Arsenal V Palace match thread

[taylors lovechild]

It was a strange game in which neither team really pushed themselves for any prolonged spells. Arsenal taking such an early lead possibly helped us. We definitely looked more threatening after the subs. I know it was one of Kamada's better games, but he still looks too lightweight and several times he spent ages deliberating with what to do with the ball, which thankfully was ok as Arsenal weren't really pressing at all last night. He needs to make quicker decisions and play more confidently if he is to succeed and be a regular starter. Overall a confidence building result going into Saturday without having to work too hard for it.

 

[MrRobbo]

Saw JPMs goal again this morning, it really was a thing of beauty.

Having pondered last nights game and taken stock of the last few matches. I think OG has some real decisions to make. On form alone, Wharton would not be starting Saturday. There has been a really worrying drop off in his form especially his pin point forward passing. He has been caught in possession many times over the last few matches which nobody did last year as he moved the ball on so quickly. Hopefully just a ploy from OG?

Hughes has to start. He is the engine and I feel like the heart of the team.
Kamada. I have to say has looked really neat and tidy. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I don’t think the world would end if he started 🫣. (I need to lay down).
Lerma also warrants a start as he has not let us down at all in any position he has played this season and could think himself unlucky if he doesn’t start. Devenny, he has done ok but is a sub at the moment.
Decisions decisions 🤔🤔🤔

On another note. Mitchell. If that boy could deliver in the final third, we would get record money for him. Defensively he is a very good player. He seems to get a rush of blood or just lacks a bit of confidence in the final third. Once yesterday he seemed to get the ball under control, he visually composed himself and put a fabulous cross in, so he can do it. Surely this can be coached into him?

I'm so glad that many are starting to warm to Kamada. Technically was great again last night, linking up play. He's really good our of possession, not a fearless tackler, but understanding when to engage and when to drop back.

Really difficult decisions on centre mid starters for Sat. Wharton hasn't been great, but we know his ability. Hughes and Lerma ad bite, but cant play together, both over press and get pulled out of position all the time.

For me Kamada starts. And given the flashes of brilliance I'd pair him with Wharton.

 

[CPFCSaturn]

Agree Wharton has been a little out of sorts the last couple of games, but I don't see anyway he doesn't start on Saturday; we're a completely different team when he's at it - very confident it will be him and Hughes, which I think is comfortably our best pairing, despite Kamada's improvement.

I think Lerma is better in the back 3 than he is in midfield - his passing is incredibly wasteful.

Devenny was better than I expected, although should've done far better with his header - he's proving himself capable of being an option at this level.

Despite his effort, I thought Nketiah was poor again - no contest between him and Mateta these days.

Lacroix and Munoz looked back to the sort of standard we've come to expect of them after a couple of poor performances.

Overall a good result and performance to take into Saturday - best we've looked in a while.

 

[MrRobbo]

And, for the formation haters 🙂

Our 2 man midfield once again, stood up to a 3 man midfield. No sense of getting overrun

 

[CPFCSaturn]

I'm so glad that many are starting to warm to Kamada. Technically was great again last night, linking up play. He's really good our of possession, not a fearless tackler, but understanding when to engage and when to drop back.

Really difficult decisions on centre mid starters for Sat. Wharton hasn't been great, but we know his ability. Hughes and Lerma ad bite, but cant play together, both over press and get pulled out of position all the time.

For me Kamada starts. And given the flashes of brilliance I'd pair him with Wharton.

I like Kamada, but I don't think you can justify starting him over Hughes in a game of this magnitude - despite the recent improvement, over the season he's shown himself to be less consistent and more error prone than Hughes.

Has to be Wharton and Hughes for me - Kamada to come on when Hughes is inevitably booked.

Lerma is really a last resort for me in midfield at the moment - I think his passing and decision-making on the ball is really damaging to the team. Great option in the back three though.

 

[NMPalace]

With regard to your final paragraph I think we just have to accept Mitchell as a very good defender who has attacking limitations.
On at least 3 occasions yesterday he was in good positions to pull the ball back to onrushing forwards or whip the ball in at pace .
On each occasion he lamely lobbed the ball into the keeper's hands.
This is symptomatic of his general attacking play in recent seasons, and I don't believe it will change or be coached out of him.
It certainly hasn't under Hodgson, Vieira or Glasner.
That being said, he warrants a place in the team for his defensive strengths.

Have to agree, but as an ex left back myself am always surprised they don't practice more first time crossing (e.g. goal v Villa a few years ago , 3-1 win). When most defenders take a touch the opportunity is usually lost and they are less able to beat their man.

An early whipped cross would not give defenders time to come across.

In warm ups you see the goalie practicing first time kicks with both feet, but rarely outfield players.

 

[rob1969]

All the stand-ins, Kamada, Devenney and Nketiah played pretty well tonight. Justin should probably have scored with his header - though Sarr's was a worse miss. Mateta's chip was a thing of beauty both in execution and awareness that he had to get it off immediately after he had shaken Odegaard off; very few players could have scored that
Wharton owes the team a performance at the weekend. His best game by far this season was against Villa so there is that. TBF, he picked out Esse well for his goal. Probably would not have taken the corner if Hughes had been on the pitch

Thought Wharton’s passing was terrible last night so many times passed to opposition! He really needs to improve that Part of his otherwise very good game!