Graham is right. This tie was ultimately lost at the Emirates, but too many of our players were off the pace last night. I was particularly surprised how poor Saka and Martinelli were.

When Graham talks we all listen he speaks facts

You are the only show that I will see from AFTV... Always with respect. Big hug

Graham and James, another good show. There were some very glaring issues I expected you to touch on that you didn't. 1. Bukayo Saka's defensive performance. Almost in it's entirety, our press broke down because Saka didn't know where Mazraoui was most of the time. The fact that he got back and won the ball deep looks or at least makes it look like he's working hard but he was costing us in the first phase of the press which led to the next issue. 2. The apparent lack of support for Martinelli down the LHS. My perception of our shape in the first 20 minutes was that Rice was meant to float over to the left to support Martinelli. Because of the issues in the earlier point, you can see him shift almost permanently to the right to help White deal with Mazraoui. I however blame Arteta for cowardice here. I did say privately that regardless of what fullback was played, Sane would get past eventually so we'd be better off attacking. There even is no evidence that Sane would have turned Zinny inside out as I pointed out last episode that he wins his duels. The advantage of having him would have been that Sane and Kimmich would have had to actually defend and put their back in it. Yesterday, we had Sane and Kimmich double up on Martinelli so effortlessly I felt sorry for him. (Side note, I would have been for the Trossard change if he came on alongside Zinny.) 3. Martin Odegaard. Something isn't right here. He was neither our Kimmich nor our Musiala. We desperately needed him to be one of the two and it's happened all too often. I've always felt he works better deeper. Next season, we need to keep as a cog in the machine ( I'm not yet sure in what particular capacity) but we can't have him as our main creative outlet. It's happened all too often that I'm looking at him expecting a pass, or a dummy or a carry and it doesn't come. Personally, Saka collapsed our press, Arteta's cowardice sacrificed Martinelli.

Completely agree with you Graham on every count !!!

Bravery is something we lack this season. The bravest plater we have in our squad, Partey, doesn’t even get a look in. Shame on Arteta.

James you really need to tell the people in the background to shut up - I can hear background chats and laughing

Huge thanks for your insightful analysis! spot on, especially on Arteta’s failing squad management throughout the whole season. Saka should have been used more sparsely, giving him time to regenerate.

Good points raised 👀🤷🏿‍♂️why keep ESR and Veira if we can't call upon them?...

Great analysis. I think Arteta, when he comes against elite managers and teams, he shows his inexperience and lack of creativity to hurt opponents in more than one way. Most of Arsenal's attack comes from the right side through Saka and Odegaard. And simple way to stop it is to double down on Saka(as in this match), or cut of Odegaard from Saka. Odegaard is a great player when it comes to linking up with players and getting a great pass in. But he is not someone who takes on players and dribbles past them. That makes their attack predictable. This is where Arteta needs to figure out different ways to create more chances. Do more wing rotations, get someone to dribble through the middle to create space for wingers, take long shots. A more dynamic CAM like Musiala, Foden could have made a difference in such tight games.

Graham talks clearly the facts and very good analysis. I am a great fan of this show.

You hit nail on the head Graham. Arteta needs a squad he can trust to rotate not 13 players. And ship out who he doesnt. Vieira is not getting any games at all and players like Partey he knows is leaving but should be using to his disposal. He has to accept players like Nelson and Eddie are not upto the required level. Just dont understand why Arteta wont use Zinny in midfield?

Jorginho only player that tried yesterday. Played 5 PENERATIVE passes in first half and 4 in second half. Tried to make things happen. AND WON MOST HIS GROUND DUELS. BUT HE WONT GET THE CREDIT! UNDERRATED

This is the very definition of constructive criticism. There is some speculation as these two amazing supporters pick everything apart-but its deductive and reasonable. Thank you James and Graham! I much prefer this than sugarcoating or folks yelling "ArtetaOut!"

Great show 🙏

Arteta is obsessed with proving people wrong that Havertz is a number 8.

