₦airaland Forum

daveP:
For a team like Arsenal, till Kai gain that confidence, he no suppose dey guaranteed starters shirt. But this MA sacrificed alot to accommodate him. Kai himself is not the overall problem. It is this manager that is too blind to see the cost of that solitary decision. He thinks it is business as usual like the Ozil and Auba brouhaha that year?? Our expected shots again don drop.

As for that westham thing, i think it's high time some arsenal fans realize that managers are studying us and doing all to exploit obvious weaknesses and it is working. The westham game is not as painful as this Fulham loss. Why? Fulham were very direct and it got them their W.

For next 10games, we better anticipate teams replicating the sitting deep style. If MA doesn't react and does something to counter this setup before it happens, then our expected goals will reduce. Let's strike before they sit deep too. Must we always wait till they recover before we play ball??

True, for a team like Arsenal, Kai no suppose play him way to form. No be say he was one top player coming here.

The structure of our play is limiting most of our players. No triangle pass and move(unlike last season), no interpretation of half space movement (Xhaka and Odegaard were very good at this but Ode seems to have fallen off which points to the structure. Havertz no dey even attempt am sef). No counter or fast breaks.

Omorr, we downgraded this season and it's annoying

Shegzdave:
This right here is what I’ve also noticed, instead of scoring goals, he’ll be trying to close close like this is Mourinho team.

I was discussing this with a fellow Arsenal fan and he was still defending Arteta on it and I asked why we keep doing something over and over again and expect results, cause even Me that Stan Arteta is beginning to give him a bombastic side eye🌚😂. Mehn, all I want for the team is to quickly gel up as we’re entering into the other half of the season.

Na the thing deh weak me with Arteta.
He just changed a winning formula at what was working.

The cohesion of last season was just gone, now we labour to play and we're very very conservative. No fast play or quick breaks. Something that we were very very good at last season. E just be like say we dey conserve energy for wetin I no just know.

Above all, we need a good striker. I just hope we don't slip further down the table

daveP:
I think one funny thing about Kai situation is that the sensationalism of him trying to pick up has beclouded the fanbase of a team that were ruthless throughout last season. Sensationalism won't get us goals. As far as Kai plays on the Left majorly, irrespective of role or whatever, his impact is way way way far from the overall impact Xhaka has on that same region.


The more shocking thing is that Arteta changed the style to accommodate THIS ONE PLAYER


LET THAT SINK DEEP. A manager doing that to the setup of a team that finished 2nd?? Repercussions dey, asides other troubling issues with the attack. We just pray he utilizes this January.

Facts about the bolded!!!. That's what I noticed especially with my offline friends reason why I said the bar was set too too low for him. He has picked from his very very poor display he showed early season but if we look at even his improvement to this team, it's not that really high. Na that thing dey weak me, and na why if I see other forums/arsenal site, I see some commenters saying Havertz absence was the reason why we lost West ham, e deh shock me. Look at his game well and offensively his one of our weakest link.

We need improvement, we need change of structure and most importantly we need a Striker.

Arteta needs to involve his depth more.

Ray07:
No wahala.
Na when your club end for 7 position you go know wetin I yan.

Lmaoooo

daveP:
Then asking whoever that they should drop names is an unnecessary thing to do. Not all of us may want to admit it but deep down we know this team is way below the form of last season and that is scary. The departure of Xhaka is really a big stepdown for overall output, sadly. Imagine a team wanting to win title doing siwes for a player to regain confidence when we should be having atmosphere of title challengers in conduct, deed and zeal on pitch. Chai! Arsenal o!!

We'll leave the new players over to the scouts but they better sha get players that will make those teo wingers to stop feeling way too special cos of Starting shirt. I can't imagine a crucial ucl ko match and one of two is injured or with a knock.

This team is so waaay off from last season. From the performance to the goals to the cohesion, it's just so bad. Only defence seems to even stand strong and even the defence sef is just the CBs.

How our attack is just toothless both from Midfield to the forward is just so so bad. Arteta is just mismanaging this season with his pragmatism (scoring first and trying to close shop). We should have continued like last season when we were all gun blazing. Now we're just the opposite.

Anytime I look at both tables from this season and last, I just deh shake my head

Spy360:
Havertz role is the control of spaces on the left which brings a level on dominance and creates spaces for Martinelli or attack from that area. That is the role of the LAM in that Arteta formation, which was also the role Trossard played but to little effect. So far, Havertz have shown that he is the best we have in that position for now. It was based on this that I said that we would have done better if he played as I saw that we weren't succeeding with our tactics despite our high possession 76% and shots on goal 30 (stats again).

