Morning all.
No Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the next three matches so what would you like to see Mikel Arteta do?
1. Continue with Lacazette central, Pepe wide on the right with Martinelli on the left?
2. Lacazette central, Saka on the left with Pepe on the right?
3. Nelson on the right, Martinelli on the left and Pepe through the middle?
4. Lacazette up top with Martinelli and Nelson either side and plonk Pepe on the bench?
5. Something different?
Aubameyang is the only Arsenal player to have reach a double figure goal tally. In the Premier League he’s scored 14, 16 in all competitions. The next highest is Martinelli on 8, Lacazette on 6, Pepe just behind him on 5. No wonder the question ‘who will score our goals?’ is being muttered.
What I can’t work out is why Lacazette isn’t scoring more frequently. Is he not being given enough, or the right kind of service from the likes of Ozil, Pepe and others? Is he simply unlucky, or is he just not a Premier League player? I know, it’s the curse of the number 9 shirt.
According to Wikipedia, he’s scored 42 goals in 105 appearances which doesn’t look good when compared to the likes of Aguero, Kane, Vardy etc but what Wikipedia doesn’t tell us is the work he puts in for the team. Even through the Unai Emery troubles, he was the one dropping deep trying to win the ball back when others were losing it. But a striker will always be judged by how many times he scores goals.
Aubameyang scores them but he misses them too. Since his arrival in the Premier League, according to their official website, from 180 shots taken, 81 have been on target which calculates to a 45% accuracy rate. But that’s pretty good isn’t it? But this is exactly why I don’t like stats because what the figures don’t tell us, unless further digging is done, and I actually have a life so can’t be doing with that, is which teams his goals were scored against, or Arsenal’s goals in general because it’s much easier to score against, let’s say Toots than it is against a team with an organised defence like Liverpool for example. Then there’s penalties to take into account which really do boost the figures for the likes of Kane, Vardy etc etc. Bored? Me too.
Reality is, Aubameyang is our main scorer of goals and unless someone else steps up in the next three matches, we’re going to struggle. Not just ‘someone’ though, we need more goals from all over the pitch. Pepe, Ozil, defenders on set pieces, they all find themselves in a position to take a chance. Coaches and fans want every player doing their bit to prevent us from conceding goals so why not expect more effort to be put into scoring them too.
Mikel Arteta was never shy of taking a shot on goal if the opportunity arose. In fact one of them he scored from was against Crystal Palace when he was the Arsenal captain. He was sent off later in the game too.
For what it’s worth, I think we’ll see option 1, although I quite like the idea of option 3 or 4, with Ceballos instead of Ozil.
No wonder my fantasy football team is heading for relegation… lol
Catch up in the comments guys..
I said that Pepe could play striker since he arrived people thought i was mad !! But to me he looks like a Henry style player that likes to drift out of the flank and cut in . The same as Henry did !! plus he has the pace and skill to get past defenders at will and the guy can shoot !! Pepe can hold the ball up to and bring others into play !! Whether he can be a target man upfront to relieve pressure off the midfield and back 4 that is still to be seen but i have a guess that he would be !! Id play Pepe upfront as striker and put Laca on the bench and have Martinelli on one side of him and Nelson of the other !! but hey thats just me coz i dont think Laca offers the team anything at all !!
Hi Carl, great minds eh.
Good morning Rico, another thought provoking post.
Before trying to second guess Arteta’s selection choice I have a pertinent question, when did Arsenal last reach mid-January with a negative goal difference? We are currently on -2.
That stat is a condemnation of our current first choice strike force.
It could be due to a hangover from the Wenger’s walk the ball into the net style of play, but more likely that the whole squad is shot shy. The only forward who seems willing to have a dig from distance is Pepe. Nobody else even contemplates the option.
Whatever combination Arteta comes up with it must include Martinelli.
Carl, I just don’t see Pepe as a number nine, as to his ability at hold up play I can’t recall seeing him head a football yet.
Hi Rico Lacazette in the middle I like they way he can stop on the spot and twist around and shoot the other strikers seem to like taking shots more on a angle
Morning Cicero.
