Arsenal 1-1 Everton. 8th Dec @ 16.00.

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Hate people that think Mertesacker isn't a good defender just because he's slow on FIFA. Him and Koscielny are one of the best defensive pairings around at the minute

Hate is a strong word isn't it?

And to be fair it was Pro Evo.
 
Hate people that think Mertesacker isn't a good defender just because he's slow on FIFA. Him and Koscielny are one of the best defensive pairings around at the minute

FIFA is irrelevant. I can see with my own eyes he has all the pace of a two legged asthmatic pit-pony.
 
FIFA is irrelevant. I can see with my own eyes he has all the pace of a two legged asthmatic pit-pony.

Football is not all about pace though. Otherwise the likes of Bramble would be world class as he was an amazing athlete. Mertesackers game intelligence and positioning is his strength. Thats why even now he's benching a top CB like Hummels for Germany and is their starting CB
 
No question a very tough games but not impossible for us to get something out of it. Without a doubt our sternest test of the season to date.
 
Deulofeu in every game he has played or came on seems to always get a one on one chance. If he starts/comes on a sub and gets a one on one on Sunday he has to take it.

Arsenal 1-0 half time, Del boy comes on and scores 76th min, Pienaar with the winner 88th min and dedicates his goal to Mandela in front of a sea of blue limbs.
 
FIFA is irrelevant. I can see with my own eyes he has all the pace of a two legged asthmatic pit-pony.

He's been the best CB in the league this season mate, his lack of pace hasn't been exposed at all. Some of the best CB's of all time have had no real pace, it's not what defines a great defender.
 
He's been the best CB in the league this season mate, his lack of pace hasn't been exposed at all. Some of the best CB's of all time have had no real pace, it's not what defines a great defender.

That's not the point I'm making. I've no doubt he's a quality defender. However there'll be trouble for him if players like Deulofeu, Mirallas etc can isolate him. They'll by far have the beating of him for pace and they'll be in. Add into the mix Coleman and Oviedo who are rapid and Barkley who loves to run at a defender, if they pass him he'll struggle to catch them. Not only is that a goal threat, its a red card waiting to happen
 
Be a good test of how far we've come.

I wouldn't be against putting Jimmy Mac on Ozil and trying to close nhim out and make it 10v10. He makes them tick beautifully.

Eevn then the odds are against us. Arsenal don't defend counters that well though. Our most likely source of a goal IMO.
 
That's not the point I'm making. I've no doubt he's a quality defender. However there'll be trouble for him if players like Deulofeu, Mirallas etc can isolate him. They'll by far have the beating of him for pace and they'll be in. Add into the mix Coleman and Oviedo who are rapid and Barkley who loves to run at a defender, if they pass him he'll struggle to catch them. Not only is that a goal threat, its a red card waiting to happen

Ifs and buts. The whole point is his positioning is so good that he very rarely is isolated. Positioning and ability to read the game is more important than pace for CBs. Arsenal has conceded 6 goals less than any other team last 38 league games with this accident starting every game. So either he's doing something right or other managers dont know what you know about isolating him(y)
 
Come to the point of it, our best cb Jags hasnt got any real pace either, seems to do ok though ^^

Some of the greatest CBs were not pacey. its a great attribute to have, buts nowhere close to as important as positioning and reading the game for a CB
 
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