₦airaland Forum

kodded:
let's all pray that Barcelona will not convince Gabriel to disrespect Arteta, because that is all what they need in signing Gabriel from Arsenal

Guess we have seen this movie over and over again and unless a miracle, it may be another long saga that Arsenal may eventually lose out on

Shout out to Atletico Madrid! That's pure first class attitude and mentality to a game where much is at stake. If only our players realize what is at stake and the manager prepares them for that purpose. It was a joy to see a team completely against all odds put thier inner strength on display against a much fancied opponent.

From 1st to Second to 3rd phase of each half was pure class especially the second half where they tipped the balance of control in thier favour forcefully.

Ha, God when for Arsenal oh....

One thing about that first 15 mins of any game is for you to size up your opponents and there are two possible outcomes. If you start well enough and they are slow of the block then you will most likely punish them with a goal or more seizing the early initiative.
Second outcome is if you start with good momentum and they also counter your early momentum with good aggression, then you know that this is a team that is well prepared and you now refocus on seeing balance of domination going into the second 15 mins( also a rest period where complete super technique in use of the ball distribution and retention is required rather than energetic runs) before making a another aggressive move in the final 15 mins depending on the situation

Spy360:
That ability to break inertia with a strong momentum has been a big challenge for us against these smaller teams when we are under pressure to win. I believe it's the manager's job, or whoever does the team talk, or the club psychologist. We have it when closing games but really lack it during the first 15mins.

Are the boys mentally exhausted? Who is the leader who should be pushing the boys above their limits? I thought Ramsdale does that very well, what's gone wrong?

Manager and Club Psychologist are responsible for this. If a team has a mental block then it's up to those two to fix it especially the latter.

Sadly it would have been easier to overcome if the team had more leaders mentally and technically. As I alluded before that you need more than 50 percent of the team at consistent high levels to see you through at all times. Consistency of those performers is key here and sadly that's not been the case too.

I really don't know where we go from here.

There are 3 phases of a football match and the two I pay attention to the most are the 1st 15 mins and 2nd 15 mins. Once I saw our first phase performance in the first half, I did not bother watching anymore and no surprises to come back at half time to see us a goal down.

Now I waited to see how the first phase of the second half would go and I was more than happy after 60 minutes to watch the game until the end simply because of the performance, the corner kicks forced, the free kicks forced and the dominance in the opponents half. Unfortunately we conceeded a second goal but at this point for me personally I saw what most of us clamoured for which was the right mentality, the right attitude and a performance and it was no surprise when we scored. Sadly we started badly and paid the price once again.

There are no excuses to be made but to look at that second half performance and ensure for all it's worth that these guys produce such consistently from every kickoff of the next games we have.

BlueRayDick:
Baba as I dey now I just wan eat sardine bread and stew make I sleep. We go analyse arsenal matter later.

Arsenal will not end me

Spy360:
So what's your preferred line up and formation against Brighton

Someone like me and my football education over the years, I am not too particular about who starts or who is on the bench etc etc. The philosophy and ideals we learnt and seen Arsenal over the years is for whoever is called upon given the fact that they all train together and are part of the squad must come in and deliver an outstanding performance.

The tenacity and mentality to start well in the first phase of the game and control balance in the mid all the way to the final phase is what is required. This is expected of anyone coming in.

Am I saying we should field anyone or just academy players or leave out our star performers? Absolutely not. But let's remember that this is a team game and no one player can get you there all the time, you need more than 50 percent of that starting eleven to bring thier a game to the party.

I have always been and remain a 4-4-2 man and that's the Arsenal we watched growing up being able to name the first eleven even before the team sheets were out except of course last minute injuries but needless to say that whatever tactics or formation the coach decides to put out there, it must be backed by consistent outstanding performances by more than 50 percent of the entire team.

What I can't accept is having to watch us sit back and absorb pressure from Brighton the way we did at the amex earlier in the season where cuco or what is that their short left backs name was having a swell time down the left channel and our entire midfield kept defending in our half for most of the game.

That would show this team has learnt nothing and are not serious about moving forward. Let's not forget that we have also had nearly a week's rest to prepare for this game and honestly only a superb performance is acceptable for the entire 90 plus minutes going into this game

Spy360:
I am glad we have someone as smart as you back fully on this platform.