However with that tactics still not working against Fulham as we were struggling I felt that Arteta could have in that moment assigned Havertz a striking role inside the box to challenge for headers. All these na permutations.

All these ones na wash you talk for the bolded.

Was that the bolded Xhaka was doing last and the season before that, that you claimed that it's how our LAM plays?

Everyone who watched West Ham game knows that Havertz wasn't missed cos we controlled the game instead it was chances missed(we even have 77 touches in their box).

And the game against Fulham proved so. Havertz is not a threat offensively in this team. Everybody knows that!!

Ray07:
wetin come be today . . . New year, new club.

Happy new year boss.

My own na new year, new beginning.
I'm giving my love arsenal a new beginning >

Happy New year to you bro

Hausa:
You don't even get it.
You can lead me. I can even lead you.

But there's no guarantee that I have what it takes to Lead u to where you want to be............. and vice versa.
And that's a FACT!!!
And that's my point!!!

Name this players that will Lead us to where we want to be and that will be realistic for arsenal to get.

Cos to be honest with you, whenever you're mentioning this leaders, improvement of the team and sort, what I'm thinking Is Mbappe, Salah, Kane and Kdb .

Why?
According to your criteria

Are they leaders that have won things? Yes
Would they improve the team with consistency? Yes
Would they displace all our players in the current position? Certainly Yes

But the issue is

Are they realistic target for Arsenal? Certainly No.

So that negates all the points you're raising so far and it's the reason why I myself (and probably some others) are not getting you.

Until you do this I believe we'll be at the same page. Until then, it'll keep on been seen that you're speaking a different language

Hausa:
I don't need anyone to take me seriously, lol.
Na una dey find who una go take hold body. I don't need it.
For many years, I've said we can't go all the way with the quality we have. E go be like sey na bad belle, but I've been proven right every single time. You're carried away with stats, se-len-se football and flair. I'm not.
All I'm saying is, what we have cannot take you and I to where we want to be.
But I guess the definition of where we both want to be is subject to our varying interpretation.

I know where I desire my club to be. But I know that these guys won't take us there.

Come'on!
We didn't win the League in 2005, 06, 07 and 08 with far superior players and u think we will now?
How? Why? Better Coach? Better squad? What a joke!
We almost won last season, like we didn't almost win it for many other seasons.

One ucl final in over 20 years and you think we can now reach even the ucl semi finals with these players?
Are u not seeing what our competitors are doing and how they're doing it? Nawa ooo!!!
History plays Football, bro. Know this and know peace.

You will keep dreaming and get nothing. Unfortunately, whatever you get is what I also get.

Show me any other seasons in the last 10yrs that we nearly won the league just like last season?

Saying we can't reach UCL semi with this squad is pure hogwash. Less fancied teams than ours have reached s/f and our team can reach it. It all depends on favourable draws.

You've been watching football for the past 20yrs, like you said and you feel all these players can't take us to where we want to be.
You've given some criteria. I also believe you're an avid football lover watching other teams.

Now please, who are these players you think we should get that can improve this team?. These players should be a realistic target and should fall within your criteria.

Name the 4 players at least that you feel will displace Saka, Martinelli, Jesus and Odegaard and as well fall within your criteria and also be a realistic target for arsenal.

When you do this, all what you'll be saying would make proper sense to me, cos personally to me, you're saying things that's not realistic at all. You're just saying "el Dorado" rappings.

Do this let's analyse them as football fans we are, then we can proceed with our conversation better

Thank you!!!!

Carot:
Can you believe arsenal is now in 4th position. Jodera come and explain

Lol...
We never win for last 3 matches na why

Spy360:
I expected that given a low block Arteta would send Havertz into the forward position as aerial threat.

Let me use this post to state that statistics are recommended evidence and should be respected. But as Davep said, they are indicative but not conclusive which I agreed.

As for this Havertz matter.

How many times have he pushed Havertz upfront against low block teams and he's been dangerous through headers?

I can count the numbers of low block teams we've played and hardly have we ever crossed ball. In fact, Dave.P is always saying we're not a crossing team reason why we need strikers that are good aerially. You think if Havertz is always doing that, we'll be complaining?
So I don't understand which tactics you claimed he changed.

The only low block team he scored from a header is Brentford and he even came on as a sub sef.

The way you were going about and talking about unlocking and creativity, someone would think his passes and dribbles was what we missed not knowing you're talking "cross and nod" which we even hardly do.

You just formed one scenario out of your head and just dropped it here like say we no dey watch ball.

Like I said, na only you for this thread fit claim say we miss Havertz against West Ham.
And na only you dey claim say Havertz deh give us something different.

