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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 3d

Jesus wept, spin? The initial post was clearly a less than serious one which you’ve reacted to in the most breathlessly tedious fashion.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 3d

Sorry there seems to be a bit of confusion here, I think you think that I’m working in your personal research department. If you want to know that I’m sure you can avail yourself of a statistic that isn’t that useful in a small sample.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 3d

His xA and xAG are fine, I don't know where you've got 21 chances from but it sounds like you're using PL+UCL for chances (don't know why that's in quote marks) and then PL only for xG assisted. If you want to chuck European alongside domestic league, he literally has more xA than any PL player.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 3d

- Failing to replace anything Alexander-Arnold offered
- A profound Salah decline
- Messy defence at the top of the field

Could have done more but here were three of the biggest issues from Liverpool’s loss

Three biggest problems facing Liverpool after devastating, last-minute 2-1 Premier League loss to Chelsea

The team still hasn't replaced Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mo Salah may be in decline

www.cbssports.com

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 4d

Even when he wasn't on the pitch, it was obvious Florian Wirtz, one of the dozen leading chance creators in the PL, was the problem with Liverpool's attack. By not putting that spinning backheel on the goalline for Salah, he's only made that more clear.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 4d

I'm going to assume that everyone had long since priced in Trent going but too few realised that Frimpong is not an esoteric right back like the guy he was replacing. He's just not a right back.

Not surprised that's the case when I'm seeing columns saying no-one knows anything about Wirtz

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 4d

Tired: Liverpool are missing Alexander-Arnold's ball progression

Wired: Liverpool are missing Alexander-Arnold's defending

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 4d

At windy Stamford Bridge

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto, Acheampong, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, James; Neto, Fernandez, Garnacho; Joao Pedro

Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Isak

Wirtz, Frimpong, Ekitike on bench

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 5d

Not every boy Taylor. Not every boy.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 6d

I can't spot anywhere where I said one goal involvement in three is good. What I appear to have said is reading too much into a small amount of data is daft, particularly when you don't fully capture that data. It's all the worse when you present it shorn of context.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 6d

It’s also a vanishingly small sample size. Weird you missed out the goal by the way.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 6d

The way Arsenal played last night could be how they approach quite a few of the kinder fixtures ahead of him. Everyone knows they've had problems breaking down low blocks so why not get the ball in the final third before the other team can set?

Martin Odegaard's aggression in possession shows how Mikel Arteta is reviving Arsenal's attack

The Norwegian's importance to Arsenal's speedy attack was on full display on Wednesday in the Champions League

www.cbssports.com

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Reposted by James Benge

James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 6d

"That's the game I want from [Odegaard]."

And if tonight is how Mikel Arteta wants Martin Odegaard to play, it's how he wants Arsenal to play.

Their attack is changing. It's revving up.

Martin Odegaard's aggression in possession shows how Mikel Arteta is reviving Arsenal's attack

The Norwegian's importance to Arsenal's speedy attack was on full display on Wednesday in the Champions League

www.cbssports.com

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 6d

"That's the game I want from [Odegaard]."

And if tonight is how Mikel Arteta wants Martin Odegaard to play, it's how he wants Arsenal to play.

Their attack is changing. It's revving up.

Martin Odegaard's aggression in possession shows how Mikel Arteta is reviving Arsenal's attack

The Norwegian's importance to Arsenal's speedy attack was on full display on Wednesday in the Champions League

www.cbssports.com

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 6d

Arteta says he thinks Gabriel will be ok. "He could carry on but we decided not to take any risks."

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 6d

Bukayo Saka has 11 Champions League goal in 19 games. Six assists in that time by the way.

Saka now level with Robert Pires for Arsenal UCL goals. It took Pires 63 games. (This is not Bobby P slander, I promise. I would never.)

24 more to match Thierry Henry.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 7d

*And Dowman on the bench, Arsenal left him off initial list

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 7d

Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Zubimendi, Merino, Odegaard, Trossard, Martinelli, Gyokeres

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera, Timber, Calafiori, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Rice, Saka, Eze.

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 7d

For all that Chelsea fans welcomed Jose Mourinho in wonderful fashion, there was something downbeat about his comeback. One of the biggest of beasts has lost his claws.

Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge brought back memories but also showed reality for legendary coach

The legendary coach was back coaching at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, leading Benfica in their Champions League Matchday 2 clash with Chelsea

www.cbssports.com

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 7d

Mourinho on his return to Stamford Bridge: "Hopefully I come here with my grandkids in 20 years. They belong to my history. I belong to their history."

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 8d

In this week's UCL preview I went graphics mad on Arsenal's left eight. Or should that be left six? Games like Olympiacos will tell us how much of the midfield change (which Rice delivered excellently) is borne out of need vs. desire. www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 8d

Few clubs know as well as Arsenal what it's like to develop a superstar and then lose him to a richer rival.

Saliba screamed Real Madrid, who could just wait for him to land in their laps. That wait will be a lot, lot longer.

Mikel Arteta hails William Saliba's Arsenal extension: 'He's been instrumental in everything we've done'

The Gunners' manager conceded that fending off a possible approach from Real Madrid was a major part of the consideration

www.cbssports.com

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 8d

William Saliba signs his five year contract with Arsenal. The best young centre back in the sport commits his prime years to north London.

"I feel at home. We have a good team, we have a good squad, we have good staff. The coach is perfect for me, so it's the best place to be."

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Reposted by James Benge

James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · Sep 2

Free agents, sackings & institutional turmoil -- you might think this is just another transfer window in Türkiye

You'd be totally wrong

Let's talk debt restructuring, Istanbul real estate and Davinson Sanchez

Türkiye's huge summer of transfers explained: How Galatasaray and Fenerbahce can outspend Europe's big clubs

How real estate deals, debt restructuring, and an inflating Turkish lira led directly to moves for Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sane and a host of other stars

www.cbssports.com

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James Benge @jamesbenge.bsky.social · 11d

One of the undercurrents of United’s recent struggles has been that the data points to improvement under Amorim. The sample size is decent too, a 15 match upswing.

Sometimes it isn’t quite right though. There’s few signs of progress on the pitch.

Manchester United's stats may suggest they're improving, but a terrible 3-1 loss to Brentford shows otherwise

Sometimes stats show a clear and true story, sometimes a little bit of context shifts the story entirely

www.cbssports.com

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