In response to you questioning whether you've "overdone the hurricane of metaphors" or "hopp(ed) over the football writing guardrails" - NEVER! That's one of the reasons why we come back every week: the vibrant descriptions, analogies, etc. Keep up the great writing and congratulations on the success!
That’s spot on Ben, a surrealist footballer unlocking the imagination! Brilliant. And yeah. I did forget he was an Arsenal fan. Thanks for great comment
Really good article - loved it! One of the really interesting things about the evolution of the artetasphere is he does something, it works, other sides work out a counter, the model evolves again. Now sides know that Zinchenko will roam around but what started of as LB to second pivot is now much more complex and harder to counter. It disrupts other team’s defensive shapes but also a shout out to Gabriel who covers the LB area and Xhaka who covers pretty much everything else - watch how Zini goes free range and Xhaka fills any resulting gaps...
Thanks David, and excellent comment too. Completely agree with the evolution of the Artetaverse in response to countering measures. I think that's why he just smiles when journos suggest that he's been found out. It's more like he's playing hide and seek, but whenever anyone finds him he just goes and hides again. Thanks for reading and commenting. Nice one.
Fantastic piece yet again. (Saka one is simply stunning)
I'll read these to my 11 y/o son at bed time..although I'll probably have to explain every other word...no bad thing, but got me thinking how a writer (of which I'm not) could create the same article for a younger audience. Keep up the excellent work, much appreciated. Thank you.
This guy is fun to watch, but makes me nervous at times. In the last game I remember thinking “what the hell is he doing pulling the strings in attack on the right!? Xhaka better keep an eye and track back quick if we lose possession!” But that’s what is making him so effective. He’s unpredictable, and can make a line breaking pass from anywhere. So fun to watch!
He definitely raises the stress levels by doing, as you say, the unpredictable. I'm sure I had that same thought when he seemed to be taking over from Ben White against Man U! Can a player be securely unpredictable? Like, as much as Lehman used to be perilously unpredictable Zinchenko is safely unpredictable ;)
A perfect encapsulation of how I and most Arsenal fans think of him. A footballing Picasso or Dali. Total maverick. A beautiful player through and through and (lest we forget) an Arsenal supporter as a kid. Wonderful piece Jonathan. Thank you
In response to you questioning whether you've "overdone the hurricane of metaphors" or "hopp(ed) over the football writing guardrails" - NEVER! That's one of the reasons why we come back every week: the vibrant descriptions, analogies, etc. Keep up the great writing and congratulations on the success!
That’s spot on Ben, a surrealist footballer unlocking the imagination! Brilliant. And yeah. I did forget he was an Arsenal fan. Thanks for great comment
Really good article - loved it! One of the really interesting things about the evolution of the artetasphere is he does something, it works, other sides work out a counter, the model evolves again. Now sides know that Zinchenko will roam around but what started of as LB to second pivot is now much more complex and harder to counter. It disrupts other team’s defensive shapes but also a shout out to Gabriel who covers the LB area and Xhaka who covers pretty much everything else - watch how Zini goes free range and Xhaka fills any resulting gaps...
Thanks David, and excellent comment too. Completely agree with the evolution of the Artetaverse in response to countering measures. I think that's why he just smiles when journos suggest that he's been found out. It's more like he's playing hide and seek, but whenever anyone finds him he just goes and hides again. Thanks for reading and commenting. Nice one.
Fantastic piece yet again. (Saka one is simply stunning)
I'll read these to my 11 y/o son at bed time..although I'll probably have to explain every other word...no bad thing, but got me thinking how a writer (of which I'm not) could create the same article for a younger audience. Keep up the excellent work, much appreciated. Thank you.
Thank you so much Jamin. I'm so happy you enjoy these (and hopefully your son will too :)
I'll keep your suggestion in mind. Have a great day.
This guy is fun to watch, but makes me nervous at times. In the last game I remember thinking “what the hell is he doing pulling the strings in attack on the right!? Xhaka better keep an eye and track back quick if we lose possession!” But that’s what is making him so effective. He’s unpredictable, and can make a line breaking pass from anywhere. So fun to watch!
He definitely raises the stress levels by doing, as you say, the unpredictable. I'm sure I had that same thought when he seemed to be taking over from Ben White against Man U! Can a player be securely unpredictable? Like, as much as Lehman used to be perilously unpredictable Zinchenko is safely unpredictable ;)
A perfect encapsulation of how I and most Arsenal fans think of him. A footballing Picasso or Dali. Total maverick. A beautiful player through and through and (lest we forget) an Arsenal supporter as a kid. Wonderful piece Jonathan. Thank you