₦airaland Forum

Jodera:
Please, I want to ask, is little at stake at arsenal?

As far as the league is concerned, there is little at stake. That is we surely aren't winning the league and top four is almost out of reach.

I know you will question the latter, but I am a realist. Our failure to reach the min 4pts difference against the fourth team at this time of the year, makes it difficult to finish fourth. That fact that we are about 11pts off fourth makes it even more astronomical.

A reasonable route to CL obviously becomes the Europa while we hope that the mistakes of last season won't repeat.

That said, players such as Ceballos can be preserved to represent us in EL where we have higher probability of achieving something meaningful. But in the EPL young prospects like Willock, Martinelli, Guendouzi, Nketiah must be given the chance to learn and grow.

If we win the EL, we can afford the millions needed to keep Ceballos. If we don't win, then we forfeit him. It will cost us nothing to keep Willock whether we win or lose. But we have much to gain next season if the playing time helps to improve his game.

Hope this helps.

Spy360:
As far as the league is concerned, there is little at stake. That is we surely aren't winning the league and top four is almost out of reach.

I know you will question the latter, but I am a realist. Our failure to reach the min 4pts difference against the fourth team at this time of the year, makes it difficult to finish fourth. That fact that we are about 11pts off fourth makes it even more astronomical.

A reasonable route to CL obviously becomes the Europa while we hope that the mistakes of last season won't repeat.

[/b]That said, players such as Ceballos can be preserved to represent us in EL where we have higher probability of achieving something meaningful[b]. But in the EPL young prospects like Willock, Martinelli, Guendouzi, Nketiah must be given the chance to learn and grow.

If we win the EL, we can afford the millions needed to keep Ceballos. If we don't win, then we forfeit him. It will cost us nothing to keep Willock whether we win or lose. But we have much to gain next season if the playing time helps to improve his game.

Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot for your explanations. I really get were you're coming from.
As for the bolded, I pray/hopes he uses ceballos tho and we win the Europa.

Mikel Arteta makes changes to Arsenal's Europa League squad for knockout stage

Arsenal had to submit their squad list for the latter rounds of the competition by Monday night, as they prepare for a two-leg showdown with Greek side Olympiakos in the last-32


Mikel Arteta has included new signings Cedric Soares and Pablo Mari in Arsenal's Europa League squad for the knockout stage.

The Gunners had 24 players registered already for the competition after successfully navigating their way through the group phase.

As per UEFA rules they are now permitted to add a further three members to their squad to be eligible for selection in the later rounds.

Returning loanee youngster Eddie Nketiah is the third addition to the squad ahead of Arsenal's last-32 tie with Olympiakos.

Arsenal travel to Greece in the first leg of the tie on February 20, before Olympiakos visit the Emirates a week later.

The Europa League has taken on increased importance for Arsenal this season, given there is a spot in next seasons Champions League at stake.

With the Gunners' Premier League form stuttering, they are unlikely to finish in the top four, and currently face a battle to qualify for Europe at all next season.

A loss in their return to domestic action against Newcastle would see them slip into the bottom half of the table.

Arteta is keen to make use of the winter break before then as best as possible, and heads to Dubai with his side for a warm-weather training camp this week.

The squad are due to depart for the Middle East on Thursday, and Arteta has even allowed his players to invite their families and children along.

He is hoping to boost team spirit and unity by having everyone eat together on one evening of the trip.

Some of Arsenal's players have already touched down in United Arab Emirates for a few days rest ahead of the busy schedule.

They'll then be training from Friday through to Tuesday, before returning to the UK in order to prepare for the Newcastle clash on February 16.

What's the injury situation with Soares and Mari?

kokaneprodigy:
na dog meat Swissh go give u

Dog meat with poison for Lana1. Chop and die for the useless scummy

What exactly is our problem? Am I the only one seeing that we don't create enough clear cut chances for our forwards. I saw a stat that says lacazette only gets one shot per 50mins.

Jodera:
Thank you o.
Lacazette case is becoming worrying. I don tire for the guy. Can't make runs behind defence, can't play the false 9 role well, etc.
I no fit even rant for him side again... E don tire me

One of the worst signing we have made recently.

Swissh:
One of the worst signing we have made recently.

As in wengay had to break his own transfer immediately 6 months after getting him.

Swissh:
What exactly is our problem? Am I the only one seeing that we don't create enough clear cut chances for our forwards. I saw a stat that says lacazette only gets one shot per 50mins.

that is what you get when your central forward is struggling the midfield with the defensive midfielders

Swissh:
What exactly is our problem? Am I the only one seeing that we don't create enough clear cut chances for our forwards. I saw a stat that says lacazette only gets one shot per 50mins.

didn't you notice it's lacazette you're mentioning? Why won't he get such stat wen he's never making runs, never positioning him nor drifting away from defenders to create space. I noticed against Burnley, bellerin was racing with the ball on the wings, but our precious laca was jogging behind defence, not making any runs to give bellerin option. After everything, bellerin had to pass back. It was really annoying

Gabi wins player of the month of January

Kbs468:
Gabi wins player of the month of January

wow!!! Nice one. I Didn't expect it, but it's deserving

well deserved
omo ologo, please any update on saka injury

Kbs468:
Gabi wins player of the month of January

sod09:
well deserved
omo ologo, please any update on saka injury

After the match, Arteta explained (via the club's ​official website) that Saka had tried to carry on, but the decision was made to replace him as it was clear he was struggling.

