Need another summer window so badly already, some of these players we have are so trash 
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Emery needs to figure out how Bellerin and Monreal are going to be covered whilst they bomb forward. Possibly playing Torreira could be a solution of this, since he is more mobile and defensive minded than Guendouzi and Xhaka, but replacing Sokratis and Mustafi not per se. Just to be clear they need to be replaced eventually, but this is something that is a tactical fault rather than personnel.
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Thatās the exact answer for me, Torreira simply has to play now. We need someone in there who can screen the back 4, win the ball and also shuffle in when the fullbacks leave green grass behind them. I was surprised he didnāt start today.
For me its both Elneny & Torreira.
Ozil, Mkhitaryan, Auba, Lacazette flanked by Monreal & Bellerin is good enough offensively.
Mustafi, Sokratis, Elneny & Torreira can support them with defensive work.
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About 6-7 of these games we scored first.
Ahahah! So true!
Jesus fucking Christ
Have to say, it does appear that we need more than just 1 defensive midfielder in there because we are way too susceptible to counter attacks or just a simple long ball. Two sitting midfielders with discipline is worth the try. The only problem would be the transition from defense to attack. Maybe we should try Xhaka and Torreira first before going with Torreira and Elneny.
Overall, the game against Cardiff showed
- With our defense, we need to score 3 or more goals to win.
- Ozil has to play the #10 role, down the middle, not on the wings.
- Laca offers a heck of lot more as the spearhead of the attack than Auba.
- Emery needs to find a way to accommodate Auba into this team along with Laca.
- Torriera needs to start.
- Cech cannot play out from the back, either we stop doing that, or play Leno.
- There are no easy games in the premier league, more so when you are Arsenal.
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Your last point is more about us than the quality of the EPL IMO, if the league was that strong no way City would have got 100 points, not like they dominated the CL also.
The last part has probably more truth too it than the first. Cardiff wasnāt good at all yesterday. We should have gotten away with a somewhat easy 0-2 win tbh. We were just a bit of a mess too.
Finally got a chance to watch this gameā¦ had the chance to rewatch bits and bobs as wellā¦ to be honest, I was surprised by what I saw relative to comments hereā¦ My overall conclusions:
- We largely controlled this game but it was another not so great quality football match.
- We should have scored 2 or 3 at least in first half
- Didnāt actually think our defense, especially transition was that bad (more on that in a moment)
- Laca is the hot man on form - needs to keep starting
- I am actually thinking FOR NOW, Ozil should start off bench - (and I am massive fanboy - more on that in a moment as well)
Their goals - first goal was just a shambles giveaway at the VERY end of the first half (this is terminable offense to me frankly - ofc I am looking for any against the culprit lol)ā¦ Xhaka NOT under pressure throws a pass cross-field, easily intercepted and starts counter by Cardiffā¦ after that, it was relatively poor defending on the cross, but it should NOT have been an issue to see out half 1-0 up with only 35 seconds to go and possession.
Second goal - ok I watched this a couple of times - IMHO (seriously), it was really good cross on a designed set play - using Morrisonās strength, allowing him to face back towards the goal/ball and use the defender to leverage up and put the header back across goal - nice play - then it was fantastic bit of poaching/finishing by Wardā¦ yes, it could have/should have been defended better but it was actually a really nice play by Cardiff.
