Arsenal vs. Crystal Palace League Cup match thread

[Dubai Eagle]

Interestingly, when we left 3 players up front, Arsenal countered this by only defending with 3 players. Normally a team will leave an extra man back in such circumstances IE 2 defenders against 1 attacker etc.
Perhaps Glasner believed Arsenal would deploy 4 defensively against our 3 attackers ?

One of the commentators last night was saying that he saw Monaco doing the same thing against Arsenal to prevent them being able to send everyone forward / packing the box at corners -

 

[DenTyler]

I think there is validity to this point.
Eze is a player of great talent, but he has a tendency to go through spells where he makes minimal impact on games, bar one or two nice touches.
As our form improves, I would hope that Eze would improve too. This seems more likely than him alone being the catalyst for our improvement.

He absolutely misses somebody taking the heat off him (Olise). He is very much the player that PV dropped. I think the better Sarr gets and with Wharton back, opposition will have more to worry about. There was one situation where there were 4 gooners on him because the opposition know if you stop Eze you blunt a lot of our forward momentum.

That said, I really don’t think he helps himself. Look at odegaurd when he came on. Completely took the game by the scruff of the neck and turned the tide.
Ebbs should be doing this. Until he does I really don’t think one of the big boys will come in for him which also explains why nobody came in for him last summer. If I can see his flaws, those in the know will see the issues from a mile away.

 

[DenTyler]

The ref was appalling, as was that linesman.

What really bugs me though is the new rules on substitutes that basically hands a huge advantage to bigger clubs. I'm not saying that Arsenal's best eleven couldn't beat ours more often than not, but allowing so many subs shifts the balance heavily in their favour.

It's anti competitive.

I hate the 5 subs rule. 100% agree that it massively favours the big boys which is why they did it. 2 would be my choice. Set your stall out and see where the wind takes you. Not give it a try and then change half the side. Ridiculous.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

I hate the 5 subs rule. 100% agree that it massively favours the big boys which is why they did it. 2 would be my choice. Set your stall out and see where the wind takes you. Not give it a try and then change half the side. Ridiculous.

It is. Imagine a cricket match where you could bring on five new bowlers if wickets aren't falling.

 

[Teddy Eagle]

He absolutely misses somebody taking the heat off him (Olise). He is very much the player that PV dropped. I think the better Sarr gets and with Wharton back, opposition will have more to worry about. There was one situation where there were 4 gooners on him because the opposition know if you stop Eze you blunt a lot of our forward momentum.

That said, I really don’t think he helps himself. Look at odegaurd when he came on. Completely took the game by the scruff of the neck and turned the tide.
Ebbs should be doing this. Until he does I really don’t think one of the big boys will come in for him which also explains why nobody came in for him last summer. If I can see his flaws, those in the know will see the issues from a mile away.

It's like he's assumed the Ayew job of running into traffic to get a free kick and he's so much better than that.

 

[ASCPFC]

It is. Imagine a cricket match where you could bring on five new bowlers if wickets aren't falling.

Don't give them ideas.

 

[JRW2]

It is. Imagine a cricket match where you could bring on five new bowlers if wickets aren't falling.

Rugby union is just as bad - 8 replacements allowed in a team of 15. In fact, as a proportion that's more than football's 5 in 11.

 

[Eagleman13]

Rugby union is just as bad - 8 replacements allowed in a team of 15. In fact, as a proportion that's more than football's 5 in 11.

True, but you have to remember that most of those are usually 'blood replacements' or HiA's

 

[newickeagle]

True, but you have to remember that most of those are usually 'blood replacements' or HiA's

That is correct, however it seems standard to replace a whole front row whether they are injured or not. Fundamental to the sport, resetting the scrum.

The Cricket point above, spot on.

 

[Eaglecoops]

That is correct, however it seems standard to replace a whole front row whether they are injured or not. Fundamental to the sport, resetting the scrum.

The Cricket point above, spot on.

Rugby replacements are now referred to as impact players or finishers and can change the game in the blink of an eye. South Africa and New Zealand have both mastered this and their final 20 minute teams often play a completely different style of rugby to the first 60.

Without doubt the teams with the higher quality benches will always benefit the more replacements that are allowed.

Cricket of course completely embraces the ethos of 11 vs 11 by only allowing a replacement for fielding and they are not allowed to bat or bowl.