James and Graham = auto upvote . thanks for the breakdown.

Amazing show, this is next level.

This is by far the best tactical insight show ever. Well Done James and Graham. I hope Arteta watches this and picks a leaf from it. You’re spot on gents.

Love this show, spot on with the in depth analysis and nailed it with the squad depth! 💯big clear out needed in the summer Cedric, Elneny, viera, smith Rowe, Eddie, and Nelson all need to go!!

Martinelli feel off should have started Trossard and definitely bring Partey on

We were winning the ball back in dangerous areas last night but once we got to the box everything fizzled out because of the dithering and lack of responsibility being taking. It’s time we had some difficult conversations regarding certain players. Saka and Martinelli have been mid players this season, especially Martinelli. We need a new wide player as well as a striker.

The last 3 games have been screaming out for Partey. If he’s not fit enough to play why is he even on the bench?

Gotta love that tupé

James the deeper problem is that balance of the team is out. On RHS we have ode creator and saka who's also more a creator than runner. On LHS martinelli is all alone. Martinelli needs ode next to him as LCM, saka needs someone like ESR next to him who can make the runs, these runs will create space and stop the 2v1 problem with saka. Opposite managers know with odegaard there they don't need to mark him as he rarely underlaps/overlaps

I think the fixture schedule has just caught up to us - no shame in that, almost a repeat of the late 2023 rut for the same reasons. Martinelli can't be blamed for the attacking policy of the team - when did he ever have any space to play into? Our build up was slow, ponderous and, most of all, predictable. That said, Havertz is really, really, not the answer.

Great analysis from Graham and he is right about bringing in elite players to get to the next level. That of course will not be easy because of money and whether elite players would want to come to Arsenal.

We need more players

I totally agree ✅️💯

Ben white not closing down the cross is far more culpable than Tomi and Martinelli on sane for their goal. Whites 1 v 1 defending infuriates me with how much space he gives his opponent.

Hi AFTV loved that tactical insight 👍👍,,Arteta is a good coach but needs to more ruthless in the transfer market & players,,,get right pieces that that will get us over the line when it matters,,,pep and klopp are brilliant coaches becoz they rotate and don'ton the same players to win them games,,,in a season players will have a deep in form & even injuries....he gave contracts to players he knows well are not reliable,,,our creative like saka and odegaard need help.

Arteta's experiments at this stage of the season show how clueless he is. You don't see Haaland, Alvarez, Nunez or Watkins switching their positions from CF to something completely different, and yet Arteta does it with Havertz all the time. On the other hand he doesn't rotate the squad enough and you can clearly see the fatigue in the team. He is getting everything wrong at the moment.

This one hurt us man... even Graham's got a bit of headloss. We go again COYG

Problem with our team is that we are so rigid and controlled once you beat one man ,against us, your completely undone, that’s the big problem with a pep system imo luckily he has a speed merchant in Kyle walker to mop up. Our set plays last night were really poor, the standard of ball delivered and the decision making. I also think Munich were instructed to fall as much as possible on a set play to get the foul, they obviously know our whole team setup to hold and clear space for gabi to header it. I also think the whole "we should have gone for it” is a little bit naive, mikel and peps systems are all about control, pass move little flicks and through balls, we don’t set up to have a go especially second half and our wingers are tired, I really don’t think a striker would improve our team next season unless he completely changes the system, we don’t provide service to accommodate a good striker, we’d have to sit a lot deeper control the midfield and feed the channels, we tend to compress a team into the box and try and play through them, a striker does nothing in that situation really to improve our chances unless the ball lands at his feet. Martin played well last night but sometimes he really just needs to shoot, even if the shot isn’t really on, it changes the defenders mentality that he might actually shoot, also the 2nd balls you can get or corners etc etc. overall as the season has gone I’ve got to say I’m very happy with arsenal’s progress, huge improvement in many situations, yes the guys ain’t quite there yet but we’re a hell of a lot closer, mikel has kinda nailed down our defensive frailties we just need to be more unpredictable in attack, we’d concede even less with a better attack. Big up the channel btw you’re doing a great job, roll on wolves.

