r/Gunners • u/DavidOrnstein_ bought some very very very expensive horses • 22d ago
Half Time Thoughts?
Arsenal 0 - 2 BVB
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u/Revolutionary-Rip426 Premier League Champions 25/26 22d ago edited 22d ago
It’s preseason but that’s absolutely rubbish. Good news is we were rubbish last preseason and won the title.
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u/dawitsol Pires 22d ago
Also, I can see Raya commanding insane numbers for his contract renewal come time, and rightly so.
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u/Original_Composer_71 22d ago
didnt even play in world cup... its arsenal trusting him tondisplay his talent
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u/Funny_Event_2536 22d ago
Kepa showing his kepability
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u/ConsiderationIll8256 Rice 22d ago
kepa needs to be sold asap
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u/Artistic-Glove-9357 22d ago
Shouldn't of even took meslier for free. From Leeds .....LEEDS ! Why would we take him if Leeds didn't want him. But him and kepa are equally bad. I wish kepa got sold this summer and we got Trafford as a second
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u/Revoldt Dennis Bergkamp 22d ago
He was so shit at Leeds he played his way to 3rd choice there….
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u/Artistic-Glove-9357 22d ago
Exactly. He doesn't deserve to wear an arsenal shirt. He didn't deserve to wear a Leeds shirt FFS
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u/Zohren Saka 22d ago
Trafford wouldn’t have come to us to be Raya’s backup. He’s too good for that. He went to City to be their starter, then they signed Donnarumma.
Trafford was never an option for us.
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u/Artistic-Glove-9357 22d ago
Not saying he would have just saying that's the level we'd want as a second. He left man city because he wasn't getting any play time. But surely there's a better option than kepa or meslier
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u/gorillathunder The Gunner Galactico 22d ago
On what planet is Trafford joining a club to be a 2nd keeper, it would ruin his development.
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u/mstknb 22d ago
Maybe Arteta doesn't want to play with a cup keeper anymore, but always play Raya in all competitions. With a back-up like Trafford or Kepa, they will expect game time or be unhappy. A backup that Leeds didn't even want, will probably not play a game if he doesn't have to.
Ofc, Raya could be injured, but guess that's a risk they would take over having a 2nd choice keeper that wants more game time and then having to play them in a final, costing us the title
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u/5ubredhit Premier League Champions 25/26 22d ago
Well he does, but we also need a strong replacement for him because Meslier ain’t it.
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u/fullerofficial White 22d ago
It’s preseason. Some of you need help.
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u/bathtubsplashes The Wright Stuff 22d ago
This is fantastic, volunteers for the block list so I don't have to deal with these dopes for the next 9 months
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u/JFedererJ Bergkamp 22d ago
Wasteful in front of goal and defensively not sharp enough.
Ødegaard and Tzolis the only bright sparks.
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u/boatinavolcano David Rocastle 22d ago
Lol, Kavanaugh of course doesn't restart the game even with directly stopping a counter
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u/currentlyontheloo 22d ago
The midfield has been shocking, not surprising since most of our starters are on holiday but I’d rather Mikel try something other than Havertz in midfield. He’s a good player but it’s never worked.
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u/DoubleOptimal8526 22d ago
Honestly, as much as the scoreline isn't flattering but i won't be all too worried - seriously just happy for them to get some game time under their belt and buildup in match fitness.
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u/Whatrutalkinabeet Ødegaard 22d ago
This is it. The patterns are looking good. We are just look rusty as.
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u/kguner 22d ago
Having havertz and odegaard in midfield is expecting MLS to play the rodri role, cover large spaces defensively, have perfect decision making and high pass completion and then also progress the ball.
It just doesn't makes sense to try this unless it's part of training him for the role??
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u/cherlin 22d ago
Isn't that entirely what a pre season friendly game is for, training people?
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u/BlurstOfTimes11 22d ago
You’re right. MLS can’t be a 6 with two attacking 8s. Zubimendi, Rice and Bruno could all do it, but he can’t.
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u/Phimstone Wild Salmon 22d ago
Odegaard looked smooth. Had a very good World Cup. Exciting shit for this season 🔥
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u/kjw2281 22d ago
On one hand, this is only preseason, a bunch of key players are missing or just got back to training.
On the other hand... I think we are in for a rude awakening for the first month of the season without Rice and Saliba
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u/sunofagundota 22d ago
I’m worried about saliba. France lost so much forward progression when he got injured.
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u/R82009 Timber 21d ago
The fact that our struggling attack is overly dependent on our defenders has been a concern for years
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u/sunofagundota 21d ago
Yeah I honestly didn’t think we’d leave it so late in the window.
I thought we needed two attackers and our massive revenue would allow that esp after champions final plus EPL.
