A Maverick, A Beast of a CF, Or a Tweak or Two: How to Get Back on Track for Arsenal?

TotalArsenal

“Behind what hills does happiness hide, to lurk and plot its return?“ (From ‘At the Loch of the Green Corrie’ by Andrew Greig).

I cannot deny that the last 10 days or so have been difficult. Losing six points against West Ham and Fulham was not expected and could hurt our challenge for the title. It sucks.

But there is no reason for despair or doing something crazy on the transfer market this January. Every team has had a slump this season, and Arteta and the team just have to work hard to get out of theirs again. One or two tweaks could make a real difference, and so could a clever loan-deal or the purchase of an unexpectedly available gem of a player. One of the arguments for our recent lack of goals is that Arsenal have become predictable; that they have been studied and found out. Teams sit deeper and deeper and play us on the break and hope for set pieces. But surely this is nothing new: we have been playing like this for a couple of years now and our team, like any other top team, gets studied all the time.

My main argument for being less effective in attack is, which will not come as a surprise to regular readers, the departure of Xhaka AND the injury to Timber. The left side is much less effective this season, and it looks like Timber was the one who would move into midfield from defence to support the attacking game from the left as much as possible. Jurrien started the season with an incredible engine and energy, and neither Zinch or Tomi are as effective. On the right we may be experiencing something similar with the loss to injury of Partey.

But there is also an argument for a lack of a maverick in the team: someone who is unpredictable, can move through the lines with the ball quickly and puts fear into the opposition constantly. I think we all agree that Odegaard does all of this but that we may need another midfielder to do the same. Xhaka was certainly not that type of player, and Havertz is a work in progress. The Ode is a joy to watch and he is working his socks of but he just cannot do it all on his own.

So how can Arsenal improve their unpredictability and effectiveness in attack with the currently available squad?

The above team is what I suggest would make a change. Zinch is a liability in defence but the boy can pass and harass the opposition like no other. His energy and drive are great, and any mistakes he makes are likely to be less costly with Declan mopping up behind him. Tomiyasu is a much better defender and he can push up and play next to Declan better than any other available option for the RFB. Oleksandr and Odegaard high up in midfield would form a stronger footballing duo than the current one of Ode and Havertz.

But Zinchenko is not the maverick we are after. In my humble opinion, the biggest maverick we have is Jesus, and we need to give a bit more space and freedom to him to utilize his strongest skills. As a CF he has freedom to roam but this season he seems to be struggling with creating mayhem in and around the box area, and I think he would be much more effective on the left at the moment. Together with the to him well-known Zinchenko, Jesus can reinvigorate the left flank. And boy do we need this.

I do not think Kai is a maverick but there is something Kanu-like about his play: unpredictable, hard-working, weird fox in the box, and a player a team simply needs to have in its midst. He is also better in the air than Jesus and more likely to score the ugly sort of goals. I don’t see the German as a typical CF, and he does not see himself like this either, but he can play with his back towards goal, link up with other attackers and thus create space for shots and runs into the box for the likes of Jesus, Odegaard and Saka. I think Eddie and Marti – for Kai and Jesus – can be good back-up players in this formation. Of course, a fit ESR can be a great backup, if not first choice, for the ‘new Zinchenko’ position.

Now, I will always welcome a new purchase, especially a CF, and we certainly could do with a plan-B CF addition, but a tweak or two could also make a real difference. I like it that our goals can come from anywhere and that we have multiple scorers, and I don’t think introducing a beast of a CF will be a step improvement. We just have to get the left flank working properly again.

The really good thing is that Arteta’s unexpectedly fabulous 22-23 season was not a fluke; and how different it is for Eddie Howe and Erik Ten Hag right now! Every teams has ups and downs, and Arsenal are still a work in progress (just look at the age-profile of the players above!), but (future) champions know how to overcome these (mostly) from within. Trust the squad, trust the process, trust the values of the club, trust the manager to get it right.

Come on You Rip Roaring Gunners!

