To be clear about one thing, I think Martinelli has the highest potential of any of the "young guns". I really do. There are things he does that are just spectacular and more importantly, he has an instinct of a shark when close to goal. And I think you, Elliot, are correct to coo over it. The one thing that I think should also be added to your game is to critique Martinelli's game with the same brush and lens as you do with anyone. The way that Martinelli will hit the heights that his talent provides is to analyze what of his game needs to be changed and/or evolved. Not what others in the team need to do to make him better and not as a knock on him. As an evolution because he is not a complete player yet nor is he at the very limits of his massive ability. So I don't think we should be complacent with pointing out what he doesn't do right or what he could do better. Provided it's with the aim of wanting him to be the world class success he can be. I want him to be a Ballon D'or winner not just another teen sensation. I want people to talk about Martinelli, not Neymar. That's what I want for him :)
2022-03-13 03:16:34 +0000 UTC
Totally agree that ESR could play the left 8 role and I think we could play some real liquid footy with him there. Hope we see it a bit next season.
I don't blame Arteta for not wanting to experiment at the moment, given the whole "every game is a cup final" and how solid our record is with both Xhaka and Partey starting.
Great rewatch - cheers!
2022-03-12 20:23:02 +0000 UTC
Yeah I realize because I’ve positioned myself as loving Martinelli there is a natural tendency to believe I’m not being objective about him. And maybe there’s some truth to that! But I watch that half and I genuinely don’t see the issues with him aside from maybe one or two minor moments. Combine that with the fact that he winds up scoring the winner and I can’t see a reason to worry about him. That side just needs to find a more consistent dynamic like the right has found.
2022-03-12 02:23:45 +0000 UTC
Elliott , totally get your point on Martinelli, and I admit that because Watford went down our left side a little too easy in that first half, maybe my instinctive reaction was to perceive that as a " what' the f%#@ is Martinelli doing to help out an out of form Tierney!?" view..when rewatching this , i can see Martinelli didn't do anything particularly wrong. I still think Tierney's a little bit off , intensity wise, but the problem down that side is probably more just the Xhaka,- Tierney - Martinelli trio not working in unison, connectivity-wise, or effectively enough ( and that will come with more time together etc) when reacting to a counter attack situation..good call
2022-03-12 02:16:19 +0000 UTC
Watching back, we were way, way more dominant in that first half than I remember.
Another really solid performance and it could have been any number of goals in that first 20' of the second half.