Gonna do a bigger breakdown soon but a name to keep an eye on for a team looking to find the next Gravenberch style youth turned top 6/8 is Felix Nmecha. Wow the fundementals are exciting here. Beyond the physical carrying capacity, top creative passer and brilliant frame.

For JDP game models, rotation is key but chemistry is more than pre coordinated movements. Not enough commentary on pods that naturally do specific rotations (Nelli wide, Timber inside, Ode deep, out of block= balance). Something Im gonna coin as a new term- Rotational Empathy.

Happy Holidays Everyone ❤️ Your support means the world to me, so thank you to everyone always- Thank you all for being a part of this amazing adventure!! I hope this season brings you joy, peace, and plenty of moments to recharge! Stay safe, enjoy the holidays, and COYG!!!😊

Was trying to collate what are the single best traits for a footballer in mental, technical, & physical aspects? Technical: Effective ball carriers Physical: Acceleration both in the first 5 yards & over large distances Mental: Emotional control (Temperament) What’s yours?

There needs to be some more critical thinking surrounding our box efficiency and specifically the ability to dominate the 6-yard box. Even worse is the lack of headers given Mikel Merino and Kai Havertz as options for half space crosses to the back post.

Not in love with some of the missed opportunities we’ve had using youth this szn however since the last international break; - Myles UCL debut and start - Ethan featuring in 10 of the 13 games played The definition of trust tbh & improvement in squad mins. These 2 are ready.

The more you dive into his career & psychological mindset, more I fall in love with Semenyo! Screams “Mikel signing”- league staple approaching 25 years old in Jan coming into his own after being molded through lower league loans. Oh an Arsenal fan :) m.youtube.com/watch?v=NzYZ...

Arsenals biggest issue is selecting lineups that consistently lack respect for width against well defended midblocks. Against Fulham the issue was having 3 right footed players on the left combined with Partey at RB. Where is the width? You condense the centre & space to play.

Arsenals biggest issue is selecting lineups that consistently lack respect for width against well defended midblocks. Against Fulham the issue was having 3 right footed players on the left combined with Partey at RB. Where is the width? You condense the centre & space to play.

What makes Mikel Arteta and not Pep- physical floor.

Have to say David Raya has been the best GK in the EPL this szn; - Shot-stopping in big moments so consistent - Proactive cross claiming + awareness as a sweeper even to none - Buuildup instigator with much more central incision in his passing range Take a bow good sir!

Frustratingly passive start but a great night to maximize dropped Liverpool points; - Saliba with a flawless performance especially 1 v 1 in iso, MOTM - Kiwior having a good game in buildup was composed - Rice with a brilliant 2 half, WC set piece delivery + great driving runs

Let me preface this that all title challengers have an aspect of middle third control they lack however this idea that this is a different Liverpool team is only true in approach not in outcomes. A lot of disingenuous variance ignorance going on here.

Why does Mikel Arteta OOP principle prioritize the second ball? Some of it has to do with his personnel on hand having Declan Rice as the world’s best but also a theory behind it. Far easier to control the structure of the area around a knockdown vs the knockdown itself.

If Arsenal confirm Olabe I feel as tho Assane Diao is a trademark signing he’d make for Arsenal in his wheelhouse.

Re Max Dowman: I really hate the idea of platforming someone at his age but it really is unprecedented atp. Not unsurprising nor could it be that we see a debut sooner than people think.

For Arsenal there is a strong argument that FBs are the most demanding & largest point of failure in team but why? Our wide box entry & starting winger positions force major strong footed dynamic overload stress to create effective space. Why Cala/Timber pairing= max fluidity.

Are fans unfair about their expectation of a “good bench”? Any 2/depth option that you have that’s available consistent versatile and with serious quality isn’t gonna stay. So accepting a consistent carousel behind your XI choosing the flaws to tolerate becomes the norm.

Sometimes simplicity in motion creates the smoothest current- don’t get in the way with resistance. For a team that enters box wide, the FB-winger dynamism is crucial to opening up space inside. Natural footed FBs= quicker build + bigger natural threat. Gets wingers space.

There is massive scope for him to find a new voice in this squad- incredibly useful profile to have with a significant strong foot overlap to help get our wingers inside and closer to goal on the left. Less buildup focus as well given our evolution there.

