As the possession game sputters, the grind has become routine. A look at situational play, the long-ball dilemma, the Zubi-Rice pivot, the cost of defending, the underlying data, and what can improve
Wonderful from you, Ser Billy. Bless your pen and your heart. I loved the metaphors and anecdotes with which you drove home your point.
You're right to say that Arsenal has regressed in passing this season. I remember an Aina's podcast interview in which he shared the difficulty of playing against Arsenal.
To use Tim Stillman's lingo, Arsenal 'jabs' multiple times before collapsing play and going for the uppercut or jugular.
These days, however, we have become somewhat like City, playing in front of the block and the sides with no plan/conviction to play through the middle or, at the very least, land a decisive blow. But I suspect that it's a player/profile issue rather than anything else.
Fortunately for us, however, Timber has discovered a new passing lane so long that we can make the most of it. I hope that Saka rediscovers his form. He's been okay, but that's not the bar he set.
More importantly, I hope that our players all stay fit. Havertz and Calafiori in particular, but Havertz more.
Wonderful read again from you, Billy. I look forward to rereading this sometime soon.
Loved reading the in-depth analysis. Really admire the amount of work that must have gone in to produce this kind of work. A small correction, perhaps. If I have read correctly, Declan Rice's aerial wins are second highest in the sample, after Rodri's.
I want to echo the comment about starting with a Robin DG Kelly quote. Your pieces are “must read” for me (and have helped convert my GF into an Arsenal fan so thank you!!) but that just made me love you more.
Really needed to read this. Great read as usual! ☺️ We have hung in there well and Odegaard & Havertz will now come back in and take us to the promised land.
Another great read. You’re amazing billy.
Wonderful from you, Ser Billy. Bless your pen and your heart. I loved the metaphors and anecdotes with which you drove home your point.
You're right to say that Arsenal has regressed in passing this season. I remember an Aina's podcast interview in which he shared the difficulty of playing against Arsenal.
To use Tim Stillman's lingo, Arsenal 'jabs' multiple times before collapsing play and going for the uppercut or jugular.
These days, however, we have become somewhat like City, playing in front of the block and the sides with no plan/conviction to play through the middle or, at the very least, land a decisive blow. But I suspect that it's a player/profile issue rather than anything else.
Fortunately for us, however, Timber has discovered a new passing lane so long that we can make the most of it. I hope that Saka rediscovers his form. He's been okay, but that's not the bar he set.
More importantly, I hope that our players all stay fit. Havertz and Calafiori in particular, but Havertz more.
Wonderful read again from you, Billy. I look forward to rereading this sometime soon.
Loved reading the in-depth analysis. Really admire the amount of work that must have gone in to produce this kind of work. A small correction, perhaps. If I have read correctly, Declan Rice's aerial wins are second highest in the sample, after Rodri's.
Firing my editor (who is a dog)
The dog is probably smarter than most human editors.
I want to echo the comment about starting with a Robin DG Kelly quote. Your pieces are “must read” for me (and have helped convert my GF into an Arsenal fan so thank you!!) but that just made me love you more.
starting the piece with a robin dg kelley quote...true master
sensational read. Learned a new Sartre quote and that our defense is a joke with that raya sot stat 😂
Another banger, Billy. The Raya facing two shots while trailing stat is absurd. If Arsenal balled as well as you write we'd be on 90 points right now.
Totally awesome read. Thank you.
Great article, excellent insights
Really needed to read this. Great read as usual! ☺️ We have hung in there well and Odegaard & Havertz will now come back in and take us to the promised land.
You're just the best
👊
Great red, Billy!
"It’s hard to find a writer who can hold the cards of art and science in the same hand" -- You do realise you just described yourself, right?
https://arsenaloutpost.substack.com/p/a-win-is-a-win-is-a-win?r=no2i&utm_medium=ios
I wrote this today and it has a couple of similar ideas.
Great read!