Baba I'm always here, and read comments everyday. Just that sometimes it's best to listen rather than speak but all in all, glad to always contribute when necessary .

Jodera:
Why I believe talent is not enough but hardwork, I also believe we're lacking talent or quality in squad depths. While I believe it's not the players' fault but the management, I still feel this squad have that attitude to be up there. Talent-wise maybe not yet(we need a lot of culling), but we're getting there.

The Liverpool didn't reach this height in one season the way klopp wanted them. I remembered arguing extensively in Man United thread how Klopp was not a fraud as against those who thought he was because Liverpool were flip-flopping in his first season and first full season. Fast forward few years later and everyone wants to be like Liverpool. What I'm just saying Is that I'm seeing the process/progress Arteta is trying to do and as long as he's still steering in the right direction, we just got to trust him and the team.

Yes, They've made mistake not recruiting anyone this Jan Tw (I complained about that sef) but one thing I believe is that we're not totally out of this top 4 fight. Just as the top 4 ushered a new dawn for Liverpool when they displaced us during Klopp first full season, I think this also will usher ours. I could see how the boys wants it, I can feel their attitudes. I just hope we make it(injuries or not). We might be pushed back 2yrs back if we don't. For the sake of these boys, I just hope we do.

You are absolutely spot on with your assement and response!

Let me just restate again that I know it takes time to build something great but the evidence of progress should be consistent .

Needless to push the narrative further, I also hope for the sake of these youngsters that they get it right and come into every game with the mentality required. The critic is one spur them on rather than wane them down.

The results matter but most importantly is the performance. This is what i am personally always keen on and from experience believe it's what counts most towards success in sports. Performance after performance has to be at optimal levels. 60 to 70 percent should be minimum or floor no matter how bad it is and untill we start putting in high bars, I'm just afraid of where this may all end up .

Forever Arsenal regardless!!!

Spy360:
Your first paragraph explains itself.

Probably you didn't know that by using Spurs as an example, it makes them the model or yardstick. May be it's my understanding, but I believe that's what it is. Even at that Spurs aren't doing better. So let's keep that aside, since you deny it.

The players have shown the attitude but you are not seeing it. I have listed some matches which we won based solely on doggedness and hard fighting. Please acknowledge the examples.

I'll surely enjoy talking tactics with you.

We are good.

Yes it may be your understanding but I never used them as a yardstick. Only made references as I did with Liverpool and city. Not citing them as a whole model. Well we can agree to disagree on that but in my opinion, they seem to have done better in terms of recruitment and play under the current circumstances but never near Arsenal in totality of Club history.

You forgot to mention even the loss against city at the Emirates which I said personally was one of the best performances I have seen of this team so far even though it was a defeat. Acknowledged regardless.

Great to debate once again and no worries all good. Most definitely have a banter or two on talking tactics if the need arises as well.

Jodera:
You give good points that it makes it easier for me to agree with.
But one thing I do notice is that this team really cares than previous teams we've paraded. I don't know about others but I can feel their desire and attitude.

I'm hoping to see what the team offers against Brighton

I

Boss we all care and yes we can agree to disagree that this team really really wants to do well given that most of them are still very young. But like a hall of Fame basketball ER once said, "Talent in not enough" This team needs help to understand that your heart cannot win you games and can not take you to the next level. You heart and hardwork, hardwork in this sense means realising the urgency to succeed and doing all it takes ,however it takes to succeed. You and I know that if arsenal played crystal palace in the manner they played us and harrased us giving nothing away. Even if we still lost which I doubt , we would all be here commending them knowing fully well that should they consistently continue in that manner at every ground and at every game, the results will come.

Does it not pain you to see us get continuously beaten by Liverpool to a point where it's almost impossible to be optimistic whenever we meet them. Haha what kind of mental block is that? Must we everytime go into defensive whenever we meet city?

Have lesser teams not beaten Liverpool or city and how is it that our entire crew cannot find a way to get positives when going up against opposition of this quality ? No we are accepting that Palace away is a difficult game. Very soon we will accept that Norwich and all lower table teams are difficult games as if they are title contenders too.

