A game where we atleast created a lot more but still another game showing that the forward line is just not good enough. As you said If anyone there level were playing in our side, we would have won this.
Tim, we've had five years of transfer windows with this current leadership, and the team still isn't complete. Don't you feel it should be complete by now?
Would they play as well in a system that, as Billy Carpenter set out, sets out to pin opponents back (despite the fact that we don’t then seem to know how to / have the right tools to then score goals from there)
Is it a bit ironic that I think if we were trying to get rid of martinelli then I'd expect Newcastle to be all over him, and he'd do really well there just countering at speed
Respectfully disagree with unlucky, we largely ponderously moved the ball except Martinelli’s chance (maybe hitting the post there was unlucky), while they sliced through or over the porous middle with quick passing until they were 2 up and then shut up shop.
Semantics my side, Tim. I think the “poor execution” (Timber, Havertz) is not “unlucky” as much as Martinelli off by cm is, and the xG driven by those 3 plus a host of less than half-chances
Goals change games. If Martinelli’s shot goes in we probably kick on - if Havertz header goes in we probably equalise. You can’t miss as many chances as we do….
think it's just a pure talent issue, Arsenal generally score a lot of goals but they are missing their best attacker and the others aren't on the same level. It's not a convenient or satisfying explanation but it is the truth. There isn't a mystery here.
As a Newcastle fan, out of interest, how many of our players would you put in your side? On current form I'd only want to sign Saka and Saliba tbh, maybe Reya in goal. Also apart from Saka who was missing? We had no Bruno or Schar and the lads were out on their feet after 3 big away games in a week
I’d have Isak, Gordon and Bruno for sure. Like Tonali, too. I wouldn’t have any of your back line over ours, but there is our issue - we severely lack elite attacking talent
It’s not that easy though? Who could they realistically have got in the summer? (Not breaking FFP)
But yes I’d love it if we didn’t sign another full back and goalkeeper next 😅
A CF of the quality we want will be expensive and the price will just shoot up this month, especially because we desperately need one. Also need one without the Tude! Has to be a team player, has to fit in with Arteta's vision. Honestly don't think it will be that easy.
They’ve had 2 years in fairness.. they’ll know who they want, no club goes for a player they’ve not spoken with around willingness to join etc.
This is about desire now.. does the player want to join in Jan.. will a club sell (very difficult in Jan).. but more than anything, will owners sanction!
Unfortunately we don't always know what goes on behind the scenes.
We didn't find out about the Toney enquiries til after the fact.
Frustrating isn't it.
We all agree we need a CF and have for ages!
I mean they went after Sesko but he rejected, is not like they don't agree we need another striker, is just that it's easier to sign one on FIFA/FM than is in real life 😅
Arsenal were just so shit scared about no one wanting to buy Nketiah they dragged it out and by the time they put their big boy pants on Sesko had said get fucked.
We were only missing Saka from our strongest XI and they had Pope and Bruno G out too. From open play way too ponderous. When it went to 2 nil they just invited us to attack which inflated our attacking stats. But this team is bereft of elite attacking quality.
It's not a good measure, but I have friends who support different teams. Outside of Saka, they never wishlist any of our attackers. As a collective, it's a top6 forward line.
Natural finishers, both of them. Would probably complete the Arsenal team, assuming everyone is fit. An infrequent occurrence this season, that is where the bad luck lies.
Trossard had a purple patch last season, Martinelli the season before. The question I wonder is, was that a one-off or is this season a one-off? And also, are they less effective because of the system or is it just form / luck?
Martinelli, at the moment, wouldn’t start for a top 10 Premier League team, and the same applies to Havertz. Both lack the quality, conviction, and confidence required at the highest level. A weak mentality like this doesn’t win trophies.
Honestly, I really liked him and even thought he’d surpass Saka. Sadly, these high expectations are why I’m so critical. If this is Martinelli at his best, we’re in trouble sorry.
I said this is the best he's played all season to be clear I didn't say he's at his fluent best. But I thought he had a strong game and want to give him his flowers, been a while since he's offered so much threat.
Comments
Perhaps we need more shooting practice!
Arsenal need more clinical forwards
Plus shooting practice 😂
But he'd get 4 red cards a season in an Arsenal shirt!
I just don’t understand why we seem so reluctant to do it?
But yes I’d love it if we didn’t sign another full back and goalkeeper next 😅
All of top of my head none of them would have been that expensive. All better than everything we have.
We sold players.. smokescreen.
Could’ve signed a CF 2 seasons ago but didn’t.. didn’t last season and now we’re paying for it as it’s not 1 now.. but 2 needed and a wide man.
Too busy signing defenders and sterling!
This is about desire now.. does the player want to join in Jan.. will a club sell (very difficult in Jan).. but more than anything, will owners sanction!
We didn't find out about the Toney enquiries til after the fact.
Frustrating isn't it.
We all agree we need a CF and have for ages!
Arsenal were just so shit scared about no one wanting to buy Nketiah they dragged it out and by the time they put their big boy pants on Sesko had said get fucked.
It's not a good measure, but I have friends who support different teams. Outside of Saka, they never wishlist any of our attackers. As a collective, it's a top6 forward line.
Doesn't change the fact that he'd start over everyone other than Saka (I'd rotate him with Martinelli on the left).
But agree we need at least one serious operator in the front line to reach the next level.
Signs of life.