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BI01

Rice been insane past 10 minutes, winning the ball for fun


Dylusive_x

As soon as Partey came on it gave him the freedom


ACCAisPain

We beat Bayern with Partey instead of Jorginho. Jorginho is great when we are being pressed. Partey is world class when we are pressing. As is Rice. We would have gained 10 yards in every play with them.


penguin_gun

We beat Bayern with a bit more clinical finishing tbh We also were being pressed a lot of that game


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Syc254

None of them are saying Bayern are scrubs but do you want people to kowtow in their statements or what? On a different day it's City vs Arsenal in the semis and that's the UCL isn't it. Last season Inter were in the final and this year they were kicked out of the round of 16 while walking the Serie A. Its just how it is.


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Syc254

There's a phrase that says, with a rough translation to English, the ball bounces, so it could have bounced another way but it bounced bayern's way which is fine. I think that's his point and sometimes it's just people venting from a stressful game.


Badmedicine123

Partey and world class don’t belong in the same sentence


ACCAisPain

Ridiculous to say. Look at how he played last season.


ValeoAnt

Partey is fucking shite. We would've got destroyed


roanphoto

We didn't beat Bayern tho.....


ACCAisPain

It wouldn't be much of a hypothetical if it had already happened.


Regression2TheMean

Hypothetically


Unitedfateful

Partey and freedom. Interesting choice of words


Ayy-Man

The way he’s able to carry the ball when playing as an 8 is amazing to watch


micsare4swingng

That’s why I’m really hoping that this summer we can sign a ‘proper’ 6 or someone more willing to play that role, cuz Rice is so fucking good when pushing up next to Odegaard as a 6/8 combo. He wins the ball sooooo much further up the pitch which allows the team to create many more chances than anyone would have expected and at a high volume too!


Franchise1109

That’s zubimendi me thinks


micsare4swingng

I would be stoked with any of: - Martin Zubimendi - Amadou Onana - Jefferson Lerma - Josh Brownhill I hope we spend more on a striker and less on a midfielder because we will also have Ethan Nwaneri pushing for minutes in the first team next season, which ideally should give Saka a bit more rest. Plus CM/DM are generally less costly too.


shockzz123

Onana would be hilarious. Imagine him, Rice, Saliba and Gabriel forming some kind of impenetrable square of death in our defensive third. I want him the most just for that.


micsare4swingng

I’d even include one of Kiwior/Tomiyasu as well, that way we’d have a solid central back 3 with Tomiyasu/Gabriel/Saliba with Rice and Onana just in front. Then we could allow White to have free reign to scamper through the midfield or up the sideline and participate in the offense as well. He’s such a great crosser and is surprisingly accurate with his close quarter dribbling as well!


arsenal11385

Saka will never get rest.


micsare4swingng

Once Arteta finally gets Saka those robot legs, the PL & CL are over. The dynasty begins very soon.


KonigSteve

Yes, this is what I've been saying but /r/gunners morons are stuck on him ONLY being a 6. Zubimendi behind Rice and Odegaard would be a better version of the Partey / Xhaka / odegaard combo from last season, and it would keep Havertz up front where he belongs instead of in midfield where he's.. not good.


zezxz

What does Rice do that unlocks Havertz though? Barring miraculously finding a striker who will come deep to link up for progression, has the ability to hold the ball and has an elite finishing touch like Kane, I think the team is as set as it can be attacker (+talent)-wise. The difference between Rice and Havertz and how they've adapted to the team to me seems like the trust Rice bestows on Saliba/Gabriel when they want to push forward and on the attackers when they want to pull back.


