₦airaland Forum

daveP:
What aspect of Ozil's game do you need Odegaard to adopt next season?

And what part of Odegaard's game did you feel Ozil should have used during his spell with usm

I don't think we need going back to what Ozil ought to have done perhaps aside scoring more cos it's two different systems. See Sanchez na, Sanchez is the perfect modern Arteta winger but he came to arsenal at the wrong era so those off the ball qualities wasn't effectively harnessed like them Mane own.

As for what Odegaard would adopt from Ozil, I don't think any for now. Vision, creative pass, press resistance, half space entry Odegaard have them in his arsenal too

daveP:
It's more of tactics. Odegaard can move anyhow in that 35yrd zone. Many Arsenal fans also never believe he can dictate from deep until he did it and repeatedly. The fact remains that this odegaard we dey see so, he's not functioning the way he ought to. I knew what i was saying when i said he's a 30-40 G/A per season player. Effortlessly. He, and Saka most especially, need that 9 so badly because, like I've always opined, we will now realize that this team is setup to flourish with a dangerous 9 upfront. I pray this next season is the one. I'm just so happy we have a captain with such consistent, faith, work ethics and technicality. He's a blessing.

I'm hearing the recruitment team is looking for striker and would love to get one before preseason starts sha. Hopefully we'll get to see what they have for us

germaphobe:
Dunno if it's official but........

Lmaooo, this looks like something official.

If it is, it means dem dey fear Arteta for closet be that

daveP:
they go slap 100m on that guy as it stands. Or at least 70m. Make he enjoy one season more with villa sha.

Lol... Just seeing this now.

Abeg, make him dey him Villa. He's 28 abi 29yrs old. We need young blood killer

Spy360:
That's why I said now that he is fit e should give him one more season. We fit sell him now for cheap and he blows else where.

It's the reason why initially I was vehemently against his sale but when Blueray showed me the injury history, I gatz tone down.

He has the talent and quality, yeah, but I no want another "Partey" biko. If the club suspects e fit turn "doctor" here, then it'll be good he's sold.

After that pix being showed, any decision wey dey make, I'm okay by it. Tho, I will still want him to stay sha

Spy360:
You dey mad bro. Why you hide this info till next and Blueray.dick almost fight?

You have an excellent memory. Are you first class like me? 😂

Make you and Blueray fight

mostob:
Tell me how ESR came in to change the game against Chelsea too. At least Vieira came in to provide an assist against Manchester United. You could only use two matches to back up your point in which his only contribution in one of the matches was a 6 yard assist.

Every players were poor in that WestHam's match but you only called out Vieira. Why couldn't ESR change the match too against Chelsea since we're poor in that match?

Now you are using injury as an excuse. The faster you detached from ESR, the better. I really don't see how he can improve our team again.

Lmaooo...
You said 6yard assist against Luton.

That's not even the main highlight in that game. The main highlight was the first goal. Odegaard goal. I won't refresh your memory on it cos I know you'll remember it. That first goal neither had ESR on the goal or assist on the sheet but it had ESR all over it. You think I was moved by that 6yrd assist?


Viera gave an assist against Man u that had only GJ one on one with Dalot in midfield to run through. Na stone I for take Stone am if him no give that pass accurately when pitch big everywhere

The thing is ESR shone more than Viera this season. That you could use only Fulham match buttresses my point.

And I'll always use injury as excuse cos I know who ESR was before injury. And I also know he hasn't had a run of games. Let him have it and flop then we'll know he regressed

germaphobe:
I no go kuku talk on the matter again. He's mentioning doku and grealish and saying ESR can't fit in as a competition, it's funny shaa. ESR with game time and confidence pass that Doku 10X na me talk dat one.

I deh see Doku, Gakpo, Jones, Elliott

What??

Like a fit and confident ESR compared to these ones? Lmaooo

No wonder Viera dey him sentence

mostob:
That he is limited doesn't mean he is bad now. That's where you're getting it wrong. You even ignored where I mentioned his greatest strengths.

Doku, Grealish, Saka, Martinelli, Diaz, Gakpo are the wingers.... compare ESR to these wingers please. Remember these are our director competitors o reason why I limited it to three teams.

Rice, Kovacic, Benardo, Elliot, Jones.... How does ESR ranks here.

ESR is good in final third. He is good with making runs and finding space but dropping deep into pivot to aid build up, he is limited in this. We have seen Rice and Ode do this countlessly.

You see that bolded??
I'll pick fit ESR over those two anyday, anytime, twice on Friday.

