Maybe showing my Arsenal bias here but I thought Partey was probably the best midfielder on the pitch on the ball, especially as the game wore on. Thought Caicedo had a very good first half and was very effective at breaking play up.
Agree with this. That said, Caicedo did complete something like 6/8 long balls and 95% of his passes which is obviously elite.He is but he's just slowed down and lost that agility a touch where he can be caught out wrong side and struggle to get back. Think Palmer caught him out once or twice yesterday with it but other than that I thought he was good, on the ball he's still very good.
Why is Sanchez starting? I thought the main point of him was the ball playing?The bit at the end of the first half where he got clattered by Fofana, still got up and recovered to pinch it off Rice, then instantly play a 30 yard through ball to Jackson down the right summed him up. Ridiculous tenacity, tackling, and passing.
He's not as good at carrying the ball as peak Kante was but he's definitely a much better passer (especially from deeper areas), better at one touch play / on the half turn, and his ball recovery numbers are on the same level. Genuinely think as well that once Sanchez is replaced he'll be even better; at times he still has to sit deep to babysit because no one in the back line has faith that Sanchez won't cock it up.
Don't think that's the case; his limitations on the ball are why he lost his spot at Brighton in the first place.Why is Sanchez starting? I thought the main point of him was the ball playing?
I honestly thought when you spent 20m on Jorgensen, it was to be as first choice.Don't think that's the case; his limitations on the ball are why he lost his spot at Brighton in the first place.
He's above average on crosses and for sweeping; shot stopping is inconsistent but probably overall a net positive. The issue is he is constantly prone to brain farts.
I never understood why we went after him; won't pretend to be an expert on Valencia but his numbers are very mediocre. He hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in the cups / conference league, though I do think he should get a chance in the PL at this point.I honestly thought when you spent 20m on Jorgensen, it was to be as first choice.
I honestly thought when you spent 20m on Jorgensen, it was to be as first choice.
I never understood why we went after him; won't pretend to be an expert on Valencia but his numbers are very mediocre. He hasn't exactly lit the world on fire in the cups / conference league, though I do think he should get a chance in the PL at this point.
Oh duh. Mamardashvili is at Valencia. Shows how much I knowYou mean Villarreal.