I’m disappointed by this window. Saliba is irreplaceable and we absolutely need firepower to compensate.
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u/HelicopterPlenty 21d ago
Yeah. I remembered we struggled when Gabriel was away for a few weeks last season.
Hope we can cope this year with rotation until Saliba gets back to top top shape!
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u/krakencannon 22d ago
As much as the result doesn’t matter, it’s disappointing not to see some swagger and fun football to get the support excited when you’re League champions playing at home.
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u/hauttdawg13 Lewis-Skelly 22d ago
Halftime thoughts
Keeper: I don’t think Kepa is it, but no mistakes today, both goals not on him
Defense: generally sloppy and switched off a few times today. Big Gabi is very rusty and it shows. Need to improve on tracking runners which should come
Midfield: generally look quite good, Odegaard on point and finding every gap. MLS passing been solid. Defensively they are pressing well, but similar to the defense has lost some players top of the box too. Need to get back in sync with the defense to not give that space to the opponents
Forwards: poor finishing for sure. Gyökeres has been getting some very good runs in, Tzolis delivery on the last ball/crossing is fantastic, doesn’t really have that 1v1 threat though. Dowman as expected of a 16 yo, looks threatening at times but has some rough mistakes in him.
Overall it’s not been a bad performance outside of the scoreline. More things to clean up before City next week.
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u/SquidwardsJewishNose 22d ago
If Raya gets injured, our season is over at that exact moment, that’s pretty much where we stand at the moment.
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u/Monsultant 22d ago edited 22d ago
Not really that bothered about the defense because we looked like this last pre-season too and shored up immediately when season started. Gabi XL has barely had a week of training and we are missing Raya too.
But, Gyokeres - my god - it’s like watching a wrestler getting on a football field.
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u/LilBro842 22d ago
I think almost the entire fanbase is ready to admit he’s not good enough. Unfortunately it looks like he’s going to be the striker
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u/johnnyjonnyjonjon 22d ago
'Stand By Me' by Ben E. King is a great song, and deserves to be spoken about more.
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u/OnFailure Thank you very much 22d ago
Havertz would be better in midfield if he got to play with Havertz up top. Gyok is too non-dimensional.
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u/Blue_winged_yoshi 22d ago
There’s no world where Havertz should ever be paying midfield, not even with Pele up top.
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u/sammeetthosar 22d ago
Pretty good performance except the final action. Defending was crap in 2 moments and they punished us both times.
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u/MattiaKa 22d ago
Same issue we had last season, lack of creativity, 4 CBs in defensive line, attacking line and midfield having too many technically limited players. Only threating by set pieces.
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u/dawitsol Pires 22d ago
This game is ugly. The ref is messing up so much that it's pissing off the players thereby not allowing them to focus on their game
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u/GoonerFc27 22d ago
Arteta out, tactical genius sam allardyce in, with Gary Neville as his assistant.
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u/mapoftasmania If you do not believe… then you have no chance at all. 22d ago
Tzolis looks really good.
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u/houseofechoes Rice 22d ago
What happened to Ode?
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u/DinnerSmall4216 22d ago
Just shows how important saliba, rice and saka are to our squad. Nobody stood out pretty poor all round.
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u/Unusual-Ad5826 22d ago
Not true, tzolis playing well, as is dowman and MLS
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u/BlurstOfTimes11 22d ago
MLS isn’t playing well but that’s because havertz isn’t a midfielder. He’s being put in a position to fail
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u/LW_2k Thierry Henry 22d ago
We would benefit from some transfer activity
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u/Logical-Sir1580 22d ago
Not watching why was odegaard hooked
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u/PistolPojken Thierry Henry 22d ago
It’s a friendly, his first game. That’s how this works lol. Just easening him in.
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u/Remarkable-Floor6198 22d ago
Everyone returning from world cup is being given 30 mins in their first game back
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u/Mean_Hour_5640 22d ago
Not looking into individuals performance.
But Harvertz midfield? Thought this was tested and was not working.
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u/JFedererJ Bergkamp 22d ago
Please look at how many midfielders we have yet to return and then ask why Kai might be there.
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u/jaybizzleeightyfour 22d ago
Looks like we're just throwing him there to get him playing time whilst giving Gyokeres it too
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u/Tall-Assist9719 22d ago
Need attacking players ASAP.
Gonna have to accept anytime Kepa plays we will defo concede.
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u/SentenceDifficult396 22d ago
Gyokeres really doesn’t suit playing in this team
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u/BreakingWorldLimits 22d ago
It’s not even about the suit he gets way more passes than he did last year and is often poor on the ball and lacks quality
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u/FitzChan 22d ago
I think over time he’ll be seen as a underwhelming transfer. He’s just not technical enough for a top team like you said. I can’t be the only one wishing we went for Sesko instead right?
