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Manas

@watman.bsky.social
724 followers 103 following 117 posts

Arsenal Fan

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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
💥 WE'RE BACK 💥 #141: How's It Going? 🎙: @towells.bsky.social @alexcollings.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social 🔵 Opinions on the City ruling 🟡 The Rice Revolution 🔴 Is Saka our superstar? ⚪️ Should we be worried about the Brighton performance? Listen 👇 pod.fo/e/686ede
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The Pot Shot Podcast: #141: How's It Going?
You could say we're back - but did we ever really leave? Towells, Alex & Manas chat about the season so far and what we expect to come.**Skip to 19 minutes if you don't care about our opinions on t...
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Tzolis scanning while the ball is in flight to the receiver to check for spaces - top quality fundamentals.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
MLS showing importance of playing with an open body position - relative to the opposition. - Receiving on the half turn 'after' letting the ball run across his body - Beat his man & create a line breaking pass - Tzolis lateral freedom
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
It's not a crisis but it can be because we have a lot of prime age players in the squad.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
There's also Merino Gabriel Raya etc. it's not that simple.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
I see the doubts about Konsa age profile, outlay + length of contract. In about 3 summers when our rebuild hits our prime age guys (Ode Rice Eze Gyok Kai etc) will all be ageing out. You can see what's happening at City - we have to start mitigating it from next summer imo.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Managing Real Madrid must be a nightmare. Literally everyone is bigger than the club - & the entitlement culture flows through the players to the fans creating a very difficult atmosphere for any manager.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
4. We need to isolate wingers more and increase take-ons. The quality is there. 5. Attacking underlaps into the box need to improve. Holding Liverpool to 0 shots on target while forcing back-5s and back-6s vs City and LFC still says something about how far Arsenal have come. End of Thread!
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Takeaways: 1. Arsenal didn’t read or exploit first-half spaces well enough. 2. Gyok struggles vs deeper blocks. He can’t be first-choice in these games. 3. Liverpool’s second-half spacing and use of Wirtz hurt our ball-winning.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Ultimately there were one too many "players-holding-their-hands-up" on broken pressing sequences in the 2nd half and we barely had a good possession sequence.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
2nd half: Liverpool came out with better intent on the ball - the CB found the CMs to play around our markers + we couldn’t press/counter the back passes to the CB (pressing triggers) in a coordinated fashion which kept us in defensive block
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Spurs defended us in the same manner (Back 6) at The Ems but we were able to bait their CMs to one side & find the free man in Z14/Z11 - Eze who went onto score a hattrick One instance we were able to access Z14 with a pass by pulling the Liverpool midfield over to one side (Saka to Zubimendi)
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Opp 2: Z11 and Z14 (Wirtz/Sbo) had to press the CBs and (Grav/Mac) would mark the 8s (Ode/Rice) - This gave us the chance to stretch & find passes in Z14/Z11 which we did not do enough. Here’s an example to big spaces in b/w Grav and Mac we should be looking to find an Ø in -
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Here's an example of Saliba using the space -
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Opportunities for AFC: With how LFC chose to push their wingers back to defend the halfspaces - it created big spaces in for the AFC CBs to drive into & pull defenders out: Watch Odegaard pointing to Saliba to drive into the space but he chooses to stop & pass backwards.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
LFC were able to break the press in the first half by using the 3v2 overloads in central areas + Bradley's underlapping runs Further it lets Kerkez or the underloaded fullback to run into the space vacated by the winger - it’s how they were able to get some joy on the ball in the first half.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Min 6, LFC were already adjusting in possession. Wirtz (F9) came deeper to overload midfield - the CB (Gabriel) was reluctant to follow Wirtz all the way. That movement opened space for Gakpo to run into the vacated channel against Arsenal’s last line + cause issues for Rice/Zubi in the press
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
We can see in the same instance how Frimpong is tracking Hincapie in the halfspace and Gakpo is tracking Timber - Liverpool had a very clear idea of man marking the fullbacks with their wingers
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
First half: Arsenal built up in a familiar (3-2) base that often became a back 3 by dropping one of Zubimendi/Rice/Ødegaard into the backline, freeing the fullbacks to push into the halfspace or wide. Also: keep an eye on Gakpo checking his shoulder for Timber (out of screen).
