Billy Carpenter
@billycarpy.bsky.social
Write about Arsenal. I also write for SCOUTED. Here's my newsletter:
https://billycarpenter.substack.com/
https://billycarpenter.substack.com/
Pinned
Billy Carpenter
@billycarpy.bsky.social
· Dec 19
Connections
On building chemistry under pressure, Madueke’s fresh legs, Gyökeres and the Pinnock Test, Hincapié’s trial by fire, and the ripple effects of Saliba’s absence
billycarpenter.substack.com
My new Arsenal long-read is out. On Madueke, Gyökeres, Hincapié, and building chemistry under pressure.
Newcastle:
— 19 points lost from winning positions (2 draws, 5 losses). Most in league.
— 18 goals for, 23 goals against in second halves (-5 GD)
— Concede the third-most goals at home in the league (1.54 per match)
— 19 points lost from winning positions (2 draws, 5 losses). Most in league.
— 18 goals for, 23 goals against in second halves (-5 GD)
— Concede the third-most goals at home in the league (1.54 per match)
February 9, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Newcastle:
— 19 points lost from winning positions (2 draws, 5 losses). Most in league.
— 18 goals for, 23 goals against in second halves (-5 GD)
— Concede the third-most goals at home in the league (1.54 per match)
— 19 points lost from winning positions (2 draws, 5 losses). Most in league.
— 18 goals for, 23 goals against in second halves (-5 GD)
— Concede the third-most goals at home in the league (1.54 per match)
My hope, at the very least, is that Merino can make the bench for some crucial late fixtures so he can do the fake-warmup-while-coaching-the-team-from-the-touchline thing, a la Jorginho.
Thank heavens Havertz is back. Physical battles are marginal without at least one of them.
Thank heavens Havertz is back. Physical battles are marginal without at least one of them.
February 9, 2026 at 4:46 PM
My hope, at the very least, is that Merino can make the bench for some crucial late fixtures so he can do the fake-warmup-while-coaching-the-team-from-the-touchline thing, a la Jorginho.
Thank heavens Havertz is back. Physical battles are marginal without at least one of them.
Thank heavens Havertz is back. Physical battles are marginal without at least one of them.
This'll get interpreted to be about Martinelli/Gyökeres, which: yes. But it's also about Hincapié and Eze.
There's real juice in the whole Calafiori (65 mins) -> Hincapié thing.
And Eze looked like himself in attack + better OOP. Had a great dribble and release against flow.
There's real juice in the whole Calafiori (65 mins) -> Hincapié thing.
And Eze looked like himself in attack + better OOP. Had a great dribble and release against flow.
Fucking great.
Small space players when the space is small.
Big space players when the space is big.
👍
Small space players when the space is small.
Big space players when the space is big.
👍
February 7, 2026 at 8:44 PM
This'll get interpreted to be about Martinelli/Gyökeres, which: yes. But it's also about Hincapié and Eze.
There's real juice in the whole Calafiori (65 mins) -> Hincapié thing.
And Eze looked like himself in attack + better OOP. Had a great dribble and release against flow.
There's real juice in the whole Calafiori (65 mins) -> Hincapié thing.
And Eze looked like himself in attack + better OOP. Had a great dribble and release against flow.
Arsenal in second halves:
— 31 goals scored (most)
— 11 goals conceded (fewest)
— 31 goals scored (most)
— 11 goals conceded (fewest)
February 7, 2026 at 5:36 PM
Arsenal in second halves:
— 31 goals scored (most)
— 11 goals conceded (fewest)
— 31 goals scored (most)
— 11 goals conceded (fewest)
Such a far cry from the Stadium of Light, when we had zero attacking subs to throw on (no Martinelli, Gyökeres, Ødegaard, Kai, Jesus), lost our legs at the end, and coughed up the lead.
Every game is attritional these days.
Every game is attritional these days.
February 7, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Such a far cry from the Stadium of Light, when we had zero attacking subs to throw on (no Martinelli, Gyökeres, Ødegaard, Kai, Jesus), lost our legs at the end, and coughed up the lead.
Every game is attritional these days.