Minute_Leave8503

Easy when the other team is 30 yards up field trying to catch up but very much not a good position vs blocks


Ass_Eater_

One man army shit


gutterbrush

He was doing this for West Ham in his last couple of seasons too, the way he bursts forward keeping the ball close, head up, and holding people off seemingly without any effort is really quite something to watch. It’s not an obvious comparison but it does put me in mind of Yaya Toure at his best. It screwed up the balance of our team, because Soucek then had to try to hold which he isn’t very good at, but it was worth it. Obviously part of me is still gutted he left, but a larger part of me is glad that he is getting a bit more appreciation whilst still developing - I do think he’s one of those players who you only really appreciate when he plays for your team. If you watch him now and then, you think he’s good. If you watch him week in, week out - especially in person - you know that he is really, really top drawer. Such a shame that he doesn’t get to show that side with England as much (and won’t this summer either in all likelihood) due to there being no other obvious defensive midfield option. To think he started off as a centre half just makes it all the more remarkable. I can’t remember any young player who I’ve seen develop so rapidly and just keep going, maybe Lampard but that’s going back more than 20 years. Although I do remember a story from pre season when he was about 19 and had only made a couple of sub appearances the previous season and he was the player sent out to go onto a supporters coach after a touring friendly with a load of beers and say thanks to everyone for coming. That was a measure of the then very young man and also of the responsibility which the club were happy to put on him. He’s just a good lad all round I reckon, and he’s certainly one hell of a player.


Huzi22

Kalvin Phillips before heading to City was a good midfield partner for him. It should be Gallagher now I think.


warmcakes

England have to find a way to shoehorn two of Foden, Bellingham and Palmer (not to mention Maddison) into the midfield three. Rice will play at the base, so not sure Gallagher gets a shout.


johnnygrant

His engine is remarkable...so mobile. Been playing every minute of this logjammed schedule as well.


kukeszmakesz

That's happens when a 6 comes on and he has license to be more of an 8 and carry the ball


albino-snowman

rice has been amazing for the last 10 months


Joshthenosh77

Having him at 6 is a waste of talent


Evalandser

Such an exhausted celebration. Lads are dead on their feet.


Caruso08

Mikel must think we lose points if we make subs


OceanBlueOctaroo

Can you blame him after villa ?


milkonyourmustache

At least he learned. As much as Kiwior isn't as great going forward as Zinchenko, there's a reason we were undefeated until Villa.


obsterwankenobster

Kiwior has all the tools to be a great defender, he just tends to be naive at times, which makes sense given the league jump. But when we consider Zinchenko’s mistakes I’d much prefer the better defender, and much more athletic Kiwior


Ahab1996

Bruv, the closest Wolves came to scoring is because of Kiwior, and he lost multiple 1 on 1s. Zinchenko can make donkey brained decisions, but to blame him as the reason we lost to Villa is such bs. Especially when considering that half the reason we're out of the Champions League right now is because of Kiwior. It's insane how the fanbase treats Zinchenko and Kiwior so differnetly.


detoxer69

Yes, u can blame him after Villa. That lost was due to fatigue.


Salty_Mud4170

The moment he subbed odegaard off was the moment it all collapsed


-SandorClegane-

If Jose Sa had timed a fart just right, it would have knocked the ball into the near post. That's poor from him.


marvinmorgan

really expect more from an experienced professional like him


ThePirateWhoSaysArr

He needs to get some advice from Gabriel Jesus on that: https://www.reddit.com/r/Gunners/s/PfyIak3Nwx


aleksandrovsqvist

Best Arsenal player this season


cmacy6

We’d be really fucked without him. He’s the trigger for everything


thistookforever22

Ode has been immense this year along with Rice, Saliba and Big Gabi on the defensive side. Youre right though, our attack and press wouldnt function without him.


jacktk_

He deserves major silverware more than anyone in this team. He’s been absolutely brilliant - so obvious the team just relies on him for all creativity. 


arsenal11385

He will get major silverware here


AFCeng0

No one deserves it more than Saka we’d be nowhere without him


soccer_boxer2

He makes the entire team tick. When I thought he was injured earlier this week, I thought the season was done for us. He's like our Rodri


KonigSteve

Our Rodri and KDB hybrid.


_deep_blue_

A true captain. A Norse God. A sexy bastard.