We're looking for quality Squad depth and a fit and uninjured ESR is a quality Squad depth.

If Odegaard needs a rest, I can be rest assured that ESR will take that spot against midtable teams and I won't really feel it. Same thing with if rice needs a rest.
I don't want to even talk about versatility that ESR brings if you tell him to play Lw and he'll do it well for you

Bernardo, Rice and Odegaard are bosses on their own and starters respectively. The way Doku is for Man City (quality bench option) is who I'll grade a fit ESR


And yeah... I'll pick a Fit ESR over any Doku or Gakpo.

E be like say you never understand wetin you get. Na only injury concerns dey make me (or most of us here) to even reason sale of ESR not his quality

germaphobe:
In as much as we like him, his injury is a concern and I admit it too. Keeping or selling him depends on the club and I won't agitate if he leaves cus it's understandable, but comparing him with Viera and even making up thesis to support his claims led to all these back and forth.

Exactly.
Like when I was reading his post to Spy talking about his injury and all, I didn't mind. I understand

But when I read that "he can't fit into the team, he doesn't have best position" and whatnot, omorr e shock me.

Then the "Viera has more Skillset to this team than him".

Chaiiii

mostob:
You're just being one-sided eh. You didn't even mentioned how he impressed in that match. In two seasons, you can only mention just two matches. I only mentioned Fulham match and you have stuck to that since. And then you have refused to mention where ESR dropped stinkers and you avoided that too. In two seasons, you can only mention just two matches.

It is Ok.

Which two seasons?

Did he play the previous season when we bought Viera alongside GJ and Zinny? No

He had injury, came back then they advised him to do the surgery around December. He did it and came end of season.

The only season he played was this concluded one and that's the season I'm basing my evidence on since you claimed you don't want "3 seasons ago".

At least I dropped two he played well. The only evidence/receipts for Viera this concluded season is against Fulham. The rest that he started, if dem mistake Change 11, him go succumb. The only match he start and won was with a standard 11 (Everton).

Any small changes from our first 11 and you include him to it, we might lose the match. Aside Southampton and Sporting own, His performance this season against West Ham in Carabao was another match that really pained me for his performance. West Ham played us and he was poor. Just always doing the barest minimum basics

By God's grace this coming season, we'll know how Viera will play cos so far, he hasn't impressed me fully.

I've watched him and his skillset/attributes keenly and I'm not too impressed with what I'm seeing. He seems to me like someone who just flows with the team. If the team is excellent, he'll be. If if they're anything less than excellent, he will struggle.

He hardly dribble, and he's not much of a press resistant player. The passes, if there's no runners in behind and space to thread the pass to, he might struggle. Worst of all is that he's not even physically strong

Unlike Havertz, I don't know where else he can play apart from that attacking Midfield.

I just hope he proves me wrong though

mostob:
You have not answered my questions though. You can't bring Martinelli here, it will weaken your stance. Martinelli is not injury proned like ESR. Imagine saying Martinelli was in and out for 3 seasons. I just want to believe na desperation because this is the first time I'll see you make such bogus statement.

When I said ESR is limited, that doesn't mean he won't flourish in another team. But you mistook that limited for bad.
Look at the Calibre of wingers in EPL and tell me where ESR stands.

And the way you stood with ESR, one would think he has 10 G/A since the start of last season. You mentioned just two games but failed to mention the matches where he dropped a stinker.

I still stand by it, Arsenal stands to gain a lot if Vieira stays rather than ESR. ESR has the homegrown stuff and past exploits in his favour yet he is the one generating transfer speculations. We ain't in 2020 bro.

If you check the reason why I initially quoted you (my first quote to you today), it's because you claim he's limited in midfield and not pacy in wings.

I never had issues on your post with injuries or selling him. What I'm against is you denying his talent saying he can't build up or press or sort or doesn't suit our system.

C'mon!!!

If arsenal wants to sell because they suspect he's our next doctor as Blueray says, fine and good especially now that he's still high in value.

But if it's about Skillset or that he has regressed, that's what I'm against. And certainly not against Viera who has shown his skillset is mainly for counter attacking team.

But we watch.

germaphobe:
No loud that Viera talk abeg, person get headache for front seat..

Lol...

mostob:
That's it. You were the number one person hammering on why Vieira usually changed our games whenever he comes in for Havertz earlier this season.
I understand ESR may be your favorite sha as you chose not to mention his bad games too. You credited a 5-0 win against Sheffield to ESR but wanted Vieira to take all the blame against Southampton? You can do better than that bro

The ESR that won the 'MOTM' against Luton, how did everything go after that match?

