Here We Go

[shot from goal.com]

The above selection( against Brentford) was like refreshing music in my ears, yet same formation silenced a sizeable number of Arsenal faithfuls.

Let me start with–

"Some fans will be arguing what they don't know. Just because Arteta designated Trossard as a left winger doesn't make it correct.

Today Arteta is beginning to see this truth and is correcting things step by step. Now it's quite clear to him that this guy is a goal machine, he did that at Brighton, he did that in pre-season(highest goal scorer).

This his goal scoring is part and parcel of his midfield expertise. One must commend Arteta that in difference to Barca, Trossard is given far more room to roam than Fab G was at Barca."

– This quote above is mine and was written just after that Burnley match.

It was in response to a head-strong Arsenal fan who didn't want to even consider the idea that Trossard is an attacking midfielder. I even went to great lengths to convince him by highlighting the skill-set of a false-nine– the role Trossard played against Burnley.

I explained that Fab G(Fabregas) was used as a false-nine in Barcelona because he was a very witty goal scoring midfielder. Lionel Messi was used as a false-nine by Pep because there was a midfielder in him, with an even better skill-set that Fab G. So it takes a type of midfielder to execute the false-nine role effectively. He totally refused to agree with this analysis above.

As if Mikel Arteta was listening to me, the very next match against Brentford, he slotted Trossard into a midfield role, ahead of his beloved Harvetz(who was benched). Then the very next EPL match against Wolves, Arteta repeated thesame formation– he doesn't even substitute Trossard! I even prefer a Trossard to a Vieira who has been out injured lately.

That Arsenal fan I was educating above, has been totally quiet in the group we belong to since that Brentford match. That's a guy that is by far more active in the group that myself, being one of the leaders in the group. He's not alone, so many Arsenal fans like him have been quietened. Arteta is not as head-strong as they are.

Second Point

Now in starting Trossard in my preferred position(and where Rice had been playing), it meant a new position had to be gotten for Rice and sure enough he was shifted to the defensive midfield position in preference to Jorginho.

Jorginho is another player, I have had an issue with. I said this on the day Arsenal plated West Ham.

"But oga for start El neny na[Boss Arteta should have started Elneny!], I don't see how Jorginho is beta sef.

But an embarrassment of options all over the place, its the beauty of this Arsenal side, even City are a lil behind as per options.

Mavropanos my man, interesting to play against "your team"."

Jorginho hasn't got the legs anymore to play the kind of football Arsenal demands. He lost his legs at Chelsea, quite frankly. Yes, with the ball at his feet, Jorginho remains an outstanding passer of the ball, but sadly that's not enough in an Arsenal team, to start big matches. Elneny clearly offers more in terms of mobility and maintains a high level of passing too.

Once again, a lot of Arsenal fans laughed at me for this. They would insist that Arteta is correct. Once again, Arteta has vindicated my comments, by benching Jorginho! It is obvious how Rice is a huge upgrade on Jorginho. Very obvious! Rice's speciality is actually defensive-midfield(and he has done that in Arsenal before that Brentford match), he's just so good that he can play further forward.

So if I don't see Elneny and I see Rice that's terrific! I was comparing an Elneny to Jorginho, not to Rice.

I hope Arsenal fans are learning fast because I have always maintained that, Arteta is a fast learner.

BTW, I have almost a fanatical support for those who see football through the crucible of the Arsenal kind of lens, eg Postecoglou. So @blanchy, that's why I told you in your preview post that I don't see City walloping Tottenham.5

THIS IS ARSENAL

cheerfully...