Very impressive performance today, even before his match defining moment.
He won the ball back, he passed very well, he was in the right place at the right time. Not quite a 10/10 performance but close enough
Fabio Vieira making an impact from the bench again, even Gabriel Jesus scored!!
Overall I thought it was a bad game, United happy to pass it around their defence waiting for us to press, us too scared to press. A 0-0 wouldn't have been out of place based on the general running of the game. One minute of drama in the first half and then the crazy last 2+added time.
Saka and Odegaard had poor games. Saka found it harder against a right footed left back and looked a bit off pace. Odegaard struggled to have his usual passing accuracy, however he of course scored the first.
Yes, Havertz is an issue. Is Vieira the answer? Personally think Emile Smith Rowe has all the ability to do the role, but despite him staying Arteta is still reluctant to use him. Arteta will probably persist with Havertz, maybe he will find the international break useful (or maybe Takehiro will break him!!)
Also interesting that Vieira and Reiss Nelson were seen as options while Trossard was left on the bench. It proved the right call, Nelson caused problems down the left while Vieira looked good again.
Gabriel came back as expected, with Zinchenko starting. Didn't have all that much to do, tbf, although showed the worry about him - getting into physical battles that he doesn't need to - once Hojlund came on.
All in all, 10 points from the first 4 games. Some would call that a title challenging return...
Declan Rice...
posted on 3/9/23
Declan Rice on Sky:
"You know what, the old me would've probably sent that back for a cross. When I was youngster coming through, I would've maybe played that back to Vieira. ..........Last minute of the game, it's fine margins. If you don't shoot, you don't score. Anything can happen."
Arteta needs to print this quote out on a big sheet of A0 paper and hang it in the club room. Something for all the 5-yard-pass cowards in the squad to think about.
posted on 3/9/23
He has to be our Rodri really (in his own style of course). And we all see the goals Rodri comes up with.
posted on 3/9/23
Where's that baz retaaaard. Couldnt shut up about rice being overrated when he rejected utd
posted on 3/9/23
comment by Afc1989 (U21076)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by K7-0ptimus Primal (U1282)
posted 12 minutes ago
All in all, 10 points from the first 4 games. Some would call that a title challenging return...
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OK, good.
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Bit early for that, as we'd have to say the same for Spurs...
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Exactly.
posted on 3/9/23
comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 16 minutes ago
Where's that baz retaaaard. Couldnt shut up about rice being overrated when he rejected utd
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comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted on 22/5/21
90m for Rice is nonsense. Nobody is paying 65 to 70m for him. He's a good player but not a top class one.
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posted on 3/9/23
comment by Tu Meke (U3732)
posted 17 minutes ago
Where's that baz retaaaard. Couldnt shut up about rice being overrated when he rejected utd
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don't poke him, just be grateful that he's shut up for 5 minutes about rice
posted on 3/9/23
https://youtu.be/1xHLdfCIbiY?si=dAucetjnO66vnDJb
Rice rice baby
posted on 3/9/23
I don't blame Gabriel for what Hojlund was doing to him, exactly the same thing Haaland does: nonstop backing into and fouling Gabriel after he came on and the referees let both of them get away with it whenever we play them. Gabriel is just standing his ground, if he backs off he gives either of them space to turn towards goal.
It's actually a joke what Haaland usually & Hojlund today are/were allowed to do our CBs. There is a difference between a fair bit of body wrestling and leaning on/falling all over a defender with all your body weight whilst also trying to pull him down. I think Gabriel stood up well to it and sick of seeing them get away with it against us.
posted on 4/9/23
Genuinely think Rice is going to be that guy for us, let’s be real we’ve never had anyone like Patrick Vieira since he left, and neither have utd since Roy Keane left. Rice is the closest thing to Roy Keane/Vieira type player where they can rally the troops and add much needed grit in the midfield. Terrific passer of the ball too.
posted on 4/9/23
I think Rice is as close to Rodri as you are going to get. Rodri is 3 yeas older and by the time Rice is Rodri's age he will be far better.