when our players starting to have more understanding of Teta’s sytem and have more understanding each other, this opens up our lineup possibility and the way we play.
More unpredictable for opponents.
Agree with all of this. I love Zinny but think having a more solid and positionally static LB is a big part of this.
When Zinchenko moves into midfield during buildup and then presses up near the box in the final third, it seems to stick the rest of our left sided attackers in place to some degree. They can’t occupy the half space because Zinchenko is there so they need to be on the wing or in the box and its harder to make that switch smoothly. Plus since the left side is our weak side for defensive transitions, Arteta is probably telling Martinelli and Havertz that even in attack they need to be conscious of their defensive and recovery run responsibilities and not to roam so far that they can’t help out on the left side if we lose the ball.
With Kiwior playing in a more conservative role and a much better recovery and open space defender than Zinchenko in general, the attackers probably have more license to switch and move around.
This is closer to the City model nowadays where they have five really good duel winners on the pitch in Rodri plus their back four, who are nearly impossible to counter against.
Another reason to be excited about Timber coming back and giving us another option in that LB spot.
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Havertz really brings the chaos factor to games loving his input today
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I am glad about the goal that’s for sure I just hope it builds on his confidence he needs it for sure, he didn’t set the game alight but popped up when needed. Glad for him, lets hope we see more of this from him.
Had a great game! Makes great runs, drawing defenders and creating space for others. Defensively puts in a shift. Definitely growing into this side and becoming an important player
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His strenghts are his amazing runs and workrate. But his weaknesses are his ball controle in tight spaces and speed of execution. I dont know what he was trying to do on the Trossard goal 
He’s so weird. I thought that he was really good yesterday, but a few fellow Gooners are suggesting bar the goal, he was pretty average.
Lovely skill for his goal, finish was still a little bit ropey though 
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Its a bit like the Brighton goal he scored. He loves to aim for the goalkeeper when shooting.
I don’t know if he will ever play with full conviction, but it’s good to see that he can contribute in other ways.
Has been frankly really good in last few games.
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He looks unorthodox in some of his play and I think for aesthetics, his finishing looks awkward however, he is making those situations himself and is displaying his intelligence. I think he had a really strong game against Burnley.
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I thought his work for sakas second goal was great.
Lovely touch and pass to odegaard
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Thought he was excellent yesterday. Lots of good play and passes and his goal at the end was class. There is something quite nonchalant about him, but he has some real quality which he is starting to show at Arsenal.
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I used to think he was lacking confidence too but now I think that’s just how he is. He will never put in an eye catching performance. He’ll do all the running and pressing, will keep the opposition defence busy with his physicality and his runs, but he’ll very rarely be the standout player on the pitch.
And I don’t expect him to score a lot of goals and the few he does score will not always be pretty. But what he will do is offer something different to our attack.
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I thought he had a great game.
Odegaard > Havertz > Saka/Trossard > Chance happened loads yesterday.
5 goals and 1 assist so far. He’s starting to grow on me, that’s for sure. It’s just a shame that his transfer fee will always be held against him.
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Arsenal’s fault, shouldn’t have bid a penny more than £40m for him.
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If it took 55m to get Mount, you probably would get Thiago Silva if just paying 40m.
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Definitely looks more comfortable in every possible ascpect of the game recently compared to his start here.
Finally he’s showing he’s an obvious upgrade on Xhaka in terms of on the ball ability. Really handles it well in some tight situations at times, also starting to carry it more and do more runs with the ball now. Also off the ball he’s contantly becoming more and more dangerous and effective.
His whole presence on the pitch has improved massively.
Good summary of him, non chalant but some good runs and touches, but I would not say excellent. With him there will be always the question of was he worth 65 mill?
I’m not in business but I do know a lot of companies won’t single out a transaction or two but review all transactions collectively in certain period of time.
Sometimes you pay more (extra), sometimes you pay less. In the end, all transactions add up to the success or failure.
If Arteta believes Rice, Kai and Timber (and Raya) could transform the team, then we should review their (combined) performances in a year or two to decide if the team turns out great or not.
Just half of the season, I believe a lot of fans have a different opinion on Kai already, from shit and useless to be more positive.
Who knows how it ends up after the season or two?
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