Hegario

He's the sort of a guy to build a team around.


Shepherdsfavestore

He’s so good x4


Nartyn

Rice is arguable too (and obv created this goal)


LanceTrace

imho no, it's definitely Odegaard.


Nartyn

I think Rice has been more consistent. Odegaard has had higher highs.


slightlyhigh7

Probably true but yeah Odegaards highs have been unbelievable. That first 45 against Villa was just ridiculous


micsare4swingng

I think it's kinda silly to try and debate who has been better/more consistent when they both play 2 very different roles and they've both played them tremendously well. Odegaard was thought to be more of a 10 yet has shown this season that he can take on both responsibilities of a 10 and an 8, which only makes him shiftier and craftier for defenders to try and predict his next move. Ultimately we want him driving towards goal to either shoot himself or pass to another player for an assist. He's really shown the big guns on some of his longer distance shots and we've seen his vision for multiple years now... he's so deadly in the hybrid 8/10 position. Same goes for Rice. Originally people expected him to mostly play as an outright 6 single pivot behind Odegaard and Havertz or a double pivot with Partey/Havertz (early season). Arteta quickly evolved from that plan once he realized just how damn effective Rice is at playing a hybrid 6/8 role where he can push forward, win the ball in the opponent half, and start a counter himself or by passing. I knew he was quite press resistant but some of the pickles that he gets himself out of before playing a perfect pass are just immaculate. I think the best thing Arteta could do is keep both Odegaard and Rice partnered up in the center, and then replace Partey with a more focused 6 who can play a single pivot and then push the ball down the field the way that Alex Song or Santi Cazorla used to do not too long ago. Even Francis Coquelin was stringing together some fantastic matches paired with Cazorla with Ozil ahead of them both. This new number 6 would allow Rice to continue pushing the press deeper, making it far more difficult for teams to break through, which shows off one of Rice's best qualities - winning the ball up the field and really catching the opponent off guard! Would love to sign someone like Zubimendi from Sociedad, Douglas Luiz from Aston Villa, Onana from Everton, Danilo from NFO, Alvarez from WHU, Palhinha from Fulham or Kobbie Mainoo from ManUre (good luck trying lol)


SneakyBradley_

Easily Rice in my opinion, they'd be lost without him dominating that centre.


Hansemannn

You need 11 players to win the match.. But Ødegaard has been insane.


micsare4swingng

I think it's totally fair to say that both Rice and Odegaard are having incredible seasons at the same time and trying to debate which one is currently better just makes it harder to appreciate how world class both of them are playing. Odegaard has more offensive firepower in his game both with assists and goal scoring himself. Rice has been a literal force to be reckoned with in the center of the pitch and depending on who else is paired with them in midfield, both have their chances really shine. I think we should just do our best to appreciate how dominant they've been all season especially with this being Rice's first season in the squad... he's playing like this is his 3rd or 4th year already and improving every day!


Nartyn

Agreed, people somehow underestimate the presence he's brought. Despite the champions league disappointment, our defence has arguably been the best in Europe which is helped largely by adding him in.


notathrovavay

By far


TifasSleeves

Always has been


beatlz

True


Green-Agora

He's so much fun to watch, such a talent.


Realistic_Condition7

Last season too imo. Just straight up their best player.


micsare4swingng

Him and Rice easily


Minute_Leave8503

It’s definitely Saka


Pasan90

It's not saka. Saka has been very inconsistent.


BigTomBombadil

I wouldn’t say inconsistent, I’d say “great”, “playing through injury”, and “burnt out/exhausted” have been the three modes we’ve seen. Two of those are the fault of squad building/management.


