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How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
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Topdawg
blueboy
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How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by blueboy Mon Jan 19, 2015 1:20 pm
The Spaniard's pace is one of Manuel Pellegrini's favoured weapons, but his use of the ball proved decisive in defeat to the Gunners.
It would be grossly unfair to lay the blame for Manchester City's defeat to Arsenal at the door of one man.Not one of Manuel Pellegrini's squad will have left the Etihad Stadium pitch on Sunday feeling they performed particularly well against the Gunners.
Vincent Kompany's uncertainty in defence and Fernando's ponderousness in possession were just two lowlights of the 90 minutes.
But it is the Blues' failure to turn moments of dominance into goals that appeared to most concern fans, and that meant that Jesus Navas - perhaps unjustly - bore the brunt of the criticism.
The Spanish winger admitted after the game that Arsene Wenger's side had made things 'difficult' for the hosts.
"I think that the second goal hurt us. We started the second half strong but that second goal cost us the game because we had our chances," he said.
"I think we tried after the penalty and the second goal we pushed until the end and we had our chances but it was a very difficult game."
And Navas' statistical output certainly seems to support his assertion that he did not find things easy on Sunday.
The Spaniard featured for 76 minutes before he was withdrawn as Manuel Pellegrini took a last roll of the dice and introduced Edin Dzeko.
Navas was heavily involved for the Blues, managing 84 touches during his time on the pitch as the hosts attempted to undo Arsenal down the flanks.
But, while the 29-year-old did well to find the space to ensure he saw plenty of the ball, it was his use of it that proved disappointing.
Of his nine attempted crosses, which came at a rate of one every 8.4 minutes, only one (11%) found a team-mate.
The Spain international also completed just 73% of his 49 passes, surrendering possession regularly and launching a number of Arsenal counterattacks.
Such a performance has inevitably led to questions over why Navas started, and indeed why he is used so regularly.
It could be argued that he has justified his inclusion due to his status as City's top Premier League assist-maker this term.
But Navas has clocked up 1,425 minutes in the English top flight on his way to six assists.
James Milner's five assists have come in just 1,040 minutes, while Samir Nasri has managed four in 1,191 minutes.
Navas has also failed to score a Premier League goal in an entire year, with his last strike coming in a 4-2 win over Cardiff on January 18, 2014.
Admittedly, the Spaniard does have a role to play in Pellegrini's teams, with his pace often helping to pen back defences and provide space for the likes of David Silva and Nasri.
City fans are right to expect more, though, and must hope that the warm weather training camp in Abu Dhabi helps restore a player who was important to last season's title win.
"[A break is] always good. The three points were important for us now we have to focus on the FA Cup game and Chelsea after that," Navas said of this week's trip.
"We know how crucial that game will be. We will have to give our best and be 100% focused."
With Nasri out of action for the next month at least, Navas is likely to continue playing a prominent role in the coming weeks.
But he must prove against Middlesbrough and Chelsea why he is worthy of doing so, or Pellegrini's faith will undoubtedly evaporate quickly.
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Re: How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by Topdawg Mon Jan 19, 2015 1:43 pm
I don't mind singling one man out...
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Re: How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by Nijinsky Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:00 pm
It was just more of the same old from Navas. He gets himself in to some great positions, but he always wants that extra touch which always gives the advantage back to the defenders.
For me though the single most influential influential affect on this game was the lack of the TLF, when he plays City play. I worry for us against Chelski without Yaya as the 2 Fernando's can't fill the gap he leaves.
For me though the single most influential influential affect on this game was the lack of the TLF, when he plays City play. I worry for us against Chelski without Yaya as the 2 Fernando's can't fill the gap he leaves.
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Re: How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by shakencity Mon Jan 19, 2015 2:20 pm
It'll be interesting to see peoples prediction for this game.....i'm gonna stay positive though 
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Re: How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by blueboy Mon Jan 19, 2015 3:23 pm
I would hope Vinny and Sergio will be up to speed by then...it's still a week + away, so after some warm weather in Abu Dhabi, it'll make a big difference.
However, I have to agree with the article, TLLMF or no TLLMF, he's bang average at best.
Milner is a far better crosser of the ball and works equally as hard - or more.
His stats are awful and we say the same things week in week out about him....his cross completion is terrible. He rarely scores and is for me, one of the architects of slowing us down. By this, I mean we break quickly, but most of the time he rarely takes on a player and then turns back and plays a sideways/backwards pass when others have made runs into their box.
I've only seen the highlights, but many, many times he received the ball out wide and apart from one deflected cross and a shot from an almost impossible angle, the moves came to nothing.
I'd personally get Barker in the team whilst they are away and in against Boro and see what the kid can do, as Navas doesn't seem to have any competition - and fuck knows why.
We may even have to change our style a little whilst TLLMF is away....but I'm hopeful we can get certain players back up to full fitness for Chelsea, so I'm not panicking - just yet.
However, I have to agree with the article, TLLMF or no TLLMF, he's bang average at best.
Milner is a far better crosser of the ball and works equally as hard - or more.
His stats are awful and we say the same things week in week out about him....his cross completion is terrible. He rarely scores and is for me, one of the architects of slowing us down. By this, I mean we break quickly, but most of the time he rarely takes on a player and then turns back and plays a sideways/backwards pass when others have made runs into their box.
I've only seen the highlights, but many, many times he received the ball out wide and apart from one deflected cross and a shot from an almost impossible angle, the moves came to nothing.
I'd personally get Barker in the team whilst they are away and in against Boro and see what the kid can do, as Navas doesn't seem to have any competition - and fuck knows why.
We may even have to change our style a little whilst TLLMF is away....but I'm hopeful we can get certain players back up to full fitness for Chelsea, so I'm not panicking - just yet.
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Re: How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by Topdawg Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:08 pm
We bought navas due to FFP I believe. We couldn't spend too much and his wages were low.
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Re: How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by ManCityMan Mon Jan 19, 2015 8:28 pm
There has to be better wingers out there that can cross a ball better than that clown? FFP may stop us bringing one in though as we seem interested in filling other positions first.
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Re: How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by TMG Mon Jan 19, 2015 9:15 pm
Maybe try Sinclair, Milner or one of the EDS on the right
Let's face it they can't be much worse than Jesus who we all knew wd be bad on crosses
Let's face it they can't be much worse than Jesus who we all knew wd be bad on crosses
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Re: How Navas' wastefulness cost Man City against Arsenal
by Topdawg Mon Jan 19, 2015 10:18 pm
TMG wrote:Maybe try Sinclair, Milner or one of the EDS on the right
Let's face it they can't be much worse than Jesus who we all knew wd be bad on crosses
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