Spanish Mark Noble

He looks crap but so do most of our players currently so not going to judge him yet, even though I never wanted to sign him in the first place

I just find him slow and lacking creativity. I hope that improves when he starts to anticipate more. My worry is it won't. Just compare how more control we had when the much maligned Havertz started to drop into midfield in the second half against Inter.

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 15 minutes ago
I just find him slow and lacking creativity. I hope that improves when he starts to anticipate more. My worry is it won't. Just compare how more control we had when the much maligned Havertz started to drop into midfield in the second half against Inter.
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Cos they were 1-0 up and protecting a lead in typical Italian fashion you havertz cawqriding caaant 🤣

Apart from the first 10 mins, we controlled the game the whole way through. Havertz in midfield is AWFUL.

Merino wasnt on my wish list of the summer either. He know him from his Dortmund time and then he played for Newcastle as well.

I think he is a acceptable squad player but not a starter for me.

comment by Peeboh (U3245)
posted 59 minutes ago
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 15 minutes ago
I just find him slow and lacking creativity. I hope that improves when he starts to anticipate more. My worry is it won't. Just compare how more control we had when the much maligned Havertz started to drop into midfield in the second half against Inter.
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Cos they were 1-0 up and protecting a lead in typical Italian fashion you havertz cawqriding caaant 🤣
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You got to get over your simplistic stereotypes pal. No team Italian or otherwise sits back only one goal down at home. Two or three you would have a point. Inter were driven back because we outnumbered them in midfield. And Havertz was far more skilful in doing that. And he ain't no press guru.

Yeah don't think it's fair to judge him in these circumstances. Disappointing start? Yes. But I don't think he was ever gonna be a huge difference maker, I think he was supposed to bring the lower level of the midfield up.

I am sure he was always a starter. You don't spend £32m on a 28-year-old backup.

It’s difficult to say, you have Rice Partey and Merino all with limited attacking ability. Let’s see what adding Odegaard does. It was obvious that the team needed a player in midfield who could play the ball forward quickly etc but not to be

Typical Arteta signing. Physical, 6ft plus and good at scoring headers

comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 2 hours, 54 minutes ago
I am sure he was always a starter. You don't spend £32m on a 28-year-old backup.
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I think the plan would have been to rotate between him, Rice and Partey without the standard dropping at all over the course of the season.

Quite sure Partey is on the way out. So it would have been Rice/Merino/Odegaard.

Merino has been crap so far despite scoring against Liverpool.
He played for Newcastle before but wasnt that great