₦airaland Forum

Congrats to us

The first trophy I experienced with arsenal was 2004/2005 Fa Cup Victory against Manutd.

This is my first time witnessing us winning the league.

I am so excited. It still feel like I am dreaming.

COYG

Omo the game was nerve-racking.
Now I believe we will win the league.

I was just having bad thoughts through out last week that what if Westham draw us, can we beat Burnley and Palace with high goal margin.

Devil nearly use Arteta with that Zubimendi sub. But thank God we are able to overcome the most difficult hurdle on our way to winning the league.

COYG

daveP:
https://x.com/i/status/2042961068243251699


You watched this guy are concluded Zubi is a better player IN HIS 1ST SEASON?


The inference of that means whetever he's coming from, he was a hotter cake and therefore he is delivering than partey.



See the confidence on the ball and with duels. See the flair. See the confidence of teammates in his abilities on and off the ball. And you'll come and conclude Zubi is better than partey? Tufiakwa!!


Chaiii.


Some arsenal fans ehn.


Rival fans even know the difference. Yet na within us we dey tok that kine tok?! 😭😭😭

As howwwwwwww


This very display is missing from our buildup. It is yet to be replaced. But he's not as good as Zubi? 😂😂😂😂😂

I dey fear many of you. You wan wait till the floppery is as big as Frimpong or Squillaci before you gree?


Oh!! We go meet for front

It is total disrespect to compare him with Partey.

He is more in the mould of Arteta during his playing days with us. Cautious with the ball, constantly putting us under pressure by giving sideways and backward passes.

The No. 6 role in a team is not something to joke with, especially for teams that want to build from the back.

We don't need you to drive the ball forward after a spin turn like Kanté, Pedri, and the likes.

We just need you to do the basics like Busquets. A drop of the shoulder to beat the press, a spin turn, and a progressive pass into the final third where possible. Or at least sideways passes if a progressive pass isn't on.
Back passes should be the last resort and must not become the norm.

Rice should have been in a more advanced role, helping the attack, but because our No. 6 can't stand alone, he has to drop deep to assist him with defensive duties like tackling, interceptions, and recoveries.

Odegaard is also suffering from Zubimendi’s inability to progress the ball forward. The energy he is expending dropping too deep to receive the ball would be far better served in the final third.

Once a team gets it wrong in such a delicate position that requires calm under pressure, the whole team will constantly be under pressure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Jq3A0OJ7g

Watch this Pedri video to see what a truly press resistant midfielder looks like

These are the kind of moves that barca academy boys do for fun.

I was genuinely excited about the Zubimendi signing. I thought he would be the second coming of the technically gifted Santi Cazorla. A player known for his quick feet, close control, and ability to wriggle out of pressure.
Instead, it feels like we signed an average side-pass and back-pass merchant with limited technical ability to be truly press-resistant.

“Pep did say to me before the game ‘Zubimendi will be man marking you so tight; you’re stronger than him, you’re bigger than him — go and win those headers.’ People always tell me to go run into the box, head the ball, head down. I’ve had a lot of advice on that, so that’s what I try and do.”

This is a direct qoute from Nico O'Reilly after the Carabao Cup Final

Guardiola clearly figured out our weak point. He knew we struggle to build from the back under pressure. That’s why he disrespected us so much by starting an attacking front line of Cherki, Semenyo, Doku, and Haaland.

Rice was trying his best to drop deep and receive the ball, but he doesn’t have the technical ability to spin and turn with ease under tight marking.

Zubimendi, the player we signed specifically to relieve Rice of some of those deep-lying duties was basically hiding throughout the game.

The highest we can realistically hope for against City is a draw, irrespective of their result against Chelsea.

mine3112:
Assuming Arteta is relief of his duty today and replace with Wenger for the remainder of the season can we be sure of lifting the league? It will be so painful and sad if this league elude us.

Our psychology is down. It will be difficult for any coach to motivate these players at this point in the season. The only thing that can motivate them to get over the line is if man city drops points as well.