By TotalArsenal.

91 thoughts on “A Maverick, A Beast of a CF, Or a Tweak or Two: How to Get Back on Track for Arsenal?”

  • Amen, Total. It is an almost incomprehensible challenge to turn the other cheek and trust God to be Vindicator.

    We do indeed, Kev, owe our way of life to those who fought for us. I have a photo of the Arsenal team who monstered the 1930’s, probably the worlds greatest club side during that decade. Nine of their professional squad were lost in the war, more than any other club. The photo is something of a memento mori for me.

    Our mate over at “She wore a yellow ribbon” posted on the subject several years ago: https://shewore.com/2013/11/11/792/

  • Stu, there are some chapters devoted to the war years in the excellent Bernard Joy history on Arsenal, I think you can still get it, if I recall it’s called ‘Arsenal From the Heart’. Joy described as you mentioned, how damaging the war was to Arsenal who not only lost the last few years of senior professionals but also quite a few promising you youngsters. A few of our young boys lost their lives in Bomber Command where the attritionable rate was immense.

  • Very fine article, TA and it is clear you have put a lot of thought into it. What better competition than the FA to put out a team reflecting your point of getting Arsenal back on track.

    It would seem the manager has put out a side that tests your position in some way, barring the exclusions of Zinchenko, Gabby Jesus and Tomiyasu. Gabby and Zinchenko are listed as injured which isn’t good news. Hopefully, it is nothing serious.

    Ramsdale gets a start too.

  • What’s there not to agree with your suggestions? We do need to add or tweak with something and this two week break couldn’t have come at a better time for us. Talking of a maverick, I watch Man City’s Doku and wonder how we have not picked up on how he could have been a good addition to our ranks. We need to be looking for one game changing player in the summer as getting one in the winter window would be hard.

    As it stands, we must go out for a new defender, preferably on loan, since we would have Timber and Tierney available by the summer. I also look forward to a fit Thomas Partey before the end of the season.

    It looks like we have gone for the unpredictability of Kai Havertz up top today, with Saka and Reiss Nelson flanking him in a likely fluid front 3, and Martinelli on the bench.

    It should prove to be an entertaining game.

  • LINE-UPS: Arsenal vs Liverpool
    Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Kiwior; Rice, Odegaard, Jorginho; Saka, Nelson, Havertz

    Subs: Raya, Walters, Cedric, Sousa, Smith Rowe, Nwaneri, Trossard, Nketiah, Martinelli

    Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Konate, Quansah; Mac Allister, Jones, Elliott; Diaz, Nunez, Gakpo

    Subs: Kelleher, Jota, Gravenberch, Clark, Chambers, Gordon, McConnel, Bradley, Nyon

  • Put a shout in for us, Kev. Let’s do a Reg Lewis and a Charlie George on ’em.

  • A statement against knife crime, Eris.

    Some mesmerising passing and possession, a little timid in finishing tho’.

  • Oh yeah? Well thanks for that clarification, Stuart.

    How has that game stayed 0-0? We have had many chances to go ahead but it’s been last ditch blocks or timid shooting by Havertz.

    Nelson has been bright and so has Saka, Odegaard and Rice. Let’s hope we make some of that count in the second half.

  • Something with Martinelli isn’t just right, these days. He still makes his dangerous dribbling runs and puts in his defensive shift. But he always went at everything at 90kms/hours, but he hardly chases every ball these days, even where he appears to have an advantage. Is that maturity or is he carrying an injury?

    Ramsdale has made a good save there or we would be down by a goal. Liverpool are more threatening, even though we have our first choice wingers on.

  • As I type that, Liverpool score from a set piece. Something that never happened all last season. It is an own goal too.

    Not good.

  • 0-2! As we bombed forward to get something, we were sucker punched with a late goal by Diaz.

    We had the better of the first half and really should have wrapped it up with the chances we got to do so.

    Arteta has work to do with team composure as this club is in need of silverware and losing at home to Liverpool does little for the confidence.

