Retro Gunner wrote: ↑Mon Apr 29, 2024 4:11 pm
Fuck me, nerve shredding stuff and the most I’ll take from that game is that we beat that lot on their own dirt, which is usually good enough. However, play like that against a half decent side and even against the scum and nine times out of ten we lose the game. How we went in 0-3 up fuck knows. I suppose the positive is that we took our chances and we did to them what so many teams have done to us in the last 15 years.
I won’t criticise Arteta for the different approach that he used yesterday, sitting deeper and letting them come on. They’re a team that likes teams to press and then when the ball gets turned over they hit them on the break. What they’re not good at is breaking down a team sitting deep. It was similar to the approach used at City.
The game showed the three areas where we need to invest:
GK. Ramsdale wasn’t the answer and I have no more faith in Raya than Ramsdale. He’s less manic and chaotic, but nowhere near the improvement that we needed. That horrendous fuck up yesterday could have cost us the win. Our defence has been so good that our keepers face few efforts on goal, but I don’t trust either to make the saves they ought to make with efforts on target. I also think Raya is too short for a modern keeper. We only have him on loan, so could easily send him back and buy a better keeper, but I’ve no doubt that Arteta will sign him permanently.
Centre mid. We desperately need a partner for Rice and ideally one that allows him to play further forward. When the best option we have is Jorginho, then it’s time to invest. Partey is an accident waiting to happen and all his faults were on display yesterday. I’ve been disappointed in him since day one and all we used to get was the odd stand out performance amidst a sea of “meh”. Now we get the odd “meh” performance amidst a sea of crap. Should have sold him last summer as me and Rodders kept saying.
Centre forward. Havertz has undoubtedly improved and yesterday was possibly his best game for us, but he’s nowhere near a top level striker and never will be. It’s not his fault, he’s limited and that’s that. Did well with the diagonal for Saka’s goal and took his headed goal well, but won’t make the difference that a top level striker makes. Some on here talk as though he’s another Bergkamp, Henry or RVP, but that’s the quality a team regularly fighting for top honours needs and he’s light years from that level. Sobering to think that we once had those blokes in the same side.
By the way, none of the pundits on tv or the boys on here have commented on what for me was the outstanding aspect of Saka’s goal. Very good ball from Havertz and a good cut inside and finish from Saka, but the key was the fabulous way that Saka took the diagonal as it came over his shoulder. The first touch on the half volley as the ball landed, to cushion it and have it instantly under control without breaking stride was beyond superb and it’s a really difficult skill. If he didn’t pull that off, then he probably doesn’t score. Great stuff.
UTG.
Good post Retro
Can’t argue with your rational thinking on the GK, I prefer Raya due to the stability but he doesn’t pull of the worldly saves that Ramsdale is capable of, yet it’s apparent he still has the ability to pull a cock up from nowhere. However, he recovered well to claim all crosses slung in. ( he did get nowhere near a punch in the first half that was headed narrowly over, thankfully )
Partey is surely gone in the summer and a mobile yet effective DM releases Rice upfield in the games that allow him to do so, while retaining the option to play both v.City or anyone else we deem necessary.
As you said possibly Havertz’ best game for us, yet he still only a 7/8 out of 10 at his best, I guess we maybe spoilt from the recent past where we had players like Henry / Pires / Bergkamp / Fabregas producing 9 and 10 out of 10’s regularly. I think effective is the best way to describe him.
Right now I would put Martinelli’s place next season in huge doubt going forward as he has been pretty ineffective across the whole season, would generate a decent fee and I think we can get a better return in terms of goals, asssists and effectiveness from another player a la Trossard.
Happy st Totteringham Day again, let’s make it a regular occurrence again