Mikel Arteta: Is he the man for the job?

comment by WB2 {Tackle Like Tierney} (U8276)
posted 40 minutes ago
* Will go on the record right here and state that aside from mass injury decimating the squad, the only way this squad will fail to achieve 4th or above is if Arteta reverts back to last season's way of playing.

So long as he sticks with high pressing attacking football PL ARSENAL football as the predominant (as since game 4 of this season), then by virtue of the fixture list and our no Euro games advantage combined, we WILL finish 4th or higher.

Revert to Artetaball more than the odd game or two and we'll be lucky to get 6th.

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I get what you’re trying to say, but I don't really see us playing any different from last season.

Other than games like Watford, we've been quite happy to soak up pressure and hit teams on the counter. Often averaging sub 50% overall possession stats. Occasionally dipping down to the 20s for long periods as soon as we go ahead in a game. Even despite our relatively "easier" run of fixtures.

Watch any Arsenal game, and you can tell exactly when the order comes in for everyone to drop the anchors and shut up shop.

The only thing different this season is that we've managed to score 3 more goals than we had at the same point last season. While conceding the same amount.

It's still too early to read anything into the season so far.

tbf Gillespie I think there is a slight difference and I think we have a more defined style.

We have pushed up as a team more and have started to win the ball back higher up the pitch. ESR and Saka are now first choice and both are taking turns to come into the middle to support a deeper striker (Laca).

In my opinion its similar to how Wenger used to set up.

Continue in the way you have started, you are a top 4 contender.

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Brentford?

When we want to attack, we push up higher now which is a huge difference as Luiz couldn't do that last season. In Ben white we have some who is as good as Luiz was in the ball, while also being able to dribble from his own box to the opposition's and lay it off for an attacker.

The back 4 is also comfortable shifting across to a back 3 when the left back goes forward now because of tomiyasu, which helps defending counters. All the defenders now are good athletes as well as being good on the ball. Ramsdale is also a significant improvement on Leno, on the ball and catching crosses.

We do revert to Arterrorist ball too often after scoring for my liking though. I don't know yet if this is the managers preference or if the team just can't keep it up. Look at lacazette, for example, he's blowing holes in the ozone layer after 30 mins of pressing. We have to remember we are incorporating 4 or 5 new players in the first team (including Tavares of late), they still need time together to work out everybody else's patterns of play. Do the jury's out on that one until I see more evidence.

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 4 minutes ago
tbf Gillespie I think there is a slight difference and I think we have a more defined style.

We have pushed up as a team more and have started to win the ball back higher up the pitch. ESR and Saka are now first choice and both are taking turns to come into the middle to support a deeper striker (Laca).

In my opinion its similar to how Wenger used to set up.




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Yes there's been an added sense of adventure in the side. Maybe as a result of youthful exuberance from the players. But the manager's defensive instincts still drown everything out.

Not that I'm complaining though. I wouldn't mind another 'Arteta special' against Liverpool with 5 at the back plus 2 DMs sat in front of them.

Purple patch recently, even Ole has produced decent runs so jury still out.

comment by Gillespie Rd. (U18361)
posted 33 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 4 minutes ago
tbf Gillespie I think there is a slight difference and I think we have a more defined style.

We have pushed up as a team more and have started to win the ball back higher up the pitch. ESR and Saka are now first choice and both are taking turns to come into the middle to support a deeper striker (Laca).

In my opinion its similar to how Wenger used to set up.
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Yes there's been an added sense of adventure in the side. Maybe as a result of youthful exuberance from the players. But the manager's defensive instincts still drown everything out.

Not that I'm complaining though. I wouldn't mind another 'Arteta special' against Liverpool with 5 at the back plus 2 DMs sat in front of them.
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I fear you maybe spot on. I just hope a bit like Josh Kroenke that he is learning that there really is no point slowly strangling yourself to an inevitable sack and go for it this season.

Given how poor we've been since Arteta took over it's going to take a far more significant period of improvement before we can say he's doing a good job.

Things are promising though, it's great to see some better characters in the side and you have to credit the management team for bringing those players in (while being laughed at by most, including myself).

Tactically I'm still not sure about his approach, the attacking play is rarely fluid but is improving. Obviously his hands were forced in CM by the blessing that is Xhaka's injury but what happens when he's fit again, does he come straight back in ruin the team?

Let's hope he really has turned a corner and leant from his mistakes, tactically he was woeful for 2 season and we certainly shouldn't be getting to giddy yet but there's certainly a bit more light at the end the tunnel.

One final thing, the Liverpool game this weekend won't indicate much, even if we get pummeled. Liverpool are a seriously strong side regardless of the last couple of games.

With the lay of the land atm top 4 is achievable, but you can't rule out the possibility of the likes of Man Utd improving (after maybe getting a new manager) or same for Spurs, so it's conceivable that we could miss out on top 4 without it necessarily being a failing of the manager.

There's been an improvement in results but let's see if that lasts.

Yes is the answer