After withdrawing late on yesterday due to injury, on paper Gantry appeared to be a like for like change. What became apparent once the game started was that they are completely different players, and also how important Walcott is to our team. Whilst he often stays in front of the defence and helps the team keep the ball. But he is at his most threatening when he sprints in behind the opposition defence. I can't rollout stats, but lots of our goals and chances seem to have arisen when he makes the run behind and someone plays a ball between the opponents defenders for him to run on to. Ganbry does not make this run, it is not part of his game. He prefers to have the ball at his feet. Putting these things together, we did not create that many chances and only scored from set pieces. I feel that we need someone in to be a proper back up to Walcott; someone who makes the same run tks help us create chances, because no one else in the team likes to get behind the defence very often.
You're being a bit hard on Ganbry as he's just started playing first team football for us. But I do agree, Walcott has become a very important player. He gives us that different type of attacking threat in our front lineup. Variety is the spice of life, and his pace and cutting in does that.
I think Gnabry will develop into a really good player, but it might take a couple of seasons. Personally, I'd like to see us test Chelsea with a bid for Mata
I rate Gnabry, but he was really poor in the 1st half yesterday. 2nd half though, he was vastly improved. Problem is he was doing what Ox always does, coming too far inside, playing as another midfielder, we effectively had 5 CM's yesterday (Flamini and Ramsey, Ozil and Wilshere drifting in, and Gnabry drifting in). Theo's dumb as a stump, but he offers an out ball because of his pace, and when he drifts inside, it's only temporary.
Maureen would never allow it, maybe a phone call from Wenger to Mata might help, to force Mata to hand in a transfer request? Unless he kicks up a fuss, we have less chance of getting him than Suarez.
I would bite someones hand off for Reus (depending on how we do a summer bid could be successful) if not I would rather go for Suarez - can play all along the front three (plays rwf for Uruguay) plus proven prem quality. Both would be players in theo mould as opposed to Mata who would be another Cazorla or Ozil.
I would bite someones hand off for Reus (depending on how we do a summer bid could be successful) if not I would rather go for Suarez - can play all along the front three (plays rwf for Uruguay) plus proven prem quality. Both would be players in theo mould as opposed to Mata who would be another Cazorla or Ozil (not saying thats a bad thing just that we have 2 WC players in that mould).
Walcott scored 21 goals and got 10 assists for us last Season. In my opinion he THE most under-rated player in the EPL. He is still constantly critisced despite outperforming most the TOP wide men in Europe. (not too mention this league) He offers the team good balance IMO.
I'm going to go Wenger on all of you, instead of buying another creative option in midfield, I think we should allow Gnbary to develop rather than have 1 new player take his place and stall his development to the first team, :-D. The only chance of getting a new creative man is if we lose Rosicky in the summer, then we'd obviously have to replace him.
Gnabry will be good, but in our current system of the lw moving inside a lot, and Giroud doing hold up work, we need someone to run in behind the defence. Atm Theo is our only player who does that (maybe miyaichi would). The rest of our midfield ers just want to play the passes, rather than getting behind to receive them
Well we really dont need another creative midfileder IMO. I would'ny say no to Fabregas (if he inteneds to leave) but other than that I think we have an abundance of talent in midfield. Ozil - Best No.10 in the World. Carzorla - Brilliant behind the striker, on the wing and in midfield. World Class. Wilshere - Best as a deep lying box to box but has shown he can cover wide positions and the No. 10 role when needed. Arteta - Has basically changed into a deep lying playmaker. Experinced and technically excellent. Flamini - Can play DM, box to box or even at Full-back. Looks a very astute free - transfer. Chamberlain - Can also play just about anywhere across midfield. Quick, strong and technically sound. He's going to be a great player. Rosicky - Experinced and always gives 100%. A great squad player and still looks to have a couple more years in him. Ramsey - Finally over his injury problems and looking like he is finally ready to realise his potential. Diaby - One day he might return. Like Jesus or King Arthur. Then there's Eisfield,Crowley and Gnabry who all look capable of reaching the top level.
Gnabry was only poor for the first 25 minutes (he was very undecided what to do with the ball), after that he was quite solid. Our young generation in our reserves have been the most underwhelming in long while IMO, but Gnabry and Eisfeld have always looked the most likely to break through in the first team.
Very harsh on a kid making his first PL start. He did ok for that and you cant expect him to be at the same level who's was the new kid 7 years ago. Gnabry isn't a speed merchant like Walcott and yesterday some were comparing him more to Ox than Theo. Ryo is more of a like for like replacement for Theo and we should get a better look at him tomorrow.
