***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

[JHedges2]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

he lost possession fifteen times.

Yikes didn’t realize it was THAT many.

He’d make some blazing runs through the middle and then just play some dreadful pass—usually to Newcastle.

Conditions were dreadful, team was not the ideal 11, and we came away with as good a result as possible. I’m aware it was catching a bad Newcastle team at the right time, but given our away form last season (and the aforementioned dynamics), I will take the 3 points to the bank.

Burnley in the home opener (early game) next Saturday. Can’t wait.


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[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Thinking of Burnley brings up something I’ve thought about over the past few days.

I know he won’t play in the game, but something I love about Tierney is that he grew up playing in Scotland. He will not be intimidated by some Premier League orcs. The kid has gone up against worse.

Really excited for him to get into the squad.

[~LiverpoolRed~]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I thought Guendouzi was excellent for you yesterday. He broke up quite a few Newcastle attacks and helped the back four deal with Joelinton.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I thought Guendouzi was excellent for you yesterday. He broke up quite a few Newcastle attacks and helped the back four deal with Joelinton.

He's still very raw, but you can really see the quality. The hope is he'll continue to get minutes without being relied on, which I think is possible with him, Xhaka, Ceballos, Willock, and Torreira all being able to play in the two deeper midfield roles.

[JHedges2]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I thought Guendouzi was excellent for you yesterday. He broke up quite a few Newcastle attacks and helped the back four deal with Joelinton.

Indeed he was outstanding in that DLP role. So composed too, given his age and experience level.

Once everyone fit, we will have a very crowded midfield, and the “FM” in me is very excited to see how UE arranges them in different circumstances.


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[jb12780]

***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***



For next week, these are the changes I would like to see:

Pepe for Mkhitaryan. No brainer here.

If he’s fit, Lacazette for Nelson.

Willock was outstanding. He’s like a Wilshere/Ramsey love child.

Papa/Chambers was a great combo.

I know a few of us were crucifying Monreal, but he was solid yesterday.



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[JHedges2]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I know a few of us were crucifying Monreal, but he was solid yesterday.

Guilty, and rightfully so in preseason. He was NOT good.

Yesterday, however, back to ole’ reliable.


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[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Emile Smith-Rowe and Rob Holding with starts tonight for Arsenal U23s.

[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Guilty, and rightfully so in preseason. He was NOT good.

Yesterday, however, back to ole’ reliable.


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I mean, it's pre-season, I don't think much stock should be put in to players performance as they could be instructed to try things differently or it could be experimental tactics that reveal their own weaknesses.

There's too many factors at play to truly form a real opinion on someone(for me) in pre-season.

[Krebstar]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Emile Smith-Rowe and Rob Holding with starts tonight for Arsenal U23s.

[JHedges2]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

I mean, it's pre-season, I don't think much stock should be put in to players performance as they could be instructed to try things differently or it could be experimental tactics that reveal their own weaknesses.

There's too many factors at play to truly form a real opinion on someone(for me) in pre-season.

No this is a fair opinion for you to have. I just noticed there were lots of very poor passes and just a lot of mistakes I’m not used to seeing him make.

He is like mister consistent IMO. Never really GREAT, but never really POOR either.


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[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

No this is a fair opinion for you to have. I just noticed there were lots of very poor passes and just a lot of mistakes I’m not used to seeing him make.

He is like mister consistent IMO. Never really GREAT, but never really POOR either.

Yeah, I understand, he could've been trying to pass with his right foot or trying to play in a deeper block than he's used to which can cause those mistakes, either way, I never really had doubts about Monreal, especially as his talents aren't tied to his athleticism.

Emile Smith-Rowe played 45 today and looked pretty dangerous sending a few key passes and having a few shots parried away. Rob Holding played 63 minutes and played almost exactly as well as you'd expect, timely clearances, and good connecting passes to the midfield. In the end, Folarin Balogun had a hat-trick of penalties, he technically missed one and slotted home the rebound, but it continues to show off our nice contingent of young attackers at the club (Trae Coyle, Tyreece John-Jules, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, and Balogun) I'm very interested to see who ends up making the grade from that list.

[JHedges2]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

it continues to show off our nice contingent of young attackers at the club (Trae Coyle, Tyreece John-Jules, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, and Balogun) I'm very interested to see who ends up making the grade from that list.

Yeah I’ve been closely following the U23s the past year or so. Heaps of attacking talent, but makes me wonder about why (seemingly) nothing super promising coming along in defense (including midfield).

Medley I believe is really the only “exciting” prospect in the pipeline as far as defense, and I’m not even sure he’s that highly rated. No full/wing backs to speak of..


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[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Yeah I’ve been closely following the U23s the past year or so. Heaps of attacking talent, but makes me wonder about why (seemingly) nothing super promising coming along in defense (including midfield).

Medley I believe is really the only “exciting” prospect in the pipeline as far as defense, and I’m not even sure he’s that highly rated. No full/wing backs to speak of..

Tolaji Bola and Joseph Olowu are exciting defensive prospects, at least in my opinion. The reason you never really hear about defensive prospects, in nearly any academy, is that defending at an academy level is much different than a professional level, while scoring goals is harder, the basic tenants of the positions stay the same. For instance, Jordi Osei-Tutu was phenomenal as a right wingback earlier in his career with the academy, he'd blow by everyone send in a cross that would almost always find a dangerous head, and he was generally able to out-muscle people on the ball. However when it came to training with the senior team, Jordi couldn't put it all together with the technical skill, speed, and strength being of a higher quality than he was playing with before. Of note, this loan spell at Bochum should be a real test for him to see if he can grow and improve into a starting right back quality player, otherwise, his top level might be Championship/League One.


tl;dr defensive prospects translate differently to the professional ranks

[Suntan Superman]

Re: ***The Official Arsenal Gunners" Thread***

Eddie Nketiah off the mark for Leeds.