Only you ooo. But then I'm not surprised again. Na stats you dey watch

Spy360:
I expected that given a low block Arteta would send Havertz into the forward position as aerial threat.

Let me use this post to state that statistics are recommended evidence and should be respected. But as Davep said, they are indicative but not conclusive which I agreed.

You see, me saying Giroud is on par with RvP is based on stats which is true. However, everyone of us who watched Arsenal knows that RvP is a far superior player/goal scorer.

That said, my grouse with you is when you make unguarded statements probably due to arrogance like saying Giroud is very very average. Which we have seen that it isn't true because it is not backed with facts.

You can say you prefer RVP or you can say RVP is better than Giroud. But don't say Giroud is very average just to push an agenda.

Which Kain contradictory statement are you making with the bolded?

Is Giroud on par with Van Persie or is Van Persie a better player than him? Which side are you,?
Are you in favour of that watched or in favour of stats?
Stay one place make we know your stand. That's why e dey taya me with you sometimes. You go bring contradictory points and along the line you'll start bringing same points and just stylishly fix it there, so that later, you'll start using that as evidence as what you meant. This is new year... Change biko

daveP:
Wait one, you guys on here with this constant "mention somebody better" thing, why do i find it very odd, especially when viewed from the lens of inference?? It is hilarious o. There's always going to be someone better. And then again, there's always going to be averages that click in teams that makes one forget they were ever average. These things are not too direct now.


For now, all our Forwards need competition. If this is how we play, UCL football go do us wiunnnnn for ear.

The 2nd problem is Arteta refusing to just give minutes to players. In a way, Tierney, though, injury prone, was a good one.

Make we sha see 5buys this January.

We also need Arteta to find ways to end this direct approach thing. It is very annoying.

Nobody is saying we shouldn't get a better player. In fact, we've always been advocating for players for Saka and Martinelli positions and deputy here.

What we're against is someone saying this guys can't lead us and you gave criteria that they're lacking on why they can't lead us. Oya suggest players that fits into your criteria, then you can't suggest. Even when he finally suggests, it's someone who is like a breakout star. Like who does that??

We need a lot of improvements. We need a lot of players to give our forward competition, sadly Arteta isn't doing so

Ray07:
that was before before. I done fully port this year to Girona.

We're winning the league

Na lie joorr, that was just ystdy.

Bad friend

mostob:
He should stay fit from January till June abeg.

That's the hope and prayer ooo

mostob:
Thomas Partey excused by Ghana for Afcon.

I want to believe this is a tactic by arsenal sha but that doesn't matter right now. He should get back on the field and do the job they are paying him to do.

This is good news.

Hopefully, he stays fit in Jan

rooftops:
All his criteria no even enter for wirtz. I even had to check their stats. Wirtz has 5goals and 5 assist while odegaard has 4goals and 3 assist with less games o and a more competitive league.

I no be arsenal fan but there is no way I won't put odegaard in top 5 creative midfielders in the league and saka also top 5 wingers in the league.
If he said the coach should request more from them that is understandable but saying they can't take you guys anywhere (which I will be happy about anyway ) is where I no go gree for am

Lol, the guy just dey cap, reason why no one takes him serious again.

Those are the type of people that will tell you Pepe is a better player than Saka but arsenal decided not to use him well.

If you see the way I vex when I saw Wirtz as that example ehh. Omorr, I vex.

Anyways sha, na him opinion. Make him just deh carry am dey go

Ibunkun1:
Baba, happy new year

Same to you boss and you too.

I appreciate you boss

rooftops:
After all said and done Florian wirtz is the big name player you called. Someone who is just having his breakout season if I am correct.

The wirtz is even more of a ball carrier to me who is also still developing. So your solution to odegaard is wrong. Let us hear your solution to saka and martinelli.

Na why I even ignore am and no even quote am.

He talked about How Odegaard doesn't have leadership, model and lack consistencies and the person he called is freaking Wirtz as replacement??

So between the two, who is even closer to his criteria sef?

Some people ehhh

Happy New year Family.
We pray this year usher us more open doors of opportunities/success and exponential growth in all areas of our life. Amen!!

Also, we hope this year, Arsenal will bring in that elusive EPL or UCL.

COYG!!!

Spy360:
The tactics no dey work again.

Lmaooo....
Statistics been no tell you say e no been dey work during West Ham loss when you pin am ontop Havertz absence?

Ray07:
Team way I don divorce since. Dey there the suffer nah

So who come be the "Us" wey you dey refer for Man u thread?

Ray07:
another shock today
Join Girona and clean away your tears 🤣🤣🤣🤣

See you wey dey advise me to divorce arsenal and Marry Girona, Meanwhile you never even divorce your own spouse who's in very worse state than my own.

