IMO the third factor has been largely overlooked. Rice is immense when it comes to defence, but it seems he’s yet been able to carry out progressive passes as efficiently as Partey. He tends to carry the ball on his own.
This, combined with Havertz who isn’t as good as Xhaka either when it comes to progressive passes, is probably the biggest reason why our attack hasn’t been as good this year. It has more to do with midfield balance than our frontline.
I’m definitely not saying Rice isn’t a good player - he has been excellent to the point that 105m looks like a robbery now. It’s just that the midfield balance takes time to be sorted out.
And to be fair it took time prior to last season as well. It’s very encouraging that there are clearly some things still being worked out in this new midfield, yet we’re still top.
His driving ability through the middle is such an amazing skill to have. Sometimes that 10 metre dribble creates more time and space when we are rushing some messy passes or struggling to actually turn defence into attack.
But as you noted, we need that passing balance to come from elsewhere.
I’ve been saying this since the beginning of the season. I’m glad people are starting to come around so I can stop reading threads about “XX is a shit player”.
I think Tifo made a good video talking about how Arsenal are progressing ball differently. The progression is certainly slower and less direct. It also seems more likely the attack stalls when the ball moves out wide. I think teams have realized they can afford to double up on Saka and Martinelli. However I think Odegaard could learn something from Havertz…
When Havertz has played next to Saka, Saka has looked more impactful. I think this is because Havertz isn’t as predictable and is more likely to shift outside rather than in like Odegaard. This gives Saka space to move inside which throws defenses off because they expect him to hold the width. Also Havertz makes more runs in behind which also creates some space for Saka to move under or inside.
Odegaard tends to float around the half space and to your point players like Partey and Xhaka were able to pick him out sooner in an attack before defenses could transition. This gave both him and Saka more time and space in the attack.
Anyway all of that to say more rotations on the wings with CM and CF will help move defenses around which should benefit the whole front line.
This, combined with Havertz who isn’t as good as Xhaka either when it comes to progressive passes, is probably the biggest reason why our attack hasn’t been as good this year. It has more to do with midfield balance than our frontline.
Progressive passes don’t mean shit against a low block.
IMO the third factor has been largely overlooked. Rice is immense when it comes to defence, but it seems he’s yet been able to carry out progressive passes as efficiently as Partey. He tends to carry the ball on his own.
This, combined with Havertz who isn’t as good as Xhaka either when it comes to progressive passes, is probably the biggest reason why our attack hasn’t been as good this year. It has more to do with midfield balance than our frontline.
I’m definitely not saying Rice isn’t a good player - he has been excellent to the point that 105m looks like a robbery now. It’s just that the midfield balance takes time to be sorted out.
And to be fair it took time prior to last season as well. It’s very encouraging that there are clearly some things still being worked out in this new midfield, yet we’re still top.
His driving ability through the middle is such an amazing skill to have. Sometimes that 10 metre dribble creates more time and space when we are rushing some messy passes or struggling to actually turn defence into attack.
But as you noted, we need that passing balance to come from elsewhere.
I’ve been saying this since the beginning of the season. I’m glad people are starting to come around so I can stop reading threads about “XX is a shit player”.
I think Tifo made a good video talking about how Arsenal are progressing ball differently. The progression is certainly slower and less direct. It also seems more likely the attack stalls when the ball moves out wide. I think teams have realized they can afford to double up on Saka and Martinelli. However I think Odegaard could learn something from Havertz…
When Havertz has played next to Saka, Saka has looked more impactful. I think this is because Havertz isn’t as predictable and is more likely to shift outside rather than in like Odegaard. This gives Saka space to move inside which throws defenses off because they expect him to hold the width. Also Havertz makes more runs in behind which also creates some space for Saka to move under or inside.
Odegaard tends to float around the half space and to your point players like Partey and Xhaka were able to pick him out sooner in an attack before defenses could transition. This gave both him and Saka more time and space in the attack.
Anyway all of that to say more rotations on the wings with CM and CF will help move defenses around which should benefit the whole front line.
Progressive passes don’t mean shit against a low block.
Not sure why people keep bringing this up.
It can mean that you don’t give them time to set up during transition