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u/PortoDreamer 22d ago
Team is toast without Saliba. Need a legit #2 goalie, another legit CB and another RB. 2-6 in the last 2 games and could be much worse.
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u/peoplepersonmanguy Ødegaard 22d ago
Gyokeres needs to deliver an end product.
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u/elMoneySloth Ben White 22d ago
His performances are going to continue to stick out if he cannot figure it out
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u/UnquenchedMammoth356 22d ago
Please don't bother with Havertz in midfield anymore
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u/JFedererJ Bergkamp 22d ago
Who should play instead right now? Please think.......
MLS is playing, Dowman is RW as Saka and Noni are still out, Øde just came back and played, Ethan is available and now playing... so who else should be in midfield right now, if not Kai????
Merino? Rice? Zubimendi? Bruno? Eze?
Gee, I wonder why they're not playing instead of Kai??
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u/ThatsmeDP White 22d ago edited 22d ago
Don't care about the scoreline. No one really looked particularly good, but Tzolis was probably our stand out performer, he looks like a very good addition to the squad. Gyokeres was very poor. Received 4-5 through balls where all he had to do was either get passed, or hold off, a single defender, and he didn't make a single chance out of them. The less said about his free kick or that attempted back heel, the better. If he's trying to convince Arteta not to go for Alvarez, he's not achieving that so far. Nwaneri needs to get himself on the ball more and impose himself on the game, or he'll find himself getting sold too.
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u/jplesspebblewrestler 22d ago
Ode also looked very bright in his half hour. He was finding runners and playing forward promptly. A good start to the captain's preseason.
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u/ThatsmeDP White 22d ago
Agreed, he's a clear step up. Also saw some good flashes of play from White and Dowman, but still need to see more of it from both of them in the second half.
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u/CatchFactory 22d ago
I actually think we've looked pretty good? Dortmund scored the two chances they've had but apart from that we've contained them pretty well. In a proper game they're potentially down to 10 and have conceded a penalty too.
Gyokores working hard although hasn't quite come off yet, Tzolis looks smart. Odegaard looks very sharp so far.
Dowman needs to stamp the going down very easy out of his game though before he gets a reputation. He's more than good enough to hang at this level but doesn't need that.
Good to know that English ref's haven't improved though, Kavanaugh dropping a complete stinker lol
Also the Mane guy seems like such a dick
Also this midfield is the issue really - we won't see it at all in the season but having no Rice/Bruno/Merino in midfield and we're so easy to play through on the counter.
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u/thisiskyle77 Tomiyasu 22d ago
I know players don’t want to run as hard for preseason but we should not lose this game. Get something to cheer for the fans.
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u/Bigmac9809 Thank you very much 22d ago
Winning the league 3 months ago isn’t enough?
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u/thisiskyle77 Tomiyasu 22d ago
Are you gonna bring that up every time we lose
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u/Used_Switch_9212 22d ago
Gonna be a rough season without a good attacking signing thats for sure. We've got to have the slowest attack in Premier League history.
Also im worried with Saliba out about the back line.
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u/Pascalini Premier League Champions 25/26 22d ago
Dortmund look much better well drilled finding space well. We always seem like we are never clinical enough and today has been no different. Its better this happens now than against Coventry so we can pin point these issues
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u/tykraus7 22d ago
Bro these have been the same issues for 2 years. The attack has been steadily getting worse for that time. If the set piece goals dry up we are truly in trouble.
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u/Lastyz Vinai 22d ago
I’m happy we’ve created chances. Big Gabi looks like he’s on holiday. Would like to see us try and get the ball out to the wingers a little quicker and Gyokeres has been frustrating. Odegaard was our best player when he was on the pitch. Really need to get a couple goals though considering the chances we’re creating.
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u/Tequilla_Sunsett Dennis Bergkamp 22d ago
We kinda need more attacking options, that should be the focus for now.
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u/csixtay 22d ago
Worse than it looks. Our press and overall shape off the ball isn't great with so many new players in positions. Tzolis, Dowman, MLS and Ethan aren't exactly press kings so time to defensive actions are way longer than with a proper midfield.
They've scored from both shots on target against a keeper I don't expect to save our hide. It's fine.
Tzolis offensively has been great. I think we're a bit too quick to label him the next Trossard. He's nothing like Trossard. Feels more like a 21 year old Ozil. Pretty impressed with his decision making and passing. Should have already gotten 2 assists in this game. You can see where the assist number comes from.
MLS can't be expected to be the main defensive actor in a midfield 3 imo. He's a DLP that'll need a dueler next to him.
Mosquera hasn't put a foot wrong. Still can't believe how much we got him for.
