Unai Emery has revealed how he sees Dani Ceballos fit into his team after the Spaniard put in a man of the match performance in the 2-1 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.
The 23 year old was outstanding, providing the corner from which Alexandre Lacazette scored, and winning the ball back high up the pitch from which Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang drove on and got the winner.
Speaking afterwards, the Arsenal boss talked about where he sees the on-loan Real Madrid man playing throughout the new campaign.
“With him it’s about using his quality in the best position,” he said. “I spoke with him before he came here, it’s to play as a number 8 and a number 10.
“Today he started like a 10 but also changed with Willock in the 8 position. It’s where he can feel better on the pitch.”
Emery was also impressed with Joe Willock who started his first ever Premier League game at the Emirates.
“Willock I think played very well,” said Emery.
“We can also say to the young players that they have the chance to play and need to make this step. He did.”
How did the players rate? Check out Arsenal 2-1 Burnley – player ratings – and leave your own ratings.
Loving the positivity on this site and long may it continue ?
Willock. He ain’t no pillock
Willock, Ceballos, and Guendouzi all deserve another crack at controlling our midfield next week.
Toreirra has to be in there for me. The way he reads the game and breaks up play will be vital at Anfield.
Yes, we can give them a go it’s the only way to see what they can do on a regular basis – but I think they’ll find Liverpool (going, I read, for their 12th straight EPL win) a different proposition altogether.
Yes, surely the Champions League champions will prove a more a steeper challenge than Newcastle and Burnley – I think that’s a given. Doesn’t mean we can’t work our tails off to try and get something out of the match!
I want Willock to get as many chances as possible, but I do think fans are already forgetting what Torreira brings to our midfield, even more important considering how often Burnley carved through out midfield via counters.
Willock is young and will get plenty of game time. I want to see a midfield of Ceballos-Torreira-Guendouzi though.
I see your point as Torreira can bring a lot the table, but there are times (and it depends somewhat on the ref) when he is simply brushed aside in the midfield. I like him, want him to play and be that lion, but he’s on the deck a lot against bigger players and if the ref isn’t playing ball then we’re in trouble. Willock is not a specialist in tackling, but he works hard and covers a lot of ground and he’s got some impressive game going forward. His ability to switch positions with Ceballos throughout the game is… Read more »
as long as it keeps xhaka away
Actually thought we missed xhaka in defense today
I agree, there were times when our midfield was about frantic. Nobody was really a calming influence, it’s weird because individually they all had good games but I think Xhaka would have helped bring a bit of calmness to proceedings.
Toreirra has to be in there, for the way he reads the game and intercepts play, especially at Anfield next week.
Against Liverpool I’d like to see Torreira come in tbh
Guendozi was also unplayable today. Kudos to him as well.
That trio are making a claim for what should be our midfield in a starting 11 and that is very good considering most would expect our more senior players to have cemented their spots. Thinks are shaping up well and soon there will be an understanding on the pitch that isn’t really there yet.
I already love Ceballos! He could be the next Santi, but Dani Ceballos.
It’s always been important to the Arsenal in the last 10-15 years to have a player like Cellabos. He has elements of Rosicky, Fabregas and Cazorla. He looks like he has a great variety, and tenacity for the Prem.
I was a massive fan of Ramsey who always tried to drive us forward. But if there was ever a criticism it was his ball retention and the fact that sometimes he tried one to many trucks which did complicate his play at times. In Ceballos we have a player who similarly drives us forward, but also has better control and plays more like Santi coming out of a congested midfield with quick feet and an eye for a pass. Very good signing, even if it is only a loan. Perhaps if we qualify for the Champions League we can… Read more »
*tricks
One with the wonderful tail?
Anyone notice the pic above of the kid who cried when we lost some game! Haha hes got inly half a smile on?
Was impressed with energy levels today.
Guendouzi slightly culpable for goal (more SSbob) but in general a good cameo controlling if we lacked a bit of Granit’s long range release.
BUT Willock was a beast today (AGAIN). And Cebellos found his feet. Some excellent work as well controlling the ball in contested inmidfield, something we have been lacking since lost of Santi.
He isn’t Santi but he has those tidy Spanish feet and the energy levels of Ramsey. Superb pressing high up to create the second goal.
Ozil will have to step up.
Here’s to Ceballos falling in love with the club and forcing a permanent move next season! (Yes, I know I’m being a bit premature, but I’m enjoying this whole ‘optimism’ thing)
Yeah, its something new, isnt it?
If his reaction to Auba’s goal is anything to go by, I think he cares. The charm offensive should begin in earnest.
A lovely song for him won’t harm our chances in any way.
Tell Madrid well give them Ozil back and 30mil for Ceballos.
Emery starting to mould the squad in his own image.
Shame we didn’t get an option to buy for Ceballos, maybe if we sell Mustafi+Elneny by the end of the month? We can convince Madrid to take £45million in January? So they’ll then go and buy 1 of Erikson or Pogba before the end of the month.
That would be the ultimate masterclass from Raul
Join the discussion…I love ceballos
Just find a way to make Ceballos deal a permanent one, thank you.
All of us are jumping the gun here after just one game performance from ceballos and expecting him to have same impact as our beloved Santi…. But if he is our next Santi I think he should be best partnered with Torreira
I don’t think emery has really received enough praise for his development and integration of youth talent during his time here… Guendouzi is looking a level up this season, Willock is looking like he belongs at this level (obviously Freddie deserves some credit here too), Ainsley has developed well and Nelson is looking like a talent too and he’s being given chances ahead of bigger names. It’s something I really think is important in terms of “Arsenal values” and it’s good to see even though he’s under a lot of pressure to get top 4 this season he’s not shy… Read more »
Apparantly last week was the first time in 5 years we played with 2 teens in the squad. Add the to our team average age last week of 24.3 years I think. The squad’s looking really promising. With several key players still out, Emery is going to have one hell of a difficult time selecting a starting eleven in a couple of months, which is a good thing
I think both Willoack and Ceballos show why Emery trusts them already vs his lack of trust in Ozil. Both are going to make their mistakes, but they are always around the ball on offense and defense and were constantly looking to make things happen and had such energy to win the ball back after we lost it. Don’t want to trash Ozil as he is a great talent and on his day can be the best one on the pitch, but hopefully watching the three out there today will inspire him to play with the energy and intention those… Read more »