Hanshithispantz

You can be an effective creative player without making runs with the ball from 40 yards out or trying to dribble around the entire midfield (which are just the most extreme examples of his 'selfish' play). There's merit to holding the ball and waiting for the right pass instead of turning and bolting. And yeah, he's definitely good enough to make a couple guys miss here and there. Ben Arfa is the most gifted player we have, you won't hear otherwise for me. He just needs to play smarter. I think we mostly agree like, so it's pointless me picking up on little pieces As I said it's the reason I view Marveaux as a smarter choice from the bench with 30 minutes to go than Ben Arfa (who should be on the pitch to begin with). He'll play like there's no time on the clock.

No. I don't think anyone actually wants him to do that either He wouldn't be rushed into trying that is the point. With 90 minutes ahead of you and the game tied at 0-0 you can afford to be a lot more patient with the ball.

So does his 'unselfish' play produce the majority of the time? Say if instead of trying to run at the opposition he lays the ball of to Tiote or Sissoko, or punts one forward to Shola, or swings one from deep to Remy? Do we regularly benefit from that? Not just Ben Arfa, but from every other player doing that for 90 minutes and us still not creating anything? The best chance of the game was probably Ben Arfa's near post strike that he unfortunately didn't connect with properly. After making Flamini look like a total mug.

It is mental how we always have to blame someone mind. Proper mental.

I think in a rigid 4-4-2 he works on the right.

His runs worked today Clearly. A clear example of "if he doesn't score a goal or assist in his limited pitch time he's failed" This is genuinely baffling to me, hence me rambling on like a cock end in this thread.

Although I do (violently) disagree that those runs are detrimental to the team's overall play I do agree that he needs to stop trying to win games by himself. He only tends to do that though when he's brought on pretty much to do that. We know and Pardew know exactly what he's going to do when he comes on. 9 times out of 10 he'll skin the fullback and either come inside on his left foot and try to score a thunderbastard, or he'll drop one short from the byline to anyone making a run to the 6 yard box. He isn't involved in game plan any other way, that's what he's brought on to do. He's far more patient with the ball when he's allowed to see a game out from the start and is likely instructed to be so. That's why I find it baffling that Marveaux never makes a cameo now and then when we need a goal.

Tend to agree with this, my feelings about not starting Ben Arfa aside I think we again performed well as a unit. You cannot discount the opposition and tbh it's just nice to see us not completely fall to pieces every week. We're making far less catastrophic errors as a unit and as individuals.

If anyone actually objectively gave an opinion on his game with genuine criticism then fair enough. There's been very little of that, just "Bench him again" "He played shit" "He's a greedy cunt" it's fucking moronic.

He's playing well and works his socks off but why is he "undroppable"? You never heard of squad rotation before? It's actually quite common so I'd be surprised if you haven't. I would "drop" Sissoko at home if we're going to play 4-3-3 like, not Gouffran. He's our best, most consistent player. Teams generally don't tend to drop those. What? He's our best, most consistent player. Ah right, cheers. I disagree like, he's playing well recently and he's grabbing goals but I wouldn't say he's been outright our best player. The idea of a player being "undroppable" is just daft to me though, we should be able to change out personnel/formation/style of play to suit the opposition. I would have switched Sissoko out today and not Gouffran, as I said, but playing both in a 4-3-3 is just far too negative imo.

He's playing well and works his socks off but why is he "undroppable"? You never heard of squad rotation before? It's actually quite common so I'd be surprised if you haven't. I would "drop" Sissoko at home if we're going to play 4-3-3 like, not Gouffran. He's our best, most consistent player. Teams generally don't tend to drop those. What?

That isn't the story of his game at all though, it's the rambling tale of a drunken Garth Crooks.

Ben Arfa was "poor" and "disinterested" in the first half against Stoke now? Christ almighty.

And the 5-2 vs Fulham, although I can't find a video. http://www.fulhamfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/1112Highlights/0,,10415~2585696,00.html for 4-2. HE NEVER SCORES THERE LIKE. IMPOSSIBLE.

He's playing well and works his socks off but why is he "undroppable"? You never heard of squad rotation before? It's actually quite common so I'd be surprised if you haven't. I would "drop" Sissoko at home if we're going to play 4-3-3 like, not Gouffran.

"Arsenal vs Newcastle 2012 Highlights 2-1" into google and watch Ben Arfa score a carbon copy of that goal with arguably a better placed Szczesny.

Genuinely not sure if people are taking the p*ss or just thick as f***. Like you can blame him for taking that first shot ffs, he scored a carbon copy against Arsenal last year Check the replay. Sze was well prepared for that "carbon copy". Fucking well prepared. He knows HBA would do that. Absolutely no chance for that to get in Shut up.

I like Gouffran, we're just significantly less creative with both him an Sissoko on the wings. One of them needs to be sacrificed if we're going to play 4-3-3, and certainly at home.

What the fuck is your grammar playing at?

Genuinely not sure if people are taking the piss or just thick as fuck. Like you can blame him for taking that first shot ffs, he scored a carbon copy against Arsenal last year

It's these kind of games you bring Marveaux on instead of, or alongside Ben Arfa imo. He's cool, calm and collective. Ben Arfa should have started but if he is to come on we cannot bring him on when we're 1 down and expect him not to try and fire in a pearler.

No he wasn't "shit" ffs, sadly Pardew probably thought the same and he'll continue to be benched for the next 2 months. completely self centered no team ethic I cannot be arsed with your shit craic tbh, go away.

No he wasn't "shit" ffs, sadly Pardew probably thought the same and he'll continue to be benched for the next 2 months.

fuck off

We're not allowed good players ffs It was something Pardew just said, 'for a club of our size and financial ability to have 36 points before January'. the man is a fucking arsehole like. This isn't "nitpicking because we're doing poorly", he's a fucking tit.