Eric Dodds
@doddsef.bsky.social
New Yorker. Fried chicken enthusiast. Ronald Acuña and Bukayo Saka enjoyer.
Would like to try it against Sunderland but MØ missing out yesterday + 90 mins for Eze makes it feel unlikely the stars will align. I’d love a rest for at least one of Rice/Zubi before Brentford though!
February 4, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Would like to try it against Sunderland but MØ missing out yesterday + 90 mins for Eze makes it feel unlikely the stars will align. I’d love a rest for at least one of Rice/Zubi before Brentford though!
Can only draw conclusions based on the facts and what I see 🤷🏼♂️
I’ll bet we can both agree that whatever anyone’s specific MØ evaluation is, Eze hasn’t exactly looked like the cure-all for that role and whatever attacking shortcomings we may have!
I’ll bet we can both agree that whatever anyone’s specific MØ evaluation is, Eze hasn’t exactly looked like the cure-all for that role and whatever attacking shortcomings we may have!
February 4, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Can only draw conclusions based on the facts and what I see 🤷🏼♂️
I’ll bet we can both agree that whatever anyone’s specific MØ evaluation is, Eze hasn’t exactly looked like the cure-all for that role and whatever attacking shortcomings we may have!
I’ll bet we can both agree that whatever anyone’s specific MØ evaluation is, Eze hasn’t exactly looked like the cure-all for that role and whatever attacking shortcomings we may have!
Yeah I don’t think you call out your captain like that no matter what but he did talk about picking players to suit the opponent, and a year ago, MØ suited every opponent.
Like I said, rotation less notable to me than in-game tactical shifts that imply MØ isn’t part of the solution.
Like I said, rotation less notable to me than in-game tactical shifts that imply MØ isn’t part of the solution.
February 4, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Yeah I don’t think you call out your captain like that no matter what but he did talk about picking players to suit the opponent, and a year ago, MØ suited every opponent.
Like I said, rotation less notable to me than in-game tactical shifts that imply MØ isn’t part of the solution.
Like I said, rotation less notable to me than in-game tactical shifts that imply MØ isn’t part of the solution.
Agree that certain Saka subs would have been surprising a year ago but don’t agree that those are analogous. Real difference between 60’ and 80’ and also extensive reporting around protecting Saka due to his recent injuries—haven’t seen/heard anything like that with MØ.
February 4, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Agree that certain Saka subs would have been surprising a year ago but don’t agree that those are analogous. Real difference between 60’ and 80’ and also extensive reporting around protecting Saka due to his recent injuries—haven’t seen/heard anything like that with MØ.
Oh I completely agree (including that he shouldn’t have come off against United) but I do think because he used to be so integral to everything we did, Arteta never felt comfortable subbing him. More flexibility is good! But also new usage pattern reflects a slightly diminished stature.
February 4, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Oh I completely agree (including that he shouldn’t have come off against United) but I do think because he used to be so integral to everything we did, Arteta never felt comfortable subbing him. More flexibility is good! But also new usage pattern reflects a slightly diminished stature.
Rotated out I buy as maybe not performance-related but less than an hour in two difficult PL matches (United + Forest) would have been unimaginable last season.
Do agree that he’s been the lightning rod for broader gripes about the attack/Arteta’s approach + balance in that regard.
Do agree that he’s been the lightning rod for broader gripes about the attack/Arteta’s approach + balance in that regard.
February 4, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Rotated out I buy as maybe not performance-related but less than an hour in two difficult PL matches (United + Forest) would have been unimaginable last season.
Do agree that he’s been the lightning rod for broader gripes about the attack/Arteta’s approach + balance in that regard.
Do agree that he’s been the lightning rod for broader gripes about the attack/Arteta’s approach + balance in that regard.
Well that’s exactly it vis-a-vis expectations/benchmarks. And there’s no denying only one goal in 1,000 minutes (even these days) is low.
Think Arteta’s usage is also instructive—he’s rotated him out or subbed him in ways previously unimaginable (more options now a factor but not the only one).
Think Arteta’s usage is also instructive—he’s rotated him out or subbed him in ways previously unimaginable (more options now a factor but not the only one).
February 4, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Well that’s exactly it vis-a-vis expectations/benchmarks. And there’s no denying only one goal in 1,000 minutes (even these days) is low.
Think Arteta’s usage is also instructive—he’s rotated him out or subbed him in ways previously unimaginable (more options now a factor but not the only one).
Think Arteta’s usage is also instructive—he’s rotated him out or subbed him in ways previously unimaginable (more options now a factor but not the only one).
Don’t think we can just hand-wave goals as being part of the end product equation, and would strongly suspect that he would rank far lower in both if we only included this season rather than last 365 days.
Obviously much of the criticism is excessive but not no justification for a little scrutiny.
Obviously much of the criticism is excessive but not no justification for a little scrutiny.
February 4, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Don’t think we can just hand-wave goals as being part of the end product equation, and would strongly suspect that he would rank far lower in both if we only included this season rather than last 365 days.