I never did the bolded.
I said that's the match he surprised me at cos I didn't expect it. The only thing I've always said about Havertz and I'm Consistent with it is that he should play Cf. And till today that's the only match Viera have impressed me this season.

I didn't credit ONLY ESR against Luton and Sheffield. I said he impressed in those games. Viera on the other hand was unimpressive in his own games.

Even in games one would lose, at least show why you're a star or stand out but Viera would succumb. Opponents would bully him and sometimes dominate us.

Let Viera shine then we'll give his accolades. If na ESR and Odegaard or Jorginho you dey talk about, I for gree. No be ontop one match (Fulham) naim Viera go use win hearts.

mostob:
You think I can't mention more. I used Fulham because of you actually. I knew you would definitely remember that match. To even think you can only mention Luton eh.

In your quote that started this argument, everything you said there were from 3 years ago so who is stuck in the past. I based my argument on when both became teammates.

And the point here is that he deals with too much injuries for him to find his rythm. Come on, we both follow our games now.

If I bring receipts here, here go full

Bring Receipts make I bring receipts


I didn't mention one, I mentioned 2 matches (Luton and Sheffield)

If Viera no see first 11 to play with. Like complete first 11, my guy go succumb.

I'm certain if Viera started against that much changed arsenal team against Luton, we for dey insult Arteta on how him don fvck up our season


From Southampton to Sporting to West ham (league cup). Dem must just dominate our Midfield once it's not the first 11 for Viera

mostob:
Yes... You can go search and bring your findings here.

Which Martinelli was out for 3 seasons? You see why I said you're just defending ESR because you like him personally. In 2020, Martinelli only missed 22 games. That was when he was battling with injuries and Arteta had to be patient with him. So which Martinelli was in and out for 3 seasons?

There was a time ESR was benching Martinelli because the former was in the form of his life. He even get called up to England's squad. So, where is that form?! Why has he find it difficult to replicate the same form?

The miscommunication here is that you think I don't like ESR which is not true. There are some players you need to let go. You can't expect Arteta to be ruthless and yet still berate him if ESR is sold.

Like I said, I'm not against ESR going. I'm against you saying ESR can't play wings or Midfield because he doesn't fit into our system while bringing in Viera as someone who can perform better when he hasn't even shown it here so far while ESR have done the opposite countlessly.

I'm against you saying ESR is limited in midfield and wing when he's proved he has it here before. He hasn't even have a run of game yet you claim he's regressed.
Meanwhile the Viera you're championing for can lay claim to just one Match. One match as a sub (against Fulham). ESR own, I've called two matches this season where he really impressed.

ESR still get credit for him bank for what he's done in this team and that will be used for him.
Let Viera do his own and he'll have his own credit

Imagine me saying Martinelli have regressed cos he underwhelmed this season. And this is someone who even had game time this season sef

mostob:
And which exploits are you using to rate ESR ahead of Vieira? Exploits of three years ago? Was Vieira in the team then? The faith Arteta had in ESR that made him give ESR that #10 jersey after his exploits, has ESR repaid the faith? I think most are still stuck in the past. We kuku gather praise the same ESR when he was doing well. What is so bad in mentioning his regression?

How will he get the game time when he is always injured?

The little minutes he got this season, what did he do with it?

Vieira was not getting minutes too but immediately he came on in that Fulham match, we saw his impacts.

I said it...
Only Fulham.

Lol.


But what made ESR regressed? Did he even have his match fitness yet or you don't know he's still not sharp.

ESR against Luton should show you he still got it but you're still looking at him from 3 seasons ago.

And nobody is stuck in the past here. Everybody knows ESR needs match rhythm to get his form back. The Viera you're even placing side by side with him never even do anything consistent for this team sef

mostob:
Bring the stat. I'm open for debate. Go and bring their stats here and let's see.

ESR was in our 5-0 win against Sheffield and he impressed
ESR was in our 2-0 win against Luton and he impressed winning Motm even when he wasn't Match fit
He started both matches


Tell me Viera own he impressed this season?
Lemme guess just the Fulham match.

I don't want to even talk about when he started against relegation team like Southampton just like ESR(Vs Luton) did and he fvcked us up

mostob:
Let me ask you again, the ESR you mentioned here, when did he performed all these? 3 seasons ago! That is what you're using to judge him.
The bolded is blasphemy. Well, ESR is your special guy. A beloved son so you will do everything to defend him. Imagine saying ESR is more explosive than Saka. The same ESR we all watched this season? chai.

It's blasphemy that ESR have more pace and explosiveness than Saka??