We ran out of luck today. Nothing seems to be working. I was hoping one of our corner routine would lead to something but nothing came out of it as well.

Rice needs a technical cdm to pair with him. Imagine losing the midfield battle to Bournemouth. It is totally unacceptable.

Ben White looked out of place. He has became a liability defensively and going forward.

Both Trossard and Martinelli need to be sold in the summer. How can you play full 90 mins and you can't dribble pass your marker just once.

Havertz was just losing possession anyhow as if he doesn't understand the magnitude of the game.

The title now hangs in the balance. If man city beat Chelsea and beat us next week and win their outstanding match against palace, we would be level on points.

Arteta cannot change his approach at this stage of the season.
He will always start Rice and Zubimendi together, as he believes this combination is the best we have available.
Zubimendi was hiding all game. He was barely involved and ineffective.
These are exactly the kind of matches where some fans feel nostalgic for having Partey instead of Zubimendi.

I'm grateful we found a solution to our mediocre attack by getting goal contributions from our midfield and defence, as well as relying on set pieces to see us through matches.

Cherki, Doku, and Semenyo combined for 10 successful dribbles,
while Saka, Havertz, and Trossard had 0 successful dribbles between them.
That sums up our lack of attacking threat in this game and it's been a major source of concern for much of the season.

Kudos to Arteta for guiding us through 31 games so far. We just need to keep up the team effort to get us through the final 7 games.

daveP:
Yeah. You said so. I even noted it too. Lol. Benson don touch boy he no wan gree pass between men again 😣
My own is the rush to always renew his contract or modify it.

I had to go back and rewatch Saka highlight compilations. I genuinely feel sad for him. He has lost a yard of pace with the hamstring injury he had. It was easy for him to beat his marker before the injury and his decision making was great.
I don't know if there is anything he can do during the summer to regain the pace he has lost.
Otherwise I am afraid that the starboy we knew is no longer HIM

The team gave their best but it wasn't enough.
City set up to attack and it paid off with the quality of attacking threats at their disposal.
We set up to hit them on the counter but we don't have quality players to threaten City.
Saka was average at best, he was drawing some fouls here and there but overall he couldn't beat his man
Trossard is nothing to write home about. His legs are totally gone. He couldn't provide any meaningful attacking threat at all.
Zubimendi looks out place. He wasn't confident to receive pass in our half thereby forcing us to play long ball.
I am still confident we will do enough to win the league at least.
We need to upgrade on the LW and DM in the summer

Spy360:
This formation by Pep is an insult to Arsenal as it is a show of dominance.

He probably believes he can control the possession like we need it

Guardiola formation na all die na die.
He is going on all out attack.
I am a bit worried but I hope we prevail at the end.

COYG

Fkforyou:
That was the same argument I had in mind. If we are to go by their logic, then Igor Thiago of Brentford also deserves it.

The year Company, a defender won it, Van Persie was on fire for us.

Last last na just agenda, especially as we are almost certain of winning the league.

They just want to take something from us.

I think Van Persie won the most prestigious award that year.

He won Pfa Players' Player of the year and FWA footballer of the year

What Kompany won was premier league player of the season that is organised by the league sponsor

Most sources rank the award in this order

Tier 1 - PFA players' player of the year
Voted by fellow players

Tier 2 - FWA footballer of the year
Voted by journalists

Tier 3 - Premier league player of the season
Awarded by league sponsor

mostob:
Welcome to Arteta fans' club. Lol

BTW, winning the EPL this season will be like a trigger. I have no doubt it will be the beginning of long term success. Right now, Berta has already set plans in motion to add more new faces to the squad. I've been seeing rumours of Tonali.

One Chelsea fan confessed few weeks ago that the reason why he do pray and hope Arsenal lose their matches is because he fear Arsenal will dominate the league like Pep did cos most top teams are in shambles currently.

Lol
As they say, it's better late than never.
I believe he should have addressed the key areas where everyone has been clamouring for—especially going into the 2024/25 season.
It took a series of injuries to our key players and our dip in form before he realised we needed very good squad depth to win the league.