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
Arsenal-Liverpool was a game of 2 halves: Here are a few observations from Liverpool vs Arsenal at the Emirates. The story is in the setups and the tweaks. 🧵 👇
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
✨ IT ALL WORKED OUT ✨ #135: The Ebere Eze Show 🎙️: @towells.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social 🔴 Open Play Goals! 🔵 Rotations up front, rotations in build-up ⚪️ How Chelsea handled what others couldn’t 🟡 What will change with Gyök & Ø back? Listen here 👇 pod.fo/e/35f034
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The Pot Shot Podcast: #135: The Ebere Eze Show
Towells & Manas discuss the tactical trends between the Spurs, Bayern and Chelsea games, the success of the Merino/Eze partnership, and what will change when our injured players (hopefully!) return...
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
💥 ARE SET PIECES OP? 💥 #134: Set Piece FC (feat. Jon Mackenzie) 🎙: @setpiecesicko.bsky.social @jonmackenzie.bsky.social 🔴 Riding the wave of discourse ⚪️ Arteta's trend-setting Arsenal 🔵 A tactical cross-roads 🟡 Why does it matter? Listen now 👇 pod.fo/e/347fae
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The Pot Shot Podcast: #134: Set Piece FC (feat. Jon Mackenzie)
Jon & Jake discuss the increasing importance of set pieces in Premier League football - a trend which sees Arsenal sit top of the table having scored 11 of their 16 goals from set piece situations....
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
💥WE'RE BACK 💥 #133: Taking Stock (feat. NSftbl) 🎙: @towells.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social & Nick (@nsftbl on twitter) 🔴 We're top of the league! ⚪️ Is the handbrake off? 🔵 A changing midfield 🟡 Odegaard's injuries: are we worried? Listen 👇 pod.fo/e/33e00d
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The Pot Shot Podcast: #133: Taking Stock (ft. NSftbl)
Towells & Manas are joined by Nick (@NSftbl on Twitter) to gauge the lay of the land after the first 10 competitive games of the season.For tactical writing from the Pot Shot Crew, check out the Po...
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
His greatest contribution to the internet
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 17/09/2025
💥TAKING STOCK💥 #182: Trading Takes 🎙: @alexcollings.bsky.social @eulenberg.bsky.social 🔴 Liverpool & Forest reviews ⚪️ Zubi the Superstar 🟡 Hot takes on Rice 🔵 Standout performers so far Listen here 👇 pod.fo/e/32c31f
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The Pot Shot Podcast: #132: Trading Takes
Alex & Seb chat Liverpool, Forest, and some standout players from the start of the season.For tactical writing from the Pot Shot Crew, check out the Pot Shot Substack: potshotpod.substack.comIf you...
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
The writing is on the wall for Martinelli. Competition for his spot is fierce this year, improve or perish. Broke through at a similar time to Saka but the latter has improved YoY to a WC level.
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 29/08/2025
💥 2 WEEKS, 2 UNITEDS, 2 WINS 💥 #131: A Change In Intent 🎙️: @setpiecesicko.bsky.social @alexcollings.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social 🔴 Making Sense of a New Style ⚪️ A Tale of Two Nineties 🔵 Flowers for Zubi 🟡 Looking To Anfield Listen now 👇 pod.fo/e/320c27
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The Pot Shot Podcast: #131: A Change In Intent
Jake, Alex & Manas explore the question on everybody's mind: how much has Arsenal's tactical approach changed this season?For tactical writing from the Pot Shot Crew, check out the Pot Shot Substac...
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Just came here to say this is going to bang next season.
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
💥ZUBIMENDI SIGNS💥 Snapshot: Martin Zubimendi (feat. Phil Ball) 🎙: @eulenberg.bsky.social @philballauthor.bsky.social 🔵 The boy from Antiguoko 🔴 Basque in his blood 🟡 Bringing balance to the midfield ⚪️ Areas for improvement Listen here 👇 pod.fo/e/2f9c2e
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The Pot Shot Podcast: Snapshots: Martin Zubimendi (Feat. Phil Ball)
Seb is joined by football writer & San Sebastian resident Phil Ball to discuss Arsenal's metronomic new midfielder Martin Zubimendi.Thanks so much to Phil for coming on! You can find him on twitter...
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Alex Towells @towells.bsky.social · 11/07/2025
It's not often you go hunting for a podcast guest & find someone who knows the father of the player you want to talk about! Phil's great here, and gives some insights & stories I guarantee you won't hear on other pods - give it a listen 👇
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 28/06/2025
💥TRANSFERS TIME💥 Target Practice: Scouting Strikers, Part 1 (feat. MoeSquare) 🎙: @alexcollings.bsky.social @setpiecesicko.bsky.social @moesquare.bsky.social ⚪️ ⁠What do Arsenal need? 🔴 What profiles are available? 🟡 Osimhen, Watkins, Ekitike 🔵 Is there an ideal option? Listen 👇 pod.fo/e/2f02e3
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The Pot Shot Podcast: Target Practice: Souting Strikers: Part 1 (feat. MoeSquare)
Alex sits down with Jake and special guest Mohamed Mohamed (@MoeSquare) to look at potential centre forward options. They first go over options mentioned in Moe's article for ESPN: Osimhen, Watkins...