Bad friend indeed

Ray07:
This man wan finally finish us.

Leyqute:
Ahan. Kilagbe kilaju? Ko to be na.

You guys were just unlucky. Arteta will get it right very soon and the elephant will remain on the tree.

COYG!!

Unlucky Ke?

daveP:
Some of us were saying this before December but were called out for overreacting and taking chill pill. How futher can we regress when 5 bodies upfront can't even get 1 shot on 🎯 against Fulham. The goal sef na like gift. The scorer no expect am.

With all the players arguing and causing confusion on field. Who was talking about Kai being the big difference sef?🥴🥴🥴 do you see that this is not a kai matter??
4th it is.

All of you saying I'm overreacting, U guys still feel we can replicate last season with the nonsense we played against a team that hasn't scored in 3games but suddenly find the net so easy with direct play?? Okay!


Na this team wan beat Porto so? With all this predictability!!?

I don talk tire about how this our attack is so poor unlike last season but omorr, Recently, this attack is so so dead!!!

I'm just pissed off. We need Partey and a new good striker in the starting lineup. Havertz needs to rest and come in as impact sub cos he offers nothing going forward. Martinelli needs to drop to the bench too.

How we are finally goal shy is what is surprising me. For all Saka drop in form, he's still the one creating chances. At least, there's an effort from him and Odegaard to be creative. Martinelli and Havertz no one even send.

Meanwhile, Nketiah just no be am

Spy360 talk say na Havertz absence make wey we lose against West Ham.
I still dey look for the breaking of the box wey him talk say Havertz dey bring.

Arteta should just convert this guy to DM and Rice Am. Cos na only when we dey lose ball I dey see this guy face, but whenever we are in possession, my guy go just lost. Even if him manage get ball high up the pitch, it's either backpass or sideway pass. No atom of creativity in him. We just dey suffer for that LHS with lack of creativity. Then we have headless chicken Martinelli in front.

Hmmmmm!!!!

daveP:
Team 88goals, how far? We are still 2nd crew, kilon popping? Isokay

Nobody dey team 88goals. Na points we want.

This team is just regressing and we need to arrest this slump fast

Shegzdave:
I don’t take those that use stats to judge a player serious, stats that can make a bum look world class?

The only information I take serious in that stat is that number of goals and assist, but the rest isn’t enough jaweee..

I like Popi “Eye test” mode of judging a player

Na why I tell Spy make him dey use Livescores dey watch him ball.

daveP:
like i said, for Gunners record, let Giroud vy with Yakubu for in box performance, etc He's nowhere any level of performance vs RVP. The hate fueled by Gunner at rvp cos of his man u switch is not going to change this irrefutable fact. We're doing asif we were contestants all those years when we were Terrible and 4th was our trophy. Imagine no epl on rvp profile, na still gunners go use am say he's nothing.

Na Spy dey do this Kain thing

This one weak me sha.

Why didn't we promote an Lb from academy instead of buying that stupid Kiwior?. How the hell did we end up with this guy? Just look at the first goal.

Martinelli needs 3 weeks benching to reset his head. This guy is just worse by the day.

We NEED a VERY GOOD STRIKER. Nketiah should be sold, Jesus should be a second striker. Omorr, I'm tired!!!

How the hell are we so bad at counters? We'll have an opportunity to attack and we'll be there playing calm game and back pass before pushing forward.

The team seems not to trust the LHS again. All balls is just to the RHS and even Rice is moving towards that side. We need Partey fit to play with Rice. See how Rice was high up the pitch when Saka lost the ball for the first goal.

Lastly, Corners!!!. We've the worst corner tactics in EPL. Easy to defend. Can we just switch to our last season corner tactics please?
I doubt we'll score anymore goals with this tactics!!!

A sad end to the year football -wise. Hope is just wearing thin!!


Anyways COYG!!!!

mostob:
Kiwior replaces injured Zinchenko.

Nketiah starts.

Havertz comes in for Trossard.

Tomiyasu makes the bench.


#coyg

Tomi is back... Thank goodness

Jesus dropped. The missed chances finally came back to bite. Hopefully, Nketiah takes his chance and Jesus head will reset well with the benching

Kiwior... Fingers crossed.
Seems Zinny is injured

mostob:
Be like I go comot hand o. I don tire sef.
Happy Sunday

Lol...e dey tiring aswear but this one is the height of it. If to say na rival fan dey talk say someone like Giroud(assuming he played his peak for Man u) is better than our striker Van Persie. I for give am face.

But an arsenal fan saying Giroud is on par with Van Persie?


Happy Sunday bro. Hopefully we'll win our match today.

Omorr, we really need sign correct striker this January oo