Our minus goal tally isn’t just down to the lack of goals scored though, we can’t lose sight of how many we’ve conceded.
Prior to Auba’s recent header, I wonder when a striker last scored with his head. Possibly Giroud.
Hi Geoff.
Hi Cicero yes our strikers have let us down but I would put our -2 goals down more to our defence and some ruff referee and VRA call I am pretty negative about this team but even I admit that now the defence are working harder Leno looks like a new keeper making saves that in the past he would of let in. the next 3 weeks will give us a better idea on how we are going with out our main striker
Bugger did I say something positive.
Following on from yesterday, yes, exactly Cicero, from what I understand the referee has the final say, I’m sure that FIFA still regulate it that way, but if Riley is leaning on his ‘boys’ I guess that they dare not to give way to the great God of Stockley Park, for fear of not getting a game for a couple of weeks. It doesn’t have to be obvious but to me it’s plain to see the dark hand of Riley all over the numerous cock ups this season.
Not using the TV monitor Rico has been a major blunder by Riley this season, but to me it shows Riley to be the control freak that he is, he wants to maintain his control of the narrative, therefore our referees are subservient to the great God of Stockley Park, despite that being obviously wrong.
It could also be a symptom of the fact that our referees are generally so poor and lacking in backbone and that Riley doesn’t trust them not to expose his ridiculous assertions of how reliable they are, therefore he continues to exert his control from above?
I bet that Clattenburg would have told Riley to ‘do one’…
Concerning the media and it’s lack of clarity, has anyone noticed that the criticism of Riley has subsided, no doubt following a few phone calls to editors to back off.
The cover continues but it still stinks…
Morning Gooners
Morning Rico, thanks for the post.
Hasn’t Gab Martinelli scored with his head this season?
Morning Kev. Riley is under a lot of pressure to introduce the use of monitors so his constant refusal to use it will raise even more suspicion surely.
I can see where Carl is coming from, Thierry Henry wasn’t your classic centre forward and we tailored our game to suit his strengths with midfielders who could progress the ball, Henry drifted out to the left, combined with Pires and Cole and pretty much drifted where he wanted. He never headed the ball and we never expected him to, but he wasn’t bad was he?
Could Pepe do a similar job? Possibly, but I’m not sure that Arteta wants his team to play like Wenger’s team and even he had to change that’s why he signed Podolski and Girond, but football has moved on and everyone is pressing now or trying to, but yeah why not, I’d give him a go up front?
I think that those ‘interested parties’ will protect Riley for as long as they can Rico as it deflects attention away from them and protects the product/money coming in…
Just thinking about him and yep, you’re right. In the Europa League..
Aubameyang is only missing for three games, so I can’t see Arteta doing anything too radical, he’ll most probably leave Lacazette up front and rotate the guys either side of him, so any combination of those shown in the post above is possible, I’ll just be glad to see Martinelli back in the starting XI.
Won’t stop the managers speaking out though Kev. Like Mourinho on Saturday..
Ditto re Martinelli. He’s such a wonderful talent..
I reckon Bournemouth will have a new manager by the time we play them in the FA cup…
Saturday will be tough against Wilder’s team.
That’s true Rico, but I notice how savvy Arteta is, he’s very chatty with the press and so far hasn’t criticised the officials. Maybe he knows something?
Leaving Lacazette out will not be the answer . Where the problem lies for me is the speed through the lines of our midfield . Against palace until the sending off Luizwas stepping forward and playing a few long diagonals which are the balls that Pepe or Nelson should thrive on coming in from wide positions , Auba scores from deflections and is quick to the ball kind of Ian Wright like but Lacazette needs the ball played quickly to the penalty spot . This is not happening because of the sideways passing we indulge in between the the half way line and the penalty box . He makes runs inside and outside his markers but recently is going through a bad patch because he is feeding from scraps.
