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  • Kensei400@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I really wonder why Arteta didn’t bring on ESR or even Vieira today. I understand bringing on Havertz for Ode for aerial balls as we had also conceded from a corner, but when Jesus went off, it should have been ESR instead of Nketiah, and Havertz up top. With Martinelli tired, we were terrible on the counterattack with Trossard, Havertz, and Nketiah.

    • pies1010@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      Is it really hard to wonder? 1-2 away from home and you aren’t bringing on a guy that doesn’t really defend.

      • Kensei400@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        11 months ago

        It’s one thing if we’re pressing high where ESR’s defensive limitations can be exposed. It’s another when we’ve retreated to a medium/low block, and trying to remain compact. We still needed someone who could carry the ball for our attacks, after we had taken off Saka and Jesus, and Martinelli was tired. It was then left to Rice, which was even more risky.

        • pies1010@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          11 months ago

          I edited my comment to add something.

          Yeah fair, but not sure ESR is the guy you want in a low block. Havertz/Nketiah is more defensively solid than ESR/Havertz in my mind. He was happy for us to sit back anyhow, which worked well in the end.

    • Special-Discount228@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      11 months ago

      I’d have put Nelson on the right and taken martinelli off instead of switching him. He knows how to keep possession and is safe on the ball.