In hindsight, I feel we would have won the league last season if we had had good squad depth.If we can sign Tonali, it would be a good addition to the team. Either Rice or Zubimendi would be able to rest in some games.

I would like them to put their focus on the left wing. That position is a major source of concern.
I wouldn't mind if we let both Martinelli and Trossard go. We need a top-class left winger.

BlueRayDick:
If not for anything, I want us to win the EPL because of Arteta ; beacuse of the work he's put in to get Arsenal play at this top level for the past 4 years now. He took us from the level where we always lose hope before we face anay top 6 team to we always looking forward to slugging it out with any so called big team.
.
Of a truth we've really come a long way but laurel have continued to elude us. This has made Arteta to get disrespect from fans and rivals.

I'm a firm believer of " Results will cancel insults" and I strongly believe this year is that years Arteta and his boys will get their deserved accolades.

Arteta deserves a lot of credit.
He learnt from his mistakes this season.
We didn't have enough squad depth to compete on all fronts in the previous seasons, he corrected that.

He got the best out of the players at his disposal,
who followed his instructions to the letter.
They defend as a unit and attack as a unit.

The likes of Martinelli, Trossard, and Merino have come in clutch for us, scoring important goals—even though I despise the way they play most of the time.
It's all thanks to the coach.

I firmly believe this season he will reap the fruits of his labour.

We have really come a long way. We have finished second three consecutive times. I strongly believe this season we will get the job done.

That title run in 22/23 was a very painful one. Initially, nobody thought we would challenge for the title. But we kept on winning our matches, and then heading into April we were 8 points clear—although Man City had a game in hand.

Our lack of squad depth killed us back then.
Saliba's injury around March dealt us a huge blow.
We ended up drawing with Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton before eventually losing to Man City.
The squad is much more experienced and deeper now.

Everyone has put in a good shift even though I criticise them at times.

COYG

Omo
I am so happy with the victory and mancity also dropping points.
We have 8 finals to go.

I don't know if it is fatigue or mental pressure, Zubimendi has been below par for more than 5 matches. He is one of the reason we can't build from the back. Most times he giives meaningless sideway and back passes. He can't do spin turn to beat the opposition press thereby putting us under pressure. This is the kind of movement Cazorla and Partey do for fun.

He is one of the reason Odegaard has to drop deep to receive the ball. It will now look like we were playing triple 6 at times. Declan rice is being overworked because he can't trust Zubimendi to handle things on his own.

We need to look in the summer for a new midfielder in that dm position and also left-wing.

COYG

The league is almost gone and if care is not taken, Mancity could start the process of us going trophyless by stopping us in the Carabao Cup.

To me, I believe we have over achieved by being in this position in the first place.
There are numerous times that set pieces and own goals have come to rescue us.

Our attack is very average for a side that is trying to win the league.
Our left side of attack has been uninspiring, both martinelli and trossard are two hideous twins. None of them can comfortably dribble a cone to save their lives.

Madueke that is decent on the ball lacks end product and Saka our only hope in attack has been inconsistent largely due to injury.

Gyokeres has been having a poor campaign, I doubt he will score up to 15 league goals by the end of the season.

We need to start having conversation about Zubimendi.
He is mostly giving sideway passes and back passes. No initiative to give line breaking passes. He has papered over the cracks by scoring crucial goals for us. But he is still struggling in his primary role. When we are playing physical teams, he struggles a lot. His signing has been a step down when compared with Partey or Xhaka.

Overall, Arteta deserves the blame for not being brave in his approach. It is not every game you must pair Rice with Zubimendi.

Very good game by the team
Declan rice is man of the match for me.
This Eze move reminds me of his time at Palace.
I hope he can do this more often.

This is Eze I want
This is Eze I need pic.twitter.com/xkUMgzba6e

— George 🇬🇪 (@George_Zur1) February 7, 2026

We didn't play quite well in yesterday's 0-1 win away at Everton.
We barely created enough chances from open play,
The result absolutely spared our blushes, as Everton had their moments in the second half with that controversial non-penalty call.

