Leeds (h) - League Cup - Instant Reaction

Amn is really interesting because many (including myself) had doubts as to whether he could play cm. But against Leeds I reckon he was close to motm. Whether he can cut it week in week out at pl level who knows but I do think it's hard to get rhythm and kick on if you play once ever couple of weeks. I think lots of our players clearly néed a loan esp with no El football and fewer games to play with.

Sure. I totally agree with a lot of this. It just depends on situation. AMN has carved out a role that’s absolutely valuable. Willock on the other hand, like iwobi, returned an excellent fee. I guess every player has a price. But yes, I’d much rather our squad players be academy prospects than late prime washouts

Well arsenal are paying for bad investments and lack of cl football. Not every youth player will be mbappe but then not every youth player needs to be. One of my favorite players growing up was parlour and he grew way beyond anything people would have expected when he first broke through. There is a place to give players experience and move them on if they aren't what you need. I just think I would have liked arteta to give some minutes to Nelson rather than Willian last season. Willock could have been used rather than elneny and certainly give martinelli some sub appearances could have kept him ticking along. Of course some players are amazing right from the off and stay that way some take a bit of time. Maybe some might go gnabry.

The Martinelli panic will look silly soon I think. He’s younger than esr and missed an entire year.

It just depends on whether the coach has more faith in the backup CB or backup RB I guess

I actually really disagree with a lot of this. I think elite talent presents itself relatively quickly in many cases. Esr came back from a good loan and was good immediately. Martinelli and saka flashed elite talent immediately. Playing guys like willock or Nelson or nketiah 2000 minutes a season hoping to tease out elite talent that may not be there isn’t really an option for a club of our size. Most great prospects flash special talent early. Guendouzi is a big talent with attitude issues but still a regular starter for a good team at a high level and a full French international. He is going to have a big career if his attitude holds up. As for Martinelli, I still believe he will be a star. Maybe as big as saka and esr or bigger. He just missed a year through injury right as he was breaking through. Overall I haven’t seen anything that changed my mind. Esr and saka play because they’re elite and showed it quickly.

I'm pretty sure elliot said martinelli was going to be a stone cold super star when he was knocking in the goals. He did the same with guendouzi when he was getting games but it just goes to show how development is a long game and you just cant tell with small sample. There are many who argued blooding in for 20 mins or so with youth players was clearly not going to work as the % of players who break into the 1st team is low but that hasn't proven too. Esm and saka have smashed it. The point is that you need to give chances youth players. Some will make it but some won't. But you cant tell with small sample. Perhaps that's a lesson in cognitive bias

Elliott, Even if Tomiyasu is the third best center back, is he that much better than the fourth best option to risk using our second best option at right back? Which would you rather have, Holding/Chambers at center back and Tomiyasu at right back, or Tomiyasu at center back and Cedric/AMN/Chambers at right back?

Outlaw

Pretty sure Benjamin White running to the bathroom has something to do with the 'Soft Factors' Clive was waxing lyrical about 😅

Also thought AMN was very decent tonight, showed he could do a bunch of different tasks in the CM role.

Decent result that!

Scott Mctominay missed a lot of football before he got into Utd first team as he grew 10 inches in a year

You are right and his regressing is worrying. Iam a huge fan of him and cannot see his performance. Even last season when he came back from injury he was good. But this season he has been disappointing. Iam really worried and just hope it's just a young player inconsistencies

I think it’s crazy clear now that Pepe needs to be on the left for him to work in our team, Saka is clearly better on the right and Pepe just looks lost out there recently, we’re killing him leaving him there

Someone better pick Martinelli stock falling or you’re cowards🤣

Cheers