₦airaland Forum

My thoughts on yesterday's game

1... Special thanks to our awesome start. The first 15-25m, I thought we were prime Barca. The way we pressed, applied pressure and attacked was a joy to behold. So sad we couldn't maintain it for long period of time as crystal palace started dictating play from then on but at least it set the template of how we might want to play this season. Nice!!!

2.. One thing I love about our first goal is the creativity in the corner. It happened against Everton (last match of the season — Cedric goal) and now it's repeating itself. I love it when teams are creative with set pieces(freekicks or corners) even if it's just once per match as we're doing. When perfectly executed, it's mostly a goal up without much stress. Yesterday's game might either be a draw or lose if not for just that well-crafted creativity.

3... Big ups to Ramsdale for keeping us twice in the game. Even though he was jittery during the first half but he grew into the game and helped secured the clean sheet.

4.. There's the air of confidence Saliba brings in that backline. Calm and composed. His speed in sniffing out attack and reading of the game is joy to watch. It's no wonder when Arteta made stationed him at the centre (mostly the leader at the back)

5... Odegaard was anonymous ystdy. Even when we had good spells, he was somehow anonymous. And the jersey didn't help as it was almost his skin colour (just kidding)

6... Great game ystdy from the guys. Not good displays overall but good 3 points needed

Coyg!!!

BlueRayDick:
E be like say real recognize REAL o

Beast of a nation.
Mehn, even some of my friends wey been join me watch the game ystdy just dey ask
"who be that guy",?
"when we sign am,"?
"Na new signing"?

Las las, White don enter bench, except Arteta head go touch

Oasis007:


Jod.era..... I have Zinchenko and Martinelli in my FPL Team, but I benched them.

Chai, see massive points wey you just bench na


So that means you didn't buy G.Jesus?

mostob:
Jodera ... Now I can smile

We did it!

The only negative from the match is our weak bench. Just imagine the way Tearknee slotted in for Zinch and Nketiah, for Jesus...can Nelson and Pepe do the same for Martinelli and Saka respectively? I now know why Arteta is in market for another wide forward.

Lol... I told you na. The positives and ginger entering into that match is too much for us to lose

I'm not sure we'll get another wide forward except we sell/loan out Nelson and Pepe. I think we'll just be in for Tielemans and that's it.
Moreover, I'm still insisting that ESR will deputise for Martinelli, so na just Pepe and Nelson be the issue now

Great 3 points ystdy even though the game was nervy for most part. Coyg!!

BlueRayDick:
Come On Ye Gunners!

3 points to kick start the season boys!!!

Coyg!!!!!!

mostob:
I hate to sound negative but we might just lose today.

I wouldn't be surprise if it turn out so. We have the knack to always start slow.

Lol... For first match of the season with all the whole positives??

Shake it off Man!!

Drone17:
Thanks for the response.

Diaz was part of Liverpool last season so doesn't count as a new signing. Nunez is a direct replacement for Mane, and I felt Mane is better hence the weak verdict. However I understand like you said, things can change especially with Cavalho etc.

I'm not even talking about new signings per se. I'm talking about the teams in the terms of quality and depth-wise.

hensben:
You call 200m just in that context, almost half of their net spend. Lol.

200m spread over 5yrs is never a big money in transfer spendings esp in this inflated market.

What even made it half their net spend is because of the length.(law of compounding).

E.g if I make 1# daily in you make #2 daily. Ordinarily it is small but in the next 5 days, you'll have 10# while I'll have 5#.

That's just the system at play here. It's that simple

taobany:
200M...no be small money Gap bro.

Spread over 5yrs?

Imagine Spending 40m on acquiring player each season for the next 5yrs. Would you call that spending especially in this crazy transfer market?

Please I'll need honest answer

hensben:
We are top teams so it is expected to be in top 5 but do you see the financial difference between chelsea and the two Manchester club.

Just 200m. That's an average of 40m in 5yrs between you and man city.

iamoyindamola:
All these pundits are saying palace will win

I feel their thoughts is that since we'll be playing away, we'll be overwhelmed with their aggression and physicality just the way we were last season when we were trounced.

We'll see about that sha

hensben:
I didn’t say that, it’s chelsea I am saying, we have sold players before signing before signing hence our good net expenditure.

As at June 2022, this is the net spend of top 11 English clubs since 2017(Peps regime) according to transfermarket.

You're in a top 5 in net spend. The way Una dey shout net spend net spend for here, someone will think you guys will be down the ladder and over 500m shy of guardiola.

Drone17:
I think the majority had the top 4 last season as their overall prediction. But I don't give to much attention to what those guys at BBC predict. I think they are the worst set of pundits in football media.

Let's do a comparative analysis of our top rivals and their recruitment this summer as we discect the possibilities of making top 4.

Here's my view

MAN CITY
I think that losing Sterling and Jesus will affect their momentum a bit, especially at the start of the season because both have been quite integral in their set up, and both are still very much active. Their addition of Harland and Alvarez overall may not bring an immediate improvement to their squad. However, they are still favourites by far.

