Morning all.

After the 2-2 draw at home to Fulham, Mikel Arteta said:

Well, obviously within the first minute you made the mistake that we made and you just give a goal to the opponent, the game becomes much more difficult. The reaction straight after that even in the first half with the amount of situations and chances we created, we didn’t give anything away, we controlled the game for full periods but we didn’t score the goal and in the second half we made some changes. The dynamic changed and we had better relationships, I think the subs made a huge difference and great impact and I loved their determination and the confidence that they brought to the team. We went 2-1 up and then you have to defend the box with your life and you cannot concede that goal after that we’ve done because we should have scored five, six, seven, I don’t know.

Last season, certainly between August and December, our defending was very very good. White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko. Admittedly, Zinchenko is only just returning to full fitness but the club has just let our best out and out left back leave on loan, knowing full well Timber has been ruled out for much of the season and both Zinchenko and Tomiyasu have fitness issues. White at right back was superb for most of last season as was his on field relationship with Saka. Xhaka had the season of his life and whilst I know he’s made the right move, what he was able to do on the left has gone with him to Germany. Perhaps in time, Martinelli and Havertz will work as well together but for now, they look a bit muddled.

I’ve made no secret of the fact that good or bad as you or I might think Partey is at right back, he’s a better midfielder. Like Havertz and Martinelli, Saka and Partey are yet to gel in a way the two Englishman did.

We could have scored five, six or seven goals Mikel said but the reality is, we didn’t and seldom do despite the opportunities he, or even we, think we’ve created. Is Mikel really saying that those players who these vast number of opportunities fall too, are not playing well right now? The most natural goal scorer in the squad didn’t even start. Rotation rotation, of course we all wanted to see more of that this season but in week 3?

Personally, I think too many changes at once has been made and it’s not quite working. I know any change needs time to settle but at what cost might this come. I know it’s only two points dropped but we were at home against Fulham. Fulham who we not only allowed to score within a minute but allowed their ten men to equalise towards the end of the game whereas last weekend, we defended so so well with ten men to ensure we kept hold of the three points against Palace.

I know it sounds like I’m moaning etc but I’m not, not really, I’m just making an observation and trying to understand why, when team looked so good pre injuries last season, has Mikel Arteta made so many changes.

Catch up in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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