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
💥 WE GO AGAIN 💥 #128: Reconstruction: It's Time To Win 🎙: @lorcanmcc.bsky.social @alexcollings.bsky.social @eulenberg.bsky.social 🔴 Rebalancing defence & attack ⚪️ What will Zubimendi bring? 🟡 A marquee LW signing? 🔵 What do we need from a ST? Listen here 👇 pod.fo/e/2e43fd
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The Pot Shot Podcast: #128: Reconstruction: It's Time To Win
Lorcan, Alex & Seb take a look at the work that needs to be done to the Arsenal squad this summer.Please subscribe to the pod to never miss an episode, tell your friends to listen if you like it, a...
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
💥 SEASON REVIEW 💥 #127: Men’s Team Season Review 2024/25 🎙️: @towells.bsky.social @alexcollings.bsky.social @setpiecesicko.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social @eulenberg.bsky.social 🔴 Favourite Pot Shot Question 🔵 Pot Shot Awards 🟡 Reviewing Over/Unders ⚪️ Our Hot Takes Listen Link below 👇
Ødegaard talking to the team before a game.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
Broke down PSGs tactics and how we coped. What changes in the first half + Odegaard usage. They came with a plan and executed it well.
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
💥QUARTER FINAL REVIEW💥 #124: Remon-nada (feat. Jose Perez) 🎙: @lorcanmcc.bsky.social @watman.bsky.social @jcperezfc.bsky.social 🔴 What won Arsenal the tie? ⚪️ Arsenal OOP conducive to CL knockouts? 🟡 MLS and Rice performances 🔵 Can Arsenal win the CL from here? Listen link in next tweet 👇
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Something something Wenger's sons something
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
💥WHAT A NIGHT💥 #123: Making It Happen 🎙: @towells.bsky.social @eulenberg.bsky.social @maxrads.bsky.social 🔴 The atmosphere & emotion ⚪️ Madrid's unusual approach 🟡 Quality performances throughout 🔵 Expectations for next week Listen link in thread 👇
The celebrations after Rice's second free kick goal - oh my God we scored two free kick goals in a game within 15 minutes of each other
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 06/04/2025
Watching some Real Madrid ahead of our tie in the CL for @potshot.bsky.social, and the difference in officiating is night and day. La Liga refs are effective, quick and straightforward. Also, they use common sense.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Umm sounds high to me. You shouldn't ideally put someone into the thick of it but he's trained a lot already + played a behind doors game. I feel 30 today and maybe a higher load at the weekend should be enough
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
Straight away. I say not
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 01/04/2025
A cheeky 30 mins for Bukayo Saka tonight then? Surely he doesn't start tonight.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 18/03/2025
Tactically, and as a use-case of how to approach mid blocks, this was a great game. Albeit Chelsea were shit & we were able to manipulate them very well. This is to say idk wtf Caicedo was talking about.
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Recording tonight. Any questions?
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
Our big club record under Arteta is unbelievable. Defence wins you these games. It's vs the other teams we lack. Need that ST.
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 12/03/2025
3 things required for playing vs tight blocks: ✅ Movement & Rotations 🟥 Speed of Passing 🟥 Passes to break lines Arsenal are doing 1/3 right now + automatism based attacking. It's not ideal & teams know the script.
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
💥BIG QUESTIONS💥 #119: (Why) Are Arsenal Boring? 🎙: @towells.bsky.social @lorcanmcc.bsky.social @eulenberg.bsky.social ⚪️ What is "boring" football? 🟡 Why do we care if the team is boring? 🔴 How can a "boring" team win 7-1? 🔵 Do we need to get less boring to get better? Listen 👉 pod.fo/e/2b713d
Declan Rice pretending to be asleep
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 08/03/2025
A little look at Arsenal's struggles vs blocks this season and what we've been doing to get through them
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POT SHOT @potshot.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
With no men's team game this weekend, we're going to do a mailbag episode! What burning questions do you want the Pot Shot Crew to answer? Reply with your suggestions 👇
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Manas @watman.bsky.social · 02/03/2025
KRAKEN THREAD
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