Our wingers are far too negative backwards and sidewards passing, not putting the full backs under any pressure whatsoever.

Asking for people who have delivered way less than what Saka has delivered this season to be treated equally to him is baffling to me

Arsenal FC 20 years without a title 32 years without Carabao Cup 0 UCL 0 Europas 0 Super cups 0 Club World Cup The fanbase has the audacity of Barcelona but in reality they’re closer to Blackburn

Jorginho was the only player comfortable with the pace and intensity. Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli and Rice are all untested at that level and it showed. Looked rushed on the ball all night

Try Zinny in midfield where he doesn't expose us defensively but gives more in attack. Saka & Odeguard are out on their feet... we need backups

Graham yes elite forwards! hence Ivan Toney would have made a massive difference. After Dubai we came back refreshed, interchanged positions and created many openings. Some players have to get to the bi line even on their weaker foot.

When's the fourever podcast coming out???

Wish Graham could manage us instead of Arteta

Our starting XI is very solid. After that it grts pretty dicey which isn probably Arteta doesn't rotate. At the end of the season exhaustion sets in....I think which is why we look so flat in 2md halfs of Villa and Bayern.....hopefully we have a productive summer

At least we won on Zone 14 touches and Field Tilt, that's made my day a little better! COYG

Arteta's Arsenal have ZERO killer instinct. ZERO!!! It shows in attack, and even if they have the lead, even 2 goals, you dont get the sense that the midfield and defence will shut it down and ride the game home. Fatigue is the storyline for Arsenal - always brittle in March & April. They have improved from last season, but are still like a 2 year old lion cub thats not yet proficient and efficient at the hunt.

Yes the two wide players are playing through injury. We tire as the game goes on and some players are being carried and that is unacceptable hence why not start with Nelson and Smith Rowe out wide or Trossard and bring the other two back in once they can prove their fitness. We need to get stronger throughout a game....not weaker!

The main thing that annoyed me about yesterday is when Jesus came on he played striker. It’s proven he isn’t effective there. Have him play on the wing or even try him as the second 8.

James, thank you for still allowing yourself to be critical of Arteta even after Edu said he watches your show.

Reya being allowed to roam around 40 yards out his box looking for one twos with his defense near the halfway line is the real reason we were caught out and payed dearly in the first leg.

James, the manager keeps saka on, because he his arsenal most productive player in attack, but also one of the most reliable defensively. As a manager you not going to take off a player that gives you that.

9. Martinelli 8. Havertz 11. Trossard 10. Saka 7. Rice 6. Partey 4. Odegaard 3. Kiwior 2. Saliba 5. Gabriel 1. Rambo to score goals you don't need your goalie too calm...you need the Rambo attitude. See the order in my chaos.

Arsenal fans still not humbled even after how many years spent in the wilderness stuck to just challenging for no4 in the EPL,but now all of sudden our fans for some odd reason expect us to just role over former UCL winners, let alone of the Bundesliga champions for the past 11 years bar this season and somehow fans expected arsenal to have an easy time in a competition thats teams dubbed the best of the EPL era and taken both Pep and klopp respectively 8 to 7 years of trying ?

This team is WAY better than what we showed these last 2 weeks. Game management is key, thats whete Arteta flopped. He needs to learn asap and go again but better next year

Lack of rotation always effects the end of the season... Saka be limping of every game

I feel Arteta could've moved Jorgihho to the midfield role;put Thomas Partey in for Rice ;ball progression was needed ;Marinelli and Saka should've gone off for Jesus and Trossard;keep Kai Havertz on

It was obvious before even signing Havertz that he wouldn't be a game winner. Should be shown the door in the summer when we look at a proper CF but I expect Arteta will try to push him to midfield again

Don't forget the defense also crumbled abit against Liverpool for that OG.... there's certainly errors there.