LIVERPOOL
Losing Mane will be a huge blow for them. And just as City, his replacement in Nunez may need time to bed in. I think they are weaker after losing Mane as Salah will certainly miss his most trusted attacking partner.

CHELSEA
They are in a rebuild in which they may find themselves struggling. Having lost key players like Christensen and Rudiger in their defense which has made them weaker, as they will need some time to groom their replacements into a formidable back line. They are still a strong side by all standards.

TOTTENHAM
Spurs are definitely improved with their new signings and the fact that they won't lose any of their key players. With the experience of Conte, it makes them even scarier. Richarlison has PL experience and would be a handful come off the bench. Bissouma also makes their first team stronger. Spurs hmmm!

ARSENAL
Gabriel Jesus and Zinchenko definitely improves the first team. This will be critical for them as both players already have premier League experience in the best possible way. Arsenal like Tottenham will be the team to watch out for. With a much improved first team and squad depth, all will now depend on the quality of the leadership and tactical intelligence of their manager to determine if they can surpass last season's achievement and make top 4.

MAN UNITED
United have many off field issues affecting them. Their performances in recent seasons have made them a bit not attractive to top players unlike before. With a new manager and many new players it will take a little while for them to exact their influence in the league. There isn't much improvement in their team for one to be excited about. They will have to depend on the experience and tactical ingenuity of the new manager, Eric Ten Hag to have a say this season.

OTHERS
The likes of West Ham, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Everton will as always push for an upset. Apart from Newcastle, there hasn't been much improvement in the others. They have spent big and will want to push into the European places, so we will be keeping an eye on what Eddie Howe will be doing with the new set of players he has now at his disposal.

I don't think Liverpool have been weaker with the sale of Mane, if for anything I believe they're stronger. Diaz have been balling since last season and even if Nunez doesn't hit the ground running immediately, they still have Jota and Firmino to play there(as they've always been). Watch out for Cavalho and Elliott cos I see one of those two breaking into the first team

I agree with your thoughts on Man city. They look considerably weaker. I was surprised looking at their bench in community shield and the top players there were just foden and gundogan. Except they sign qualities, else I'm tipping Liverpool for the league

Tottenham are the dark horses here. Heaven knows those people are frightening due to their coach and with the kind of squad depth they have, it even makes it more frightening for us. There's a way Conte might get his acts together and who knows, Spurs might contend for the title too— sad to say.

I share same thoughts with you on Man u too. Unless they sign, their squad depth is poor and they'll need Ten Haag to be supremely good in tactics to be in top 4 contention. I'm tipping them out this season personally.

I'm confused about Chelsea Tbh . While they are a very good side but their attack is still not there yet. I feel they'll be more in top 4 fight with arsenal and tottenham than being contenders. And something is also telling me that if they don't get their acts right, they might miss out on top4

Arsenal have the quality depth and first team to be in top4. If we lose out, we only have ourselves to blame and no-one else. Looking at our team, I'm still marvelled how we have almost quality for each position. Transfer window isn't over yet and I'll love to see who we're getting in before it closes

hensben:
I have being talking of net spend in any spending conversation.

Lol, so you're saying with net spend Pep spent 1.2bn?

Roland17:
Hey guys, as we approach game day, I'd like for us to discuss/ scout Crystal Palace.

Lets discuss their tactics, style, formation, players including new player acquired, best players, coaching and what to expect from them.

I'd like to read from everyone.

one thing I noticed about crystal palace under Viera is that they're compact while being disciplined with their press. It worked against us well last season because

1... Lacazette was terribly out of touch with his pressing and he also couldn't absorb pressure when being pressed.

2.. Tavarez was jittery and Cedric had a very poor game. Tavarez's fear was contagious and it affected our backline(check Ayew goal). Moreso, our two fullbacks couldn't pass ball cleanly from the back as they were making so many wrong decisions. This in turn had its effect on Midfield who was feeding on scraps

3.. Gallagher Man marked Partey to full force. Credit to Gallagher as he ensured the only hope of arsenal finding the rhythm in the game was stifled.

This made us to do more long ball than usual and since they were more physical than us, they won almost all the 2nd balls/aerial balls in midfield

With all these, we couldn't get any foothold on the game. But with increased quality now and In the absence of Gallagher (Viera master card last season), we should be able to win them, mostly because

1. We now have Zinchenko who can transition ball easily from defence to attack. Same way with White too. Then our two CBs who are good ball passers too.

2.. Gabriel Jesus whose movement, pressing and holdup play will be very crucial for us stretching play. This itself was what Laca was lacking at that time.

3.. I don't know if I'm petty here but Gallagher not present will be at our advantage. I know how that guy disturbed us and Man city when assigned by Viera to do a dirty job in order to disrupt play.

4... Even though Palace are very physical, I know arsenal are physical too and we should be wary of long balls/second ball. Hopefully we'll match them in that aspect.

ObaIgwe1:
Hmnnnnn....

Not even one of them projected us 3rd or above Spurs. All those who projected us 4th, projected Spurs 3rd.

I pray we surprise them.

