Category Archives: Arsenal

Odegaard the key to unlocking the low block

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Frank Lampard became the greatest goal scoring midfielder the game has seen by finding space in and around the edge of the box, and getting his shots on target.

He was a great weapon for Chelsea during their dominate years of the mid-late 00s. Always able to come up with key goals when opponents were defending deep.

In the last two games – against Chelsea and Newcastle – Martin Odegaard has scored 3 times. And all the goals were very similar.

Faced with a defence deep in the box, and a midfield on the edge of the box, Odegaard loitered a bit a deeper awaiting for the cut back. And then when the ball came to him, he did not try and smash it into the top corner. Instead he picked his spot and focused on getting the shot on target.

As the season has gone on, we have seen teams sit deeper and deeper against us, suffocating the space of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

By dropping deeper into space, Odegaard has become the key that unlocks the deep block. Sides defending so deep that he has time on the ball to take a touch, pick out his spot, and get the goal.

Odegaard now has 15 league goals this season, the most by an Arsenal midfielder since Cesc Fabregas in 2009/10. His tally is even more incredible when you consider he does not take penalties (3 of Cesc’s 15 goals came from the spot).

It is unbelievable that some Arsenal fans do not recognise Odegaard for the talent he is. They spend more energy on his poor games rather than his great games.

Every player has a bad game. Whether you are Odegaard or Kevin de Bruyne, Fabregas or Mesut Ozil. It happens.

I imagine the majority of those who go out of their way to criticise Odegaard do so because they are still in love with Ozil. They blame Mikel Arteta for the German’s downfall. And as Odegaard was Arteta’s chosen one to replace Ozil, they unreasonably hate on him too.

These fans need to begin living in the moment. Ozil is retired at just 34 following 3 seasons of failure at 2 Turkish clubs.

At his peak, Ozil was one of the best creators in the game. 19 assists in the 2015/16 season. But that was 7 years ago, and his decline began after that season.

In 2015/16, Ozil also scored 6 goals, giving him 25 goals and assists in the Premier League. Odegaard is now on 22.

And at still only 24, I fully expect Odegaard to continue getting better. This season will not be his peak. As long as he continues to work hard and apply himself, he will be at the top of the game for the next 7 or 8 years.

With Martinelli, Saka, Jesus and Odegaard, we have goal scoring threats across the front 4. And that is why we have been so dangerous this season.

Now all we need is Fabio Vieira to bulk up and step up, so that when Odegaard is having a poor game, or needs a break, we have someone who can step up.

Because ultimately that is the difference between us and Manchester City. Pep can leave de Bruyne on the bench and replace him with Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish or Phil Foden.

Odegaard is a superstaer. We now just need to show the ambition his talent deserves. Because if we do not I can see City going for him in 12 months as a long term de Bruyne replacement.

Keenos

Player ratings: Newcastle 0 – 2 Arsenal

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Apologise from Steve, no match report today due to family commitments for the Kings coronation, im sure we can all forgive him a game off !

Here instead are GC’s player rankings..

Ramsdale – 10th away cleansheet this season (a joint record), Newcastle did hit the post twice, but plenty of great saves.

Zinc – With Newcastle hugging the lines it wasnt the best idea to invert as much, did us a big favour when KT came on

Gabs – This man constantly handing out 8/10s another better than average game

Kiwior – Despite being left footed he played as the right CB and its ok to admit he proved people wrong yesterday.

White – Mr reliable both defending and attacking yet again.

Jorginho – What a Jan signing hes been, a very intelligent senior player who makes up for a lack of pace with an almost physic ability to read the game, well deserved MOTM.

Xhaka – Did some proper game slowing stuff, great sliding block Vs Wilcock and yet again the man I’d want next to me in the trenches.

Ode – 15th goal of the season and he bought much more, yet another game he led by pure example.

Martinelli – Does not stop running, some very useful defending too, yet again not scared to try a trick in the danger area and despite looking a bit greedy at times, i love that cocky self belief in a forward.

Jesus – Great team performance without really threatening to do what a 9 should be doing, scoring goals.

Saka – If ever a player has given his all in a season its him, but wasnt his day yesterday really, the lad looks shattered.

Arteta – Good call on the starting line up and quickly realising Newcastles game plan. 1st half we certainly could’ve scored 2 more minium with the quick ball thro the middle, only for good saves from Pope (newcastle motm). I’d of liked to have seen KT come on earlier for Zinc, other subs just freshing it up and winding the clock down.

Overal St James is becoming a hard place to visit(and i dont mean them blinking stairs), only lost twice at home all season and one of the loudest home supports. But not only did the team get in top the away support was top class, when Newcastle fans start rating us best away support this season thats high praise.

Gav

Arteta tactical tweaks needed if Arsenal are to get a result at Newcastle

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Morning all.

Before we start a quick though: had we beaten both Southampton and West Ham, we would still second.

Manchester City are on a 10 game winning run. That is 10 wins from 10.

In those 10 games, we have won 21 points. The equivalent of an 80 point season.

Our title hopes always required City to drop points. And they do not look like dropping any. They could finish the season with 16 wins from the last 17 games…

Big game today. Although that is not really huge breaking news.

Newcastle have lost just once at home this season – to Liverpool. Although they only have the 5th best home form in the league due to how many draws they have had at St James’ Park.

After dropped points against Southampton and West Ham, we can not afford to only draw today. That will lead us to being the aggressors, and pushing hard for the win. A tactic that will play into Newcastle’s hands.

They are a very good side when they sit deep and look to hit their opponent on the break.

With Alexander Isak, Joe Willock, Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin, they have a dynamic, direct, quick attack.

I would not be surprised if Saint-Maximin starts, although he is returning from injury. He has the attributes to cause Olexsandr Zinchenko havoc, exploiting the space the Ukrainian leaves when he drops in the middle.

Whilst we need to be aggressive and go for the win from the first minute, we need to ensure we do not leave the back door open.

I think one thing Arteta has done poorly things season is not changing his tactics to suit the players.

When Saliba got his injury, he tried to keep playing with his hybrid back 4. That left us exposed as Gabriel had to over-cover to the right due to Holding’s lack of pace. That left too big a whole to his left as Zinchenko continue his inverted full back role.

In hindsight (and football is easy in hindsight), when Saliba was ruled out, we should have gone to a more traditional flat back 4. And that is what needs to happen against Newcastle – especially with Saliba out and Gabriel doubtful.

That could see Zinchenko play as a more traditional full back in a back 4 alongside White, Holding and Kiwor.

Ahead of them, it will be interesting to see if Thomas Partey returns, or whether Arteta sticks with Jorginho.

The former Chelsea midfielder had a great game against his old team, and he could be better suited for the Newcastle game.

If we are to sit a little deeper in an attempt to protect the back 4, Jorginho’s range of passing and control will be an asset. And with a deeper defence, his lack of pace will not be as exposed.

I think if we do not win today, that is that for our title hopes. But we can still be proud of what we have done this season.

UTA.

Keenos