Think that we should trying to set Pepe up on counters more. He’s much more dangerous running at the defense rather than being part of a 10+ pass build up. Still, one thing he has shown that Nelson has not is the ability to score without a lot of space around him.
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I hear that. Pepe got most of his goals at Lille last year in counter-attacking situations. That’s clearly where he’s at his most dangerous when in-form. He’s not in-form though.
There were a couple of opportunities on the counter against Tottenham with the ball at Pepe’s feet and it came to nothing. In that same game, Pepe was dispossessed 6 times and turned the ball over due to a bad touch 3 times. Too many times Pepe gets the ball and he loses it.
My expectation from Nelson isn’t big. He’ll work his socks off, he’ll retain possession and he’ll give the ball to Aubameyang and Lacazette to do the rest.
If we had more established attacking patterns of play, I think Nelson would really thrive.
Our forwards and midfielders don’t connect well and there isn’t that instinctive understanding that exists in Klopp and Guardiola’s systems.
I think he would be a really capable cog in a system that focuses on quick interchanges and running off the ball. We don’t currently play with that level of fluidity / understanding so his best attributes aren’t utilised. He then looks a bit off the pace and doesn’t particularly stand out as nobody is on the same wavelength as him. He’s not an individual flair player that grabs your attention like Pépé (for example).
I really like Nelson as a player and have done for quite some time. I’m still sticking with my guy and trust that once Arteta’s system is fully established, that there is a place for Nelson in this squad. The goal yesterday was well deserved for how hard he worked.
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?
Pepe has the most assists in the squad and most key passes after Ozil
True. Again this all to do with Pepe’s form. Since the leagues resumption Pepe’s made 2 key passes in 5 games.
How many are from corners and freekicks. Because im pretty sure I’ve never seen him complete a good pass.
Pepe: 36 key passes in 29 appearances in the league. 11 came from corners, 0 from free kicks. He’s making less than 1 open play key pass per game.
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Now do the rest of the squad…
Not much difference between Ozil, Pepe, Ceballos, Lacazette and Willock. They have the highest open play key passes played, separated by 0.1/0.2 per 90.
Why separate with an open play caveat? Surely the ability to provide shot on goal through dead ball situations is just as valid as open play.
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Only separating because SpankyJoyJoy asked a related question (it may have been rhetorical) 
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Set pieces skew stats towards the taker compared to the rest of the team, i dont think they are equal at all.
If you have ozil splitting teams open, but xhaka taking corners, im not going to think they’re equally as creative/clever/threatening
We create fuck all in open play because all our attackers are awful at passing.
Think that’s fair, I never count all comps or rate penalty goals for example but there’s a reason why Pepe takes set pieces than rather than others. It requires a higher level of technical precision and intelligence compared to open play imo. Even Ozil best stats in 15/16 primarily came about through dead ball situations.
I agree we’re limp dick creatively
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there is no way you think taking a corner requires more intelligence than creating a chance for a team mate through open play.
Most dead ball situations are drilled into the player in training, you have to act on the fly in open play
Only if they are good at them. 
Couldn’t give a shit how we get our goals personally.
It’s much harder to manipulate defences and create mismatches in dead ball situations.
Teams do a ton of work on set piece routines but it’s wholly dependant on accurate delivery of the ball
thats all planned though, how does it take intelligence for the guy taking the pre planned corner routine, he’s been told exactly what everyone’s doing and where to put the ball.
More so than open play, getting pressed, much less time, you are on your own, you have to look up and judge the situation and pass at the correct time.
I guess it would be similar to a key pass in a in play, anticipation and timing? You’re dealing with 7 or 8 defenders in a tiny area.
The corner taker is simply delivering the ball, he doesnt care about the defenders hes putting the ball where the team has practiced its up to the other players to move and win the ball
I barely watch our game, only switching it on when United took the lead their fixture. Coincidentally that was when Nelson had his cameo and he had an impact. He set up a good chance for Tierney who then should have squared to Aubameyang. He had a run that resulted in a tame effort but he did keep the ball well to create his own shot.
I’m seeing green shoots emerging.
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