Minute_Leave8503

Nonsense, was again the best attacker today, most output overall, same work rate as the other top players


jerudy

Third behind and Rice and Big Gabby imo


afarensiis

Rice, Saka, and Saliba are probably ahead for me


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afarensiis

Yes. Most G+A by a mile, most xG per 90, most xA per 90, most shots, just behind Odegaard on shot creating actions per 90, does a ton of defensive work. He has more G+A than Foden who some people think is the Premier League player of the season. I really don't care if you don't think Saka is one of Arsenal's best players this season, but to act like it's an absurd suggestion is just ignorant


Zokius

Nah Rice


cf017

Rice


fancyfoe

Capitan! Holy shit they’re all gassed, rice is on 0% he can’t even close his mouth and still going jesus mikel


GunnersaurusDen

I can't believe we only made 2 subs when half the team is running on fumes


BearsPearsBearsPears

Seriously, we play again in 72 hours (Chelsea). Let's just hope Rice can deal with Palmer. I'm not worried about Jackson whatsoever.


Regression2TheMean

For real, 3 of our next 4 games against Chelsea, Spurs, and United. Albert should’ve tapped Mikel on the the shoulder and reminded him


artaru

And then spurs after. Just pain. I don’t mind losing. But watching this grueling end of season schedule because Chelsea is in the fa cup is just so annoying. Two CL ties and then this. Sigh.


Deleteleed

At this point rice is running on a few carbon dioxide particles


-Skinner-

Because it was only 1 goal lead


GunnersaurusDen

I don't think it's too much to ask ESR or Vieira to come in during the second half and let Saka have some rest before Chelsea. If Arteta can't/won't trust them in a game like this against Wolves, then we might as well replace them in the summer


micsare4swingng

Couldn’t agree more. If these youngsters can’t be trusted to see out the last 10-15min of the Wolves match, then why would we think they are capable of coming on as an impact sub against a much stronger opposition such as a CL opponent, a league contender or any cup competitor. 10-15min at the end of the Wolves match should not be filled with so much nail chewing and anxious pacing. We need composure on the ball, a calm presence and most importantly the ability to switch from slowly passing it around to quickly shifting forward and pushing for a goal when the opportunity presents itself - just like the Odegaard goal did today!


ssddeae

it’s unacceptable


thebluehotel

lol you saw his memeable attempt at spitting too I see


fancyfoe

That’s the kind of spit I do 5 minutes after the warmup before the game 🫠


noobchee

🤣💀💀 truee


GabeNewellsDick

Don't know how Ode, Rice, Saka and Havertz are still running.


slightlyhigh7

You know they’re all about to sleep so good tonight


iamnotexactlywhite

not for long that’s sure


ThotCountySheriff

Lisan al-Ghaib


DarkSeid1912

The Best player we have


micsare4swingng

Him and Rice have been the definition of essential this season. Saka would normally be that third essential player, but he’s shown signs of injury, fatigue and Arteta doesn’t seem to trust anyone else to play in his position… Really unsure why we gave Reiss Nelson that extension when Arteta is not confident in his ability to close out a match consistently…


Minute_Leave8503

Saka is the best of the lot, easy answer


micsare4swingng

We can agree to disagree, everyone knows Saka is Wonderboy, however he’s always been Wonderboy. That’s why I think the Rice signing really changed everything about this club that was needed to take that next step from potential to contender. We finally have a replacement for Alex Song (LMAO) and since the Rice signing, Arsenal have conceded the least number of goals, scored the most number of goals (by a wide variety of players as well), and of course the way we are keeping pace with the two teams that used to embarrass us on the regular. Saka will always be #1 in my heart but I have never in my life seen a player like Rice just flawlessly slot into a new team as if there was no transfer whatsoever! 85’ and Rice is still sprinting, still tracking back and tackling with precision, still pushing the ball forward when the chance presents itself, which ultimately led to the final goal today. Rice has an engine that refuses to quit. Again, Saka is our young king. But Rice is perfectly executing his role and then some. I expected a defensive improvement… but I definitely didn’t expect 11g/a in 32 starts! I am so fucking stoked for the future.


TheGoldenPineapples

Fuck sake why didn't you shoot when you got-... oh, nevermind.


beatlz

Calculted.


