Another great chance to blood our talented youth team products was passed up in favour of playing Cedric, Elneny, experimenting with Rice as CB and making Saliba and Gabriel start a pointless dead rubber.
We don't have many defenders available, so most would think exposing Reuell Walters to first team action would be wise. Not only that, but Kiwoir playing CB would surely be beneficial? Walters at RB, Cedric at LB and Kiwior at CB made a lot more sense to me. Instead Walters once again sat on the bench watching. With his contract expiring soon it must cross his mind that he would be better off leaving - considering Rice and Partey are likely to be used ahead of him, never mind Cedric.
Ethan Nwaneri scored 5 in a Youth Cup tie on Saturday, and has refound his best form after a small dip and injury. Being 5 up at home to Lyon seemed a perfect opportunity to bring him on, as was the dead rubber on Tuesday.
Under Arteta only Hein, Patino, Balogun and Sagoe Jr have had any exposure to the first team. Balogun left after some good performances led to nothing, while Patino was very close to leaving in the summer.
Big questions have been raised over Artetas immediate improvement attempts, especially in regards to the keeper situation and the Xhaka downgrade. However, should we be worried about the longer term impact of his reluctance to develop academy players into the first team? Will we see some great talent leave without a chance?
The Academy Issue...
posted on 15/12/23
comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 4 minutes ago
I don't think a few sub appearances or a start in the week would have made any difference to Walters at Liverpool tbh
Arteta doesn't give the youth team the same chances Wenger did (which loads of people moaned about him doing at the time) and even Emery would blood a few more in early rounds/group stages but he's still brought through and improved a very young squad
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You don't think actual experience in a senior team would have helped? Debuts are a massive thing for players by all accounts and many succumb to nerves that they don't have to the same extent once they have got over that hurdle.
posted on 15/12/23
Lets be honest, if Walters starting instead of Cedric means we are certain to lose a dead rubber for both teams against PSV then Walters may as well give up.
If bringing Nwaneri and/or MLS on at 5-0 against Lyon is going to cause the greatest collapse ever then not only should those two get back to school and prepare for a life outside of football but the other players on the pitch should also consider their future.
posted on 15/12/23
True
posted on 15/12/23
Some moaning about Arteta wanted to win a dead rubber game? Only at Arsenal.
I think Arteta made the right decision to take some youngster with the first team squad to experience a bit of first team atmosphere.
PS: Welcome back DJ. Missed you.
posted on 15/12/23
Arteta didn't win a dead rubber. We are moaning about Arteta jeopardising future success by overplaying certain players, not blooding youngsters and getting them ready to transition into the first team, and seemingly not learning from mistakes of seasons past.
posted on 15/12/23
comment by CrouchEndGooner (U13531)
posted 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
I don't think a few sub appearances or a start in the week would have made any difference to Walters at Liverpool tbh
Arteta doesn't give the youth team the same chances Wenger did (which loads of people moaned about him doing at the time) and even Emery would blood a few more in early rounds/group stages but he's still brought through and improved a very young squad
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I don't think we need Walters for Liverpool but perceptions can change by the game. All ifs and buts however if he had played and done okay then maybe Arteta trusts him to come on against Brighton. Probably not because it would be up against Mitoma but with so many games coming, White can't keep playing 90 every few days. Maybe Cedric has demonstrated enough that he can be trusted to do this job instead over this busy festive period.
posted on 15/12/23
Cedric lost the ball 11 times against PSV. I think his performance, more than anyone, should have affirmed he needs to go in Jan.
posted on 15/12/23
comment by Jenius99 (U4918)
posted 2 hours, 21 minutes ago
Cedric lost the ball 11 times against PSV. I think his performance, more than anyone, should have affirmed he needs to go in Jan.
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He's not going anywhere unless we pay him off, which is very probable. However we've got 4 games in 2 weeks before January. Maybe White just plays the full 90+ in all of these games. It's nitpicking really, as White will probably only come off if any of the games are done. If its close then he will play on regardless.
I didn't mean from the PSV game but just from a pure experience point of view. I'd have obviously preferred to see Walters given that chance and from there like I said, could have potentially demonstrated enough to be trusted as a deputy for a few weeks. Now I sincerely hope we don't have to see him otherwise it likely means we've sustained another 4 injuries/suspensions at the back.
posted on 15/12/23
This is where criticism of Arteta is justified. He just does not trust youth players unless they are exceptional. Which is fine, but some young players get better slowly and need more nurturing. Those are the players we will lose in the mix. Not the likes of Saka or Ethan.
posted on 15/12/23
Btw I fully expect Partey to back up both White and Rice!