Molde (h) - Instant Reaction

Tim's bias towards Brazilians is annoying and doesn't give good insights.

17:50 But Tim I’ve been saying Gabriel is VVD! Signing of the season so far and no I am not overreacting 🤠.

Something I think is overlooked here is that Pepe drew a lot of attention, especially in the sluggish first half. Lots of working triangles on the right, the ball then cycles to the left and Willian has a 1v1 with the defense shifted away from him. It's not the best of Pepe, but just the threat of him does positive things. Playing him more centrally is definitely a good option imo, as it gives him more options - out wide, his one footedness makes him too predictable. Inside he looks much more slippery.

Should we be worried about Arteta’s talent ID his first attacking signing was a declining Willian who’s given us fuck all and still gets games

I can't believe you guys digged Nketiah out. It wasnt his best game but he still scored a legitimate goal which if not disallowed we would say he's a fox in the box and he played a role in tow other goals. I think that was harsh on him

Sensible Gooner

Same here. I like the idea of 4-2-3-1 and making Pepe a no. 10 - maybe not as creative as Ozil but more likely to score. He seems to be willing to chase opposition players but there is his lapses in concentration. Elliott summed it up well: Pepe is very, very difficult to figure out. I agree with you though: I'd like to see both Aubameyang and Pepe central and, as Clive said in previous pods, linking in and around the box. I think we could still play Partey and Elneny conservatively to offset Pepe's improvisational style. I think it's difficult to call because Pepe is so difficult to analyse. Just think his role on either wing is not working at all.

Liam Lenihan

😃

We get there in the end 😂

Nelson was injured. It was reported before the teams were announced

Kevin

For me it's fairly clear that Pepe out wide is useless, Pepe in the box is an elite talent. We have the exact problem with Pepe that we have had with Auba, we need them both to be getting the ball narrower

Cheers lads. A most welcome distraction. I like the idea of Pepe in the middle - scored and created a goal from central positions. Haven't anything insightful to add beyond that - no idea how moving him central behind the striker would work. I can see arguments for and against him even being in the team.

Liam Lenihan