Our midfield need to be more aware of opportunity to go forward far too. frequently we play the safe ball rather than gamble. Both Pepe and Nelson are effective but hold the ball and Ozil tends to turn and take a touch before releasing it . Make the midfield more pro-active and Lacazette starts scoring again ,
We really have to beat Sheffield United Rico, that is going to be a massive game as Arteta needs to get us winning again whilst he’s still having an impact on our superstars…
Interesting to see that Guendouzi, Ozil and Kolasinac are the only regulars who’ve not scored yet this season, it’s about time they rectified that…
I have the same opinion rico. Bournemouth will have a new manager fot he FA Cup. (Thiis year wasn’t the first nor the second time
for us).
I still don’t understand why Pepe doesn’t play on the left side.
In my opinion, two important factors: a) We finish little. We seldom shoot outside the box and want to enter the box with the ball and be isolated in front of the goalkeeper. B) As Arsenal is a superior team technically they will not let us play, ie: the opponent appeals and drives the game to the physical confrontation, where it has advantage, and significantly diminishes our technical, organizational ability. and team as a whole. As the referees allow, Arsenal is always harmed. Double impaired: by the opponent’s physical play and the referees’ complacency in this mildly aggressive game.
Toots have a new player from Benfica: Gedson
Despite his new action man persona, Ozil is not being that effective up front. He has also played a few games recently so I would expect him to be rested on Saturday. Bringing Ceballos in as his replacement might liven thing up a bit and give Wilder something to think about. Alternatively as Ozil doesn’t travel well play him Saturday and rest him against Chelsea.
I’m surprised I haven’t read anything wishing for Martinelli to start in the centre. In my opinion his best games have come when he’s played centrally and has been less effective out on the wing (still brilliant). I’d also like to give Saka a mention, I think he just needs a bit more game time to regain his confidence for taking a player on.
Agree re Arteta and the press Kev, he’s certainly playing them along nicely. For now..
I don’t really really expect Kolasinac to score but Ozil certainly should be getting goals. I’m all for Ceballos replacing him now he’s fit, just to see if he can bring something different to the team. More energy.
Agree re Saturday too, definitely have to win this one, and every other home game left…
Agre re Ozil Potter. He might have a good left foot but everything he does before his pass is so predictable and pretty slow too. Like Guendouzi, he often looks for the safe ball.
Morning all.
I don’t have the answers here on which combination to play up front, but on the individuals, Laca busts his arse every time he plays so as Rico said, the work he does isn’t borne out in stats.
He’s better central but then, so is Auba so not sure what to do.
Martinelli is big, strong, quick, damn skilful and very, very direct so to me, a born CF.
That’s 3 of them 🙂
Ok at a guess, if we play 2 up front, I’d suggest the best match would be Laca and Martinelli but that’s certainly no criticism of Auba.
VAR-the best utilisation of it is when it’s kept very, very simple.
Ref sees something, let’s play go, when he can, heads to the sideline and has a look.
Done.
Unless there is an absolute horror decision, nobody else should even be involved.
I reiterate my stand on it-it’s never been an issue with the technology, but the ways it’s used will kill the game!
Ozil can shoot but just doesn’t.
I don’t know why.
Add 8-10 goals a season and he’d be so much more effective.
Hi Rico and All Want’s to buy Arsenal Just read that Africa’s richest man and Forbes 136 richest person Mr Aliro Dangote wants to meet Kroenke later this year to buy Arsenal in 2021 he claims his an Arsenal fan and tried last year to buy them but wants to try again
Geoff, it’s really hard to fathom how genuine the man is.
Interesting little rumour 🙂
Don’t get your hopes up Geoff, The Kroenkes have never sold even a single share in any of their sports franchises.
Two separate reports this morning demonstrate the confusion at the heart of our executive management group. Mavropanos has gone out on loan to German second division side F C Nuremburg, while we are trying to get a loan deal in place with Manchester City for John Stones. Obviously, Arteta knows the player well and must consider him a better option th a Mavropanos, the problem with both players is their injury records.
Hi Cicero why there is money to be made I can’t see Kroenke selling either just looking for positive’s. As for john stones I guess Arteta knows him pretty well and we would have to trust Arteta on that one but I think loaning Mavropanos out for 6 or 12 month will help him get more senior match awareness which can only help him and us in the long run
New post up now