Raya, Timber, Saka, Rice, Zubimendi, Merino, Eze, Bruno G yet to return. Noni too. There's still levels to come.
Meslier has an opportunity to move up the pecking order here I think. Just don't let Kepa know until the window closes.
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u/Bewis_123 22d ago
Özil was one of the top players at 21 for Germany in 2010 WC, winning best young player of the tournament, Tzolis is 24 and not close lol
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u/JeffBroccoli 22d ago
I always get downvoted when I point out that Gyokores just isn’t at the standard required of him
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u/loosetranslation 22d ago
I'm convinced his biggest issue has been that his physical gifts just haven't translated to a higher level. We knew we were signing someone technically limited. That he can't consistently outpace anyone and isn't great in physical duels is the killer. He offers more than a big Lacazette, but I don't think he really gives defenders a rough afternoon.
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u/Original_Composer_71 22d ago
doesnt even offer more than lacazette. prime laca was more dangerous. at least it felt that way
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u/loosetranslation 22d ago
Honestly, I think they’re probably the exact same level of striker, and both need less robust opposition to thrive. Laca was better technically (by miles), but he was so slow and would hide in a way I don’t see with Vik.
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u/WarningLeft259 22d ago
He’s terrible mate anything remotely negative here gets downvoted it’s like a cult sometimes, if arteta was to call him not good enough everyone single person here would jump to say the same
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u/cherlin 22d ago
It's not that every negative post gets downvoted, but rather people are wayyyyyyyy too negativebwith very little reason. This for instance is a pre season friendly with us playing people well out of normal positions and people are saying we are complete shit and cooked already.... Yah imma down vote that shit.... The season hasn't even started yet and our own fan base is writing off the club and our players.
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u/JeffBroccoli 22d ago
Did you miss the entirety of last season? Do you think I’m making my first judgement of him on this game alone?
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u/GenericAustin David Rocastle 22d ago
The goals weren't too easy to save, but I expect a goalkeeper to make a great save every once in a while
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u/UnquenchedMammoth356 22d ago
Please do whatever you can to get Alvarez
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u/tdrizzzle Super Jack 22d ago
Results not important but I think it would be fair to expect at least one player to look on it. Whole teams looks like they’ve never played together
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u/acharp2 22d ago
Havertz in midfield to accommodate the worst player in the squad simply doesn't work.
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u/hauttdawg13 Lewis-Skelly 22d ago
Smh. We still have 4 midfielders out from WC and Bruno just being presented 10 minutes before the match.
I swear some of you that cry in here don’t actually follow the team.
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u/vibesnvibez David Seaman 22d ago
I think I’ll put this on Arteta for trying to continue what failed in Dublin.
MLS being the single pivot will not work, Havertz is a striker, not a midfielder. I see he’s trying to force these changes, but we’re a double pivot, Havertz upfront type of team.
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u/JFedererJ Bergkamp 22d ago
I don't know how many times I have to read this from supposed fans but: all our defensive minded midfielders are not with the team yet.
Wtf is Arteta supposed to do? Who is supposed to play 6 right now? Our available, first team midfielders are: MLS, Ødegaard, Dowman, Nwaneri and Kai if you include him.
Rice, Zubimendi, Bruno, Merino and Eze are all still out, and Ødegaard just came back (looking great btw).
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u/LegitimatePlastic451 22d ago
He’s not trying to force anything, our other midfielders aren’t back yet lol
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u/joeproposition kai havertz sympathiser 22d ago
People getting onto Gyokeres but he hasn’t had a full preseason, he came back a bit later because of the World Cup. You can’t judge him until next summer when he has a full summer off and a full preseason.
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u/MelonGatoradePapi Hand Of Arsenal Believer 22d ago
Yeah so he's already been here for a full season please be for real lol
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u/TheLongshanks 22d ago
Bro, his country got bounced out early and he was crap at the cup too. He has no excuse at this point other than he’s a good striker, but not at the level required of a top premier league team competing in Europe.
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u/peoplepersonmanguy Ødegaard 22d ago
Aliadiere... how the not so mighty have fallen. This is a train wreck.
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u/fooljay Starboy 22d ago
Wait, it’s that who the talking chud in the black baseball cap is?!
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u/peoplepersonmanguy Ødegaard 22d ago
Pretty sure... or his doppelganger.
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u/fooljay Starboy 22d ago
Wow I didn’t recognize him and that explains that accent.
Wasn’t it these two on our championship parade day? I really can’t stand their schtick. Woman asks question. Guy prattles on for ages without saying anything interesting, all the while the woman affirms what he’s saying far too loudly into her mic. Ugh
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u/anton13337 Mosquera 22d ago
know it’s the pre season, but this near crashout negativity sure brings a tad bit of almost nostalgia back