The criticism on Zubimendi and Odegaard have been spot on.
Zubimendi and Odegaard play too safe, None of them have the ability to carry the ball through the midfield apart from Rice.

The stats from yesterday showed how shocking our lack of individual penetration was.

Saka completed 4 successful dribbles while Odegaard, Trossard, and Martinelli all had zero. We dominated possession but couldn't beat markers 1v1 or progress the ball fast enough in the final third.

This is exactly why we'll keep struggling to break down low block. Only Saka can't be our attacking threat.

That's also why I've been hesitant to blame Gyokeres. Yes, he has his flaws but the bigger systemic issue is the lack of space creation around him.

Without more dribbling threat, carries from midfield like Rice occasionally does or wingers beating their man consistently, he will keep on feeding on scraps against packed defenses.

Better creativity and penetration would give him and the whole attack more room to thrive.

Our attacking play has become too predictable, with slow build-up and an overreliance on sideways passes.

To consistently break down low-block defenses, we desperately need a world-class individual capable of unlocking packed defenses through dribbling and creativity.

So far at half time, neither Odegaard, Saka, nor Trossard has been able to deliver successful take-ons or create the necessary space.

I hope there is improvement in the second half

Here is a video compilation of gyokeres getting into promising positions and being ignored

“Gyokeres is the problem”
“Gyokeres is a builder”

Nope his teammates just ignore there most prolific player making runs into space

pic.twitter.com/s0Y0QVQES0

— #14 🏆 (@AFCKaden) December 14, 2025

BlueRayDick:
I’m glad Saka always comes through for us when it matters most .

If he’s not scoring goals to bail us out , he’s playing deadly crosses into the opponent ‘s six yard box to cause mayhem .

How I wish Sanchez had stayed at Arsenal just 1 or 2 years longer

He could've mentored Martinelli, who shares that same relentless energy and fighting spirit as Sanchez, but lacks the same level of technical flair, dribbling magic, and creative vision that made prime Alexis so devastating.

That 2016/17 version of Sanchez was truly unplayable, carrying the team with 24 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League alone.

Whenever he cut inside from the left onto his favoured right foot, he'd unleash those dangerous, whipped crosses into the box that terrorized defenses.

daveP:
Torrrh. Denial can't continue again. manager has hinted that this 9 is indeed getting into place but service is poor and it's a work in progress. We meuve. E be like na pressure dey cause this acceptance of situation las las.

Going forward, if we want to get an attacker, that attacker must be bought early on so they can join preseason. Any other zone can come late.

Arteta's quote on Gyokeres after the game

“There's a collaboration between the two [Gyokeres and midfielders]. He was in a lot of really good positions and the ball didn't get into the area quick enough, sharp enough, or just with the precision that is required for a nine to score a goal. But his work and intentions were there and we need to keep insisting.”

BlueRayDick:
I do not really believe Gyokeres lacks service overall, I think his positioning when off the ball is usually questionable which makes it difficult for teammates to pass the ball to him for fear of him being easily dispossessed.

When the ball gets to his feet he also struggles to take the right decisions. Maybe he really needs to understudy his fellow attackers in the team like Merino, Jesus and Havertz to see how they move which makes it easier for wingers and Midfielders to seek them out with incisive passes.

I will still assume he is still adapting, he showed signs of improvement against Burnley.
He could have easily won man of the match if he was not subbed off due to injury.
I think he should be given more time.

Look at the opportunity Martinelli missed in the second half,
Gyokeres was in the right place for a tap-in if only Martinelli had looked up and given the right pass to him instead of going for goal.

My main concern for now is how we can breakdown the low block either from the left wing or midfield.

saka 0 shots on target, Gyokeres 0 shots on target, Martinelli 0 shots on target, Eze 0 shots on target, Trossard 0 shots on target, Odegaard 0 shots on target

Overall, our attack was dissapointing

Our left wing is a wing of particular concern
No hope that either martinelli or trossard can beat their man and deliver decent cross to the box.

All our attack is concentrated on the right wing.

Eze was not really involved in the game at all
Odegaard holds on to the ball too much twisting and turning aimlessly and killing flow of the attack..