James is not being harsh.Arteta would rather be right than correct.Harvetz is not the best prospective option for Arsenal at either striker or midfielder.We are settling in order to fit him in and that has a limiting effect.I'd rather a true ball progressing 8 and a striker like Isaak rather than the Harvetz option.

When he gave Smith Rowe a start he got Man of The Match… Arteta seems unable to alter his tactics as the game goes on, twice against Villa and Bayern we have lost the second half.

Coach should source look ir whatever he csn within his disposal n reasd what option is if Saks game is frustrated well then b clinical

We only have right side.. Odegard white and saka... Other side is just martinelli.. We need someone like granit xhaka who can link up the play. Only that triangle is ready will start firing

Somebody to clarify for me why rice has tendency to take corners while we all know he is too tall to score headers for us time and again !!!

I think we are missing left eight player, like Xhaka, who could play like a box to box player (aca Ramsey) and this is the reason we are predictable and Martinelli of form whole year 🤔

We dont play smart and teams have found out how to stifle our team, especially if they play defensive

Nelson,Viera,Eddie,ESR(He doesn't rate him),Partey and Elneny all need to be moved on. Arteta clearly wants to work with 15 players like Pep. And all these guys on the bench are not adding anything. I'm surprised we have scored so many goals from set pieces. Considering how poor Saka and Rice delivery is so poor. Trossard and Martin are also not good dead ball delivers.

Free martinelli. Bro was heating up before his injury and has been stumped of all his opportunities lately

Guys😔♥️ Even though I know that I'm just a big Arsenal fan... Even though I know that the players are millionaires.... Even though I know that I wouldn't be richer if Arsenal made it to the next stage... It was difficult to see us get out of the quarterfinals. .. I think that deep down we could have done more, the aggressiveness we needed in the second half only appeared in the final minutes, Saka even took that free kick quickly and won the corner... Anyway, this team has become too big, I think that's why There was this feeling that we could have won.

If only we Pepe was an all round better player, he was someone who could slap one on top bins out of no where

I think the complaint that Tomi didn't get forward enough is false - I was always watching him running up into space along their back line, but the passes never came to him

Let’s talk about the goal we conceded 3 man ball watching letting kimmich come through and beat them to the header no desire what so ever ! Shocking after the way we have defended this season

The wrong thing was not subbing Ødegaard off and bring a player who can operate the left side of the pitch (Fabio Vieira or Smith Rowe). Saka was getting doubled by two left backs and Ødegaard just can’t operate in right midfield as he is one footed (Left). And should’ve also get Partey on

I love Graham, but let's clear something up. We dont have a small squad...we have a massive squad made up of players Arteta bought or extended contractually. So him not trusting his squad, is an issue with his man management and nothing to do with players available. Ramsdale, Cedric, Tomiyasu, Vieira, Elneny, EsR, Partey, Nelson are all players he bought. Odegaard, Saka, White and Rice are running in fumes. Why have Cedric, Nelson, Partey, Vieira and EsR not gotten minutes to relieve these players? Whilst we were blowing away teams in 2024, wasnt there plenty of time to rest players/get others match fit? Also...why not give the players proper recovery time??? It confused me why Villa who played 2 days after us midweek looked fresher than we did. Our players look like they are running sprints or marathons on off days. Edited to correct typos

I think it’s part of his plan to build the final team whom he trusts. Whenever Stan and Josh comes Arsenal loses

I am puzzled just to help out have these people got coaching badges suppose they have as they're experts on what Arteta gets wrong

30:45 according to to athletic mickel wants to get 13 players out ,on loans and a couple of squad players .

Its strange how Eddie has played so little and suddenly Mikel thinks hes the man to bring on during a champions league quarter final.

