Saka (Arsenal)
- Thread starter golden_blunder
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I like Saka -- a lot, to be honest -- but Money Mase is absolutely who I'd take at right wing.
I think one is his ability to perform in different tactical set ups and both different roles and positions within the team
That was before the game last night, and while it’s a really simplified appraisal of what Saka can bring, I wasn’t surprised to see him do well in an England team that a lot have struggled to make an impact on. A lot of the time at Arsenal even while the team has been putting on fairly limp performances, he’s managed to stand out as their best player, and he does that through a mixture of excellent decision making, technical ability and the acceleration to carry the ball. There have been games where Arsenal have been by far second best, but he’s been able to not only get the better of his opposition player, but also managed to assert himself on the game regardless of what position he is playing.
I think that’s the other thing that is such a standout, is his positional flexibility.
I fully agree with this. And I think a large part of his ability to take to so many positions is a combination of his awareness, and how well rounded he is. He has the speed to play as a more traditional winger, isolating his market and taking them on, but he also the creativity and decision making to come in field and make things happen with clever movement of the ball. While I most prefer him out on the right, I’ve seen him excel on both sides, and as a winger, wide forward, full back and wing back. He’s a very useful player to have and I think he will go a long way.
This isn’t to say I’m making a judgement on him vs Greenwood. Another poster stated that United fans wouldn’t trade Greenwood, and Arsenal fans wouldn’t trade Saka, and I do think that’s a fair appraisal. I think they have different strengths, Greenwood has a productivity that is rarely seen in youngsters, and while he tailed off a little in that regard to last season I think his natural ability at finishing, the positions he finds and the range of ways he can strike the ball in those situations means he’ll be someone who’ll be very productive throughout his career. I think Saka is an all round more creative player (not so much final third but rather progressing the ball in general), I think he excels at that aspect, and while they’re both good at carrying the ball I think Saka does edge it, and this is something he’ll continue to improve on.
Completely agree, don't see the hype. Tidy player but he's no greenwood.
there are very few attackers that have the right not to defend. It is one of the areas in which Greenwood is weaker, and where he shows he’s a striker playing on the right. Greenwood is a terrific player by the way.
But why would you want Greenwood playing anywhere else but up front? He is literally a striker playing from wide, surely that's enough adaptability for a forward? I know you weren't arguing the point but I cant get my head around it. Its almost as if Mason is at a disadvantage because he plays in a better team with better players so isnt pushed around putting out fires.
Maybe im biased but 2 footed monsters don't come around that often while a new Saka is easier to find. The big money will always go towards the dynamic goalscorer for a reason and thats because theyre harder to find.
Daniel James MK II
I think Saka is much better than James.
That's what we said about James before his second season.
he s far better than D. james in decision making. Its rather apparent
No comparison between the two. Saka has a much better end product due to his decision making.
I agree with your two points here, the first being that Greenwood has shown enough adaptability. As you said he is a forward, and in the modern game you often have to be able to play centrally and out wide, and he’s shown that is no problem to him. I do think having players with flexibility positionally can be very handy though, not just for filling in holes but also for changing things in game. Being able to switch your numbers in a back line can provide a lot of benefits. I don’t think Greenwood isn’t adaptable enough or anything, just that Saka’s ability to play in so many roles is a useful asset (which as you said probably has been exacerbated by the weakness in the Arsenal squad).
I also agree that Greenwood would probably go for more money, his productivity combined with the two footed ability would make him a pretty enticing prospect for most teams. They’re still both young though, and when Saka plays further forward he’s pretty productive in his own right, and he’s fairly decent with both feet two (albeit not to the level of Greenwood). It’ll be interesting to see them progress.
I don't think Saka is the next big thing like Arsenal fans do but he's clearly a superior footballer to James.
And technical ability. There's no comparison between them
I'm not talking about the player I like more. If your a manager and you are choosing who to play rw logically you pick saka
Not if you want goals and assist you don't.
Smit-Rowe? On exactly what basis does he need to start for England. Madness.
Saka is a better dribbler, is better at build up and moving the ball up the pitch, better ball carrier and also very two footed with excellent technique. You need more from a wide forward than just finishing.