Sometimes it's just hard to take not because it cannot happen but looking at where Arsenal is coming from, this is truly bad and I really feel for the young lads that they have the burden of being here to carry us through this difficult times.

Roland17:
100%… Thank goodness say no be me write this one, if not, dem for don call am agenda.

Well written, not many will understand this perspective..but some of us do.
#COYG

Hahaha, if we no talk na die, if we talk na die. E better make we kuku talk am.

Spy360:
Your point becomes pointless if you claim there's been no progress this season. Knowing where we were coming from, these lads only deserve at least some encouragement and not vague criticism like you have just done.

Tottenham which you served us as to be our new role models are still placed in the same points as us even with an extra game. Worse still they haven't won anything better than us in the last couple of years. This is typical Nigerian mentality where we feel the grass is always greener as long as it's not on this side.

In terms of attitude, yours is extremely poor because it reads pessimism. Imagine if our players have this same attitude, surely they would have all abandoned the project after the first three matches of the season.

It's sad really that you think like this and even have support of any kind. If you were another fansided I would call you a troll, because this your mindset has no atom of support much less someone who claims to be a fan since the 90s.

Anybody wey say Owerri nor good, make him pack commot.

By God's grace and more effort, we will finish top 4 and I will love to see you eat your words.

Show me where I specifically said there has been no progress ? I mentioned the team not being good enough and showing poor attitude in crucial games given the situation we are in. There is no pointless point here.

Never used Spurs as a role model but simply alluded to the fact that during the window they did go out there and got what they feel was needed to push for the top four spot and in my opinion they have done well so far albeit a tad worse but consistently they are making a Puch for it. Do I give a hoot about my greatest enemy ? Absolutely not but in all honesty they did well in the window, we will see how all that pans out though.

When it comes to the typical Nigerian mentality thing, never ever and ever mistake me for that perosnality, by God's grace I have gone far and wide and people that know me know what I stand for. I need not tell you that I was member of LOC. Of a just concluded league. RRfL with where sixteen teams participated from October last year to 27th February this year in honor of an IICOns 80th birthday. We laid down makers like no other and the success achieved from planing to execution to managing people and resources was top notch. I need not say anything about that here but you bringing up Nigerian mentality into a simple discussion shows you are the one with the disgraceful Nigerian mentality.

My attitude is nothing you know about ,absolutely nothing and if you feel it reads pessimism ,then that's your opinion. I say it as it is and decide to aim for the levels required rather than be satisfied with mediocrity. Even to top management level where I work I have tendered my resignation unapologetically at times where I feel things have degenerated due to lack of professional will to put things in order. Unfortunately at no time has it been accepted. and I continue to work as expected I know things will take time but that does not mean 1 step forward 3 steps back.


If the players showed the attitude required we won't be here discussing this and no my attitude in sports in general not to talk of football which I love with utmost passion is beyond your imagination. I compete everytime I leave my home to go to the pitch whether it's training ,pickup or even small Sunday set. I absolutely hate to lose and that's what has given me much success in sports over the years even till now. You may accept mediocrity but not me and never will I. Arsenal may not be good now but they remain my lifelong tea. And I will critic positively in the interest of this club for us not to allow it to sink even deeper

It is not you that will tell me which side is greener and whether to leave arsenal or not.. I have been supporting them before you and will be well after, I do not jump all over the place looking for cheap monetary success but live realistically with ideals founded on the foundation of certain strong principles for which Arsenal has stood for a very long time. I'm afraid we are fast degenerating into something else and for people like me personally, will just share our thoughts truthfully

We were having a discussion but it a shame to see you start attacking personality all of a sudden. What has Nigerian mentality and my personal attitude has to do with the discussion? This is why sometimes like I printed out that some discussions are not worth it when it turns out to be personal attacks for which I do not and never ever will take kindly. I am not one to back off and spirit of competition has been alI I know in my life. If you want to discuss Arsenal and Tactics and what not then be my guest but please do not resort to personal attacks, It would amount to nothing absolutely nothing

Spy360:
I understand your point on the attitude on that match day. But you look to forget easily.

What about against Wolves, two legs, and against Watford, Leicester etc

You forget that THIS team is the youngest in the league. They are bound to make mistakes as they grow.

