For me, it's Hector Bellerin. I'm usually more vocal in slating the older, more experienced players, but this guy does my head in and considering his 100k wages (our bloated wage bill and the absurd quick reward system for young players at Arsenal is a whole other long topic) and status he has (was even selected in the team of the year last season), he deserves loads of criticism for the sheite season he has had.
Bellerin is not a bad player, but neither do I see him as an elite one. He has pretty big shortcomings both technically and physically, and both offensively and defensively. Technically and physically, there's much about him that is like Walcott. He's got pace to burn, but he's a kick-and-rush player who isn't savvy in his link-up play, shows too much of the ball to the opposition and gets robbed due to his lack of close control, has poor balance and strength and consequently gets knocked off the ball a lot. He simply doesn't carry the ball well enough. Monreal who doesn't have his flashy pace is sturdier on the ball, better in his control and more clever in his link-up play. And considering how much he plays so high up the pitch, Bellerin's crossing and end product is pretty mediocre. Compare him statistically with some of the PL's top attacking fullbacks like Rose, Walker, Clyne, Coleman, Baines, Valencia and Cedric and Bertrand in Southampton and he's miles behind them in attacking output. Some of those by a chasm. A player like Cedric with less minutes on the pitch than Bellerin has created double the number of chances.
And that's just offensively which is exactly the area of his game that is so overrated,it baffles me how having pace cons people so much into missing the obvious. Defensively, you could write a lot on his judgement, positional issues, weakness in the duel/challenge/tackle and sloppiness.
He's hardly a candidate of mine to be sold, but his rise encapsulates so much that is wrong with giving many youngsters in Arsenal too much too soon. This guy earns 100k a week. That's absurd when you think that only Harry Kane in Spurs earns more than that and seasoned internationals and top performers like Eriksen, Lloris, Alderweireld, Walker, Rose, Dembele etc do not. Does Dele Alli even earn that? Guy needs to buck up big time. Or he joins another in a long line of Arsenal youngsters that never seem to develop while the enjoy huge salaries..
Most overrated Player in Arsenal?
posted on 11/4/17
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 18 seconds ago
I didnt say that Bellerin was alone at fault of this goal but surely he is to blame for 75% of this goal. If he is in the right position he would have had enough time to tackle Sane
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But his position is only wrong because Mustafi has had to attack the ball in the opponents half because the midfield set up is wrong. Mustafi holds his position and Bellerin is in the correct position.
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No, it's wrong. Bellerin should never leave the inside for a striker which he did. And add to this that he gave Sane too much space and couldnt make up for it because Sane running equally quickly.
posted on 11/4/17
So you're saying they cant cross a simple ball for Arsenal and on international duty they can. Okay....I give up.
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Yeap, because the tactics are different. They can cross the ball at Arsenal, but either they are crossing to no-one or a static player consumed by 4 or 5 defenders. On international duty they are far more likely to have options.
Strikers at Arsenal drop back because they know the wide player is encouraged to pass the ball to the edge of the box. Midfielders tend to hold positions on the edge of the box. Do you even watch Arsenal??
posted on 11/4/17
It is amazing how many players can't cross for Arsenal, yet when they go on international duty or move on suddenly they are getting assists - but I guess it is down to the players quality rather than the way the team is instructed to play!
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No the reason some players improve their game when they move on or play internationally is because they are surrounded by players with a better attitude, who can think for themselves and not blindly follow the manager's instructions.
Like I said, Wenger is clearly at fault BUT so are the players
posted on 11/4/17
Well....they dont make silly mistakes and doing the basics right no matter what. That is key.
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They do make mistakes. But the set up is such that they have cover.
Are you really suggesting the likes of David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Marcos Alonso are putting in faultless performances
posted on 11/4/17
who can think for themselves and not blindly follow the manager's instructions.
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The Arsenal players do think for themselves. But Mr Wenger signs and plays players who like to pass around the edge of the box rather than ones who attack crosses!!
posted on 11/4/17
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 10 seconds ago
Well....they dont make silly mistakes and doing the basics right no matter what. That is key.
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They do make mistakes. But the set up is such that they have cover.
Are you really suggesting the likes of David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Marcos Alonso are putting in faultless performances
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DJ, putting a behind your comment doesnt make it more worthy.
No, of course they make mistakes as every defense but less as the table suggests.
posted on 11/4/17
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 4 minutes ago
So you're saying they cant cross a simple ball for Arsenal and on international duty they can. Okay....I give up.
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Yeap, because the tactics are different. They can cross the ball at Arsenal, but either they are crossing to no-one or a static player consumed by 4 or 5 defenders. On international duty they are far more likely to have options.
Strikers at Arsenal drop back because they know the wide player is encouraged to pass the ball to the edge of the box. Midfielders tend to hold positions on the edge of the box. Do you even watch Arsenal??
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Your first part is bollox.
Strikers drop back because they are not involved like anyone could see yesterday in the case of Welbeck. This is because we have no wide players who are able to win one against one and getting behind defenses. Our midfielders losing the ball in areas you cant afford like the Palace 3rd goal yesterday that lead to the pen or passing sidewards and backwards.
posted on 11/4/17
Strikers drop back because they are not involved like anyone could see yesterday in the case of Welbeck. This is because we have no wide players who are able to win one against one and getting behind defenses.
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The tactic, and the way the team has been moulded, is that the ball is passed into the box not crossed. We have had team after team that have done that -not just the current players. Hleb, Fabregas, Rosicky for example. This is clearly tactical, and players are signed to play to this style. Hence why the wide men are actually inside forwards rather than wide players. Why the midfielders are passers, not players who get into the box. Why Ozil was signed.
Welbeck wasn't involved because his movement was terrible, and his touch is woeful, meaning he couldn't get a look in.
posted on 11/4/17
Welbeck wasn't involved because his movement was terrible, and his touch is woeful, meaning he couldn't get a look in.
Movement where to? We hadnt hardly the ball in the area he is playing in.
posted on 11/4/17
He's had a bad season but Bellerin has a lot of potential in terms of raw talent. I can understand the hype he had created.
It's hard to say who the most over-rated player at Arsenal is. I think with a more competent manager, your players are good enough for a title challenge. Good players can look a lot worse in a poorly functioning team.