The problem with the three-man midfield was always the fact that we never had anyone of a physical stature (A Declan Rice, ironically) to hold it all together. Pressing from the front was never a prominent style of play back in them days. You can also throw in a proper goalkeeper and a dominant CB to partner Vermaelen/Gallas/Toure.
It would not have mattered. Even if we would have had Partey or Rice at the time. The space between forward line and backline was simply to big to cover because of those fundamental deficiencies.
High pressing has always been a thing. It was a staple of the Dutch teams of the 70s f.e. It isn’t something that has become a thing since Dortmund-Klopp.
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I disagree, the attack was never the problem in those days for Arsenal. And I’m sure anyone who’s old enough to remember can vouch. Before Klopp, nobody in the Premier League was pressing with the intensity his side with Firmino, Salah and Mane were. Even the Invincibles used to sit off and allow teams to come at them to hit them on transition.
The reason we had space between the forward line and backline is because we didn’t have a mobile enough midfield to cover the ground and win the ball back if they beat the first line of the press. It’s really that simple. There’s so many goals over the years against the likes of Man Utd when we’ve been hit on a counter attack because we’ve overcommitted and had nobody of Rice’s nature to sit and protect like Vieira or Gilberto used to do.
It’s crazy to even suggest a prime Declan Rice wouldn’t have made a difference to the team between 2007-2011. He absolutely would have. Players like Denilson and Diaby weren’t of that mould sadly.
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Yeah Denilson, Diaby, Arteta, Song et al… they were ok-good at best.
Declan Rice is above them all; even if we’re just looking at availability alone - let alone quality.
That UNITED? always makes me laugh
I mean at least compare position for position. I love to shit on City but comparing shit defenders to world class attackers is a bit moronic to fit the narrative.
Let’s not forget Özil and Auba were here when he took over.
Nah those guys were spent by that point. They were dead on their feet under Arteta and went on to do exactly fuck all at every club they went to afterwards, whereas Aguero and KDB were just entering their prime.
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Arteta’s entire squad was shit from top to bottom. The only person who’s still here is Saka, and he was deployed at LB right before Pepe shat the bed.
Awful squad, awful culture, disconnected from the fans.
City weren’t exactly in a state of decline when Pep took over. They still had World-class players in almost every position.
We were fucking 8th.
In Managerial battles, Arteta has come on top this season.
Arteta got us 8/12 points against Liverpool & City.
While Pep & Klopp got 3/12
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And yet I’d still have Liverpool as favourites at this point. No justice in the footballing world 
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I think we have to admit that Mikel has all the ingredients to be a world class manager, if he isn’t already.
He seems to know how to play against the big teams.
The fact that both City and Liverpool haven’t beaten us this season is a testament to that fact.
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We probably shouldn’t have shipped 6 odd goals Vs West Ham, Fulham, Aston Villa
4/12 which doesn’t change the very good point.
City & Liverpool drew their games and drew one, lost one against Arsenal.
3 points
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True.
Our GD is looking good now though. If Liverpool draw and we win, we’re top on the same points but a better GD.
Man City are the only team who could have “thumped” us on paper, but they couldnt lay a glove on us today
We’re only now going to add to this wonderful GD.
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I should pay more attention.
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