The Mason-Bentaleb Partnership

[Danishfurniturelover]

I agree with you that these two are exactly what we need in that double pivot. AVB never had it as none of the players he chose had the attributes that these two do, Mason especially was an absolue nightmare for them today.

PS: Modric-Parker, the best partnership we have had there.

Also the problem with avb was that if his players moved forwards or even attempted to play a forward pass, he would beat them and threaten their families with all sorts of weird sexual stuff as punishment.

 

[thfcsteff]

agree with all of this...as I've said for a while now, bentaleb is a future skipper IMO...

 

[Roland Beurre]

The Mason-Bentaleb Partnership - sounds like a 1960's folk-rock duo.

 

[Armchair Expert]

The Mason-Bentaleb Partnership - sounds like a 1960's folk-rock duo.

Sounds more like a British mediated north african protectorate treaty.

 

[braineclipse]

Excellent partnership for sure. I can barely believe how well they're doing against top teams. Cazorla was fantastic against City, truly outstanding. Ozil is supposedly world class. Have heard claims that Ramsey is a decent player too. Where were they today? Nowhere to be found.

Mason, a bit like Modric, seems to do a lot of defensive work that goes a bit unnoticed. Perhaps because of his size, or because he's very good on the ball, I don't know. But he covers a lot of ground, gets back really diligently and can put a tackle in whenever needed.

Truly a dynamic duo. Both can do a bit of everything and both fit in really well with Poch's philosophy.

 

[JerusalemMan]

Dembele and Sandro formed a partnership that was a joy to behold.

It may be that in these two young lads we have a longer term central axis that can be exciting and enduring.

 

[DeanoAustin]

Someone suggested this partnership months ago and I scoffed at their stupidity.

How wrong was I? I apologise unreservedly

 

[braineclipse]

Dembele and Sandro formed a partnership that was a joy to behold.

Dembele and Sandro were more solid, but not a patch on Bentaleb and Mason on the ball. Illustrates the difference in style between Poch and AVB quite nicely I think.

Dembele and Sandro worked well because they made the defenders behind them better, and when they had someone truly magical ahead of them they got away with not being great on the ball. Mason and Bentaleb work so well because they make the attackers ahead of them better.

Someone suggested this partnership months ago and I scoffed at their stupidity.

How wrong was I? I apologise unreservedly

I thought there was potential there. But I really didn't think they could make it work this well this quickly. Well done to them and well done to Poch for realizing and making hit happen.

 

[NaijaSpurs]

I do remember someone saying we needed an experienced person like a Davids to play in midfield but my reply to that was always what we need is ability not experience, well these 2 have ability in abundance and they will only get better

 

[Gutter Boy]

I do remember someone saying we needed an experienced person like a Davids to play in midfield but my reply to that was always what we need is ability not experience, well these 2 have ability in abundance and they will only get better

We need a 4th CM like Mason, Bentaleb and Stambouli IMO.

Perhaps that'll be Alli, or maybe we might try again in the summer for that Rabiot

I don't want a senior player like Cabeye or Schneiderlin anymore - this pair have earned their place as medium-long term starters.

 

[scaramanga]

I thought the two would be a little light against the better teams.

Have to say, I completely underestimated Mason's ability to chase and press the way Modric did so well.

 

[thfcsteff]

I thought the two would be a little light against the better teams.

Have to say, I completely underestimated Mason's ability to chase and press the way Modric did so well.

I don't think you are the only one who under-estimated him. Bentaleb I saw from the first moment. I thought Mason was absolutely an enthusiastic keeper of the shirt until Poch got Schneiderlin. So happy to see Mason prove this is absolutely not going to be the case, and to show the range. He's been better the last two games than ever...

 

[LCLC]

you cant deny that if there is a chink in masons armor then its his passing accuracy, particularly when not under great pressure.
no-one would possibly claim he didnt do a sterling job today.

This is confidence - his passing stats when e first came in were top drawer and these astray passes feel like a little of concentration/doubt creeping in. It will return.


Also he has never played more THan 20 games in a season before - let's not get ahead of ourselces and support him as he hopefully improves and improves once more

 

[Maltese Falcon]

I don't want a senior player like Cabeye or Schneiderlin anymore - this pair have earned their place as medium-long term starters.

That's a bit dramatic!! Cabaye or Schneiderlin would strengthen us immensely; then let them all fight for the shirt!

 

[LCLC]

Yep we need an addition in there and then bomb out Capoue and Paulinho. Masons fitness has been sus in the past and a loss of form can happen at any time. Having a quality experienced player in there would hopefully drag everyone else up to a new level in terms of having completion. This is on the presumption that we have European football of some kind next year

 

[NaijaSpurs]

We need a 4th CM like Mason, Bentaleb and Stambouli IMO.

Perhaps that'll be Alli, or maybe we might try again in the summer for that Rabiot

I don't want a senior player like Cabeye or Schneiderlin anymore - this pair have earned their place as medium-long term starters.

I would not mind Schneiderlin because he would give us added strength in depth, I really rate him and he is just 25. What I do not want is a Scott Parker or an Edgar Davids. Besides Schneiderlin is a quality player and to me that is so important.

 

[Mumorn]

I think an experienced Davids type would be great. Won't expect to start every week and disrupting Bentaleb/Mason. But will provide experience and knowledge which in the long run will really help the two.

 

[scaramanga]

Whilst overall both were excellent I did (on the 3rd watch of the match!) see a big error from each that Poch needs to work on.

Bentaleb left Arsenal's only threat from corners completely unmarked just after Hugo's great save.

And Mason a little earlier than that misplaced a pass (not something I'm going to criticise him for) but then dived in completely needlessly allowing them a clear run through the middle.

Other than that the two were very solid and I suspect that if they both stay fit, Poch will have the errors ironed out by the end of the summer.

 

[Mumorn]

Bentaleb has a tendency to leave his man at set pieces and not track the runner in open play, but I like to think it'll come with experience.

 

[Raziel]

I do remember someone saying we needed an experienced person like a Davids to play in midfield but my reply to that was always what we need is ability not experience, well these 2 have ability in abundance and they will only get better

Thinks it was me .. proven wrong so far, though do think it wouldn't be amiss for a bench option