Playing inverted wingers certainly doesn't help with that.
Arsenal 2025-2026 Thread
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Last: 7 hrs ago by wangus12
If you watch the games like you are scouting VG, you will see that he isn't perfect but he does ALOT of little things that open up other players. He knows teams are marking him heavy and he uses that to clear space. The problem, as I see it, is that he is working hard for others and is not rewarded when teams let up and give him space.
I am not as down on Gyokeres as many. And he has opened up some opportunities that have led to goals.
But he's got to start consistently getting on the ball. Way too many periods in games when he's not touching the ball.
He's got to start finding space quicker or winning more battles with defenders.
But he's got to start consistently getting on the ball. Way too many periods in games when he's not touching the ball.
He's got to start finding space quicker or winning more battles with defenders.
I don't disagree, but I'd argue that part of this is the team adjusting to him. He's not a false 9 like Jesus or Havertz. They come back and effectively force themselves into the gameplay but often take themselves out of traditional #9 positions in the process. VG is a traditional 9. He makes off the ball runs and expects service. Most of our lineup is too used to F9 so they aren't looking for him.
Agree with this. Hasn't been a VG problem. It's an issue where our squad hasn't had a true #9 in years and don't know how to provide service. Too used to shake & bake from the wings.
MaroonTxAg03
I am a big Gyokores fan so I watch him very closely. He truly gets little to no service from the wingers. Saka always keeps his head down and looks to cut inside on his left foot.
The critics of his who say he isn't good forget that he scored a hat trick against City last season in the Champions League. Arsenal need to adapt a bit to him much like City had to several years ago with Haaland.
The critics of his who say he isn't good forget that he scored a hat trick against City last season in the Champions League. Arsenal need to adapt a bit to him much like City had to several years ago with Haaland.
I am curious to see how Arteta manages time between VG and KH. Each guy has things he does well, but my gut tells me Arteta favors KH's game a bit more.
CatD11Ag said:
I am curious to see how Arteta manages time between VG and KH. Each guy has things he does well, but my gut tells me Arteta favors KH's game a bit more.
We probably won't do it but Id like to see usnyry out a 4-4-2 with VG & KH playing together. They seem like they would compliment each other well.
chjoak said:
I don't disagree, but I'd argue that part of this is the team adjusting to him. He's not a false 9 like Jesus or Havertz. They come back and effectively force themselves into the gameplay but often take themselves out of traditional #9 positions in the process. VG is a traditional 9. He makes off the ball runs and expects service. Most of our lineup is too used to F9 so they aren't looking for him.
I mean, it's both. Saka isn't looking to just pelt the box with quick crosses while Gyokeres isn't beating a bunch of defenders to balls or winning a ton of physical battles or making tons of really clever runs.
And there's no doubt this crazy schedule is making it really difficult for the guys to get out and work on stuff in training. They need a real pre season together.
What are we thinking about Kepa on Wednesday? I didn't think he looked great.
If you say you hate the state of politics in this nation and you don't get involved in it, you obviously don't hate the state of politics in this nation.
chjoak said:
I don't disagree, but I'd argue that part of this is the team adjusting to him. He's not a false 9 like Jesus or Havertz. They come back and effectively force themselves into the gameplay but often take themselves out of traditional #9 positions in the process. VG is a traditional 9. He makes off the ball runs and expects service. Most of our lineup is too used to F9 so they aren't looking for him.
Its both. We've set it up to where are wingers are definitely looking to cut in and take shots on their dominant foot while their secondary option is to lay off to the overlapping FB for them to cross it in.
I'd love to see us switch it up and have the wingers switch occasionally during matches to where their dominant foot is on the outside and they can more accurately play that ball to the 9. Jesus's assist to Martinelli at Portsmouth is what that looks like and I do think VG makes enough of those first time runs for that to be successful.
United
They have absolutely battered them
Pep's back line is a mess
We get MU at home next week
chjoak said:
We get MU at home next week
Better be prepped for the counter attack, they looked very good on the break
— SFN 🇲🇦 (@Saykaaz) January 17, 2026
Manchester City have spent more money since Pep's arrival than Bayern Munich has spent in their 126 year history by the way.
— Dheller91 (@dheller91) January 16, 2026
Crazy to think of how different that match had been if the PGMOL (I'm done blaming VAR, I still think VAR is good but the PGMOL use it horribly) had gotten the red card call right
And now for the latest edition of "biggest game of the season." What an opportunity
And now for the latest edition of "biggest game of the season." What an opportunity
chjoak said:
Pep's back line is a mess
So they easily just buy Guehi
Gotta say I dont like White starting this many matches in a row right after injury
COYG!
I was traveling for work the past two weeks and couldn't watch midweek matches. Has Eze gotten any time in those matches?
He in Arteta's doghouse?
He in Arteta's doghouse?
MaroonTxAg03
MaroonTxAg03 said:
I was traveling for work the past two weeks and couldn't watch midweek matches. Has Eze gotten any time in those matches?
He in Arteta's doghouse?
Just hasn't been as good as the others in midfield
wangus12 said:
Gotta say I dont like White starting this many matches in a row right after injury
Cala & Hincapie both out and MLS not playing well. Think its time to move MLS back to MF (loan next season?). Given Cala & Hincapie's injury issues, I think we need a young FB (either LB or able to play both sides) this summer.
gougler08 said:MaroonTxAg03 said:
I was traveling for work the past two weeks and couldn't watch midweek matches. Has Eze gotten any time in those matches?
He in Arteta's doghouse?
Just hasn't been as good as the others in midfield
May be some management of minutes as well. He played more minutes for us before xmas this season than he has played in the same timeframe any given season in his entire career.
I think it's more minute management than anything
Oh wow I didn't realize that was the case. I don't watch many Palace matches, kinda figured he was always on the pitch there.
He seems to be a player that needs the regular minutes to stay in his rhythm.
He seems to be a player that needs the regular minutes to stay in his rhythm.
MaroonTxAg03
Odegaard has certainly looked better than last season. Need good Odegaard for sure to bring this thing home.
MaroonTxAg03
Martinelli you gotta finish that one!
Brutal
That's a sitter, really bad miss
OneBlitzer said:
Martinelli you gotta finish that one!
That's a phrase rarely uttered around here...
Really tough angle on his wrong foot
I dont think that was a sitter really. Tough angle, goalie took the easy path, wrong foot
Final touch has been lacking all day!
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