  • If anybody would even consider commenting something like:
    “well, it could be a blessing in disguise as the boys can now focus only on the PL and the CL”
    … please don’t.

  • Thanks for the match comments, Eris. Hard to swallow this. Played some fab football and should have won easily, but we all know that against these sorts of teams you cannot afford to miss so many chances. Ah well, we get another chance in a month.

  • Could well be a ‘blessing in disguise’. Unless you are blessed with foresight, you cannot say whether it is a blessing or not.

    The team clearly wanted to win and gave their all. More we could not ask for.

  • Stu, I couldn’t even see the ghost of Kaba Diawara there this evening.
    The finishing was atrocious.
    I’ll leave it until tomorrow

  • Ah, Kaba. How many times did that fella hit the woodwork? The crossbar challenge champion before there was even a crossbar challenge.

    Great photo, Total. Is that one of yours? Scottish Highlands?

  • Just read your post Total, a nice preamble from someone with their feet firmly planted on the ground.

    You can see the way that Arteta was thinking last summer even if we can debate the thought process behind them.

    Gradual upgrades across the squad, Rice an upgrade on Partey not least because of his reliability and durability fitness wise.

    Havertz an upgrade on Xhaka, more of an attacking threat, a player who can fill different attacking roles.

    Timber an upgrade on Zinchenko and Xhaka defensively also an option across all defensive positions.

    Raya an upgrade on Ramsdale in terms of a calming influence in goal and as a sweeper.

    Unfortunately Timbers injury is proving to be massive a huge blow.
    Havertz has taken his time to settle and like his predecessor has struggled for fan acceptance. Raya has failed to connect with the fans only Declan has been a plus.

    Losing Partey was expected but his absence has been longer than expected and damaging. Jesus has suddenly become a sick note and Saka is suffering his first career dip.

    All the same I’m still optimistic

  • Last weekends results:-

    1st PB 4/6 plus 1 correct score and share of most correct predictions = 8 points
    2nd Kev 4/6 plus share of most correct predictions = 6 points
    3rd GN5 & Stuart 3/6 = 3 points
    5th Total & Eris 2/6 = 2 points
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Season to date:-

    1st Total 102.13
    2nd Stuart 101.80
    3rd PB 98.99
    4th Eris 98.79
    5th GN5 78.80
    6th Kev 70.46
    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Next weekends selections and my predictions:-

    Chelsea v Fulham * D (1-1)
    Newcastle United v Manchester City * H (2-1)
    Everton v Aston Villa * H (2-1)
    Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur * H 3-1)
    Le Havre v Lyon * D (2-2)
    Carrick Rangers v Glenavon * A (1-2)
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    So close between the top four, makes for an exciting 2nd half to the season.

  • Before reading this post and comments I finished up the comments from the last post. Really excellent discussion about Arsenal and the world.
    Looking at the table it’s going to be difficult with a strong Liverpool and Manchester City to overcome, but we have half a season to see what happens.
    Listening to the stats on our recent games… our performance compared to xG can’t get any worse, and should only improve.
    If we were at the top of the table 5 points ahead of the nearest rival, I would not be feeling overly secure with so many games left… so those other teams should not be either.

  • Well said, Jync. I share your sentiments too, even though some Liverpool fans have been going overboard like they have never bottled it before. If there ever was a period where we needed to go One game at a time, this is it.

  • Thanks for the report, GN5. That was some move by PB, even as Stuart breathes down TA’s neck. Tight at the top.

  • Didn’t work out, apparently … so much for my advice, Stu
    You’ll get it here (youtube):
    The Diary of a CEO
    Thierry Henry (EXCLUSIVE): I Was Depressed, Crying Every Day, Dealing With Childhood Trauma!

