Adding squad depth key for Arteta hopes of closing down City says Silvestre

Here at bettingexpert, Devang Prasad sat down with former Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre to discuss a range of topics pertaining to Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal side.

Silvestre discussed the likes of Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and the importance of squad depth for Arsenal this season.

In this article:

• White isn’t Zinchenko but does many things well
• No difference between Raya and Ramsdale
• Zinchenko brings confidence to this Arsenal team
• Adding squad depth key for Arteta

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White isn’t Zinchenko but does many things well

When Arsenal invested £50 million in Ben White from Brighton, it created a significant buzz due to the substantial amount spent on a defender who was relatively unproven at the highest level of football. However, White’s talent was evident as he had a stellar season on loan at Leeds in the Championship before making his mark in the Brighton first team.

Since his arrival at Arsenal, White has solidified his position as a key starter in Arteta’s team, and Silvestre recognizes the value that White brings to the Arsenal side.

“I think he does many things well. He’s a good defender. He’s played all his Premier League career as a centre-back and since moving to Arsenal he shifted to the right.”

“He’s not a Zinchenko going forward but he has good stamina, he understands where to move, when to move forward. And obviously when you Saka ahead of you, you don’t need to overlap that much.”

“So his role is to defend and block that flank, and then support Saka where he’s doing really well.”

No difference between Raya and Ramsdale

The competition for the number one goalkeeper position at Arsenal appears to have David Raya in the lead. The Spanish goalkeeper initially joined the Gunners on loan and has succeeded in displacing the previous number one, Aaron Ramsdale.

Interestingly, Silvestre doesn’t perceive a significant difference between Ramsdale and Raya.

“David Raya’s done well. In the last game against City he was maybe forcing some short passes when City were well positioned. Took some risks.”

“Ramsdale or him, I don’t see much of a difference.”

Zinchenko brings confidence to this Arsenal team

The role of the full-back in modern football has become a significant topic of discussion. One of the current trends, popularised by Pep Guardiola, involves full-backs being tasked with adopting a midfield role. This approach offers several advantages, such as aiding ball progression, creating overloads in central areas of the field, and enabling quick ball recovery when possession is lost. Zinchenko has embraced this role at Arsenal, and Silvestre recognizes the value that the Ukrainian brings to the team.

“Zinchenko is very important. Obviously he starts as a left-back but then comes in midfield, combines forward.”

“He’s extremely valuable to the progression of the ball and he’s a big asset for the team, bringing confidence to the side. He is very important overall.”

Adding squad depth key for Arteta

This summer, Arsenal made significant investments in their playing squad. Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, and Jurrien Timber arrived on permanent deals, while Raya also joined on loan with an option to buy. This has provided Arteta with the strength in depth he may have lacked last season. Silvestre is impressed with the depth Arsenal has added to their side as they aim to narrow the gap on the reigning champions, Manchester City.

“The squad depth paid off, absolutely. They knew they had to thicken the squad after last season where they were a bit short towards the money time – March, April – that’s where they started losing ground.”

“We are early on but you can count on these players to be difference makers.”

“When you’re the opposition and you see these players coming in, you’re like ‘this is not going to get any easier’ cause the guys are great players and are fresh.”

“So, it was necessary.”

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