Ben

I write about games…mostly - Link to my work below.

[Ben @Famguy25]

@RohanJivanAFC I think he looks a lot better when he’s on the left side of the pitch, whether that be LW or left 10. He looks a bit awkward in the right 10.

Yet, if he is playing as a 10, he’s often naturally pushed to the right, due to Cala joining the attack.

[Ben @Famguy25]

@and_got @pedroelchileno Oh, I completely agree we need to ease Rice’s load. However, my question is whether Arteta feels like any two of Bruno/MLS/Zubi can play without Rice because they’re all very different to him.

[Ben @Famguy25]

@Hammed93859322 @pedroelchileno I actually think Merino should take Jesus's position in the squad (3rd striker). IMO, he's better higher up the pitch than he is deeper.

[Ben @Famguy25]

@pedroelchileno It isn't quite as simple as that, tho, because of the different profiles

So far, Arteta has only really trusted Merino to play in Rice's place, and that's only really been in cups or when Rice is out. For this to work, he needs to trust that 2 of MLS/Zubi/Bruno can play together

[Ben @Famguy25]

@RohanJivanAFC Would you sell Martinelli instead then?

[Ben @Famguy25]

@EBL2017 It'll be interesting to see what Arsenal do in attacking areas. With the Anderson and Tonali deals, it seems like Rogers/Barcola are going to be around £120/130m. I'm not sure either player is worth that, tho

[Ben @Famguy25]

@afcjxmes Would you give him a new contract then? as he only has a year left

[Ben @Famguy25]

@EBL2017 Have you moved on from Eze LW?

I think he works in the left 10, but has always looked a bit awkward in the right 10. And Arsenal’s 10 always becomes the right 10 because of Cala moving into that position on the left side or pushing the LW into there as he goes wide.

[Ben @Famguy25]

@GeorgeV_AFC I don’t know if you’re just talking about Atleti buying Gyok or the swap with Alvarez. But if it is the latter, I’d be concerned that Barca is Alvarez dream, meaning he may only comes to us so he could leave for Barca in a year, as Atleti don’t seem to want to sell him to a rival

[Ben @Famguy25]

@GeorgeV_AFC How does a two-player backup really work practically, though? Say Rice is injured, you put those two guys in, but then you have to drop someone else to make room, like MLS. So, then the two players you put in may make up for the loss of Rice, but who makes up for the loss of MLS?

[Ben @Famguy25]

@EBL2017 Do you think they need a #10 even if Odegaard goes? They have Nwaneri, plus Saka or Dowman may have to move inside to make space for the other

[Ben @Famguy25]

@temmy_aff @thearsfamily97 No, it’s actually Ben White who gives the pass to Zubi

[Ben @Famguy25]

@pedroelchileno I think we miss the inverted full back against the best teams. Getting that extra man in midfield really helped us gain control in other years.

Plus, in games against Bayern, Atletico Madrid, and Inter this season, we used an inverted full back, and those games went well.

[Ben @Famguy25]

@WoklzYT Have I missed something Neville has said? Because when I've heard him talk about Arsenal, he hasn't criticized our physicality or set pieces, just our lack of risk. I listened to his pod the other day after the Chelsea game, and he was mainly complimentary of Arsenal

[Ben @Famguy25]

@GeorgeV_AFC I completely agree there has been a lot of hypocrisy in how Arsenal are talked about in the media atm. I’ve just seen a lot of Arsenal fans targeting Neville in particular on this topic, when I think his opinion on our set pieces and style of play seems fairer than most others

[Ben @Famguy25]

@EBL2017 Timber and Zubi are really struggling atm, though. They look tired, and their form has really dropped (despite Zubi's recent goals). I think they need to be taken out of the firing line for a bit.

[Ben @Famguy25]

@EBL2017 Arteta seems to have pretty much given up on Eze left wing after he didn't track Matty Cash for that goal earlier in the season. I don't think he's played that position since.