You forget that top 4 was not what we were thinking when the league started after they got hammered by Brentford before losing two more in a row. They were rock bottom and Spurs that we are challenging now for 4th place were top of the league. But suddenly we expect them to be like the invincibles?

You forget those winning runs that brought us challenging for top 4, and one game, you appear from no where to make a post you have been nursing for some time without any opportunities to release.

Well you have found a good time.

But let we warn you that we will still drop points but so also every other team including that Liverpool or Man City you mentioned. At least when they play each other. That's life and soccer.

We all go dey here when your lyrics will change.

Nah, I forgot nothing. It took some harsh critism and drastic changes in especially in personell which saw the emergence of the likes of ESR and benching Pepe to bring out some positives.

Against wolves and Watford and Leicester, they showed the right mentality which is required consistently and not we having to argue if the ref was mad to send off martineli for two bookable offences all week simply because we are playing wolves... Being the Youngest team in the league is not an excuse, whose fault is that? everyone had two windows to recruit and wailing on that fact is meaningless. We know we need experience to back up this promising young lads who have done extremely well to get us here but again we faltered as a club while The totenham you mentioned did what was required without moaning or complaining and the results are there to see in how they are playing now.

Saying I appeared from nowhere is your personal opinion as I chose to engage only when deemed necessary as some discussions at times are better off reading rather than engaging. I see the game from a playing view and management view just as much as the ordinary fans view but I lean towards the previous two more.

I cannot for the life of me keep on making excuses year after year when defined goals and objectives to be successful at the end of every season with a target in mind should be the only thing.

I understand more than most having played sports all my life and even now (pickup games on the weekends to keep fit) that no matter what you do, there are days you will lose and there are days you will just play badly. What is not acceptable is having too many of those days and letting it cost you from winning laurels. This team is far too inconsistent and not doing themselves any favour with poor displays at this crucial point in time. What is most annoying is that this is the only and I repeat the only thing we are playing for and it's not winning the league but just a place in the champions league. There is no Fa cup, Carling cup, eroupa or anything. How hard can it be to ask for consistent performances right now.

In sports the game you have played (win or lose ) becomes the past immediately the final whistle is blown and the next game becomes your most important one if you intend to be a champion. No one cares the 6-0 you won the day before only to lose a semifinal that would have given you a medal or trophy.

No lyrics or anything will change when they win or lose, We all as fans and supporters of this club right from the 90's will never wish Arsenal bad and will still remain a lifelong fan even in relegation but we will speak the hard truths all day everyday. We will enjoy the great moments and positively critic the poor ones in a bid for them not to re occur.

I can go further into some flawed tactics and me a person watching arsenal not understanding why on earth our pressing is still not up to par for us to keep balance of play and control withing a 40 to 60 percent range at all times whether in possession in our defensive, mid or attacking third as well as when out of possession in the same defensive, mid or attacking third. Well this may be another discussion for another day though.

But one thing is clear in a this that for some of us here, a time has to come when we get back to those acceptable levels and not give excuses for nothing. A Manu fan and Barca fan given the heights they have attained will never accept what's happening at their clubs and rightly so. Same should be expected of us as Arsenal fans .

Back in the day when I watched Nigeria play against African teams, it was not the result I was watching to see but how many goals The great Rashidi Yekini will score because the expected outcome as always was a win and those times the team hardly ever disappointed. If you don't get this then forgerrr about it. Lol...This is where some of us as fans of this great club are and cannot just accept what's happening no matter how we paint it to look.

Jodera:
If you watched Liverpool's against Watford you'll know Liverpool played nonsense from beginning till the end. It's just quality Liverpool had plus Watford being Watford that Liverpool snatched the win.
I didn't watch Man city match so I can't talk about it.

For ours, we know that crystal palace are a very very good side. If truly the guys are tired due to int'l break, then crystal palace is that wrong team to play against.

I just hope we pick up our momentum starting against Brighton

Surely the attributes of a good side is to always consistently get results whether you are playing well or not and mentally Liverpool is light years ahead of arsenal. But like I said, even with their low performance on Saturday
, they still had less recovery time and had to travel away to Portugal in a fierce encounter and still managed a result. I mean we are nowhere near Liverpool level right now but can we boldy beat our chest and stay that our team even played to an acceptable level enought to get a result at Place?

