We definitely have an issue with the LCM this season but I feel like it’s unfair to blame Havertz tbh. We signed him to play a position he didn’t play in because they believed it’d work that’s much more on the people who signed him if it doesn’t work than him. I think the issue is that odegaard’s creativity has been basically non existent as well so the midfield in general just offers nothing in terms of creating chances.

If we’re playing teams we’re meant to beat especially at home I’d just play Odegaard and Vieira maybe switch their sides at times and let them rotate mostly but this weekend for example you basically have to play Jorginho and rice or rice and Havertz for defensive help.

Havertz and Viera have opposite problems. Havertz is great at covering ground, pressing, and tackling, but he’s lacking the final action (which he used to have). Viera seems to only have the final action assist here or there, but doesn’t offer much generally when he’s on the pitch. These guys are still young so they can evolve, but Arteta doesn’t have that time. Hopefully they come good sooner rather than later.

For me Raya isn’t a slight upgrade on Ramsdale. It’s a big one. Raya is simply far better with his feet. His passes lead players to the right spot and they’re weighted perfectly. Also much better in corners and crosses.

We’ve also not had our strongest 11 pretty much all season. Timber and Partey elevate us. Those silky boys are really good at beating the press and unlocking our attackers. I think 24 points in the league with major injuries and a revamped midfield is almost miraculous. We really need to sacrifice some goats for Partey’s health cause I feel like we’ll finally start kickinng on when he’s back.

i find many football fans to be highly performative, esp on social media. i blame aftv and its hideous spawns like chelsea fan tv for this.

I dont get how people can defend ramsdale.

The 3rd goal, the ball was deflected towards him, and he fluffed it. Keepers train to react to deflections, and this one was right at him.he has no excuse to palm that in

the first league loss this season is going to be the worst headloss this fanbase has ever seen

It’s always so weird seeing how different the game is perceived on TV vs in the ground.

I think yesterday we were absolutely toothless, the xG stats cannot hide the fact that West Ham defence wasn’t tested and in turn their team was happy to bank on set pieces, counter-attacks, our mistakes and scraps. Some things I noticed:

• Ramsdale is nervy on the ball, even worse than I remembered before (or maybe seeing Raya has amplified it). He gives a lot of belief to the opposition and their fans. One thing I noticed was he constantly put Gabriel in a bad position by passing the ball behind him which would give the pressers a second more to get close which is huge problem.

• I also feel bad for Ramsdale and our CBs, our midfield refused to show for the ball in between the lines. There’s also a clear lack of trust from our CBs which I understand. Zinchenko was brave but he’s often pushed off the ball, Jorginho was hiding behind the shadow of the WH forwards, Kai was being impatient and constantly moving to the touchline only to pass it back or to a marked Trossard and I don’t remember seeing Viera at all.

• Zinchenko needs to stop calling for the ball when he’s being surrounded and the few times he got it, he missed chances by going for the short passes, Trossard mainly but Nketiah as well were open multiple times.

• Our play is too slow and too safe, if the pass isn’t 100% we don’t risk it, opting to recycle. Our forwards are visibly frustrated on the pitch, they’re not getting the risky passes that could potentially put them 1v1 against their defenders or at least giving them an opportunity to run into space. Instead they’re getting the ball when the opposition is set, they can’t produce magic vs a low block being doubled on the touchline.

T3n hag with the “I am a fighter statement”— he’s gone by next week then

How do you guys feel about havertz now? I personally still think it’s huge money we could’ve used to actually strengthen our squad for injuries like a Jesus.

on a completely unrelated note, is there any way to turn the reddit webpage back to the way it was before? i hate the way it looks now.

Doing pushups/goblet squats/abs bicycle everyday for every point earned till we win the league. Day 83: 30 goblet squats ✅

Honest question, is Willock any worse than Havertz, Vieira or ESR?

I’m not in the throw the team under the bus mood, but there’s a few worrying signs within the team. ESR and Partey both are injury prone, and either could be a first 11, and rotation. So that’s two positions down. Then up front I think Eddie is more of an impact sub, than a starter. His hold up play is a lot to be desired… Then onto Harvertz. He’s good at hold up play, but really lacks any confidence going forward. He seems to play a lot of safe forward passes.

Anyway that’s for the boss to work out.

Tears we had the pick of any midfielder in the world to fill our LCM slot and we chose Havertz for £65m. Side eyeing Arteta from now on for every potential signing we make from here

I’m starting to wonder if people here even watch the games or watch it with a blindfold.

I’ll admit in midfield this season Havertz has been poor whilst being good when up front but in the first half yesterday he was genuinely our best player.

Then we lose the game after conceding 3 goals from 0.45 xG and I’m seeing everyone blaming Havertz.

Sure, he still has a lot to prove but yesterday is not the time to do it. He looked sharper, was getting past players and making decisive passes whilst putting in great recovery tackles. Could have done better in the box but was otherwise impressive.

If any players should be criticised it should be Ramsdale, Zinny and Eddie who I thought were abysmal.

Going to be harsh on Ramsdale and say that you want that sort of game as an out of favour keeper - you want something to do. If it was a breeze and he didn’t have any opportunity to make some saves and prove himself that’s worse.

So the team absolutely did not let him down - he was poor and that’s unfortunate