Obviously much of the criticism is excessive but not no justification for a little scrutiny.
Obviously much of the criticism is excessive but not no justification for a little scrutiny.
I also do think that 22/23 created unrealistic expectations + benchmarks that he was highly unlikely to his again, let alone on a consistent basis.
February 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM
I also do think that 22/23 created unrealistic expectations + benchmarks that he was highly unlikely to his again, let alone on a consistent basis.
Multiple things can be true: he can be a very good, valuable, important midfielder while also not being the spectacularly incisive end-product monster that Arsenal fans want from an AM. Also no denying his physicality has looked somewhat diminished of late (entirely possible injuries to blame there)
February 4, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Multiple things can be true: he can be a very good, valuable, important midfielder while also not being the spectacularly incisive end-product monster that Arsenal fans want from an AM. Also no denying his physicality has looked somewhat diminished of late (entirely possible injuries to blame there)
even arsenal fans can hold multiple thoughts in their heads concurrently, caring most about winning without a thought as to how we do it and also calling out the absolute nonsense of the painfully forced “boring” claims that rival fans are constantly shouting about. what a thing!
February 4, 2026 at 1:27 AM
even arsenal fans can hold multiple thoughts in their heads concurrently, caring most about winning without a thought as to how we do it and also calling out the absolute nonsense of the painfully forced “boring” claims that rival fans are constantly shouting about. what a thing!
True but feel like this formatting implies something that a) isn’t true and b) fuels what is currently, at this inflection point, widely believed / much discussed.
Certainly defensible, just my $0.02
Certainly defensible, just my $0.02
January 30, 2026 at 10:36 PM
True but feel like this formatting implies something that a) isn’t true and b) fuels what is currently, at this inflection point, widely believed / much discussed.
Certainly defensible, just my $0.02
Certainly defensible, just my $0.02
Not to discount any of the extremely valid points being made, but if those charts are gonna be put right next to each other, they should probably share the same axes [*ducks*]
January 30, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Not to discount any of the extremely valid points being made, but if those charts are gonna be put right next to each other, they should probably share the same axes [*ducks*]
At our best, it feels like we always find the goal we need and/or don’t give our opponent any chance at finding the one they do.
It hasn’t quite felt that way for a little while now.
It hasn’t quite felt that way for a little while now.
January 30, 2026 at 6:00 PM
At our best, it feels like we always find the goal we need and/or don’t give our opponent any chance at finding the one they do.
It hasn’t quite felt that way for a little while now.
It hasn’t quite felt that way for a little while now.
Most effective approach:
a man in a blue shirt says i 'm playing both sides
ALT: a man in a blue shirt says i 'm playing both sides
media.tenor.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Most effective approach:
Agreed! The one thing I wouldn’t do is play Saka/Rice/Saliba/Gabriel if you *know* it means they can’t start the next PL match. My hope would be that with a fully fit squad we could put out an exceptionally strong XI without compromising our team for a PL match.
January 30, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Agreed! The one thing I wouldn’t do is play Saka/Rice/Saliba/Gabriel if you *know* it means they can’t start the next PL match. My hope would be that with a fully fit squad we could put out an exceptionally strong XI without compromising our team for a PL match.
Oversimplified Arsenal attack synopsis:
1. Is what it’s always been: good to very good, but not great.
2. Scoring is down league-wide + Arsenal face nastier low/mid-blocks than anyone.
3. Gyokeres not offering much (nor Merino/Jesus; and no other attackers/new signings really filling that gap).
1. Is what it’s always been: good to very good, but not great.
2. Scoring is down league-wide + Arsenal face nastier low/mid-blocks than anyone.
3. Gyokeres not offering much (nor Merino/Jesus; and no other attackers/new signings really filling that gap).
January 30, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Oversimplified Arsenal attack synopsis:
1. Is what it’s always been: good to very good, but not great.
2. Scoring is down league-wide + Arsenal face nastier low/mid-blocks than anyone.
3. Gyokeres not offering much (nor Merino/Jesus; and no other attackers/new signings really filling that gap).
1. Is what it’s always been: good to very good, but not great.
2. Scoring is down league-wide + Arsenal face nastier low/mid-blocks than anyone.
3. Gyokeres not offering much (nor Merino/Jesus; and no other attackers/new signings really filling that gap).
Oversimplified Arsenal attack synopsis:
1. Is what it’s always been: good to very good, but not great.
2. Scoring is down league-wide + Arsenal face nastier low/mid-blocks than anyone.
3. Gyokeres not offering much (nor Merino/Jesus; and no other attackers/new signings really filling that gap).
1. Is what it’s always been: good to very good, but not great.
2. Scoring is down league-wide + Arsenal face nastier low/mid-blocks than anyone.
3. Gyokeres not offering much (nor Merino/Jesus; and no other attackers/new signings really filling that gap).
January 30, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Oversimplified Arsenal attack synopsis:
1. Is what it’s always been: good to very good, but not great.
2. Scoring is down league-wide + Arsenal face nastier low/mid-blocks than anyone.
3. Gyokeres not offering much (nor Merino/Jesus; and no other attackers/new signings really filling that gap).
1. Is what it’s always been: good to very good, but not great.
2. Scoring is down league-wide + Arsenal face nastier low/mid-blocks than anyone.
3. Gyokeres not offering much (nor Merino/Jesus; and no other attackers/new signings really filling that gap).
Not to say some level of anxiety isn’t understandable or even justified, but the flip side is if at the start of the season you offered:
- 1st in the PL w/ 4-point cushion
- 1st in CL league phase (8-0-0)
- In EFL Cup SF w/ first-leg lead
- Still in the FA Cup
That’s bite-your-hand off territory!