 

[MrRobbo]

He absolutely misses somebody taking the heat off him (Olise). He is very much the player that PV dropped. I think the better Sarr gets and with Wharton back, opposition will have more to worry about. There was one situation where there were 4 gooners on him because the opposition know if you stop Eze you blunt a lot of our forward momentum.

That said, I really don’t think he helps himself. Look at odegaurd when he came on. Completely took the game by the scruff of the neck and turned the tide.
Ebbs should be doing this. Until he does I really don’t think one of the big boys will come in for him which also explains why nobody came in for him last summer. If I can see his flaws, those in the know will see the issues from a mile away.

Completely agree. Whilst it was undoubtedly helpful for Eze to have Olise around, it cant be an excuse that he hides behind for the rest of his career.

We've seen so little from Eze this season, not even really the odd moment of magic. At the min, games are passing him by and he's having next to zero impact in them. And as you said Den, the top players don't need a foil, they make just make it happen.

Glasner is playing him to find his form, but that wont carry on for ever. Wouldnt be surprised if Kamada doesn't get a start in the next couple of games

 

[PatrickA]

Eze won't be dropped tomorrow - he's out injured.
Who's going to replace him?
My money is on Kamada, but Nketiah could have a shout too.

 

[JHB]

If he’s injured then I do think that is bad player management to start him in the cup again and see him injured for a league game.

 

[PatrickA]

If he’s injured then I do think that is bad player management to start him in the cup again and see him injured for a league game.

He picked up on a knock v Brighton, but nothing serious.
Glasner said he'll be fit for Bournemouth.
He also said that JPM showed signs of tiredness in the last 2 games.
I may be wrong, but I took that as shorthand that JPM may not start either.
This could mean both Nketiah and Kamada starting, with Eze and JPM being kept fresh for next week's games.

 

[Eaglecoops]

He picked up on a knock v Brighton, but nothing serious.
Glasner said he'll be fit for Bournemouth.
He also said that JPM showed signs of tiredness in the last 2 games.
I may be wrong, but I took that as shorthand that JPM may not start either.
This could mean both Nketiah and Kamada starting, with Eze and JPM being kept fresh for next week's games.

Seems sensible, although I’d be tempted to go Devenny, Hughes, Lerma (or Doucoure for Devenny if fit) across the midfield and play a front two of Nketiah and Sarr playing in a fluid formation.

We lost that last game because we got over run in the midfield and they carved us apart so maybe just for this game we try something slightly different.

Given Munoz is still out I’m all for going 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 against Arsenal but I doubt OG would ever go that radical and move away from his back 5.

 

[DenTyler]

Maybe tomorrow is the time to try Kamada in his favourite position in place of Ebs and Eddie to give JPM a rest. I see tomorrow as a free hit and if players have knocks or showing tiredness then tomorrow’s game is the one to rest them as after that we have ver winnable games and would rather have everybody fit and firing for a good 2nd half of the season.

Before I get coated… of course I want us to win tomorrow but that is the game if any to rest players who are not 100%

 

[dreamwaverider]

He absolutely misses somebody taking the heat off him (Olise). He is very much the player that PV dropped. I think the better Sarr gets and with Wharton back, opposition will have more to worry about. There was one situation where there were 4 gooners on him because the opposition know if you stop Eze you blunt a lot of our forward momentum.

That said, I really don’t think he helps himself. Look at odegaurd when he came on. Completely took the game by the scruff of the neck and turned the tide.
Ebbs should be doing this. Until he does I really don’t think one of the big boys will come in for him which also explains why nobody came in for him last summer. If I can see his flaws, those in the know will see the issues from a mile away.

Eze always seemed very happy when Olise was playing. It undoubtedly lifted his spirit and game. So the big question is Den, do you think he could do what Rightguard does to order? Im not so sure. It's like he mentally needs a Palace player on the pitch who is in sync with him.
And here is another thought. Was he just as happy when Wharton was fit and playing eg last season. He certainly was playing very well before Olise got fit.
My view is that he has played a lot of games this season when he hasn't been fully fit. He has had a fair bit of bad luck, like that goal at Brentford compared to White Hart Lane free kick last season, and maybe he needs a certain style of player in the team who gets him revved up. That may be Wharton. (Or could it be he has lost his magic boots a la Billy or something no one is considering)
Whatever it is, we need to find it to restore a massive talent that currently is not firing on all four.