  • I watched that last night, very illuminating and to the heart of the matter for any Father/Son relationship…

  • Chelsea v Fulham * D (0-0)
    Newcastle United v Manchester City * D (0-0)
    Everton v Aston Villa * A (0-2)
    Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur * D (1-1)
    Le Havre v Lyon * A (0-2)
    Carrick Rangers v Glenavon * D (1-1)

  • Chelsea vs Fulham…….. 4-1
    Newcastle vs Man City.. 1-4
    Everton vs Aston Villa….2-4
    Man Utd vs Tottenham..4-2
    Le Havre vs Olympique..1-4
    Carrick R vs Glenavon….1-4

  • Chelsea v Fulham * H (2-1)
    Newcastle United v Manchester City * A (2-3)
    Everton v Aston Villa * D (1-1)
    Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur * D (2-2)
    Le Havre v Lyon * D (1-1)
    Carrick Rangers v Glenavon * A (1-2)

  • Seems as if the Amadou Onana rumours were actually instigated by his advisors, which isn’t really surprising given the state of Everton.

    My expectations of incomings are fairly low and as our injured return the suspicion is that Arteta & Co will go with what we have, which actually isn’t too bad.

    Could be the case that post the Everton points deduction that every other Premier club has developed a more sane overview of its finances and limits, which in turn will see less money thrown around and agents feeling as if the real world is finally coming home to them? Maybe?

    The optimistic noises, from who knows where, who claimed (rather loosely) that clubs were in for Nketiah and Nelson and Smith Rowe have for the most part retreated back into their bedrooms. Loans for the above were also mooted, try it and see deals with an option, we’re never going to persuade Arsenal to take the risk of losing squad depth on a wing and a prayer. Palace back in for Nketiah raised its ugly head but Palace aren’t paying the going rate, they look for bargains and Eddies wages are always going to be a stumbling block.

    Jorginho and Elneny have been linked but the clubs who want them are looking for giveaways, they aren’t in the market to spend any dough and certainty not to a Premier League club.

    The same old Turkish and Italian outlets generate their usual worthless copy about so and so club looking to do Arsenal a favour by taking said player off of our hands, but for zip transfer fee and Arsenal will probably have to continue to pay part of the said players wage, what a bargain….

    I’m amazed that anyone actually believes or takes these rumours seriously, particularly from Turkey whose football media outlets are akin to the Comedy Store.

    For me the January window is a bit of a joke and has been going that way for awhile, the January window isn’t really a window for the month of January it’s a transfer week because no serious business, if any, will be done by clubs until the final week so in essence it’s a transfer week. Roll on January 25th when the window actually opens.

    Enjoy the mid-season break,

  • Kev,
    I knew it … regarding Onana. He is not a fit for our pressing needs at all. Then I saw his idiot agent had posted photos driving in North London just to fuel the rumours. Childish and amateur. More convincing of the fact that there was never anything to it. Just a player who’d love to move up and out of Everton. I could see him thrilled to play for Tottenham.

  • I’ve seen a bit of Onana on YouTube Johnno and it’s true, he gets around thd pitch and makes big challenges but Arsenal don’t really play that way anymore our tackling is a lot more subtle, mainly to avoid card happy referees. In some of those YouTube vids it showed him losing possession with loose passing and then regaining the ball with a big challenge – well we don’t wanna be losing possession in the first place!

    Nope, it’s too much dough for a good but not top top performer.

  • So they did a surgery on Partey they’re saying. After constant relapses.. exactly as we finally did with Smith Rowe. We tried to let them heal naturally for a similar period of time.. without success. I’m sure those are standard medical practices. All you need is luck, which these 2 didn’t have.

  • Chelsea v Fulham * 2-1
    Newcastle United v Manchester City * 0-3
    Everton v Aston Villa * 1-1
    Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur * 2-2
    Le Havre v Lyon * 1-1
    Carrick Rangers v Glenavon * 2-1

  • …Eris, are you excited about the Super Eagles? 🙂

    First game is Cote D’Ivoire I believe and they’re a bit of a Jonah for the boys from Lagos. I shall be tuning in, if I’m not working, so hopefully it’ll be a memorable clash between two of the African top dogs..

