Top game from young Longelo
Impressive young left back Emmanuel Longelo may get his Premier League debut should Aaron Cresswell remain unavailable for the game against Norwich on Saturday.
The youngster was mightily impressive when appearing in the Europa Cup match against Dinamo Zagreb and could have been expected to have at least been in the squad last night as the only naturally left sided full back available.
Instead, the manager chose to go with a player whom he has admitted is not a defender in Arthur Masuaku and we were left to watch in horror as he was crucified by Bukayo Sako but escaped criticism from Moyes who instead reserved his moans for the unlucky Vladi Coufal .
Ok, it may have been a bridge too far for Longelo last night but he could hardly have been any worse than Arthur and probably a lot better.
However, we are told he is likely to be in the frame for the visit of the Canaries should the match go ahead at the weekend after his near man of the match performance in Europe should Cresswell still be sidelined.
Agree with every word Hugh and the sentiment. This young man is a player and he can defend. He must have a chance.
No, look the irony is that Masuaku is adequate at left back against the poorest sides. The Burnley and Norwich city’s of this world.
But he simply cannot play against decent opposition.
How can the manager not understand that? The options are there, even if they aren’t ideal. Coufal left, Ashby right. Longelo left, Coufal right. Alese left, Coufal right. 3 at the back with Kral. 3 at the back with Rice and Kral in midfield.
Moyes openly admits he isn’t a great left back and yet throws him in there like an open invite to arsenal to attack down that side, and compounds the issue but putting Lanzini, who can’t defend, in front of him!
Moyes will never not select Masuaku at Norwich though. Not unless Cresswell is fit (why so long to recover, I wish he’d have just let City score to be honest). Moyes is a ‘by the numbers’ man. Ashby having to play is risk enough.
And the irony is, Masuaku is good enough to play a poor Norwich side. And he’ll do ok. And Moyes will feel vindicated and say ‘i know what I’m doing’ and ay him against spurs. And he’ll get roasted. Again. Coz they’re good.
Agree completely Master, Masuaku is pretty decent in the opposing half but defensively clueless, he is easilly exposed and Saka had him on toast. Longelo looks green but promising, he can at least defend and protect the ball when he has it, we should be giving him some games.
Listen let’s be honest we were poor last night not against giving youngsters the chance but we need Cresswell back . I can’t recall actually putting to many crosses into the box last night. We now need cover for Coufal so if that’s a youngster why not . There were some poor performances last night not on it , loosing the ball and no real attacking threat . I think we will get back on our game the team spirit is good those players will want CL and will fight . Come on lads you can beat anyone with fight , hard work and pressing that includes Arsenal, caught us on a bad day . Signings in January will also help too many injuries.. I have belief in this team we will get back to winning ways. Come on lads , COYI ⚒
We seriously believe that Longelo would not have been roasted by Saka, too? He did ok against Zagreb in pretty much a dead game. That’s a great start. But to then make the case that he is ready for Arsenal away And would have held his own no problem? Bit of a leap of faith, IMO.
Anyone who believes Masuaku is a decent player against any team haven’t watched him.
He never finds his man and passes to the opposition rather than his team mates. A dreadful player.
The u23’s are full of confidence and you could see that Ashby was not overauled by the occaision. When are you going to play the youngsters then ? Arsenal had several players the same age and they all did well.
It would of been good for him to play agaisnt Norwich but the players needed a rest and re group.Imagine if we had lost against Norwich.