the best little spaniard we know

toffeestillidie · December 5, 2007

what does everyone think of the recent slump he has seemed to be in for the last 3 games, even though what would be considered a slump for Arteta is top form for many other players.

i didn't get to see most of the game today because my streaming software [Poor language removed] up, but i read he missed a penalty earlier, and he hasn't registered goals or assists lately. he looked class against sunderland, but the player who usually shines and stands out seemed to be in the shadows of everyone elses glory.

is he actually in a slump, or am i just being overly critical of a great player. and if he is in one, when do we expect him to break out?

Bruce Wayne · December 6, 2007

I'm not sure he's had the best season thus far, although I suppose it depends who's standards you're comparing him with. Is he worthy of comparison to the Ronaldos', Fabregas of this world?

Sim · December 6, 2007

Yeah its not his best season so far, but as you've pointed out, his poor standard is still other players best standard.

Still too many of his corners and free kicks dont beat the first man or go no where, but if he had scored that 30 yard cracker of a free kick last night then we wouldnt be saying this now.

I think a lot of it had to do with him playing out of his skin trying to grab the spanish attention, he seems almost resigned that he'll never play while he plays for us now so maybe that has something to do with his dip in form.

Chris · December 6, 2007

Coincidentally it his dip in form started at the same time the Athletico rumours were abound. Not seen him smiling on the pitch in a while either, even when celebrating someones goal.

Robert Jarvis · December 6, 2007

That is exactly what I have been thinking. I wonder if he is upset about not getting Int'l recognition and now pondering that his best chance would be to return to Spain. Is he perhaps trying to play himself out of Moyes good books to engender transfer possibilities?

TX Bill · December 6, 2007

Robert Jarvis said:
That is exactly what I have been thinking. I wonder if he is upset about not getting Int'l recognition and now pondering that his best chance would be to return to Spain. Is he perhaps trying to play himself out of Moyes good books to engender transfer possibilities?

Nah. He's too professional to stoop to something like that. Good conspiracy theory though.

toffeestillidie · December 6, 2007

honestly i wouldn't be surprised if aragones was taking a little cash on the side from interested spanish clubs to keep him excluded

i had posted earlier how i thought the atletico rumors were shamefully promoted, front page on spanish espnsoccernet, as if there is no more important football news in all of spain. especially when all he said was later on he would want to end his career there.

maybe we just built up expectations for him too much, but its not like his poor form has been our misfortune, there has been more than one occasion where i've seen people to give him space out of respect for his ability, only to have him make the easy pass that ultimately ends up better for us than if he had tried to make a play by himself.

i'd like to see him used in a more conservative role now, letting his reputation scare defenders while playing simple possession football. against zenit, i thought one play where he broke the length of the field to cover for lescott who was caught out of position is up front, something most wingers wouldn't have the presence of mind to do effectively. maybe it'd be better if we just let him take it easy on the field and let expectations die down a bit, so he can get back to doing what he does best.

Cal · December 6, 2007

Ichigo said:
Coincidentally it his dip in form started at the same time the Athletico rumours were abound. Not seen him smiling on the pitch in a while either, even when celebrating someones goal.

toffeestillidie · December 6, 2007

Cal said:

those aren't really full smiles, slight grins perhaps, but i don't think he's really beaming :lol:

this requires further analysis.

atrottel · December 6, 2007

toffeestillidie said:
those aren't really full smiles, slight grins perhaps, but i don't think he's really beaming

this requires further analysis.

If you look closely, you can tell the smiles have been Photoshopped.

Wyness out!

chicoazul · December 6, 2007

He wasnt in the game at all last night.

And can someone stop him from taking corners and [Poor language removed].

TheDevils2001 · December 7, 2007

chicoazul said:
He wasnt in the game at all last night.

And can someone stop him from taking corners and [Poor language removed].

Who else should take them then? Pienaar, Neville, Osman, Carsley?

toffeestillidie · December 7, 2007

TheDevils2001 said:
Who else should take them then? Pienaar, Neville, Osman, Carsley?

carsley is the only person i could see giving good corners like Arteta's of last year, jus because he has a good boot. i think it'd be better if we had Arteta just work through it.

TheDevils2001 · December 7, 2007

toffeestillidie said:
carsley is the only person i could see giving good corners like Arteta's of last year, jus because he has a good boot. i think it'd be better if we had Arteta just work through it.

Yea, but we need Carsley to be standing just outside the box scoring some goal similar to the one he score against Birmingham!

monty · December 7, 2007

chicoazul said:
He wasnt in the game at all last night.

And can someone stop him from taking corners and [Poor language removed].

Couldn't agree more Chico, see my thread about him hogging dead balls, His delivery needs improving, especially if he is to take the next step up. Tommy G is alternative but DM isn't playing him.