  • Kev, not as excited as I would have been if we had a team that could win it. But the tournament is always full of thrills and with a few of the actors being Europe based players, always a spectacle to see them strut their stuff against (full) fellow African opposition.

    The super Eagles have talented players but the manager just hasn’t turned them to a proper team; like he is still experimenting, every time you see them play. Of course, I will be happy to be wrong and we go on to win it.

  • Thanks GN5.

    Chelsea v Fulham 2-1
    Newcastle United v Manchester City 1-1
    Everton v Aston Villa 1-1
    Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur 2-1
    Le Havre v Lyon 1-1
    Carrick Rangers v Glenavon 1-1

    Super vid, Eris. Great to see him back and looking fit and fluid.

  • It is said the club expects him back for the 2nd leg of our UCL round of 16 match up against Porto. That’s in Mid-March.

    Fingers crossed, he even returns earlier.

  • Too late. Didn’t see this early enough. I would have been at a loss as to the one to watch because most of our boys are well known to anyone who watches European games.

    However, I may have mentioned Alhassan Yusuf, Ademola Lookman and of course, Victor Osimhen. After having the better chances, our game ended in a 1-1 draw with Equitorial Guinea. Not a bad result but those are sides Nigeria usually put to the sword.

  • Crystal Palace are playing an FACup replay at Everton on Wednesday less than three days before they visit Arsenal, now does Hodgson heavily rotate and save his key players for Saturday or does he go for a competition that Palace can win?

    I suspect the heavily rotate…

  • Last weekends competition results:-

    For the week:-

    1st Eris with 5/6 plus 2 correct scores and most correct predictions = 13 points
    2nd Total with 4/6 plus 1 correct score = 6 points
    3rd Kev with 3/6 = 3 points
    4th Stuart with 2/6 = 2 points
    5th Gn5 & PB with 1/6 = 1 point
    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Well, well, well, for the 1st 22 weeks the lead has bounced back and forth between Stuart and Total – but with an outstanding week – out of the pack comes Eris to become our new leader.

    1st Eris 111.79
    2nd Total 108.13
    3rd Stuart 103.80
    4th PB 99.99
    5th GN5 79.80
    6th Kev 73.46

    “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””
    Next weeks selections and my predictions:-

    Arsenal v Crystal Palace * H (3-0)
    Brentford v Nottingham Forest * D (2-2)
    Sheffield United v West Ham United * A (1-2)
    AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool * A(1-3)
    FC Heidenheim v VfL Wolfsburg * D(1-1)
    Rayo Vallecano v Las Palmas * D (1-1)

    “”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

  • “Move on up to the waterfront”, Eris. Well done, mate. A stunning bit of prognostication.

  • Arsenal vs Crystal Palace…..5-0 Brentford v Nottm Forest…..2-3
    Sheffield Utd vs West Ham..0-3
    Bournemouth vs Liverpool…0-3 Heidenheim vs Wolfsburg….1-2
    Vallecano vs Las Palmas……2-1

  • Thanks, GN5, for the report. Thanks guys. I may have been propelled by all the Jet ”exhaust” fumes I have been taking in, being in the wake of Stuart and Total for so long. Hopefully, no looking back from here on. 😀👍🏽

  • GN5, here are my predictions for the weekend’s selections:

    Arsenal v Crystal Palace * H (2-1)
    Brentford v Nottingham Forest * D (1-1)
    Sheffield United v West Ham United * A (1-2)
    AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool * D (1-1)
    FC Heidenheim v VfL Wolfsburg * H (1-0)
    Rayo Vallecano v Las Palmas * H (1-0)

  • Sorry, GN5 I mixed up 2 rows in my predictions:

    AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool * A (2-4)
    FC Heidenheim v VfL Wolfsburg * A (1-3)

  • Arsenal v Crystal Palace 3-1
    Brentford v Nottingham Forest 2-1
    Sheffield United v West Ham United (1-2)
    AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool 2-3
    FC Heidenheim v VfL Wolfsburg 2-2
    Rayo Vallecano v Las Palmas 2-0

  • Have to feel a bit sorry for Motherwell, who up till now had done a great job in developing Mika Biereth. Recalling him back to Arsenal, midway through a season long loan, kinda leaves them in the lurch even though that was a possibility and part of the agreement.

