The Mail Bag
Arteta a lightweight??
Comments (21)
Recently on here I have noticed a few comments regarding Arteta being to lightweight, easily pushed of the ball, poor delivery, etc. What those that knock him need to know is that he is the most fouled player in the Prem. His quick feet and turn of pace is an asset but, unfortunatly after being chopped down he has to get to his feet and then deliver the ball into the danger areas.
Having played for Luton at reserve level on the wing, being a target every game and keeping cool is tough, so although he appears to be lightweight his contribution in winning free kicks in dangerous positions is valuable. If we were to invest in a dead ball specialist, his great work would be more recognised.
Chris Keightley, Posted 10/01/2008 at 11:36:51
Comments
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Stuart Mitchell
1 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:04:32
1 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:04:32
Pienaar has been amazing from the corner spot since Arteta was suspended.
I would leave the corners to Pienaar and let Arteta take the Free Kicks
I would leave the corners to Pienaar and let Arteta take the Free Kicks
John Lloyd
2 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:19:40
2 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:19:40
I agree the corners by Mikel have been poor then I looked at it a bit, look at where the players run to as ball is coming in.....as we all know these routines are heavily practised by DM in training and I think that at the minute we are sending the ball to the front post for a flick on/glancing header to either in the net at far post or as close to as possible giving back post people a chanve to attack it.........if thats the case then its an extremely hard skill to hit that corner and the man on the front post be there so the blame would lay more with Moyes than Mikel.
May not be the case but deffo worth bearing in mind?
May not be the case but deffo worth bearing in mind?
Graham Nolan
3 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:22:04
3 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:22:04
Arteta has, no doubt, been a great signing for us and is one of our best players. If he could only add more goals to his game he would be truly world class.
Graham Holliday
4 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:22:57
4 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:22:57
I thought his set piece delivery was outstanding up until this season. I’m in complete agreement that it’s nearer to atrocious now though!
M J Tyrrell
5 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:21:26
5 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:21:26
Pienaars delivery is far from "Amazing". He lacks the power in his set pieces (and shooting) to provide "Amazing" delivery. Im not knocking Steven I like him but, like others in the team his delivery isn’t great let alone amazing.
Ben Brown
6 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:44:28
6 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:44:28
He’s also the second most effective tackler in the prem.
RE: freekicks, yet ANOTHER reason why we should sign Juuuuuninho, lala lalala.
RE: freekicks, yet ANOTHER reason why we should sign Juuuuuninho, lala lalala.
Andy Ellams
7 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:43:03
7 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:43:03
Phil Neville is one of the best crossers we have. Maybe he should be the dead ball man from out wide, corners and free kicks from the wing, We do get quite a few of those courtesy of Mikel and we are not taking advantage half as much as we should.
Allan Hobbs
8 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:49:42
8 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:49:42
Mikel Arteta = most fouled player in the Premier League. Read into that what you will...
Charlie Percival
9 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:51:36
9 Posted 10/01/2008 at 12:51:36
Let FERNANDES take everything!
Jo McMahon
10 Posted 10/01/2008 at 13:15:17
10 Posted 10/01/2008 at 13:15:17
I want Kevin Sheedy ti take all the freekicks!!!
Artets’s corner etc have been awfull this season- If the Sky 4 wanna pay 15 mill for him...let them.
Artets’s corner etc have been awfull this season- If the Sky 4 wanna pay 15 mill for him...let them.
Wayne Smyth
11 Posted 10/01/2008 at 13:26:57
11 Posted 10/01/2008 at 13:26:57
I dont remember too many occasions when I’ve seen Arteta brushed off the ball too easily. Normally when he is disposessed, we get a freekick.
I actually think he is one of our more robust midfielders and seems to have excellent balance and a low centre of gravity compared to most.
I actually think he is one of our more robust midfielders and seems to have excellent balance and a low centre of gravity compared to most.
Chris Masey
12 Posted 10/01/2008 at 13:38:42
12 Posted 10/01/2008 at 13:38:42
We can analyse Arteta’s faults all day long, but the last three games have made it plainly obvious to me, that he is fact our undisputed best player. Nobody on our team can control the game like he can. His flair on the ball and awareness of whats around him puts our attacking play in another dimension. Fuck his set-pieces, his all round midfield play is whats important, and he is the best. If you lot can’t see that from the last three games you need your eyes testing!
Paul Olsen
13 Posted 10/01/2008 at 13:40:01
13 Posted 10/01/2008 at 13:40:01
I actually almost never see Arteta losing the ball when he has it at his feet. He’s extremely hard to disposess. Lightweight? I think not.
But, as others have said his set piece delivery has not been the best this season.
As for the number of fouls against, partly because he is hard to disposess partly because he’s clever when falling over.
But, as others have said his set piece delivery has not been the best this season.
As for the number of fouls against, partly because he is hard to disposess partly because he’s clever when falling over.
John Jones
14 Posted 10/01/2008 at 14:20:22
14 Posted 10/01/2008 at 14:20:22
Just read an interesting article on The Times website about dangerous tackles and this little known stat caught my eye:
Opta, which charts football statistics, rate each player?s effectiveness in the Premier League. It lists a winning tackle as one that returns possession to the tackler?s team or when the ball goes out of play as a result of the challenge.
Here are most effective tacklers in the league this season: (Tackles, %won)
L Young Middlesbrough (51, 88.24%)
M Arteta Everton (50, 88%)
O Hargreaves Man U (53, 86.79%)
A Arbeloa Liverpool (50, 86%)
G McSheffrey Birmingham (27, 85.19%)
Never really thought of him as much of tackler but there you go.
Opta, which charts football statistics, rate each player?s effectiveness in the Premier League. It lists a winning tackle as one that returns possession to the tackler?s team or when the ball goes out of play as a result of the challenge.