- 1st in the PL w/ 4-point cushion
- 1st in CL league phase (8-0-0)
- In EFL Cup SF w/ first-leg lead
- Still in the FA Cup
That’s bite-your-hand off territory!
January 30, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Not to say some level of anxiety isn’t understandable or even justified, but the flip side is if at the start of the season you offered:
- 1st in the PL w/ 4-point cushion
- 1st in CL league phase (8-0-0)
- In EFL Cup SF w/ first-leg lead
- Still in the FA Cup
That’s bite-your-hand off territory!
- 1st in the PL w/ 4-point cushion
- 1st in CL league phase (8-0-0)
- In EFL Cup SF w/ first-leg lead
- Still in the FA Cup
That’s bite-your-hand off territory!
They were good in all the ways you need to be to beat Arsenal (for the last hour at least): didn’t give the ball away cheaply, defended well, won duels and second balls, and made the most of their very limited chances. Still think on many days that’s a recipe for Arsenal taking a point if not all 3.
January 27, 2026 at 12:41 PM
They were good in all the ways you need to be to beat Arsenal (for the last hour at least): didn’t give the ball away cheaply, defended well, won duels and second balls, and made the most of their very limited chances. Still think on many days that’s a recipe for Arsenal taking a point if not all 3.
I would need to do a more thorough re-watch of basically all the matches to confirm this but feel like the consensus (or hope at least) was new options for LW + ST would better occupy defenses, giving Saka more space to operate and that—for whatever reason—has not happened?
January 26, 2026 at 5:27 PM
I would need to do a more thorough re-watch of basically all the matches to confirm this but feel like the consensus (or hope at least) was new options for LW + ST would better occupy defenses, giving Saka more space to operate and that—for whatever reason—has not happened?
There’s just no pleasing folks!
I do think if Saka were producing at his usual levels or Gyokeres were giving us what people hoped for, a lot of that talk would be quieted but also like, look around the league—only two dudes are really scoring a lot of goals (and one has stopped for the moment).
I do think if Saka were producing at his usual levels or Gyokeres were giving us what people hoped for, a lot of that talk would be quieted but also like, look around the league—only two dudes are really scoring a lot of goals (and one has stopped for the moment).
January 26, 2026 at 5:14 PM
There’s just no pleasing folks!
I do think if Saka were producing at his usual levels or Gyokeres were giving us what people hoped for, a lot of that talk would be quieted but also like, look around the league—only two dudes are really scoring a lot of goals (and one has stopped for the moment).
I do think if Saka were producing at his usual levels or Gyokeres were giving us what people hoped for, a lot of that talk would be quieted but also like, look around the league—only two dudes are really scoring a lot of goals (and one has stopped for the moment).
Agree on Gyok (unless Jesus/Merino/Kai steal too many minutes but not looking that way rn) and Kai of course.
I for one am looking forward to us being the first PL winners without a single player in double-figures if only to watch pundits/opposing fans absolutely lose their minds over it.
I for one am looking forward to us being the first PL winners without a single player in double-figures if only to watch pundits/opposing fans absolutely lose their minds over it.
January 26, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Agree on Gyok (unless Jesus/Merino/Kai steal too many minutes but not looking that way rn) and Kai of course.
I for one am looking forward to us being the first PL winners without a single player in double-figures if only to watch pundits/opposing fans absolutely lose their minds over it.
I for one am looking forward to us being the first PL winners without a single player in double-figures if only to watch pundits/opposing fans absolutely lose their minds over it.
I also just really can’t imagine we’ll have as little end product from Saka/Noni/Eze/Ode down the stretch, and that should fix at least some of this (if fbref were still a thing I’m hopeful it would back that stance).
January 26, 2026 at 4:31 PM
I also just really can’t imagine we’ll have as little end product from Saka/Noni/Eze/Ode down the stretch, and that should fix at least some of this (if fbref were still a thing I’m hopeful it would back that stance).
No denying it’s a small sample size but I think the fact that it feels familiar vis-a-vis similar struggles we’ve had at times in the last couple of seasons probably amplifies the significance for most folks.
January 26, 2026 at 4:12 PM
No denying it’s a small sample size but I think the fact that it feels familiar vis-a-vis similar struggles we’ve had at times in the last couple of seasons probably amplifies the significance for most folks.