  • Seems as if the prospect of loaning him to Sheffield Wednesday could be to raise his level, profile and value for next summer if he’s seen as a saleable asset.
    Playing against Championship teams and opponents will certainly benefit him as a footballer.

  • This has all happened since the Scottish mid-season break when Mika returned to Arsenal and trained with the senior squad.

    Mika was also taken to Dubai along with many other youngsters, therefore could Arteta have seen something in him that could add something to the Arsenal squad next season?

    Maybe a spell at Wednesday will show if he’s got the necessary to save Arsenal a lot of dough in the transfer market?

  • I know our players needed a break, but it would be nice to have actual games to talk about. This is as bad as the international breaks for me.

    Kev I hope Arteta has used the trip to bring the youth into the squad practice in a bigger way. We still probably won’t see them in games.

  • Thanks GN5

    Arsenal v Crystal Palace 2-0
    Brentford v Nottingham Forest 2-1
    Sheffield United v West Ham United 0-0
    AFC Bournemouth v Liverpool 1-3
    FC Heidenheim v VfL Wolfsburg 2-2
    Rayo Vallecano v Las Palmas 1-0

  • Kev, Nigeria got her first win in the AFCON yesterday, beating the hosts, Cote D’Ivoire, by a lone goal to go 2nd in the group. It was a steadier performance than in the first game; usually, the Super Eagles show up when the opposition is another big name in sub-saharan Africa.

    Osimhen was busy, as always, winning the penalty kick which earned the win; Ademola Lookman, Chukwueze and Iwobi did their best to torment the Ivorians, but our best performers were in defence, where Ola Aina, Bassey and Troost-Ekong were uncompromising.

    Let’s see how far we go.

  • Yes Eris, I saw some brief highlights on the BBC website. I thought the Nigerian goalkeeper did ok from the small sample size I saw.

    The big guns all seem to be stumbling a little in this year’s competition and some new kids on the block are showing some promise. It seems wide open to me.

  • Mika Biereth to Sturm of Graz came out of the blue. I’d imagine that Arsenal will receive a loan fee so maybe the Austrians was the best deal on offer and as Mika and his advisors would have had some say then the lure of European Conference football might have had some pull?

    All the same ‘shop window’ did cross mg mind…

  • Morning guys, so happy it’s match day. Like J said, it was worse than an interlul. But the team needed this break to refocus and I have a good feeling about the remainder of the season. CoyGs. 🙂

  • Congrats, Total. NO WINDOWS is going great guns.

    That break has helped the boys clear their heads and Palace’s early attempts to put some doubt in the minds of the players and fans were quickly doused when Gabriel got the first goal. Even better when he went on to instigate the second goal as well.

    If a couple of our forwards can get some goals, it would be gratifying.

  • Kev, nice spot, re the keeper for Nigeria at AFCON. As far as I am concerned, our keeper’s calm disposition has helped the defenders; was always worried about our No. 1, who had a scattergun style which unnerved everyone.
    Indeed, it is a very open tournament, for now.

  • Trossard gets one for the forwards. 3-0. Good distribution by Raya.

    It is interesting how the Refs and commentators are quick to wave off our penalty shouts. Gabby was pulled back that time. Didn’t matter whether he may or may not have got there.

  • Kiwior on for Gabriel, after Jorginho came on for Rice, earlier. Both players are carrying knocks, it is suggested. Let’s hope these are nothing serious.

  • Martinelli makes it 4-0 off an Nketiah assist. And it is 5-0 as I type. That adds some gloss to the scoreline and deserved.
    Great call, Kev. 👌

  • That’s the way, uh huh, uh huh. I like it”. Great call indeed, Kevski. Faith that moves parked buses.

