This is not a pop at Arsenal, it's just a few points that "maybe" show why Arsenal are not all firing like last season.
First off, it's difficult to go from the nearly men to winning the prize; what happens is opposition teams are not stupid, not in the premier league they are not anyway! You can bet Vs Arsenal everyone knows nullify Saka and Martinelli and you are pretty much done....so, drop deep deny space double up keep them from cutting in. That's what's been happening, so what else have arsenal got, Jesus? Nketiah? What we see Is their deficiencies when.the wide men are kept quiet.
Another aspect hurting arsenal, one way of playing...tiki taka football, again they need more variety. You could say well, City and Liverpool have one way of playing, well...yeah I'd agree on City, but the difference is a world class squad arsenal are way off this...huge difference. Liverpool don't play one way, yes they press and are aggressive but, crucially, they can go long (via VVD, TAA typically) play short and mix it up, and one absolutely crucial difference to arsenal is the forward options, quality options.
Teams have learnt from last season too, a lot drop into a low block and counter arsenal...its easier to score when teams come onto you, you actually dont have to be that good because space is everywhere; when the space is closed you have to have top players to open the spaces, KDB and TAA for example...is arsenal equivalent Odengaard?? Is he of the same quality?
Squad depth is huge when.you have cups, league and Europe to contend with, and I am not sure arsenal squad is of sufficient quality. Liverpool and City do have the squads, liverpool without:
Matip
Robertson
Jota
Macallister
Bajcetic
Thiago
Kostas
Yet top of the league, City missing two world class players in KDB and Haaland yet right up there as well as competing in the club cup. For Arsenal, as I said it's a different ball game this season for them, they are definitely finding this out.
Lets not also forget Arsenal just forked out £100M for Rice who was thought of as making the difference, Liverpool paid £16M for a guy called Endo...one of thost teams is top of the league. The point? Its important to make the right signing at the right price.
Arsenal..tough eh!
posted on 30/12/23
comment by Baz tard - Ineos your face (U19119)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Blackpolespur (U9242)
posted 2 minutes ago
Pretty sure Endo can pass it 5 yards sideways and back like good old Declan transit van Rice.
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😂 you keep your dislike for rice well hidden baz
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I don’t dislike him, I just poke fun the amount paid for him was ridiculous. He’s a good player, but not 100m worth
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Agreed but the fees are the fees these days and it’s now gone crazy
Caicedo and enzo cost more each (I think) …..I’d rather rice any day
Only Rodri better in that position for me
posted on 30/12/23
comment by Blackpolespur (U9242)
posted 13 seconds ago
comment by Baz tard - Ineos your face (U19119)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Blackpolespur (U9242)
posted 2 minutes ago
Pretty sure Endo can pass it 5 yards sideways and back like good old Declan transit van Rice.
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😂 you keep your dislike for rice well hidden baz
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I don’t dislike him, I just poke fun the amount paid for him was ridiculous. He’s a good player, but not 100m worth
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Agreed but the fees are the fees these days and it’s now gone crazy
Caicedo and enzo cost more each (I think) …..I’d rather rice any day
Only Rodri better in that position for me
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Caicedo Fee was insane, but Enzo- there’s a real quality player there, hasn’t shown it overly but he’s abilities none of the others mentioned have anything close too, maybe bar rodri to an extent. I can see him getting better and better (maybe not at Chelsea unless they sort themselves out)
posted on 30/12/23
You only have to look at our stats with and without Endo to see the difference he makes.
posted on 30/12/23
Got_better, lights the blue touch paper and off they go.. huge gigantic chomps
posted on 30/12/23
the thing about arsenal is this; they should be all business this year after going do far.
I don't see that.
we won the cl in 19 and missed out to city by a point or so.
in 19/20 we were all business.
arsenal fans should be wondering where is the hunger imo.
posted on 30/12/23
See essentially...I'm right in what I said.
posted on 30/12/23
The OP puts forward a convincing case as to why there is an insurmountable 2 point chasm between Liverpool and Arsenal after 20 games.
posted on 30/12/23
comment by (U23134)
posted 1 hour, 25 minutes ago
The OP puts forward a convincing case as to why there is an insurmountable 2 point chasm between Liverpool and Arsenal after 20 games.
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Ty....
posted on 31/12/23
It is quite interesting that Arsenal are 10 points down on last season.
posted on 31/12/23
comment by Peter O'Hanraha-hanrahan (U1217)
posted 37 minutes ago
It is quite interesting that Arsenal are 10 points down on last season.
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Exactly...and they strengthened...kinda highlights my points..