Cech - good and badā¦ horrible distribution - almost 2 disasters in first 7 minutesā¦ his throwing distribution was a weapon when used fast on counterā¦ decent saves where he had a chanceā¦ - 5.5
Bellerin - meh gameā¦ strangely, our defenders really were not as exposed as I expectedā¦ Cardiff didnāt create much and scored on a stupid counter at end of half and on a brilliant set play. - 5.5
Moose - not as bad as expected on scorelineā¦ good in the air and scoredā¦ still canāt stand him back there, but not a bad game to me - 6.5
Papa - again, not as bad as I expected but still doesnāt fill me with confidence - 5.5
Monreal - pops up in dangerous spots and did ok mostlyā¦ they really didnāt threaten on his flank much - 6
Xhaka - oh dearā¦ during periods was okā¦ but 4 moments sum up why I f*ing canāt stand this player - tackle at 17 (or should I say butt whiff), giveaway at 46:25 for counter and goal, pathetic unaware giveaway at 78 (or 83 I canāt remember), and there was one more I canāt remember nowā¦ he did cross on corner for Moose goal, so not all bad. - 4
Guen - ok but the collective quality in MF is rough atmā¦ he keeps things moving and makes himself available, but not great - 5
Ramsey - not as bad as I expected based on comments hereā¦ could easily have scored 2 and got into dangerous deep situations multiple times - great cross back for Xhaka and othersā¦ - 6
Ozil - really quiet but grew into gameā¦ need more from him to help offensive fluidity - needs to work harder to get open and keep defenders guessing and busy - 5.5
Auba - beautiful goal and ok game, but a bit quiet - again, I think our MF dysfunction is hurting him in particular. - 6
Laca - MOTM - dangerousā¦ unlucky to not score in FHā¦ our most functional offensive player atm and hottest in the decisive momentsā¦ perfect near-post goal late to seal the 3 points. - 8
Torry - decent enoughā¦ good wiggles and tacklesā¦ needs to start. - 6
Others - N/A
Ok on Ozil - I think as we are still struggling with that 2nd third of the field and transitions both ways and Ozil is really only useful in one third of those situations atmā¦ and not enough in the game during the āshambolicā phase of the gameā¦ I am going to suggest the crazy idea of benching him and utilizing him from 65+ on until we get more fluidity to our game, especially on offensive and defensive transitions.
Go with Torry as DM and Guen as CM and Ramsey as BTB with more freedom to bomb forward (allow him to continue to be more free on attack. Start Auba, Iwobi/Micki wide, with Laca central attacker. Frankly, we donāt have the players we need to play ANY system atm, but to me this gives us more protection and stability while allowing Ramsey to utilize his strengths in a way that isnāt as damaging to us.
It is a bit nuts, I realizeā¦ and leaving out a talent like Ozil seems insane (it is), but I canāt help wonder if this wouldnāt help us get over the hump - then bring him back in as we get more functional. Having said that, I donāt think we were as overall shambolic against Cardiff as I expected, so hopefully that is a tiny sign of us heading in the right direction.
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Been a long time since I watched a game on delay(unless I spot it on TV and my brain just glues on it).
You do this for all of our games right?
Quite the football fanatic dude. 
I usually watch live, but sometimes I canātā¦ most times I get back and watch on delay if I canāt - and then occasionally I watch live AND on delayā¦ atm I donāt watch much else other than Arsenal and an occasional big EPL match (or bits)ā¦ I used to try to catch a few Bundesliga, La Liga, and one or two Italian and French games, but that has fallen by the waysideā¦ my fanaticism has waned a bit and honestly pales in comparison to our resident zealot :giroud:
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A nice breakdown added to the already great summation above^
We get a bunch of games. The 12:30 kick-off (5:30 am here), then the 3:00 (8 am here). So I record 'em all. This way I get to zap all the half-time expert crap.
Iād be on board with this if Ramsey had an iota of creative ability but unfortunately the bloke is nothing but a workhorse and a late runs into the box specialist.
Ćzilās defensive shortcomings can be covered with a pair of decent defensive midfielders behind him in the middle.
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Yeah it is certainly an unpopular and non-intuitive solutionā¦ I am one of the few here that think Ramsey is more than useless and I think his value bombing forward should not be underestimatedā¦ the problem is (and one reason he is effective) is he is unpredictable and unreliableā¦
Ramsey has his uses but if weāre playing two genuine centre forwards I donāt know how we could do without a good forward passer. On that front itās night and day between him and Ozil.
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