For me? No. I think he’s been in decline physically since last season. He just can’t move the way he used to imo.
I’m not saying he’s useless or should be released. But it’s unfortunate that we’re having to move Rice to eight to accommodate Partey at six when, for me, Rice is the better player at that position and doesn’t have the same liabilities.
Rice isn’t moved to accommodate Partey, he was moved because Mikel thinks he’s better there.
He could’ve played Partey, ESR, Vieira etc at 8 and leave Rice in (what you determine) his better role at 6, but obviously they didn’t want that otherwise you wouldn’t have seen Jorginho playing the deepest of the three last season either.
Now with Merino it may change, Mikel may decide Merino - Rice - Odegaard works better than our previous options but that’s yet to be seen. Right now the midfield we put out the last 3 games is our best midfield, it ended last season very well.
Rice is not moved to accommodate Partey. You’re completely wrong.
And if memory serves me right you’ve basically been against the Partey transfer from the off due to his age and stuff.
Guys legs might slow down a bit but you’re overboard on your criticism of him. Odegaard has been underwhelming and Rice hasn’t had a great start to the season either but you’re hyper focusing on Partey because you never wanted him to begin with. It’s the usual agenda driven approach you have.
It’s clear to everyone he’s regressed physically the past 12 months but yeah, the criticism is overboard and it still feels targeted.
I mentioned it for the Villa game but there was too much focus about him being overrun and bullied by Rogers and whatnot yet there was no talk about the rest of the players Rogers was getting past with ease like White, Saliba, Gabriel and Rice.(all of which are known for their defending).
Against Brighton we had various underperformers, including both his partners in midfield. Again, somehow the focus was on him not covering Pedro for the rebound when there’s like 3-4 actions before that could have been picked up on.
Obviously if you focus on him over a whole match you’ll see him make mistakes, he’s always been a risk taker, this is nothing new and I feel Arteta himself endorses that.
I think it’s quite telling that Arteta has kept him on in all of these games regardless of him struggling at times or being on a yellow.
Partey always needs a few games to get going. I would be more concerned if he is still raw in Matchday 6-7
I think Rice is best as a six. I know he can play at the eight but I think he’s better playing further back. Partey is currently playing in that position so, yes, Rice is moved to accommodate Partey.
I wasn’t thrilled with his transfer but the majority of my criticism has been about his lack of availability, which isn’t his fault. Unless you believe any of the conspiracy theories about his “injuries” being connected to any legal issues. I’m certainly not saying I believe it. He’s been just inexplicably injury-prone since we signed and that’s been a disappointment for me.
I’m focused on Partey because I think we’re playing a guy who is better as a six in the eight and playing Partey at the six. It’s really that simple.
You always try to hit me with this idea that I have an “agenda driven approach”. It’s just my opinion that he hasn’t been great this season. I’ll give you an example of an agenda driven approach: Willian. I fucking hate that guy. I hated him at Chelsea, didn’t want him here and was perfectly fine seeing absolutely everything he did as useless at best and harmful worst.
Do I have my issues with Partey’s transfer as a whole? Sure. I think he hasn’t played enough. But if you go back and read some of my posts, I think I’ve been fair praising him when he’s been good or great. But you won’t do that because you would rather take a shot at me because you, generally speaking, give me a hard time on here. There’s a word for that…what is it? An agenda.
See I think you went overboard in your praise for him in the Villa game. He was fine. He wasn’t great for me, wasn’t the worst player on the pitch, he was just fine. I don’t trust him off the ball any more, I don’t even think his decision-making has been as good or maybe it’s that he’s not able to make up for any bad decisions.
Is it? Or is it a lack of options to change? The Merino injury makes it impossible to say.
I’d rather see Calafiori play in Partey’s position.
Give Martinelli another chance.
With his pace and Spurs high line you’d expect chances.
I will start Nelli because both Trossord and Sterling can play multiple positons, in case CF/RW position needs substitution.
Well it’s likely Havertz goes to play 8 and Trossard is played as CF. So Martinelli might come in but I voted Trossard.
Voted Trossard, but it depends on where Havertz plays.
If Havertz is in midfield then Trossard is CF and Martinelli is LW.
If Havertis is up to, then I’d want Trossard in LW and Nelli benched.
Unfortunately, Martinelli has gone down a lot in my estimations these past few months.
Martinelli should start LW regardless of the other spots.
This game is suited to him, Trossard or Sterling should start against City.
It’s not accommodating Partey as much as it is Havertz not delivering from that left midfield position. If Havertz would have been good there, Partey wouldn’t have made the starting eleven again.
I’d argue Partey is still a better passer from there than Rice tbh.
He’s delivering up front though. Have no complaints about it. We also had all summer to address it and I think we kind of did with Merino. It’s just unfortunate he’s injured.
I agree Partey is a better passer but against the very best, I’m more concerned about him getting bypassed.
So… still no news about Arteta and his contract situation? Hope this gets resolved soon.
To go to the scums and win the NLD without Rice and Odegaard. That too in a relatively convincing fashion. Man, I’m lost for words. We thought what we’d do without Rice and Odegaard. Well, we go on and win the NLD is what we do.
Arteta has built a solid squad. Though there’s still room for improvement, there’s a certain air of confidence we’ll ride the storm come what may.
Also solid no-shit mentality
No doubt that this is the best defensive unit we have seen since moving to the Emirates. In fact, systematically the best team in terms of planning, organisation and tactical awareness post 2006 era.
Games like this, we would have lost few years back. With 5/6 senior players missing from the first 11/bench, our blueprint approach to the game was shown throughout the game. Impressive victory.
Absolutely. The fact that I still felt we were capable of winning away from home at Spurs with our first choice midfield missing is testament to the job that Arteta has done.
Mourinho football can fuck off