    Lovely song, Total. New Zealand tour in the offing? Where was the vid filmed?
    Just found the fabulous sisters of First Aid Kit, love a bit of Swedish Appalachian Folk…

  • Thanks chaps, unfortunately I got the Brentford score about face, still as long as the Gunners win I don’t really care.

    Not sure what to say about the Arsenal U18’s as the best we’ve got at that level were thoroughly dismantled by Liverpool.

    Now we all know that Chelsea and Man City have used their financial muscle to hoover up the best talent at any age group they can, but last season West Ham won the youth cup – they gave us a bit of a hiding if I recall in the final – now Liverpool have spanked us so what is wrong?

  • Do we have a problem with scouting and the profile of player we’re recruiting?

    Do we have a problem with development and coaching?

    Do we cast our net far enough when scouting or is it just the London area because our scouts at one time were all over England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland?

  • To be kicked out of the FA youth cup by Liverpool would not have been so bad but for the margin of the defeat (will have to check that we did not have 3 men sent off, or had the bug, etc.). 7-1 is such a chastening scoreline at this level. Could it have been Jack’s tactics, or are we that much poorer than the Liverpool lads?

    Arsenal XI: Cooper, Rosiak, Kacurri, Heaven, Nichols, Lewis-Skelly, Dudziak (Brown, 60), Nwaneri, Kabia, Kamara (Ryan, 60), Obi-Martin (Oyetunde, 55)

    Subs not used: Rojas, Sweet, Julienne, Casey.

    These are some of our best kids, at that level.

    I hope the kids recover from this and move on to greater things.

  • Great performance from the boys, and excellent prediction from Kev.
    My only question is: how did our second become an own goal? It was deflected into the net from the keeper who was standing on the goal line, wasn’t it?

    Nice music and clip, Total; and these posts/news always remind me, what a good name Verity is for a girl.

  • Eris, regarding the humiliating U18 defeat, I see no single argument that would explain the huge gap in performance, but the following factors probably all played small parts that added up to the unmitigated disaster:
    – While it is accepted and common to play 18-19y lads in the U21 division (PL2), the same age difference is much more significant when you play U16 players at the FA Youth Cup (U18). When Liverpool’s hattrick hero Lewis Koumas was born in 2005 and our attacking line was led by Obi Martin (Nov 2007) later replaced by Oyetunde (Nov 2006), then the age difference is 15%. Same applies with defenders: Liverpool’s Davidson was 2 years older than our attackers, while Heaven is a year younger than their striker.
    – Despite our undying love for Wilshere, there is no evident of him being a tactical genius or someone who can influence the game once started. We had a great cup run last season, but the league campaign was – almost Bould-esque – terrible. We are much better this season, but nothing spectacular.
    – Apart from the age issue, we didn’t utilize our strongest attacking players (assuming they were fit). No doubt about the potential of Kabia and Kamara, and it is always good to give development opportunities to enormous talents like Obi, but when the opponent deploys their finest we should have brought the big guns. Where was Seb Ferdinand? Where was Omari Benjamin?
    – As far as the past U18 games and the TransferMarkt profile is concerned we played a DM at RB and a RB at LB. Brown (our main LB) was on the bench, so it wasn’t a forced change rather an experiment, which has apparently backfired.
    – A 4-1-2-3 might be a bit to attack-minded for an away game against a strong opponent. I know it is in hindsight, but maybe if Rosiak played at DM alongside MLS in a 4-2-3-1 formation we wouldn’t have conceded that much.

  • PB, thanks for that painstaking effort to make sense of that result (and frankly, some other results we have had to endure) by our U-18 side. They do have another game soon to shake it off and make amends. Hopefully, they do.

    Your angle on the age difference between opposite numbers also has some merit and is worth looking at. I am not as familiar as you are with our best lads, so I will defer to you and agree we may have done better with a more complete team.

    Come on, you Cherries! 👏

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *