₦airaland Forum

Iamoyindamola, how did you see Odegaard's game ystdy especially his visionary passes. Did he impress you with his visionary passes ystdy?

Spy360, remember when I told you Liverpool's game will be harder than Tottenham's game and we need to grind 2x harder than what we dished against Tottenham? What do you think about ystdy game. Do you still see it as an easy win when compared to Spurs?

4...Attack: Martinelli was Man of the match for me but nothing is giving my joy than my front three. Their workrate, creativity, decision making and skills each of the front 3 is something most teams lack. All three doesn't have great height but the way they jump for aerial ball to win it and their good ball control is giving me joy. Their understanding with the Midfield and fullbacks and the way they're fluid in attack(knowing when to tuck in or go wide) is something that adds unpredictability to our game. It's no wonder goals are rampant. They so terrorised Liverpool that Klopp have to put in Konate to minimize threat. Long may it continue

5...Arteta: The way things are going, I might soon turn AKB(Arteta knows best ). The way we changed the game in the second half must be a big credit to him while his tactical tweak of using Tomi at Lb was a very very good call. I was jittery at first but he proved why he's the coach.
The way we approached the game, his assemblage of players who are highly technical on the ball(GK inclusive) and our positional sense(watch the way we always attack the half-spaces which makes us easily evade any opposition pressure) is really a good work on how far his imprinted his ideas on the team. Never have I felt so much joy watching arsenal than this season (Infact, since December of last season) and this I say... Thank you Arteta.

I'm so glad for the 3 points
Leeds next after uel

Long may our form continue
COYG!!!

My thoughts on the game

1... Mentality: It's no brainer this have to be the first. I remember two days ago when I talked about how this game will be more of the mental challenge than the physical (footballing) challenge and it showed ystdy. It was as if our negative mentality seeped into the players mind when we went a goal up early as we seemed to be very much afraid against In the first half as we retreated and retreated. We kept losing 50/50 balls in midfield, we couldn't even transition in attack again and even our GK known for always passing out from the back or doing buildup was just budeying the ball and Liverpool was really dominating us and dictating proceedings. Kudos to our defence for seeing us out and standing strong that first half while against all odds we grabbed the 2nd important goal(another form of mentality) through fine work from Gabriel Jesus, Martinelli, Gabriel and Saka after a quick break at the end of first half.

But then everything changed in the 2nd half. Times like this is why I need "All Or Nothing —Arsenal" cos I really needed to know what transpired in the dressing room and who gingered them up(aside from Arteta) and make them realise than they're 10x more better than what they dished in the first half. Second half was amazing! Immediately we stepped foot into the pitch, we started playing like the Arsenal we came to know. We turned the tide, dominated Liverpool and dictated play no matter how Liverpool tried to wrestle it back away from us. We brought that top notch mentality that we were known for throughout this season. Even when Liverpool equalised through Firmino, it was as if they looked for trouble . We double-bombarded the attack and first time in a long while I saw a whole Liverpool under klopp retreat deeper. Ystdy game just proved that we've finally overcome that mentality block we had in recent years against big teams and I'm glad we were rewarded with the winning goal after such great performance.


2...Defence: The back 4 is proving to be one of the best in the league. Their coordination, speed, aerial-winning, confidence on the ball and physicality is one not associated with arsenal from the previous decades. This arsenal defence is rock and it's amazing to know that the perceived weak link is (Gabriel). This is someone who played a very very good game ystdy aside that error that led to Liverpool's first goal. His role in that 2nd goal was better experienced than imagined. Who noticed how he scanned back, saw Saka coming at his back before he(,(Gabriel) made that run into the box to a dangerous zone to drag away Liverpool defenders in order for them to free Saka, then did a feint move for Saka to score. That movement itself is underrated. Great game from him but he needs to cut out silly silly errors from his game. This is like the 3rd error leading to goal in just 9 matchweeks.
Saliba is a Rock. Not only is he a handful to defenders but the way he boost attack is something else. He's like a Midfielder in that defence and I'll say he's one of the chief reasons why we can efficiently keep highline. His reading of the game, his physicality to engage defenders or snuff out attacks before strikers think of getting the ball and ability to kick-start attack before opposition settles is something people rarely talks about. If he goes on in this manner for a long time, he'll become my all-time CB. No capping!
Ben White sha. His intelligence is out of this world. He's easily grown into that role and made it his own. Imagine being played out of position yet you're one of the best in that position (no be JuJu be dat? ). His role in that first goal might be underrated but If you observe keenly, you'll see how Liverpool pressed us in that event cutting out passing lanes to all our Midfielders. His ability to spot out Saka with a very good pass who himself was just coming out from offside position is something very few FBs in the league would think of. That pass itself disorganized Liverpool who were just trying to rearrange themselves from their counter Saliba stopped and made us counter attack them. It's no wonder Liverpool's defence was all over the place during our first goal. Genius work of art from White.
As for Tomi, we all know he's very good in all aspects and he's very very good with double-feet but ystdy, he was just a different gravy, a real different gravy (in Ben White voice). For someone to keep Salah silent and make him take just one shot (which is even off target without power) is a real testament to the work he did. How he won every aerial duels when Liverpool wants to switch from one ends towards Salah side. Best part was that he didn't shy away from his offensive duties in helping Martinelli. For Klopp to remove Salah when he needs goals around 60 or 70min mark speaks volumes. Best performance for Tomi in an arsenal shirt for me.

3... Midfield: I've been saying it mostly that we have one of the best Midfield trio in EPL since last season (Partey, Xhaka and Odegaard). The creativity, steel, workrate and determination from those three is the best you'll from any Midfield triumvirate. To totally dominate Liverpool's Midfield that have Thiago and Fabinho, Henderson and Firmino is no mean feat. Not everyone in the league can do that to the extent of Liverpool playing deeper. Big credits to them.

Tbc....
Cc: lordfave98

mostob:
This victory sweet my Belle
The match was a battle of tactics and Arteta came out top.

Ramsdale ... I was afraid when he went down during the first half. A look at Turner on the bench preparing and I can say that Turner doesn't trust himself. There was nothing he could do with both goals though. Calm amd excellent distributions by the way. 7/10

White ... To be honest, I was not worried about him. I knew he would get the job done. He was hardly beaten today. 8/10

Saliba .. this guy is a gem. I said it earlier that he is made of stone. His calmness kinda gave us the first goal. Should have done better with the second goal. 8/10

Gabriel ... His only negative side is the defensive mistake. However I like the way he responds to these mistake. In the Spurs game, he made a brilliant turnover for the 3rd goal after his earlier mistake and today,I was surprised to see him at the other end of the pitch, doing a feint pass for Saka's goal. I kinda like his Agbero mentality too, it showed he was not afraid to do the dirty job. Was lucky not to punish the team with his handball 8/10

Tomiyasu was barely tested today. He made football so simple today. I'm not sure he even break a sweat. 9/10

Partey ... No much talk. He is not called octopus for fun 9/10

Xhaka ... How I wish his shot had gone in. The way he deleted Matip was a thing of beauty. What a leadership and fighting spirit he possessed. 9/10

Martinelli is truly an animal. He almost singlehandedly won the match for us today (coughs). What has Arteta given him to eat? That was a top-notch performance from him today. My MOTM 10/10

Saka I was angry he was not given much passes in the first half. His penalty was not given much credit. To rebuild and refurbish his mentality after that Euro penalty miss is something worth a massive commendation. He has now scored against all the big 6. 9.5/10

Jesus No much talk. If you have Jesus in your life (team), all your problems would be solved. The way he bullied VVD to win that corner eh... 9/10

Odegaard .. His work rate was massively impressive today but his decisiveness let him down. He should have gotten a goal today. We need him to put up some figures in addition to his work rate too. 8/10

Nketiah Was I the only one not worried when he came in for Jesus? I knew there will not be much drop in quality as far as our striking department is concerned. 4/10

Tierney ... This guy is old school and dependable at the same time. Klopp planned to take the game to the right wing with Firminho and Henderson overloading that wing but Tierney's introduction shut off the threat. I kind of like how he cautiously avoided giving away a penalty. 6/10

Vieira His sub was a tactic to waste time. Didn't do much. 4/10

A 10/10 for Arteta today.

Bonus: Another 10/10 for Sambi too. Dude almost piss for body because of the nervy ending of the game .

A big thank you to Agric fowl FC

Over nice rating dey worry you

Nice one

akwesenana:
I opened this account for someone. The persons father is a Ghanaian.

Okay... Nice one

Lol, Blueraydick you still dey give Leno rating when be say na Ramsdale keep for us? Na so you like Leno reach? .

Lol, just kidding sha, but do well to edit it under Ramsdale on goal

Very nice analysis and takeaway from the match

akwesenana:
Okay.

Are you a Ghanaian?
If you don't mind me asking

akwesenana:
Gosh. James.

Lol, I never ever use the word "better" sha, cos everyone have their preferences but I will always prefer James to Trent twice every day.

To me James is very very balanced and more complete than Trent

akwesenana:
Between Trent and Arnold, who's better?

Lol.... Between Trent and who??

afrodoc2:
Trent Chinasa Alexander-Arnold Expressway don tire you?

Katcall:
after robbing liverpool

Lol, the Handball in the first half right?

Well, take a look at this rule. EPL official site and the corresponding reason

Katcall:
keep hyping yourself

Hope it's still hype shey?

My post match talks tomorrow fit long sha.
Make Una try bear with me because of the length

As for tonight, make I still dey flex

Who dey breet!!!??

Dem say we go drop when we start to meet big teams. Their mouth sharp when we lose against Man u without Partey. Now we don dey wonder whether Liverpool and Tottenham no be big team again

I don talk am right from last season and I go still deh talk am again. As long say my people complete (especially Partey in that middle), I fear no Fvcking body

Lordfave98:
A great performance today.
Looking forward to Jode.ra's post match Analysis

I will drop my Postmatch analysis tomorrow bro. I'm just so so damn happy tonight mehn!!. Not only did we play beautifully, we also won convincingly.

mostob:
Jodera
Can you see why I said I prefer Vieira to Odegaard. The guy na serious case.

Lol, Una don dey make Odegaard dey stingy sometimes because you guys wants him to add goals to his game

Just look at that pass he would have laid to Saka and he'll be free on his stronger foot but since you guys wants Odegaard to score, he chose to shoot. Though he should have done better with that shot sha cos it was too weak and low but I preferred he would have passed to Saka sha

Odegaard of last season would have passed that ball cleanly

MorataFC:
Jod.era, iamoyin.damola and Co,
Guys, I'm with you tonight, wish u luck,but don't fall my hand o

Hope say your hand still dey intact

donstan18:
Hello Jodera,

When are you going to apologize and take your L on Salah and Mane comparison?

I'm too happy for my arsenal to be thinking about Salah or Mane tonight

AnfieldFan:
Jodera, una try

But how Oliver take talk say the una penalty na penalty I no understand

Lol... Thank you oo. Omo, I was impressed by our display dieee

As for the Pk, the distance between Jota and Gabriel is very close and that's one of the rules of football. The distance between the ball(from the player) and the offending player needs to have a considerable distance. Immediately I saw that handball, I knew it wouldn't be given.

Hardluck bro

donstan18:
Hello OasisX, Raumd.euter, Izz.ou, Jod.era, Afrod.oc2 , The.flint1, Ib.ukzy, Patrick.muf , Glorious.Gbola, TrebleC.hamp, Rib.bit, Nezz.jnr, Nihil.istjnr, Ibim.e and BlueR.ayDick.

It may seem as though your audience will be highly needed to know what Donjazet aka Donjazet2 thinks of this ongoing gay rumor between Cassilas and Puyol

Lol .. na wa ooo, which Kain wahala you be bikonu?

Spy360:
I don't think the formation displayed is what will transpire. I think Arteta wants to use wingbacks to neutralise Liverpool midfield and expose their defensive frailties

Lol, Xhaka as wingback?

I just hope that's not the formation you put up there sha if not I wonder whose defensive frailties would be exposed.. them or us?

afrodoc2:
He is not as good as Tierney on that left and won’t offer Martinelli the same quality of support.

IMO the way to go is to put pressure on Salah and TAA as they are both weak defensively. Tierney and Martinelli would rock them.

This bolded was exactly what I was thinking but I didn't know Arteta had other plans.

Tomi played Lb at the last 10min against Bodo, nobody saw it coming that it was an audition for today's match

mostob:
Tierney is injury proned and then we have another match on Thursday.

Lol, but presently he isn't injured na, so why not just play him.

Anyways sha, let's just hope it works

mostob:
On Twitter bro... It is all over there.
Just search for Aubameyang video

Okay, I'll check it out

iamoyindamola:
This man dan start again
Playing out of position is one thing I hate most

Him don dey tinker dey overthink like him boss

BlueRayDick:
Na only coach know wetin he see for training . Most times I like to trust the coach till he 4cks up

Abi... True,
make we just wait to see how it works out

afrodoc2:
Arteta should have tried to impose his game plan rather than trying to nullify the TAA/Salah threat.

Tomiyasu is good attackwise sha. I think he just wants that balance between attack and defence but even though Tomi is double-footed, to face Salah, a tricky winger eh without your strong foot is somehow

mostob:
Omo....Auba get mind sha.
Imagine blasting Arteta.

link?

BlueRayDick:
Tomiyasu on the left

Omo, how come na?

Is it that Arteta doesn't trust Tierney against Salah or what. This one is surprising oo

donstan18:
So you now rate what I rate?

Do you rate Havertz and Werner or not?

If you don't rate them, why are you rating Mane in bundesliga.

Nothing concern whether I rate wetin you rate

izzou:
[color=royalblue]League wey Havertz burst back to back

League wey Scamcho defile without mercy

E reach Mane turn, we begin hear "Out of position"[/color]

Even our legendary brother Batshuayi cannot be forgotten too