this post was submitted on 22 Sep 2024
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I'm sure the total distance covered is going to be relatively small since Arsenal just stayed in a low block for most of the 2nd half. But, still, those explosive movements do use energy. It was nice to see him doing something so well, when recently he has been one of the weak links in the team.
His explosiveness when it comes to interceptions and tackles were his star power when he first arrived. I hope he can continue to do it in future, though hopefully not because we're a man down (again).
I think we expected him to be good defensively when he first arrived, after all, we were buying an Atletico Madrid player who trained under Simeone. I think what was surprising and really useful was how good he was in possession. He would relieve pressure when Arsenal was being pressed by clever passes and good dribbling. That's the part of his game that seems to have disappeared lately. He turns into trouble instead of turning away from it, and his passes are often intercepted in dangerous areas.
Maybe he and Martinelli are experiencing similar funks. I've also seen Martinelli pass straight out of touch more times this season than for the entirety of his Arsenal career.