Lol, I tell you. But I understand them sha. They have Experienced and world class coach plus their squad is great

Drone17:
Hi everyone

You're welcome boss. Welcome to the family

We'll love to go hear your opinion, thought and also analysis as this season unfolds

BBC pundits prediction

Seems most people are tipping us for top4 this time

4th and not more than that to be specific

ObaIgwe1:
I heard same too but not too trusting the source. And one of the other issues mentioned is that they are waiting to finalize Bellerin situation so that Saliba can take No.2 Shirt as part of the announcement.

If they're waiting for bellerin to be sold so that Saliba can take over his shirt, then that's a good sign that he'll extend.

Moreover, with the way the team is moving, it'll be irrational for any of those two not to extend. That's how I see it sha

WhoDeyHause:
Then until you qualify for champions league stop disturbing the blues too much and go and discuss with dead manyoo, west ham and newscastle that are your mates.

Lol.... Ontop my own data and phone??

WhoDeyHause:
Do you think assnal can reach semifinals in champions league this season because after this preseason I think you people can do it

I'm not in UCL so this question is invalid

hensben:
Check net spend before Boehly. We sold players to sign Lukaku, same with Kepa

Lol... Net spend?
When you're accusing Pep of spending 1.2bn, did you factor in net spend?

Shey na only Chelsea activate the net spend option?

raumdeuter:
Na CHelsea fans even carry am for head pass, Yet they are loading 2 LBs each for 50M each

Lol,

mostob:
When you consider we paid 27m for Saliba, White was not that expensive.

And 25m for Magalhaes. We would have been bidding 70m now for his services

ObaIgwe1:
Abeg make Saliba sign that new contract sharp sharp or we sell for 75m

I read that there's positive news regarding Saliba and Saka contract

ObaIgwe1:
With the money being called and bid for quality defenders these days, it makes it looked like we should be grateful for getting White for 50m and be arrested for robbing City of Zinchenko for 35M.

Imagine Fofana going for 60-70m? I thought ManU overpaid for Martinez but looks like they were even lucky.

Abeg make Saliba sign that new contract sharp sharp or we sell for 75m

Getting Zinchenko and Jesus was a steal considering their experience and skillset.
The thing is that to sign player on a cheap now, clubs needs to scout player that's not so popular or media-hyped but very very good (just like the way we signed Viera). Anything short of that and you'll be buying average players for very huge sum.

I heard we want to bid for Tielemans for max 30m. If that works out, then it's really amazing how we're getting all these talents for cheap in all these crazy transfer market.
Odegaard price also comes to mind

andrewbaba44:
Yeah ,because guardiola the most hated coach in epl coaches there

Lol... Na so na

andrewbaba44:
Guardiola no do reach like this but dem criticize am

If Chelsea fight for top 4 this season e go Dey un acceptable

Lol
£90m Lukaku and £70m Havertz for striking position
£72m for backup keeper
Two £50m for fullback positions


I don talk am Before say na everybody like dey spend. But we go think say na only man city dey point and kill

Softwareguy21:
man utd topped the epl till week 18 of that season before We drew with Liverpool. If you can make excuses for Liverpool being poor that season the same can be made for utd last season. we finished 3rd and 2nd prior to last season. Those ruling man utd out of contention for top 4 next season are alarmist.

Alarmist you say? You seem to forget that those expressing their concern on Man u missing out on top4 are doing so due to matter on ground. Chelsea, Arsenal and tottenham have improved compared to the teams that you knew 2-3 seasons ago

If you're still banking on the fact that the team that finished 3rd with 66points is strong enough for a fight top4 without much improvements in key areas then good for you. Mind you, 66points will probably not get you top4 this season not to talk of inadequate improvement/squad depth from that same squad while your rivals improved
Those who are worried knows why!!

Trevor012:
Going to Match day 36 if United had won Leicester we would have been 7 points behind Manchester city with 3 games(9points) to go but according to one Arsenal pundit United was never in the race and was closer to Dead Liverpool. Clap for yourself.

... If if if if if.
Coulda woulda shoulda.



Did you win against Leicester? No
Was there any title fight? No

All these shalaye yet you couldn't prove your darling daddy actually competed with Man city.

ChristoBam:
He didn't lie though. At the point we played Liverpool and the likes forwards the end, we'd already started resting players. 2nd position was all but sealed.

We were not going to win the league. 2nd position was sealed and we had a Final in few weeks.

My discussion with Englishis.amust was that he said man u competed with Man city for the title which I claimed was false. The table proved so as you guys was comfortably seated in 2nd(and I didn't recall anytime there was a drag). Table proved that the point gap between you guys and Liverpool wasn't much compared to Man city but then that's not even my argument.

If Trev.or is trying to deflect the main issue to man u is comfortably seated at 2nd or trying to drag Liverpool into our discussion, then he should look for another person.

Trevor012:
Please keep quiet. Closer to out of form Liverpool than to city is just pure nonsense. . We dropped 8 points during the last 4 matches of the season cause we were relaxed and already secured 2nd place so nothing to play for.

So you had nothing to play for yet you still claim you competed with Man city?

Is lack of comprehension your forte?