Even talking about international break and fatigue. I want to believe that the likes of Mancity and Liverpool have more of a right to that excuse than arsenal given the number of games some of their players have to play.

As far as I'm concerned that excuse of tiredness holds nothing. If they showed more desire to win rather than the slow lethargic start and tempo, we could have gotten something from that game.

So when of if we qualify for Europe, is it this same excuse that we will be using everytime. Teams are winning doubles and triples and going to win world club and super cups and we are here using excuses.

I love Arsenal and honestly want them to succeed and will back them if they show the right attitude and desire consistently . I also will understand when we lose such as the game against city at the Emirates which for me has to go down as the best performance of this team even in defeat. That performance on a consistent basis is what we are clamouring for and football never lies, you will not just show up and expect 3 points, you will work hard for every point everywhere and everytime. This team are not showing signs of them wanting to fight for everything everytime and it's sad .

Well let's hope and keep on believing that they will show the right attitude and desire consistently enough to get them to be contenders rather than pretenders untill we ultimately get back to those high levels we were once know for

50d33q:
We no con get squad depth

Well that could be argued but the attitude was just poor all round. Do they even realize how crucial every point from now on is??

Spy360:
This talk is outdated and obsolete.

Seems you didn't know when we were 4th with games in hand. One bleep and we are not good enough. Guess same applies to Chelsea who should even be worse because they lost 1-4 at home to Brentford.

Again comparing this Arsenal to Liverpool and Man City suggests someone who just returned after 5years of being out of planet earth

Or perhaps you were thinking of what to post and decided to just post something.

Please pardon my harsh words. Na so I dey talk.

Lol no worries on the harsh words. Well I still remain in my opinion that this team is far from good enough knowing the arsenal I supported growing up. A game in hand means nothing until it's played and the results are gained. As every fan out there, I am desperate for this team to be successfull but not deluded by the reality of where we are as a team and a club.

As for Chelsea I really do not care if they get relegated sef but good for them, they have been successful in the past years.

And no I never compared Arsenal to Mancity or Liverpool, I only made mention of the fact that those teams also played on the weekend and have more games and competitions to play yet deliver consistent good performances. If we that have only one thing to look forward to and play that abmysally, then it's a shame.

Where is the fatigue coming from and what are the excuses, in my opinion, it's weak and lame. Players doing the simple things and showing the right attitude everytime they step on the pitch is what we want to see. Yes we will lose some games but not in this manner, for someone who adored the way we played, this is shameful. Now what? We go on in our next match and win 3 nill then lose pathetically 4 - 1 in the next

And no, I did not just wake up to anything, I watch every game when I have the time but it's hard to see much positives going by the expected levels and consistency that is clearly lacking.

People talk about press but sadly , is this something that this team have not seen over and over again, of course they know teams will press then, question is what do they given the resources they have to mitigate this problem and get desired results.

Baba football has more to do with the attitude than whatever has gone on during training week and shame on this team for always showing poor attitude when it matters most. I mean c'mon we should be sealing that fourth spot and getting points even if it's a draw at teams other than the top six. There is so many angles I can get into this conversation but let's just leave it at this for now.

Sorry for the rant oh. Na so I be too

There are no excuses to make. Arsenal as of now are simply not good enough. We only have the league to play and to come up with excuse of international break, training regine, blah blah is weak and pathetic. Same Liverpool and Mancity that played on the weekend still went out to play Champions League Football recording impressive wins and still have other competitions to play in aside the League.

Its sad and truly it's a case of either how bad it can go or when it will ever get back to the high levels.

BlueRayDick:
Happy birthday to our number 1!

The man that got two trophies within a year of becoming first team coach

Wá pé láyé, ojú ẹ ó ní ribi

Amen!

Spy360:
I believe you can now see how a solid defense ensures you win games even if you have Lacazette (4goals in 28games) as your main striker?

Table shaking...

mostob:
The light wey dey end of the tunnel now na NEPA light, e fit off anytime

Fkhalifa:
Here is my feel, the performance is so below the standard level, watching Real betis and Villareal was a far more joy to watch.
No hope!

