whom I inherited this Arsenal fandom, and I always chat via messages during matches since we live thousands of miles apart now, and he wrote me in the second half: “Sad. Top teams do this facing bottom teams, they think it's a walk. Never in football.” This was just a highly unprofessional game from Arsenal. Do these players not want to win as much as we do? We are consistently wasteful in front of goal, and there’s just a lack of intensity. These silly late mistakes in front of our own goal will submarine us. Maybe I’ll feel better tomorrow, but it’s starting to look like maybe we are exactly what the naysayers have been calling us: bottlers.
Brilliant. Great comments on Saliba, you put into words things I've sort of felt, but couldn't really label. Big Gaby is the emotional heart and soul and in terms of pure defending perhaps the best in the division, but Saliba is a wizard that can do things no other CB can. Also salivating at the kai-Saka-noni combo playing together. We really have so many looks, just gotta find the right niches for each. I'm liking the slight trend towards more directness too. We're built for that.
WE WERE OVERDUE
- a league title
- Billy Carpenter content
- a mention of the word "complementarity" in internet media
Good lord this is rich and deep.
Somehow you missed or I missed the point that saka in the middle makes it impossible to double team him as when he is on the wing. Additionally it means Madueke cannot be double teamed because the nearest inside defender must attach tp saka.
Nice to have a new article from you! It feels like this is a good omen for the team to get back on track from the cases of the yips they seem to be having.
👏
New Billy Carpenter here and I'm up!
So, by the time I got around to savouring this new deli from Billy, Arsenal had managed to surrender a two goal lead to Wolves. The near fatal escape of first leg had finally come to claim its victim's scalp. It was harrowingly painful.
So, I have a "simpleton" response as well to all your brilliant analyses and surgical breakdowns: maybe Arsenal should simply just optimize for ruthlessly outscoring their opponents rather than optimizing for defensive efficiency. Most of the games we have lost or drawn this season have been by a goal margin. JUST ONE MORE GOAL would have been enough to banish the ghost of seasons past. Just one more goal, every time!!! Just one more goal is all it takes to render every horror mistakes and imperfections ultimately irrelevant!!!
Brilliant write up as always and yes...where are those triangles???
I see none of your set ups include Gykores.
Have to say my heart sinks every time he's chosen.
Supposed to be a shot monster. think the only time ive seen him hit the target with venom was when he hit the post vs Wigan. Look like a passenger in every game. Should it be anyone but (Martinelli even Califiori).
We are also terrible at counter attacks, which are genly avail when the opposition attack/take corners. Is Raya too slow to release? Are our runners unprepared? Why do we look so inefficient? Used to be a super strength with Wenger ball. What do the nos say?
Wigan was one of the more concerning ones, honestly. I always thought he'd just dominate a game like that for us; on 'total actions,' he was 1-for-16 that day. 1 for 8 on duels, 0 for 2 on passes, etc. He just kept falling down.
Pretty clear he should be used as a 70'+ player, at least for now. And maybe as an occupier against midblocks like Villa, with Havertz running off him. Something I just posted on socials: That was the sixth game that Martinelli and Gyökeres have started together in the Premier League. In those games, they’ve combined for 0 goals and 0 assists. Martinelli is 4-for-15 on crosses, and Gyökeres is yet to have a shot on target.
On counters: this is part of the problem with a selection issue like Wolves. You use your runners early, when there are no countering chances, and then when the game opens up, you're subbing on Trossard and Jesus. It's all tied together.
You're the man, Billy. Rough game today, hugs and kisses. The fixes are noted above ❤️
Well, what a difference a day makes. 2-2 to the worst team in the league. I find myself falling into despair that we will not bring it home again for the 4th year in a row. Not the kind of record you really want as a club. My dad, from whom I inherited this Arsenal fandom, and I always chat via messages during matches since we live thousands of miles apart now, and he wrote me in the second half: “Sad. Top teams do this facing bottom teams, they think it's a walk. Never in football.” This was just a highly unprofessional game from Arsenal. Do these players not want to win as much as we do? We are consistently wasteful in front of goal, and there’s just a lack of intensity. These silly late mistakes in front of our own goal will submarine us. Maybe I’ll feel better tomorrow, but it’s starting to look like maybe we are exactly what the naysayers have been calling us: bottlers.
Thanks for the insightful long read Billy
GREAT piece.
Best one yet, keep it up Billy!
Fascinating, as ever, Billy.
❤️
Who Unlocks Whom.
This is what I get for changing the subheadline last minute
Gotta keep you on your toes.
Only way to regain the grammatical high-ground at this point is a halftime switch to Who Unlocks Whomst.