Here are most effective tacklers in the league this season: (Tackles, %won)
L Young Middlesbrough (51, 88.24%)
M Arteta Everton (50, 88%)
O Hargreaves Man U (53, 86.79%)
A Arbeloa Liverpool (50, 86%)
G McSheffrey Birmingham (27, 85.19%)
Never really thought of him as much of tackler but there you go.
Philip McAvoy
15 Posted 10/01/2008 at 14:36:09
15 Posted 10/01/2008 at 14:36:09
Arteta?s upbringing for Rangers certainly make sure he?s not a lightweight but let?s face it his corners/ direct free kicks are crap. I can?t remeber what Fernandes was like from set pieces but Neville should take the corners for now.
Brian Richardson
16 Posted 10/01/2008 at 14:40:30
16 Posted 10/01/2008 at 14:40:30
I’m baffled by this. Arteta has five assists this season, he finished last season with 12 (second only to Ronaldo, I believe) and his technique is sensational. His set-piece delivery makes him one of the most feared players in the Premiership. I forget which game it was, but he showed us what he could do only last month when he had a 40-yard free-kick clawed from the top corner by the ’keeper.
His form has dipped a little in the last couple of months, but his crossing is outstanding and I guarantee we will score at least another 6 goals from his assists before the end of the season.
I can see him bagging a goal in the next couple of games too!
His form has dipped a little in the last couple of months, but his crossing is outstanding and I guarantee we will score at least another 6 goals from his assists before the end of the season.
I can see him bagging a goal in the next couple of games too!
Jay Harris
17 Posted 10/01/2008 at 14:41:50
17 Posted 10/01/2008 at 14:41:50
Arteta losing the ball too often?
I dont know a better player at shielding the ball and getting his body in front of the opposition.
As for Phil Neville?s crossing ability I dont think he can even cross the road consistently never mind the ball.Oh for Andy Hinchcliffe back.
I dont know a better player at shielding the ball and getting his body in front of the opposition.
As for Phil Neville?s crossing ability I dont think he can even cross the road consistently never mind the ball.Oh for Andy Hinchcliffe back.
Keith Glazzard
18 Posted 10/01/2008 at 15:30:41
18 Posted 10/01/2008 at 15:30:41
Most fouled player - and that’s only the ones the refs have awarded (without wishing to be too paranoid).
Assists? - only the last pass to the scorer counts, so killer balls and great touches in the build-up don’t show up in this one.
Lightweight? That’s what a colleague of mine with Glasgow connections said when we signed him. If he ever was, he’s developed into one of the best in the PL.
The 40 yarder was against Zenit, but he was trying very hard to make up for the pen he’s just missed.
And just for the luxury of it, I want to write this list - Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Osman, Pienaar and, I hope, Fernandes. A few decent defenders and attackers too. Riquelme would have to work very hard to get into the line-up with this talent and range of abilities available.
Assists? - only the last pass to the scorer counts, so killer balls and great touches in the build-up don’t show up in this one.
Lightweight? That’s what a colleague of mine with Glasgow connections said when we signed him. If he ever was, he’s developed into one of the best in the PL.
The 40 yarder was against Zenit, but he was trying very hard to make up for the pen he’s just missed.
And just for the luxury of it, I want to write this list - Arteta, Cahill, Carsley, Osman, Pienaar and, I hope, Fernandes. A few decent defenders and attackers too. Riquelme would have to work very hard to get into the line-up with this talent and range of abilities available.
Brian Waring
19 Posted 10/01/2008 at 15:49:23
19 Posted 10/01/2008 at 15:49:23
I reckon, if there there is one big major plus this season concerning Arteta, it has to be his tackling. If he could just sort out the dead ball delivery to his game, he would be the complete midfield player.
Connor Rohrer
20 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:11:59
20 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:11:59
He’s not lightweight at all. In fact when he’s got the ball at his feet he’s as strong as anyone. He is a very uncomfortable player to play against. He can run at fullbacks and he can also plat with his back to them shielding the ball. He’s not what I’d call strong in the tackle but he’s certainly no lightweight and he can handle himself.
His dead ball delivery isn’t brilliant but its not awful. I’ve seen far worse over the years. When he gets them right there perfect but if he gets them wrong there very poor. Maybe Fernandes could take them. He took one last season against Portsmouth and sent it right onto Yobo’s head for the second goal. Pienaar and Osman aren’t that good either. Both float it in rather than get a but of power behind them.
Neville’s an awful shout. He is the worst chipper ive ever seen. Even his long ball’s and hoofs are chipped which fucking annoys me. He should try and put his foot through it a little more so strikers actually have a chance of attacking them.
His dead ball delivery isn’t brilliant but its not awful. I’ve seen far worse over the years. When he gets them right there perfect but if he gets them wrong there very poor. Maybe Fernandes could take them. He took one last season against Portsmouth and sent it right onto Yobo’s head for the second goal. Pienaar and Osman aren’t that good either. Both float it in rather than get a but of power behind them.
Neville’s an awful shout. He is the worst chipper ive ever seen. Even his long ball’s and hoofs are chipped which fucking annoys me. He should try and put his foot through it a little more so strikers actually have a chance of attacking them.
Pete Toney
21 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:46:31
21 Posted 10/01/2008 at 17:46:31
Any one know if Fernandes has signed yet? Seems to be taking all day. Or is it just the usual Everton medical!
As for Arteta the bloke is amazing and i for one am looking forward to his return against City
As for Arteta the bloke is amazing and i for one am looking forward to his return against City
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We're not looking for it every single time, but a bit more often than once in a blue moon would be nice. When did he last score direct from a free-kick?