Merino/Rice were both good. Merino led the team in xG buildup, Rice led it in goal probability added, etc. I love Jorgi with my whole heart, but he got bodied by a team remade for athleticism. Can't provide tempo if you have to go down whenever somebody's at your back. Same for Ø, who was a shell. - ThreadSky

billycarpy.bsky.social • 54 days ago

Merino/Rice were both good. Merino led the team in xG buildup, Rice led it in goal probability added, etc.

I love Jorgi with my whole heart, but he got bodied by a team remade for athleticism. Can't provide tempo if you have to go down whenever somebody's at your back.

Same for Ø, who was a shell.

Reposted from Billy Carpenter

Rewatched yesterday. Never saw Nwaneri pull up or show any pain, for whatever that’s worth. He does strike me as Ben White-like in that regard, though.

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goonerby.bsky.social•54 days ago

Sick/new dad is a terrible combo.

whollyflush.bsky.social•54 days ago

He’s certainly playing like someone on 3hrs sleep, flu and getting up to speed on a 2 month layoff

irisharsenal.bsky.social•54 days ago

Unfortunately it looks like Jorgi can't do it anymore. If one of our midfield targets is available in Jan I'd bring it forward. Could be as useful as an attacker.

irisharsenal.bsky.social•54 days ago

Also have the fullback injuries been the most costly part to our season so far?

I can not wait for a fit Ben White

wassel.bsky.social•54 days ago

Thomas staying fit for the first time, regaining form and ending up having to constantly deputize at RB is hellish beyond what Dante could ever come up with

chrstoerup.bsky.social•54 days ago

Jorgi has looked bad in these kind of games since the Chelsea days, I hope that he can still contribute with his deep playmaking in the games were we have less transitions to deal with.

ivannson.bsky.social•54 days ago

ELI5 how xG buildup is different to goal probability added? They sound like “it’s the same picture”

jwdoman.bsky.social•54 days ago

My problem with Merino is that he clearly lacks the match fitness or athleticism to play at the required level for 90 minutes. He was blowing out of his ass from 65’. I didn’t expect that from someone billed as an elite ball winner and full, prime senior player. That is disappointing.

billycarpy.bsky.social•54 days ago

Basically never saw it before, and have watched him a lot — then saw it in his very first match here. Have seen it from other unlikely sources this year too. Annoyingly, the era we live in

jwdoman.bsky.social•54 days ago

I'm also disappointed in Arteta for not realizing that Merino was spent and substituting on MLS at left 8 for the last 20 minutes.

Calafiori was also spent after 70' and MLS could have put in a shift there too.

Arteta seemed too conservative on riding the match out with gassed starters.

bluepieinthesky.bsky.social•54 days ago

Comes back to same problem of Arteta thinking Partay is the right back solution. We lose massively in both positions, would prefer to play a bench player and only be weakening one position

grumblinggooner.bsky.social•53 days ago

Thank you !

rgbmax.bsky.social•53 days ago

Would really appreciate some feedback from an Arsenal expert like you. :)

https://spielverlagerung.de/2025/01/05/in-germany-we-call-it-ungeduldig-mx/

marcost72.bsky.social•54 days ago

Odegaard was nowhere near well enough to play. Seemed an act of desperation that he would be able to work some magic against the odds. Should never have been on the pitch.

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