30 Nov 2020 20:07:36
As much as we have all been calling for 4 across the back, and for PEA to play more central, it hasn't worked. So personally I would like Arteta to revert to whatever he feels is best, and if that's 3 across the back, then so be it. We can easily afford to lose a front player, Willock or Willian can easily be removed to make way for the 3 rd CB without hurting our balance. Personally I would prefer a midfield 5 with PEA and Lacca together up front, hopefully trying to spark each other into life.
30 Nov 2020 20:31:43
I’d love a 4 4 2 with Laca and PEA or 4 2 3 1 with plenty support fir PEA with a decent central creative point leaving PEA to do what he wants
I would insist on Ozil returning especially with Partey and Elneny doing all the midfield work
We have a decent starting 11 -
AMN Gabriel Holding Tierney,
Partey and Elneny
Willian Ozil Saka
PEA
That’s plenty good enough
Bleed youth and look to 2022 season
AMN Gabriel Saliba Tierney,
Partey and Elneny
Nelson ESR Saka
Martinelli.
30 Nov 2020 21:08:23
Blooding our youth seems to have been a failure of all 3 recent managers SY. Normally we’re hoping for a top 4, which seems to be an excuse not to play them. This season, with mid table mediocrity already beckoning ( he says nervously looking at the bottom 3) it could be Arteta, s parting gift, or saviour. Play youth, play with a high tempo, mixed with a few decent top players alongside, works very well for many teams in many leagues.
30 Nov 2020 21:10:28
Play what works and give up on ideals, 3 at the back and 5 in midfield worked better 4 3 3 so? It's not rocket science, well not for those who with open minds it isn't.
30 Nov 2020 21:17:36
epping mate, i always felt that a 3-5-2 formation is best for our squad issues but pepe instead of lacazette. That way, we won't get outnumbered in midfield like the 3-4-3 and we can have more defensive stability.
30 Nov 2020 21:49:23
I agree PG. Although we all have a downer on Pepe, he has bagged a few goals, and as we all know, being able to score goals at the top level is priceless. Maybe like Zaha is doing well through the middle for CP, Pepe could do the same for us? My main issue with the 3-4-3 is that the 4 is a con, because two of those so called midfielders are actually fullbacks, and you end up with 5 players across the back, normally marking no-one as most teams play one striker, and then have two midfielders getting horribly overwhelmed and desperately looking at their forwards to drop back and support. This results in us fans slagging off the likes of Pepe, or Ozil for not tracking back, when in fact we should only be slagging them off for not scoring. That’s why I think the 3-5-2 at least gives us a bit more balance.
30 Nov 2020 23:29:50
Well said Epping and I believe they should play Pepe to the death until he comes good or move him on. He may not be what all expects at his price but he has something about him. We need to play at pace to suit his skills.
{Ed0666's Note - I tell you what he has about him. Nothing. I fail to see what he’s doing to get back in the side. When he comes on he’s a passenger and never looks to take a game by the scruff of the neck to positively affect it.