Gyokeres was not sharp enough to connect to Saka's cross in the first half but he lacks services overall

Saka is the only player that looks threatening in our attack trying to take on player and create something.

3 points is all that matters
I hope there is improvement in the next game

BlueRayDick:
The bold is not true at all.

You can criticize the result of today's match an even blame the coach for the result, but u shouldnt do that with falsity and agenda abeg.

In 2023/2024 season we scored 91 goals in the league which was the most number of goals arsenal has scored in the EPL of all times. That was scored under Arteta yet you claim our attack has been average with no improvement since Arteta took place.

I understand fans get hurt and frustrated due to the fact that major trophies keep eluding us, but that does not mean we should be making false claims like the team was the same as it was when we had Loserpool beating us 4-0, Man city whipping us and Chelsea always getting the better of us under previous managers.

Yes we all hope Saliba and Gabriel will come back to give the team the balance it has few weeks ago.

On thing most fans are refusing to acknowledge is the fact that even our open play goals, Saliba and Gabriel contribute significantly to it going by how they start our attack moves. They always stay at alert to have the ball released to Zubi or Rice who would push attack further up the field. When the opposing players try to start their own attack or counter, Saliba is always standing solidly behind their striker to dispossess him thereby overturning the ball to our Midfielders to restart our attacks. If u notice Mosquera and Hicanpie almost always lose aerial duels which puts pressure on our midfield and has led to Rice overworking himself at the back. These little detaiks count. It's nof just about Saliba and Gabriel contributing to our set piece goals alone.

Bros I hear you, I’m not denying the progress at all. 91 goals in 23/24 is impressive, 88 the season before that is also impressive too.

Nobody is saying we’re still the same team that was getting battered 4-0 by Liverpool or rolled over by City every time. That’s facts, the team has improved compared to Emery/Wenger days.

But let’s not act like the attack is suddenly peak City or Klopp Liverpool either, that’s all I’m saying.

Yes, 23/24 season we scored 91 but we only created the 5th-most big chances from open play behind Mancity, Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa. We converted our chances more and absolutely destroyed teams from set pieces.
We scored 22 non-penalty set-piece goals, that's ridiculous numbers.

Last season we suffered a drop in our goal scoring form with 69 goals. We were 7th for big chances created. That’s exactly why everyone was screaming for a proper No.9 and we went and got Gyokeres.

This new 25/26 season, we are already sitting 9th in big chances created after 15 games with only 30 big chances created despite banging in 28 goals so far.
We’re still scoring because, Saka, Eze, Gyokeres, Trossard have been very clinical in front of goal, not because we’re constantly ripping teams apart.

Martinelli has been quiet for about 18 months or there about now if we’re honest.

Trossard is a good finisher, but he’s not that guy who’s going to consistently unlock a low block on his own.

Odegaard is still great at dropping deep, recycling possession and playing the safe sideways pass, but he’s lost a lot of that final-third magic since his injuries last year. Key passes are way down, big chances created are basically zero.

Eze looks class on the ball no doubt, but too often goes missing in big moments, almost like he’s hiding from the responsibility of grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck.

How many times this season have we seen gyokeres making a run in behind and literally no one even looks for the pass?
Ball goes sideways, we keep on passing the ball around on the edge of the box, then a cut-back that gets blocked.

I’m telling you, drop prime Haaland in this team tomorrow and he’d still spend half his time waving his arms in the air because the service from wide areas and midfield just isn’t consistent enough.
We hardly play proper balls in behind or killer through balls anymore.

I appreciate what Trossard, Martinelli, Odegaard bring to the team. They lead the press well, run their socks off, and track back brilliantly.

But we need another elite creative midfielder or a proper progressive left-sided attacker who can properly feed the striker and break down stubborn defences on a weekly basis.

No squad is perfect, there’s always one or two areas you can upgrade, and for me the No.10 or left wing is still the obvious one.

That's why I am hoping Saliba and big Gabi comes back on time so that we can continue to dominate in the set piece area to complement our goals scored from open play.

