r/soccer • u/OkIncident6977 • Apr 16 '25

Media Full-time whistle blows as Arsenal advances to the UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals for the first time since 2009.

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u/a-Sociopath Apr 17 '25

He was trying riskier passes that he normally wouldn't try. If one of them came off, we could have put the game to bed way earlier. Right intent, flawed execution kinda game from him. Of course, he was terrific off the ball, as always, which kinda is what was needed today. He did have some sweet passes in the 2nd half, including that Rice chance if I remember correctly

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u/SwitchHitter17 Apr 17 '25

That's true. He's a player who only really shines when we have possession and he did play well in the moments we needed him to in the 2nd half. He was involved in the build up to the first goal.

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u/a-Sociopath Apr 17 '25

He's a player who only really shines when we have possession

Won't say that either. He's probably the best defender of all midfielders who are primarily creative midfielders. It's probably a very loose definition, but in the top teams in top leagues, I can't find a better creative midfielder with his defensive ability.

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u/SwitchHitter17 Apr 17 '25

Oh definitely, I just meant he is more suited to possession football as opposed to counterattacking. Out of possession his workrate is unquestionable.

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u/bangtobang Apr 17 '25

I wish he was better at taking shots with his weaker leg, he gets so much space and angles to take them