Sadly this is where we have been for years now. Back then the only debate we considered was against Manu Liverpool or Chelsea . Every other team, we were expected to win. But now we have debates on our wins against the likes of Norwich , Newcastle, Watford and Co. Light must Sha dey at the end of this tunnel oh

50d33q:
Gabriel getting booked for time wasting in the 60th minute is embarrassing
Shame catch me, he didn't wait till 80th minute oo

Men we have really fallen down low oh. Back then it's only against United Liverpool or Chelsea we may be having a conversation like this but now it's against wolves Like wtf!!!

We should be punishing teams like these and not debating our result based on what was red card and what was common sense. It's tiring abeg...So if wolves had won or gotten a draw , we would say it's because of the ref abi?

One day Sha, this too shall pass

Arsenals disciplinary record is alarming. Bar any talk of officiating, the performance was simply not up to the standards we expect. If we only have the league to play and this is what we deliver week in week out then it's a shame on the team

Blame the Ref all you like but a team like arsenal wasting time against wolves is disgusting to be honest.

Sadly the most we can do is just support them but not getting any hopes high at all.

BlueRayDick:
Do u know what u just did ?

Let me break it down to u. Dangote probably has the faintest idea about petroleum refining , neither did he study petrochemical engineering . He also doesn’t hold a masters degree in energy economics .

Today Dangote is building a refinery that he hopes to see working in the nearest future amassing a whole lot of capital gains.

Now think of his whole petroleum refinery adventure not working out after he has committed capital from his other businesses , other investors money and even venture capitalists . Who do u think will be blamed for his woes ? You think it’s the chemical a fine ring graduates he and his HR handpicked to manage the business ? Of course not , it’s Dangote the chairman , his board of directors who kept on ratifying decisions that affect day to day running of the business and maybe the management director who also reports to the board.

That is management at the top level .

If u still don’t get it , just look at Abrahmovic’s management of Chelsea and see how he’s been proactive making sure his investments tried whatever form of gain he desires at each point in time ( be it UCL , EPL, UEL, etc)

Management Procedural Ethics 101 broken down in simple terms. Astute!

BlueRayDick:
He had his failings as human , but thank you Aubameyang ! One of the few arsenal captains who actually lifted a trophy in modern times .

Wish him all the best going forward .

True talk! Wish him nothing but the best and hopes he can sort out his disciplinary issues.

BlueRayDick:
Na wa o. Where Loserpool suddenly see players go play FA cup and few days ago they didn’t have players to play arsenal .....

COVID-19 Na scam

Real Scam

Absolutely Proud of the performance. If they can consistently turn up with these kinda performances , certainly we will be challenging for major honors. It's was a loss no doubt but the performance deserved much more. What a performance to start the year.

raumdeuter:
Baba Jyde long time. You still dey support Arsenal?

Kitaun don abandon Arsenal o

I dey oh, wetin man go do nah. Nah me and Arsenal for life oh.

I dey wonder say I never see Kitan since too. I hope he is good sha. Make Arsenal matter no kill person na I'm be our prayer. Great to hear from you. All the best!

raumdeuter:
For those interested

https://www.nairaland.com/526446/offical-bayern-munich-fan-thread/974#108920579

Dayo, this is the end of the year oh, leave Arsenal in peace oh.

The number one Troll of AFC.

Compliments to us all and here's to a wonderful new year ahead. COYG!

Roland17:
He is dead to me He can return to Barcelona and Chelsea for the recognition he is craving. I hope one of Chelsea/ Barcelona will erect a statue for him and rename a stand after him.

Ha! This is harsh oh.

Kbs468:
Then please come back and join the fun by contributing meaningfully on sensible arguments.

Just come regularly again and cruise on like I just did too after a long while.

I swear I never knew that my posts and updates usually make sense until yesterday when I logged in again to the reference being made to my activities in here on my mention.

Your being referenced equally by Jodera among others is also a testimony to how you are being very much appreciated too like we do to each and every member of this thread as a family of Loyal, devoted and dedicated Arsenal fans.

Please respond to this plea appropriately by coming back on board accordingly

I am with you guys always and 100 percent and for sure, where i need to contribute , i will do so accordingly. Once a Gunner , always will be . COYG! Note that i always check updates here at least twice a day so be rest assured that I am always in on the conversations. God bless us all.