Tyler Dibling is someone I’ve kept insisting is going to be a serious talent. The ability to be that dominant in the duel with his ability to drive with the ball both inside and outside already makes him one of the most dangerous carriers itl Combine the short back lift- yikes!

There are plenty things I’d look at for us with respect to potential individual improvements but the way people have limited our team’s title winning credentials is something I’m really not comfortable with. These teams are flawed & we are best placed to be the most consistent.

Fundamentally remains the biggest ‘why’ tactically that we don’t platform our wide men who consistently give Arsenal their greatest progression. Credit: EPL-Analytics on X (@DataAnalyticEPL)

On an individual level I find myself having incredible sympathy for what Tomiyasu is going through- he’s not choosing to be injured. But on a club level I find it incredibly frustrating to have not had a directive that for as good of a person he is the body can’t keep up.

Pretty innocent question but gives you a real nugget into their game intelligence and reflective thinking. Ethan has a brilliant burst but relies on technique to escape the issues with longer distance sprints. Myles can be “ball focused” and needs that Birds Eye perspective.

LCM: Merino- MLS RCM: Ode- Ethan- (Fabio Viera for now also an option) DM: Rice- ? Jorginho Partey and Lokonga all leaving next summer places significant pressure to recruit another lone anchor. Gonna be counter intuitive for people given how much we spent on Rice but it’s a dire hole.

Couple of things to dissect here that go against some narratives; - Martinelli’s shot totals are hilariously low but his goals/shot are much better than others people say are out of his league finishing wise - SoT% very good suggesting when he does shoot they are good decisions

Declan Rice-Carlos Baleba The closest approximation to Camavinga on the market. You don’t have to sacrifice legs in your DLP scouting- having the left footed CM that drops outside the middle third with his vision + ability to receive in the block. Buildup & transition control dream

Martinelli- Merino- Calafiori pod- balance really can be that simple. Wide outlet is a strong footed overlapper pushing the dangerous SS winger inside whilst the progressive second ball winning CM sits to protect the space. We’ve been robbed of this.

The potential as a pocket player is really difficult not to see for Timber as I’ve constantly said- the progressive intent, spatial awareness, & compact turning radius are all incredibly consistent at generating space when pressed in all directions. Add his OOP tenacity- pops!

Not only is the skill in tight spaces out of this world but have a look at the way he accelerates away from the contact & eats up ground in seconds. Seeing a David Silva with transition power is a scary combination…

I think one of the declines of Ligue 1 in a nutshell here beyond the relegation is that even given the circumstances I’m not jumping to look at deals I could make advantage of. Quite a fall for a club in such prominence not so long ago. Hope it’s a wake up call for Ligue 1.

Thanks for all the support and followers as I learn this new technology everyone just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone :)

Arsenals most threatening box player remains Martinelli- constantly battles rhetoric of improvement despite being the league’s best 6-yard box dominator. Getting a lot of unfair criticism to his underrated start to the szn without the solutions we bought for the LHS balance.

When describing acceleration in players we need to separate it; 1) “The 5 yard burst”- acceleration from a standstill you see from prime Mane/Leao. 2) Ground Running Power- acceleration you gain power the longer you run (looks like they run downhill) you see from Grealish/Rice.

There’s just so many ways this Olabe Arsenal offer makes sense here; - A coach turned SD seems exactly the type of synergy Mikel would like (previous working relationship - Multiple successful rebuilds competing with massive squad re sale value - Brilliant vision for the women’s game who can help

In the current 4-2-4 system I see a lot of utility use for KT to provide a strong foot overlap on the LHS in a Calafiori absence. We know this isn’t a long term option but use the asset we have. When we sub Trossard wide then KT needs to be paired in this specific sub.

Semanyo is a player I’m learning about whom gives me a lot of confidence he can be an effective outlet either side who is humble in his OOP work. Phenomenal decision-making in transition with great shot placement + ball striking technique helping him test GKs after carries the most itl.

Hey Friends would love to connect with anyone that knows me from X as @GeorgeV_AFC :) I am an old uncle who doesn’t know technology so help me reach everyone from the community!!

Simon Rolfes, Thiago Scuro, and Olabe represent a top tier shortlist when looking at experienced SD’s. Very encouraging to see links to teams that have shown the sharpest rise in squad value despite smaller budgets compared to their higher budgeted rivals in recent years.