Ewwwehhh!!!

It's confirmed, you've forgotten who ESR is/was

And you're saying 3 seasons ago.


Let's pretend that Martinelli was not once like ESR in injury and even in up to almost 3 seasons in and out because of injury but he was eased In finally in 2021/22 season. The season we finished 5th

mostob:
You're still judging ESR based on his exploits three seasons ago, that's what you're still holding on to. When both were available, Vieira usually gets the nod ahead of ESR, that should tell you something.

ESR has regressed badly which is what you are not considering here. His incessant injuries didn't help matter too. The few times he was subbed on this season, he disappointed. Three years ago when he was still hot, this argument wouldn't happen. But since last season that both have been together in that team, with what they have both shown, Vieira will always get the nod.

Which exploits then should I use?

Okay which exploits are you using for Viera that shows that he got it more than ESR?

Everyone knows ESR got it and he needs game time for sharpness after his long lay off. Yet you claimed he's regressed.

Chaiii

daveP:
Only ish now is they're playing UCL too. So to lure him away from Ebening go hard. But deep down he supposed know too sha. Well.. let him eat reward there small.

Lol...
Better "Watkins" full everywhere .

Watkins himself go even cost sef and I doubt Villa would wanna sell.

Make we just go for Gyokeres or better striker abeg

hensben:
We need to go to the top again and a good coach is needed for that. We are still a big club, it’s not only winning trophies that make a club big.

If Una continue like this, Una go enter abyss.

Una wey dey top 5 before finished 8th last year, now you're at 9th.
Even Tottenham don top Una for this year ranking wey you post

Arsenal that's not even in top 15 before Is now 10th.

germaphobe:
I'm beginning to wonder if he watch ESR from his early days down to even last Sunday match. How can he say ESR doesn't drop and help in build up. Well every man get his opinion shaa

That's why I said he must have probably forgotten who ESR was.

Before Odegaard came, ESR manned our Midfield (Am) well that we started winning matches consistently till we bought Odegaard. Prior to his emergence, we were winning match once a month. That's whom he said is limited Midfield.
Let him watch ESR assist to Saka against West Brom(5-0) and let him see where ESR started the buildup to the goal from

In terms of wing play. ESR is even more pacy and explosive than Saka. I guess he's forgotten that too.

Or is it pressing?. The Luton match, the goal Odegaard scored is a pure highlight. He won Motm too

These are just highlights of his skillets that led to goals I even remembered off my head

germaphobe:
ESR drops when he needs to bro. You are making the comparison but trying to convince yourself that you're not. ESR has pace, and he he's someone that's always ready to help this team however way he can.
I think he's more suited to play that odegaard role more than Viera but what do I know... He has the physicality and sharpness that Viera lacks.

Gbammm!!That physicality.

I remember how Southampton bullied him when we dropped points two seasons ago in the run in when he replaced injured Xhaka.
Sporting did same thing too when he replaced Odegaard (2nd leg)


And that was a fit Viera. My guy just lost for pitch. Those two matches decided our season in both competition.

mostob:
And how is that harsh? In another system, ESR will get the nod. It is simple. The current system doesn't suit him. I was clear enough. Na you wan turn this to Vieira vs ESR.

ESR is a final third specialist who will get you goals. He is not someone that would drop deep and help with buildup. His positioning and late runs into the box is quote alright but in situations where we need numbers in midfield to beat the press, he is limited. Where do you think he should play then?

Lol....
Omorr, we are talking about ESR here and you're saying this thing?

Someone that's good at buildups, one touch and move play. Someone that's good at pressing (at least our match against Luton where he was even half fit yet won Motm should give you a pointer). He's good at beating the press is whom you're saying all these bolded?


Anyways, I still dey wait for this setup to suit Viera sha. God keep us Alive to see it

mostob:
I knew all these before I said what I said. Don't make it seems I'm rating one above the other or that I dislike ESR. But I tell you if it comes to who Arteta wants to retain currently between both, he will choose Vieira.

I really don't want to compare both because it will seem I'm undermining ESR.

You invariably compared them when you said Viera has more skillset to this team than ESR and that ESR is limited in wing and Midfield.

The only reason why Arteta would choose Viera over ESR is that he bought the former just recently with good sum compared to ESR who's homegrown and will bring profit according to ffp regardless of the price. And if that injury concern is put into consideration, then it's no brainer if that money would be spent on someone better than ESR especially if it's without injuries.