At the end of the day we are talking about two excellent young players with different skill sets. At the moment I believe saka's skill set is more suitable for a right wing.
Cracking player who will look elsewhere if Arsenal won't shovel themselves out of mid-table.
Greenwood's goals and overall contribution from the right helped United guarantee CL football, two years straight, in terms of impact Greenwood looking strong in comparison.
Greenwood's goals and overall contribution from the right helped United guarantee CL football, two years straight, in terms of impact Greenwood looking strong in comparison.
I really like Saka as a player, drives at people, good feet, holds the ball well, can turn on a six pence to get out of trouble, causes opposition players all sorts of problems, intelligent player. His best attribute at the moment (and part of the reason I think he should definitely start for England in the next game) added to the list of attributes is that he has no fear of running at players. Most players, get a bit more experienced and curb this quite a lot so they can recycle the ball better, perfect example being Rooney.
My worry for him is a) that he stops running at people as much and b) randomly, that he bulks up because I think it will make him a less effective player (I.e. a bit less explosive and agile).
I'm not really sure why people have brought Mason into this, but while I think Saka is a really exciting prospect, Mason appears to have the ability and most importantly, the temprament to hopefully be a high scoring centre forward which is ultimately a more valuable asset for any team imho. Add to that, the opposite of my concern for Saka, I think Mason will thrive when he inevitably gets bigger physically...
Probably why he's angling for that move to Villa. Reckons the step up will help force his way into Gareth's reckoning.
What, that Saka was better than him?
Greenwood has looked very average when playing centrally and looked better out wide.
Did you manage to type that with a straight face ?
Straight as an arrow. Villa have double the number of England squad members Arsenal have. 3 times when you look at the original 33 man squad.
Well now that you put it like that i hope they don't also start bidding for Saka.
Well now that you put it like that i hope they don't also start bidding for Saka.
I wouldn't blame you for feeling worried. Not after they took your best keeper and beat you to the Buendia signing.
I am worried indeed, so are Edu and Arteta hence the links to 2 more England internationals in Ramsdale and Ben White. Your argument holds up. Joining forces with Tyrone Mings would obviously be a step-up for ESR and i'm sure he's thinking hard about it.
Hopefully we manage to keep him and manage to hold Villa off our amazing 8th place.
Back to Saka, it's weird how much insecurity there is with everyone comparing him to Greenwood and Sancho. Of course he's not at their level yet. Greenwood is injured and Southgate is clueless, end of story. Just be happy that once you sack that fraud England will have very good options coming from the bench and an extremely versatile player in Saka.
I never really rated him at Arsenal, always thought he was physically weak - however, that was a good inspired performance from him yesterday.
Saka is a real joy to watch. In 4 starts for England he has been voted MOTM three times, how many players can say that? He is a utility player who can play at lease 5 different positions. And he is only 19. On current form he deserves to be one of the first names on Southgate's teamsheet.
England are so shit that that little cameo Saka had yesterday has people pissing their pants with joy.
He’s a decent talent but feck me.
He’s a decent talent but feck me.
At least they're pulling out all the stops.
I agree! In a team that was playing like zombies anyone with a bit of impetus would have looked good. Pretty average performance really
Saka and Greenwood got exactly the same number of goals and assists in the league last year.
And while both had roughly 2/3 of their playing time on the wing, Greenwood spent the other 1/3 as a CF. Whereas Saka often played in our defence.
I’m clearly biased towards Saka as an Arsenal fan and I get why some United fans wanna see their transfer target Sancho start for England ahead of him. But I don’t get where this myth of Greenwood having monstrous end product comes from.
I don't know what the exact numbers are, but Saka must have played far more minutes than Greenwood.
The question to ask there is why was everyone else playing like zombies if they could have just shown a little impetus?
Needs to do it for the whole match, though, not just the first half like against the Czechs.
Should never in a world of Sundays been MOTM yesterday, he only played for half the game, was totally anonymous second half.
To think I thought he reminded me of Gomes in the OP. How their careers are going in different directions
Foden hasn’t even done it for one half yet..
So its more plausible that he forgot how to play football in the second half, rather than being asked to play conservatively by his manager?