We won't sit back against Newcastle. We may do against Chelsea. We should really get space against Chelsea with how open they play but it will depend on if we have Saka back as without him chances are difficult to create.

Yesterday basically summed up Arteta and his philosophy

We already had 3 DM on the pitch but he still took sterling of to add another defensive player

City sbd Liverpool would have still beaten Bournemouth with 10 men

comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 44 seconds ago
J99 taking Castor to school
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We all watched the Newcastle and Chelsea away games last season.

comment by Snooker_49 (U10665)
posted 1 minute ago
We won't sit back against Newcastle. We may do against Chelsea. We should really get space against Chelsea with how open they play but it will depend on if we have Saka back as without him chances are difficult to create.
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OK we may not sit back v Newcastle but we won't overcommit in attack as Newcastle will play a very similar game.

The game will be decided by 1 goal at best or a nil nil

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 18 minutes ago
Chelsea vs Arsenal
11 shots 13
43% possession 57%
2 corners 7

Similarly, Chelsea fed off our mistakes and we had a nice comeback draw.

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Chelsea v Arsenal ( 1.46 - 1.03) xg
Newcastle v Arsenal (1.12 - 0.54)xg

Not sure what you are talking about now, Castor.

We did not 'sit back' as was your statement. We controlled possession. Could we have created more? Sure! We weren't clinical in the final third, and we have to improve that. But that's not 'sitting' back. The only team we sat back for last season was City away.

(Sit back = defend deep)

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 52 seconds ago
Not sure what you are talking about now, Castor.

We did not 'sit back' as was your statement. We controlled possession. Could we have created more? Sure! We weren't clinical in the final third, and we have to improve that. But that's not 'sitting' back. The only team we sat back for last season was City away.
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Being overly defensive and not really committing to attack is pretty much sitting back. Not saying we parked the bus on those games.

People can view games how they want but we are a defensive team under Arteta. He doesn't like taking risk and yesterday was another prime example

Like I said, City and Pool would have beaten Bournemouth yesterday with 10 men. They both would have attacked and gone at Bournemouth as opposed to just filling the entire team with defensive players

Oh and Bournemouth are a sheet team

I think you are conflating a few different things. Arteta sets up teams just like Pep does. The aim is to possess the ball away/home and control the game. That's not sitting back or defending deep. The aim is to prevent the opposition building momentum by limiting how much ball they have.

Now I can understand the critics that possession should not be an aim in itself, and we need to use the ball better in attack when we do have the ball. I totally agree with that and have made the complaint myself.

One way Arteta does that is by having as much creativity as possible. Arteta benefits from Saka and Odegaard who can both finish/create. Havertz can also do both. But right now others are very limited. Martinelli's finishing has been poor, Trossard is good at finishing but not very physical so can be stopped from creating. We don't know what Merino will bring, Sterling is good at finishing but lacks confidence. Jesus can't do either at the moment. And Arteta does not trust Ethan fully yet.

Saka being out unbalances us a lot and Arteta played 3 CMs yesterday to cover what we Saka does by himself. It didn't work.

I just don't think Arteta defensive appraich in games will be enough in games.

With 10 men, we basically just conceded the game as if we were up against prime barca.

He plays too much attention on stopping the opposition, regardless of the quality of the opponent.

comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 0 seconds ago
I just don't think Arteta defensive appraich in games will be enough in games.

With 10 men, we basically just conceded the game as if we were up against prime barca.

He plays too much attention on stopping the opposition, regardless of the quality of the opponent.
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*will be enough in the end

And Bournemouth aren't a top team. The game reminded me of Fulham away last season. We were very disjointed till we went down to 10 and then the organisation went to hell after Kiwior came on. I blame the coaching staff as much as Arteta. His first instinct is to be like David Moyes and that's not the message to send out to the team to challenge for the title. It's fearful.

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 4 minutes ago
I think you are conflating a few different things. Arteta sets up teams just like Pep does. The aim is to possess the ball away/home and control the game. That's not sitting back or defending deep. The aim is to prevent the opposition building momentum by limiting how much ball they have.

Now I can understand the critics that possession should not be an aim in itself, and we need to use the ball better in attack when we do have the ball. I totally agree with that and have made the complaint myself.

One way Arteta does that is by having as much creativity as possible. Arteta benefits from Saka and Odegaard who can both finish/create. Havertz can also do both. But right now others are very limited. Martinelli's finishing has been poor, Trossard is good at finishing but not very physical so can be stopped from creating. We don't know what Merino will bring, Sterling is good at finishing but lacks confidence. Jesus can't do either at the moment. And Arteta does not trust Ethan fully yet.

Saka being out unbalances us a lot and Arteta played 3 CMs yesterday to cover what we Saka does by himself. It didn't work.
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FFS we were playing Bournemouth not City.

There was no need to play 3 DMs there in MF.

Also, there was no need to take Sterling of.

It's always caution first with Arteta

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 3 minutes ago
And Bournemouth aren't a top team. The game reminded me of Fulham away last season. We were very disjointed till we went down to 10 and then the organisation went to hell after Kiwior came on. I blame the coaching staff as much as Arteta. His first instinct is to be like David Moyes and that's not the message to send out to the team to challenge for the title. It's fearful.
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This i agree with

I think one of the best coaches in the world uses a mantra that defines his teams.

You cannot live in your fears.

And Arteta does and has been more, imo, since we were installed as favourites. (City are still favs in my opinion unless the 115 charges relegates them this season)

City are bookies favorites and Liverpool will probably join us as 2nd favs if they win well today

Let's be realistic, the brand of football also leaves a lot to desire.

Don't get me wrong, if we win the league playing like this then no one will care but fack me we are tough to watch at times, especially going forward.

Teams like Brighton, Spurs, City, Pool and even Chelsea play better attacking football than us.

Lukaku hooked at 0-0, Napoli score a couple of minutes later

comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 4 hours, 4 minutes ago
Are we expecting any of our injured players back in time for the Shakhtar match?
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Really hope that Odegaard starting on the bench and getting a few minutes later in the game to get into the groove for Liverpool.

Can Wolves repeat the miracle win of 12 months ago? They were in not much better form back then - losing 5, drawing 1 and one win after 7 before surprising the Mancy Blues.

comment by Snooker_49 (U10665)
posted 3 hours, 44 minutes ago
We won't sit back against Newcastle. We may do against Chelsea. We should really get space against Chelsea with how open they play but it will depend on if we have Saka back as without him chances are difficult to create.
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It would be deadly against Chelsea to sit back.

comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 58 seconds ago
comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 4 hours, 4 minutes ago
Are we expecting any of our injured players back in time for the Shakhtar match?
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Really hope that Odegaard starting on the bench and getting a few minutes later in the game to get into the groove for Liverpool.
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Arteta suggested that Odegaard will start running with the ball next week so I can't see him in the squad for the Liverpool game.

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted about a minute ago
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 58 seconds ago
comment by Lexington 125.2 (U8879)
posted 4 hours, 4 minutes ago
Are we expecting any of our injured players back in time for the Shakhtar match?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Really hope that Odegaard starting on the bench and getting a few minutes later in the game to get into the groove for Liverpool.
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Arteta suggested that Odegaard will start running with the ball next week so I can't see him in the squad for the Liverpool game.
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I think and I am not alone with my impression told us that Ode maybe able to play against Liverpool. Depending on this training week.

Arteta made out that Saka would be available and Marti/White/Zinny would be unavailable for Bournemouth. Wouldn’t trust anything he says on injuries.