Pound for pound, Skillset for Skillset, ESR Is better than Viera in this our system. Maybe except for outside the box shot

BlueRayDick:
ESR is a very good player, it is just the injury concern I have against him and nothing else . That was why I referred him to white Diaby cos anytime Diaby played we always see the quality; it is just that he didn't play often enough.

I guess Mostob is a bit harsh in his assessment of ESR sha

Yeah, I really understand your view on ESR and it's really valid.

Na Mos.tob own dey surprise me cos he was here when ESR burst into limelight so at least he should have seen first hand the things ESR did for us.

Saying without injuries Viera get more skillset than ESR in this team is really surprising. And like you said he was really harsh on ESR

daveP:
Im sure in the speculation room with Josh, Edu and co, one question will be

Whom among these guys can compete in numbers with Haaland if in our XI?

That question will be helpful to an extent. Having a Watkins and an Erling.....

I'll prefer a good Watkins over a good Haaland

Spy360:
Not bad to be honest. Rashford is a very good player himself and a good goal scorer.

Na that Rashford I don't care attitude when he's not with the ball I don't like and anybody who watches him consistently knows that it's not just this completed season it started.
I noticed it in Ten Hag first season even when he's banging goals. He just used that goals to cover up that important attributes. People eyes only opened to it because he wasn't scoring last season.

One thing I know about Arteta and his recruitment team is that they don't just look at a person's skillet, they look at his character and passion too especially in difficult situations and that's why we are gathering fighters. I would be surprised if Rashford is bought cos he falls flat when things don't really goes his way. He just gives up and that's something not accepted in this arsenal side

Tbh, I'll be really really surprise if we get him.

mostob:
The last time ESR was active was 3 seasons ago where he bagged 10 goals from the wing( is it 10 or more?). Since then, he has been in and out of the team due to injuries. He used almost the whole 2022/2023 season to do surgery and recuperate but still picked different injuries afterward.

Vieira arrived at Arsenal with a foot injury he sustained on international duty. He was out for like 3 months this season when he opted to do the groin surgery once and for all.


Somebody tell us how these two scenarios take relate. Moreso, Vieira has the better chance of making the team's squad based on skillsets.

ESR is good but his problem is his position. He is not fast and explosive enough to play on the wing. In midfield, he is limited too.

I believe you've forgotten who ESR really is.

Naaahh, you've forgotten. Nothing wey you wan tell me

Lemme remind you that ESR initially played as our number 10(Am) in the 2020/21 season. He started his first EPL match under Arteta in the 3-1 over Chelsea on boxing Day. We were 16th that period as we were playing one of the most boring football. ESR came and we started winning games back to back because we finally got our Am. We not only beat Chelsea 3-1, we whitewashed westbrom 5-0 the very next match. First time we'll be scoring 3+ goals consecutively and playing fluid football and winning matches b2b in MONTHS.
ESR ensured we were on an upward move till Odegaard was loaned at the end of that Loan window where we moved from 16th to 8th position by season's end. His telepathy and Understanding with Saka was perfect. In fact he was the first that brought this "understanding" with Saka before anything like Odegaard-Saka telepathy was even known in arsenal. There was pictures flying around then (attached below)

I remember having argument with Spy when he said the reason we were playing boring football was because of lack of Am that's why we're playing that stupid 343 and that if we get an Am everything go set. I disagreed saying it was because Arteta wasn't good enough reason why we were playing this nonsense. ESR practically and literally made arsenal playing the 4231 we're enjoying today which obviously improved to 433. I later gave kudos to Spy for getting it right

The very next season, because of Martinelli injury, he stood in for him and played very well that we barely missed Martinelli. He was unarguably our top scorer (even without penalties). The only reason Saka topped him was because Martinelli became fit by early December which made him go back to the bench. And even at that with penalties included, Saka just surpassed him with 1goal (11 to 10).


There's a reason he's called Croydon De bruyne by arsenal fans and it's not just because they're almost same complexion.

I never see wetin Viera don do for this arsenal and even his skillset I never too see am (I believe he'll gel in a more counter attacking team sef) . He can't even play wing effectively, something ESR did excellently. And even that Midfield, most times he's shown he's limited
But make I dey watch.


But omorr, no talk this thing about ESR again biko. Ejoorr🙏🙏🙏🙏.

He's worth the hype.

Na that injury wey Blueray even show me make me calm down for this ESR matter

BlueRayDick:
Omo! The way I take like Diaby ehn..... It pained me how injuries ruined his career

Swear down.

I too hope on that guy. Worst of it all is that whenever he plays, nothing like match rustiness or whatever. Him go just ball Midfield straight up.

Sad such talent was wasted because of injury