This team needed someone like him for a while now.
Since the post-Xavi years, we have relied a lot on Iniesta to try and fill that gap, and while it did work to an extent the problem was he was getting old himself and suffered more injuries as time went on. I remember every time Iniesta either came off or didn't play we really suffered quite a bit and lacked real control, heck it was even a problem when he played sometimes.
I really wish Iniesta stayed one more season here just for Arthur to play together with him and learn from him.
We also leaned a lot of Busi for control as well, way to much IMO. Busi is a unique player but expecting him to shoulder the control duties while Iniesta wasn't playing wasn't the greatest idea since he needs help as well.This is very true. And Lucho Enrique noticed this as well. Do you remember when many people were mad that Barcelona was relying to heavily on the front 3(at the time: Neymar, Messi, Suarez). This was because the midfield couldn't control the game as they did in the past. Sometimes, the ball would just go beyond the midfield to launch the attack immediately.
We also leaned a lot of Busi for control as well, way to much IMO. Busi is a unique player but expecting him to shoulder the control duties while Iniesta wasn't playing wasn't the greatest idea since he needs help as well.
We couldn't just keep sticking CAMs and B2B in the middle and expect miracles. For a team like ours, you will always need a Pure CM passer like Xavi/Arthur. The guy who can tie up loose ends which in turn helps the other Two Midfielders to thrive as well.
The Coutinho-Busi-Rakitic Midfield from the early part of the season was unbalanced because Valverde tried to use Rakitic in a role that he doesn't have the required skill set to pull off but the likes of Arthur actually do.
We struggled against teams that pressed us hard in the last several years and Arthur will be key to help limit the problem in the Midfield no doubt.I feel the current set up of Arthur-Busi-Rakitic/Vidal----Messi-Suarez-Coutinho is our best lineup for CL knockout games
Excellent 60-odd minutes last night.
The second he first touched the ball and just burst past that Sevilla player I knew he meant business, he's showing his speed to blitz past defenders now. 4 chances created last night.
I love how he constantly sneaks in behind opposition players and toe-pokes the ball away from them to gain possession again and again. Laser beam like passes through defensive lines too.
Arthur is a nuclear talent; I hope we nurture him well.
That goofy Barca Ball was right, I'm really 'enjoying' this little blonde fucker in a blaugrana shirt.
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Imagine if Frenkie joins the party next season and hits the ground running....
His confidence is growing with each game. Could be our best signing for a while.