Every game is attritional these days.
Fucking great.
Small space players when the space is small.
Big space players when the space is big.
👍
Small space players when the space is small.
Big space players when the space is big.
👍
February 7, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Fucking great.
Small space players when the space is small.
Big space players when the space is big.
👍
Small space players when the space is small.
Big space players when the space is big.
👍
Havertz makes Gyökeres better because Havertz makes everybody better. Insanely selfless, helpful player.
February 7, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Havertz makes Gyökeres better because Havertz makes everybody better. Insanely selfless, helpful player.
Dan Ballard is made entirely of thigh muscle.
February 7, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Dan Ballard is made entirely of thigh muscle.
Reposted by Billy Carpenter
“Zubimendi will give Arsenal a calm, controlled presence in the midfield.”
Zubimendi with Arsenal:
Zubimendi with Arsenal:
October 1, 2025 at 9:15 PM
“Zubimendi will give Arsenal a calm, controlled presence in the midfield.”
Zubimendi with Arsenal:
Zubimendi with Arsenal:
That's Zubimendi's career high for goals in a season (5).
Six in all comps.
Somehow feels like more.
Six in all comps.
Somehow feels like more.
February 7, 2026 at 3:59 PM
That's Zubimendi's career high for goals in a season (5).
Six in all comps.
Somehow feels like more.
Six in all comps.
Somehow feels like more.
Why don't teams come out and play against Arsenal?
February 4, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Why don't teams come out and play against Arsenal?
Oh, I'm not supposed to value the Carabao?
In English, 'Carabao,' if you split the word, it's Care About. And that's what we're doing here. We're caring about.
In English, 'Carabao,' if you split the word, it's Care About. And that's what we're doing here. We're caring about.
February 3, 2026 at 11:10 PM
Oh, I'm not supposed to value the Carabao?
In English, 'Carabao,' if you split the word, it's Care About. And that's what we're doing here. We're caring about.
In English, 'Carabao,' if you split the word, it's Care About. And that's what we're doing here. We're caring about.
Without Kai, there are tradeoffs.
*This* lineup has no galloping outlet. *That* one has no connector. *This* one is vulnerable OOP + set pieces. *That* one has no big box presence.
With Kai, the only tradeoff is that he used to miss shots sometimes.
And I don’t give a fuck.
*This* lineup has no galloping outlet. *That* one has no connector. *This* one is vulnerable OOP + set pieces. *That* one has no big box presence.
With Kai, the only tradeoff is that he used to miss shots sometimes.
And I don’t give a fuck.
February 3, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Without Kai, there are tradeoffs.
*This* lineup has no galloping outlet. *That* one has no connector. *This* one is vulnerable OOP + set pieces. *That* one has no big box presence.
With Kai, the only tradeoff is that he used to miss shots sometimes.
And I don’t give a fuck.
*This* lineup has no galloping outlet. *That* one has no connector. *This* one is vulnerable OOP + set pieces. *That* one has no big box presence.
With Kai, the only tradeoff is that he used to miss shots sometimes.
And I don’t give a fuck.
My fondness for Kai Havertz has no limits.
February 3, 2026 at 10:33 PM
My fondness for Kai Havertz has no limits.
I bet Hincapié is wide a bit. But I imagine Arteta is, as always, out-of-possession first.
February 3, 2026 at 7:46 PM
I bet Hincapié is wide a bit. But I imagine Arteta is, as always, out-of-possession first.
Why does this look potentially good for Timber?
— Noni frees him from touchline responsibilities
— Eze floats and frees up the inside pocket so he can drive, combine, etc
— Important Jenga block of back-threes is getting those wide CBs to jump out too far
— Noni frees him from touchline responsibilities
— Eze floats and frees up the inside pocket so he can drive, combine, etc
— Important Jenga block of back-threes is getting those wide CBs to jump out too far
February 3, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Why does this look potentially good for Timber?