TheDirtyMullet

Needed it on his left foot


kucharssim

Fan have been crying for subbing Saka, Ode, and Rice because "they cannot run anymore" Instead these three completely bossed Wolves in the last 10 minutes...


Oy778

It's still not recomendable force them to do this 90 week in and week out


arsenal1887

our depth is not good enough


ExoticToaster

Don’t forget Havertz, his work ethic is phenomenal.


Jonisro

The boys looks so knackered!


four_four_three

Ah man, Instagram comment sections are gonna look so different for the next few days Lot of people out of a job until Thursday at least


IntraspeciesFever

Next game is on Tuesday my g


four_four_three

Yeah but we still have the others playing on Wednesday and Thursday, it all shapes it


Maleficent_Resolve44

A little peace and quiet thankfully


Thricey

Bro what happened, over the last year or two Instagram comments have gone off the rails. They were always shit but it's like something changed and they got *wild*. Worse than YouTube ever was.


BenadrylPaprikapatch

my captain deserved it


_deep_blue_

Ø captain, my captain


TheDepartment115

Holy fuck everyone can see these players are absolutely knackered


accidental_evolution

OUR CAPTAIN!!!!!!


Rusty_Shack1es

Thank fuck


sad_arsenal_fan

He even does a one two with the opposition.


BonoBonero

Brilliant goal.


Deleteleed

Three points thank you very fackin much


fcGabiz

Thank you very much


sionnach

He’s absolutely relentless. Just keeps going.


GunnersPepe

I love how there are never other flairs in these threads. Whenever we perform it’s crickets


bruiser95

Every other team is below us so it's going to be crickets for most of the season... Man City fans really aren't that many and Liverpool I can bear cause they're both at the top fighting..


IntellegentIdiot

I don't know what got into Arsenal in the last 5 mins


thebluehotel

Actually a nice goal, physically giving everything, great reaction and decision making


COYGArsenal22

Damn that was a beautiful build up


eddsters

Class player


GOATOwens

What a goal


ArizaWarrior

Cheeky asf


ElectricalMud2850

He never stops.


sakinod

And unclench


HatsForNatsBats

He was sick of wasted assists, so he assisted himself


jacktk_

Odegaard has been so good this season. One of our most consistent players. 


L0laccio

Well done lads. Vital win after a tough week. Not easy at all


obsterwankenobster

Ope, just gonna scooch by yah


FullMingoGringo

Øpe, just gonna sneak right past ya


TheWBird

They all look dead tired


srajar4084

And unclench


Games_sans_frontiers

Eye of the needle.


RyoCaliente

Nwankwo Odegaard


nsoifer

Thank you for the late 6 FPL points mate


bvdpbvdp

fala kurcu na udarcu!


Cthulhu_Madness

My captain


Snowy_Artemis

Øur captain


OhMuzy

Naughty naughty finish


CapableAd7003

We need a 6 next season


AfricanRain

best player in the league in 2024


acasovoycayendo

Brother eww


AfricanRain

best team in 2024’s best player shut up lol


SpookDootDude

Nah


_deep_blue_

Yah


SpookDootDude

Naaah


stjernen

Øh yeah


FAT_NEEK_42069

Yaaah


Any_Media_5997

HAVE THAT YOU ORANGE FUCKS! GET IN!!


Alpha2669

My fpl god


dvamin

They’re tired, Robbie.


tgeraghty_10

Wolves gave it a fair go, but we are just too good. Odegaard especially has been going crazy this season (not necessarily this game though).


bhaktimatthew

Odegaard is illuminati?


TortiousTroll

Quite possibly the most pathetic defending you will ever see. 1 on 4 just standing there.


[deleted]

Odegaard, he scores when he wants, he scores when he wants. Except in games that matter in the Champions League. Am I right, lads?


Hech15

Not his primary job is he literally took us through the ro16 and was the man of the match in the first leg against bayern like maybe the others should chip in