 

[DenTyler]

Eze always seemed very happy when Olise was playing. It undoubtedly lifted his spirit and game. So the big question is Den, do you think he could do what Rightguard does to order? Im not so sure. It's like he mentally needs a Palace player on the pitch who is in sync with him.
And here is another thought. Was he just as happy when Wharton was fit and playing eg last season. He certainly was playing very well before Olise got fit.
My view is that he has played a lot of games this season when he hasn't been fully fit. He has had a fair bit of bad luck, like that goal at Brentford compared to White Hart Lane free kick last season, and maybe he needs a certain style of player in the team who gets him revved up. That may be Wharton. (Or could it be he has lost his magic boots a la Billy or something no one is considering)
Whatever it is, we need to find it to restore a massive talent that currently is not firing on all four.

For me personally, I think he just needs other ‘quality’ around him that stops the situation where the opposition put 2 or 3 (4 the other night) around him to shut him down.

His game is built on him beating the first man which then creates the space to cbe a real danger and threat.

What we have seen time after time this season is he slips the first player only to run straight into the next man who has doubled up on him. This then makes it look like he is running into trouble. He actually isn’t doing anything different from last season, it’s just the opposition are clued up to what he does and there is nobody else for them to really worry about.

The key is he either needs to adapt his game to be more involved (like the really good players, who make there own magic) or others need to shine to draw defenders/midfielders away from doubling up on him.

Olise absolutely made his own magic and that’s why he’s at Bayern. Ebs unfortunately just won’t have a big club come for him until he learns to do it on his own.

He has all the skill in the world but he’s not very good at the basics, is terrible at defending and does not run the channels at all (the other night in the first half there was an opportunity to move out to the left of the goal in acres of space and instead he just stood still… I was screaming for him to run). Compare that to odigaurd and how he moved and watch him tomorrow. That is what Ebs should be.

Sarr and JPM have started to create a bit of chaos in the last couple of league games, this also allowed a bit more space for Ebs. Hopefully this continues to grow and also the return of a fully fit Wharton will add another layer to help him flurrish.

I do also think he has not been fully fit all season and finally I wonder what that free kick against Brentford would have done for him if it had stood.

 

[Eaglecoops]

For me personally, I think he just needs other ‘quality’ around him that stops the situation where the opposition put 2 or 3 (4 the other night) around him to shut him down.

His game is built on him beating the first man which then creates the space to cbe a real danger and threat.

What we have seen time after time this season is he slips the first player only to run straight into the next man who has doubled up on him. This then makes it look like he is running into trouble. He actually isn’t doing anything different from last season, it’s just the opposition are clued up to what he does and there is nobody else for them to really worry about.

The key is he either needs to adapt his game to be more involved (like the really good players, who make there own magic) or others need to shine to draw defenders/midfielders away from doubling up on him.

Olise absolutely made his own magic and that’s why he’s at Bayern. Ebs unfortunately just won’t have a big club come for him until he learns to do it on his own.

He has all the skill in the world but he’s not very good at the basics, is terrible at defending and does not run the channels at all (the other night in the first half there was an opportunity to move out to the left of the goal in acres of space and instead he just stood still… I was screaming for him to run). Compare that to odigaurd and how he moved and watch him tomorrow. That is what Ebs should be.

Sarr and JPM have started to create a bit of chaos in the last couple of league games, this also allowed a bit more space for Ebs. Hopefully this continues to grow and also the return of a fully fit Wharton will add another layer to help him flurrish.

I do also think he has not been fully fit all season and finally I wonder what that free kick against Brentford would have done for him if it had stood.

You could argue of course that if he is attracting 2 or 3 men then there must be space and unmarked players elsewhere on the pitch and therefore his job is done. It’s exploiting those gaps because of that additional attention which is the key and this should mean he releases the ball early and then Munoz/Sarr should benefit on the other side of the pitch.

I’m sure OG knows this.

 

[DenTyler]

You could argue of course that if he is attracting 2 or 3 men then there must be space and unmarked players elsewhere on the pitch and therefore his job is done. It’s exploiting those gaps because of that additional attention which is the key and this should mean he releases the ball early and then Munoz/Sarr should benefit on the other side of the pitch.

I’m sure OG knows this.

Maybe and maybe that is creating the space for Sarr which is why he has looked better.

I’d still rather have an Ebs that is on to- of his game and causing problems. Time will tell I guess when he returns along with Wharton.