— Noni frees him from touchline responsibilities
— Eze floats and frees up the inside pocket so he can drive, combine, etc
— Important Jenga block of back-threes is getting those wide CBs to jump out too far
— Noni frees him from touchline responsibilities
— Eze floats and frees up the inside pocket so he can drive, combine, etc
— Important Jenga block of back-threes is getting those wide CBs to jump out too far
I am feeling:
— domino effect of Timber diagonal dribbling
— Eze lurking in zone-14
— a cutback from Noni to Eze at the penalty spot
— Zubimendi quick-combo ball
— domino effect of Timber diagonal dribbling
— Eze lurking in zone-14
— a cutback from Noni to Eze at the penalty spot
— Zubimendi quick-combo ball
February 3, 2026 at 7:40 PM
I am feeling:
— domino effect of Timber diagonal dribbling
— Eze lurking in zone-14
— a cutback from Noni to Eze at the penalty spot
— Zubimendi quick-combo ball
— domino effect of Timber diagonal dribbling
— Eze lurking in zone-14
— a cutback from Noni to Eze at the penalty spot
— Zubimendi quick-combo ball
How I'd play it. Eze floating central/SS and a little left to give a dribbler/creator to the left, Timber in the half-space, Rice deep, Zubi helping pocket play on the right. Tricky part is whether Gyök is ready to press on the right.
Conditions are good for Timber in attack. 👍
Conditions are good for Timber in attack. 👍
February 3, 2026 at 7:40 PM
How I'd play it. Eze floating central/SS and a little left to give a dribbler/creator to the left, Timber in the half-space, Rice deep, Zubi helping pocket play on the right. Tricky part is whether Gyök is ready to press on the right.
Conditions are good for Timber in attack. 👍
Conditions are good for Timber in attack. 👍
Really get the sense Arteta is gonna play Havertz in the attacking midfield spots a good deal
January 29, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Really get the sense Arteta is gonna play Havertz in the attacking midfield spots a good deal
Needs dribbling/unsettling/block-moving behind them. Which means Eze probably. And it's really hard to play Eze in the defensive double-pivot in the league. So it's tricky to get the surrounding dynamics right (easy against Kairat)
January 29, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Needs dribbling/unsettling/block-moving behind them. Which means Eze probably. And it's really hard to play Eze in the defensive double-pivot in the league. So it's tricky to get the surrounding dynamics right (easy against Kairat)
Like, I think even his detractors know that he's carving up Kairat if he's feeling OK.
January 29, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Like, I think even his detractors know that he's carving up Kairat if he's feeling OK.
Early warning sign was when he was almost a liability defending against Wolves as a sub, felt very odd and out of character. Then he got his legs back and had a great string of games and it feels like he lost them again.
January 29, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Early warning sign was when he was almost a liability defending against Wolves as a sub, felt very odd and out of character. Then he got his legs back and had a great string of games and it feels like he lost them again.
Yeah, piece has taken a while. His level historically opponent-dependent (you can predict the games he's gonna take over) but this year it feels very physical. His application has really ebbed and flowed, and when it's off, it's affecting his decision-making.
January 29, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Yeah, piece has taken a while. His level historically opponent-dependent (you can predict the games he's gonna take over) but this year it feels very physical. His application has really ebbed and flowed, and when it's off, it's affecting his decision-making.
With Ø off his best (especially physically), we can start rotating in looks like this.
— Double-pivot with Rice RCM, doing Henderson runs around the right
— Eze/Kai front-two in the press
— Swap in Timber+Trossard depending on the opponent. But I like giving Eze someone to release.
— Double-pivot with Rice RCM, doing Henderson runs around the right
— Eze/Kai front-two in the press
— Swap in Timber+Trossard depending on the opponent. But I like giving Eze someone to release.
January 29, 2026 at 8:33 PM
With Ø off his best (especially physically), we can start rotating in looks like this.
— Double-pivot with Rice RCM, doing Henderson runs around the right
— Eze/Kai front-two in the press
— Swap in Timber+Trossard depending on the opponent. But I like giving Eze someone to release.
— Double-pivot with Rice RCM, doing Henderson runs around the right
— Eze/Kai front-two in the press
— Swap in Timber+Trossard depending on the opponent. But I like giving Eze someone to release.