With clever tactical changes after the RED card for opposition, it is actually just pure unlucky to not win the game. I always instruct my player to play WIDER and DIRECT game as if opposition has one man less than you, then they are unable to play WIDE formation and react to direct passing...
High asking price is the reason why you did not see a teenager go for that kind of money. I am certain that many teenagers (especially in Spain) have even higher minimum release fees in their contracts.
Well, they are smart, they know huge potential of their players and try to protect them. If you imagine that you are chairman and you have SUPERB-HUGE talent who will definitely turn into TOP 1 player in the world, then you would ask for crazy fees too.
You have your players made "available for reserves" (see "RSV" status). I think that is why they are lined-up primarily for U-21 matches and not used for U-18 matches.
Flamini is good BWM. Giroud is fantastic TM, but must suit your tactic. Also, make sure you do not lose Zelalem, give him playing time and loan him carefully, he can turn into BEAST.
Anyway, lineup looks good.
This might have several reasons:
- Your players already reached their Potential Ability. Then sometimes their Current Ability temporarily drops and rises.
- You suffer from bad Team Morale due to bad on-pitch/off-pitch atmosphere.
Flamini is amazing midfielder in BWM role. He is just perfect for me in my Arsenal save. I often use him against very strong teams in PL+CL and he does amazingly well. I will keep him until he retires => scout/coach role.
I manage Arsenal in my long-term save too. I buy no players except some youth trialists. I recommend to sell Mesut Ozil, unless he does perfect job for you. For me, he is heavily underachieving. In Arsenal you could probably need good left natural Winget. I rotate there Podolski with Cazorla and...
For me, definitely Mesu Ozil in Advanced Playmaker role. Once you make him Trequartista or even MOVE him to Winger position, then he is better, but still nothing special.