gougler08 said:

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Gabriel back

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Already making a difference

Just nothing in attack

Frustrating

Pretty toothless

Maddening!

Think we need to reshuffle some this summer to improve the overall roster. Could use upgrades in the rotation at ST, W & LCM along with replacements at DM, LB and possibly CB for departing players.

That said, given the current roster..... I don't understand our subs today.....

1. I don't have a huge issue with Jorge for Rice as Jorge is a bit more creative with his passing from the 6. However Nwaneri for MO makes no sense. Should have subbed him on for Merino (who did nothing today) and give Marti a more creative option to work with.
2. Partey in at FB I get and taking MLS off made sense. He looked like he was starting to drop off. But Jesus for Merino and Havertz to MF? a) Jesus hasn't done much of anything for us this year in EPL play and Havertz at L8 has never really worked.

What stood out the most to me was a lack of counterattacking urgency. The few times when Everton did actually manage to venture forward and we won the ball back, we didn't even attempt to counter. We were happy to pass the ball along our back line for 30 seconds and give them plenty of time to put all 11 behind the ball again.

In general we sat back happy to be in possession and passed too slowly. To beat a low/mid block you need to be more direct with much quicker passes

chjoak said:

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In general we sat back happy to be in possession and passed too slowly. To beat a low/mid block you need to be more direct with much quicker passes

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Yep. Lots of possession that did nothing.

This summer we desperately need....

- a #9 that can consistly score. Havertz ended the season great but his form at ST hasnt continued.

- something to fix the left side so we arent soooo reliant on the right to generate offense. Not sure if that is a new starting LW that works better with the guys we are playing at LB/LCM, a new starting LCM that works better with Marti or maybe both.

Any thoughts here on why Arsenal have refused to sign legit strikers the past few years? I've been clamoring for one or more in recent seasons, and results like today, last weekend, and too many the past few years which have cost Arsenal the PL title, show the obvious and glaring hole in attack. Seems such a waste of Saka, Odegaard, etc talents, abilities, and availability to perform at such a high level.

Know there is much of the season left, but leaking points against sides Arsenal should defeat is continued cause for concern, at least in the EPL. I sure hope they can continue their run in the CL and win it in the end, which would satisfy many a fan.

Dont think its a refusal. Think it is more to do with who is available and what we are willing to spend vs what's on the roster. Last summer they didn't see it as priority due to the form of Havertz (whom we originally didnt sign to play ST). Prior to that we tried to sign Vlahovic and Isak and were linked with others. That just didn't work out. I think (hope) ST will be a priority this summer and we will finally find someone that works for us.

Edit.... This also assumes we can offload a few guys. As much as we want a ST, its not likely to happen (for a high end guy) unless we can free up the roster spot by shipping out Jesus.

Didn't realize Liverpool drew with Fulham. That's helpful!

Definitely don't think they're "refusing" to get a striker, per se. I think they've been refusing to circulate through more mediocre to above average options. I don't think Arteta wants some guy who can't do other jobs well who also isn't going to more confidently solve the striker role.

It's "Elite" or "Near Elite" striker or nothing. But they need someone and maybe they will have to take a chance on someone.

Questions from discussion RE ST on another board......

will an elite ST actually help us given our current tactics?
if we sign an elite ST will we change our tactics to accommodate?

Current tactics seem to generate more chances from W & CM. So with the current tactics, signing an "elite" ST may not make sense. If we sign an elite ST, to get our money's worth we would need to make the focus generating chances for that ST which may reduce chances for Saka who is easily a top player in the world right now.

Depends on who they could get. Isak, for example, I don't think would require many adjustments.

But I think that's part of the reason why they're not keen on a non-elite guy, you're not going to make major adjustments for someone who isn't at that high level.

The left side is probably as big an issue as striker if not bigger. I'm not sure what's up with Martinelli but he just got himself ran into the end line with nowhere to go over and over yesterday in the part I got to watch. If he'd try some other things, maybe he'd fine more space but he just doesn't seem to have the confidence or feel for the situation. Not sure.

If we could use the left side more, Saka and Odegaard would be able to explode, I think.

Part of me says play Nwaneri in the right slot and put Odegaard over on the left to see if he can kick-start Martinelli.

Think your problem with Marti is that we arent giving him help or playing to his strengths.

While Saka is better 1v1 he seldom is completely isolated as he often has help from MO and/or White/Timber. MO provides phenomenal linkup play while the RB (except when its Partey) has the freedom to overlap as a traditional FB when they see fit.

Marti is often isolated on the left as we seldom overlap the LB and L8 mostly plays the left half space. Marti was at his best when he had KT (a traditional heals to the sideline b2b FB) overlapping and Xhaka operating as a playmaking L8.

Ultimately we switched up yhe tactics because our LB/L8 scheme left us vulnerable on that wing.

As I see it, we have 2 options.....

1) find a new W that plays better in isolation as more of a wide MF and a new ST that is more clinical, especially from crosses. Plan on the new ST and Saka being your leading scorers.

2) unlock Marti by allowing your LB to atleast occasionally overlap like the RB and find a new L8 who links up with Marti like Xhaka or like MO does with Saka. In this case Marti & Saka are likely your leading scorers and the ST position is likely more about support.

…if only Kieran Tierney was still around and healthy…oh wait

KT by himself isn't the solution. Part of the problem right now is that our L8 is occupying the left half space that Marti needs to be occupying. Having an overlap in of itself only helps Marti be less isolated. If you wanna go dig, Marti's best season was with OZ at LB and Xhaka at L8. In that setup, no one got in Marti's way as he tried to cut inside and OZ & Xhaka effectively took turns being the overlap & deep MF support. That combo worked offensively very well but defensively it was not ideal.

Agree on points above about left side of Arsenal offense, also agree Marti has been isolated to a great extent minus supporting left side play from the back and midfield.

Presuming Arsenal does address the left, that could well equalize the attack so there is not so much right side bias, freeing up more of the field for play in from either side. While that may reduce the need for a top level striker, I still think a center presence who is a regular threat would open up the opportunities for the offense to an even greater extent. Granted, easier said than done from a message board.