Must not FORGET that Bayern are actually a very good team (they are not Aston Villa or Wolves). Then they rested their best players over the weekend, then they STILL only won by 1 goal. Arteta put himself in this position by hoping players that have been at best average will out perform/out score Harry Kane, Leroy Sane, Musiala. Was realistically hoping for penalties.

More than anything talent/ hardwork this team achilles hill is playing under pressure they just can't get over the line and that stems from the manager

If we had a musiala where HAVERTS was in the midfield during the second half, we would have won

Arteta to blame, to not buying a striker 9 now he felt it and he learns by Arsenal.

Hmm 🤔 The players are burnt out, we do have the strength and debt in the squad to battle on all fronts. Who do have on the bench to replace, Saka, Jesus, Havard should these players need a break? Yes Man City broke the rules, last season, but look at their squad last season. I believe we are reluctant to bring back our players on loan that is hitting form during the crucial moments of our season.

Don't have to replace Jesus n Havetz, Eddie will be sold. Why Jan I had mentioned like many we need a striker, someone who can come on n make a difference particularly when we r chasing.

The Starting 11 is 5 world class players short of being a fantastic consistent team.The new Arsenal moto should be PATIENTS Rome wasn’t built in a day.

We take the chances, we go through…

Look Arteta is to blame . What’s the point of having huge squad and not use them . Pep took two of his best players yesterday. Why take Jorginho off and leave partey on the bench

Correct observation James and Graham, there is need for Mikel to improve on management of the manpower at his disposal, there are players who have played more than 80 minutes every game while others have been playing less than 20mins, these players are human and they need to be given breathing space so that they don't suffer from burn out, Pep rotates his team very well and this is the reason number one why City always finishes the league strongly, Arteta needs to trust his players so that he can get the maximum from the team.

Bukayo Saka is so f*cking overrated. He only performs in small games and always ghosts at the business end of the season in the big games to get us over the line, wether it was two seasons ago in a top-4 race or last season in the title race. And now, it looks like he's disappearing again at the business end of the season. Arsenal fans and especially AFTV protects him too much. When they give ratings, even when he plays terrible they still give him 5's and 6's in ratings even though he deserved 2 or 3 for last night. He's nowhere near Foden. Saka is far from world class, and this team in general lacks world class players to get over the line in the league or the Champions League. Saka is a stat merchant and that's ok when you're 31/32 years old like Salah who's losing pace and dribbling skills but it's not okay when you're so young where you should be pacey and a great dribbler. Ffs.

Stubborn man. All he had to do was taking something from the 65m for Havertz and pay Xhaka a decent wage.

Martinelli has no end product this season.

Jorginho kept hiding from the ball yet he wouldn't bring Partey on. Last season we said we had injuries. This time no injury excuses after several millions of pounds spent. We need a different coach if we must win anything

Una go explain taya. Arsenal fans with the temerity of Man city and achievements of Wolves or Crystal Palace.

We just need a clinical striker and a right wing. Our team will be set for the next season.

We can still win the legue

WE GOT BIGGER FISH TO FRY 😂😂😂😂😂

If you have complaints about this show, please just go start your own KZfaq tactical shows 🙄 MOVE ON! It’s not a show for YOU! Wow

Just got outclassed by tuchel is all

WOW young team with inexperience, when you winning they’re the best team in the league and Europe, when you lose inexperience 😂

It's ime people realize that Havertz is not a op class player. We make argument he is to justify his price tag

Odegaard looks shattered yet we’ve created a system that relies on him playing 100% of the time. Whenever he doesn’t play we drop to an 8th place type team. I’m never confident when we play two games in a week. Havertz needs to now be a striker (he’s done well but is he now getting burnt out too?) and we need another striker in the summer. Jesus needs to revolve across the whole frontline to give breathers to Saka and Martinelli. What’s happened to Viera? He should be the Odegaard support but he’s non existent. Nketieh, Nelson and Smith-Rowe should now move on (shame with ESR but he doesn’t seem to fit our system).

Arsenal with an actual striker. That would make a great difference.