Hopefully we win the league.

Our attack has been average since Arteta took charge, no improvement at all.
If he fails to win anything this season, he has to go.

It's true defence wins you championship but Arsenal is the only anomaly.

We have had solid defence for three to four years now with no trophy to show for it.

I am not convinced with the dribbling and creativity of the likes of martinelli and trossard. It is eyesore watching them taking on players.

That's why odegaard always focus more on Saka as our main creative outlet.

Teams have now device the means to double mark Saka.

We have been fortunate with setpieces for helping us break the deadlock numerous times this season, if not the issue of creativity in our attack would have been glaring for everyone to see.

While the likes of trossard and martinelli are scoring crucial goals and helping the team defensively, their lack of creativity is a major source of concern.

If we replace gyokeres with Haaland, he won't have double digit league goals by now, that's how bad we are in creativity.

I hope saliba and big gabi come back on time.
Let's see if we can continue to ride our luck depending on set pieces to win the league.

izzou:
[color=royalblue]The argument isn't funny because this matter is gone past dragging leaders; You know why? They all believe in the same agenda.

A Northern Muslim who's a Policeman believes in it
A Northern Muslim who's a governor believes in it
A Northern Muslim who's a soldier believes in it
A Northern Muslim who's a beggar believes in it.

Use Deborah's case as an example bro. Like...How far do you think you'll drag any leader for it?

Elrufai openly said the agenda is to make Islam rule the country for the next 40 years, and end anything about Christianity politically. If a man as exposed and educated as this is talking like this, what do you expect from a herdsman?

This is Nigeria's Vice president blasting someone for not supporting and upholding Sharia law. I hope you know Sharia law was meted out on Deborah. So you think Shettima would be having sleepless nights looking for Deborah's killers?

If we as a people do not put our feet down aggressively, na play we dey. [/color]

Most Northerners take Islam as their way of life.
It influences them personally, socially, politically.
So you can't separate religion from anything they do.

You can be right to say the middle belt crisis is tribal, fight over land or resources.
But we shouldn't forget that it is still motivated by their religious beliefs.

They will try to downplay the influence of religion in the on going crisis by claiming it's just fight over resources or land.

If you look at it from the view point that it is tribal, you would believe them.

If you look at it from the view point that is fight over resources, you would believe them too.

But we shouldn't be ignorant and downplay the role of religion in the crisis.

That's why it is important church leaders should be held accountable in the same capacity as our political leaders.

They need to voice out and call a spade a spade.

There is an on going genocide against Christians in the middle belt.

afrodoc2:
I don’t understand your question. And in what way do they not fall into the group that can use that name?
Like I said there were many non-Jewish people in the area that we now call Palestine; Arabs, Samaritans, Edomites (Idumeans), Arameans, Phoenicians, etc

If we are to go by historical claim (which is not going to happen anyway) the Jews do not have a claim to the whole of modern day Israel. The better way to do it is to share the land since both groups are already there now, but instead both groups appear to prefer to eliminate the other group from the land.

Why did the Palestinians reject every proposal made to them to resolve this conflict. Since the creation of the Jewish state, they have rejected every proposal towards resolving the conflict. The greatest compromise any Israeli leader could make was done by Ehud Barack which was more than the 1993 Oslo accord yet the Palestinian leadership rejected this offer.

Arteta should be put under serious scrutiny if we don't win any silverware this season.
Like play like play he has spent around £600m on transfers.
Everyone knew Willian was on a steady decline but arteta took it upon himself to dash Chelsea free money.
He is repeating sam mistakes with Havertz.
Havertz is not an upgrade for us in any position.
LCM, Rice, Vieira and probably ESR are better than him
Cf, G.Jesus, Nketiah are better than him
The sooner Arteta realises Havertz best position is on the bench the better for us

Good job from the guys
The team pressed with high intensity, forcing fulham to make mistakes and play out of rhythm
The team should improve on transitioning quicker from defense to midfield
Hopefully we are able to add one or two quality players to the midfield before the transfer window closes
COYG