"He had a knock in his knee and his hip, so we will see," Arteta said. "He's been a threat for us and in the way we planned the game, we thought we could exploit them with him and he did really well when he was fit.

"I think in the last ten or 15 minutes he was carrying his injury. We decided to substitute him because he wasn't feeling good, so tomorrow we will know how he is."

As noted by ​football.london, Saka was spotted limping on to the team bus after the match, and he looked to be in real discomfort.

It certainly comes as a huge blow for Arsenal. The Gunners are without summer signing Kieran Tierney, who fractured his shoulder and is expected to be sidelined until March, while backup Sead Kolašinac failed a late fitness test ahead of the game.

With no other options available, midfielder Granit Xhaka became a makeshift left-back on Sunday, so ​Arsenal will certainly be eager to see Saka return as soon as possible.

The Gunners will now head off on their winter break, which will give both Saka and Kolašinac another two weeks to make a full recovery ahead of the visit of ​Newcastle United on 16 February.

Kbs468:
After the match, Arteta explained (via the club's ​official website) that Saka had tried to carry on, but the decision was made to replace him as it was clear he was struggling.

"He had a knock in his knee and his hip, so we will see," Arteta said. "He's been a threat for us and in the way we planned the game, we thought we could exploit them with him and he did really well when he was fit.

"I think in the last ten or 15 minutes he was carrying his injury. We decided to substitute him because he wasn't feeling good, so tomorrow we will know how he is."

As noted by ​football.london, Saka was spotted limping on to the team bus after the match, and he looked to be in real discomfort.

It certainly comes as a huge blow for Arsenal. The Gunners are without summer signing Kieran Tierney, who fractured his shoulder and is expected to be sidelined until March, while backup Sead Kolašinac failed a late fitness test ahead of the game.

With no other options available, midfielder Granit Xhaka became a makeshift left-back on Sunday, so ​Arsenal will certainly be eager to see Saka return as soon as possible.

The Gunners will now head off on their winter break, which will give both Saka and Kolašinac another two weeks to make a full recovery ahead of the visit of ​Newcastle United on 16 February.

chai its not sounding good
abeg kola should be ready for newcastle

Kbs468:
Gabi wins player of the month of January

Yes. That's my choice.

Hope he doesn't become a Guen...

I understand that most of us felt Saka would win it (Roland17), fact is it would have been equally deservin. But Martinelli's goal against Chelsea and the fact that he covered for Aubameyang, a more influential member of the team for three games without us missing him stood him out by an inch.

Kudos Gabi.

Training time

Spy360:
I understand that most of us felt Saka would win it (Roland17), fact is it would have been equally deservin. But Martinelli's goal against Chelsea and the fact that he covered for Aubameyang, a more influential member of the team for three games without us missing him stood him out by an inch.

Kudos Gabi.

I personally felt Saka was just as deserving but I have absolutely no problem with Martinelli winning the award. The kid was on fire in January and I hope he continues. I am just anxiously awaiting the prognosis for Saka's injury.

Roland17:
I personally felt Saka was just as deserving but I have absolutely no problem with Martinelli winning the award. The kid was on fire in January and I hope he continues. I am just anxiously awaiting the prognosis for Saka's injury.

what injury
My guy took part in today's training

sod09:
what injury
My guy took part in today's training

Dem don start with this their nonsense pictures again abi?

Roland17:
Dem don start with this their nonsense pictures again abi?

They looked serious though unlike before

sod09:
what injury
My guy took part in today's training

if only Nketiah has that Laca build.....by the way Dani is such a cool fellow. I think he should start next match...he has more goalscoring threat than mesut.

Roland17:
I personally felt Saka was just as deserving but I have absolutely no problem with Martinelli winning the award. The kid was on fire in January and I hope he continues. I am just anxiously awaiting the prognosis for Saka's injury.

Hope it is not long term. You warned about his usage.

mostob:
if only Nketiah has that Laca build.....by the way Dani is such a cool fellow. I think he should start next match...he has more goalscoring threat than mesut.

I'm just tired of seeing that ghost ozil in our team

sod09:
I'm just tired of seeing that ghost ozil in our team

ceballos is not that bad at the AM. He has this kind of movement and dribbling that just seems to make something happen. He also take clean shots at times. The only thing about him is that he gets dribbled too easily. Ozil's form this season kinda make iwobi's departure a bit painful sha

mostob:
ceballos is not that bad at the AM. He has this kind of movement and dribbling that just seems to make something happen. He also take clean shots at times. The only thing about him is that he gets dribbled too easily. Ozil's form this season kinda make iwobi's departure a bit painful sha

Ozil's performance has dropped but he is still the best chance creator in the team. Next is Pepe. Both should be starting until we get better replacements.

Who's the most difficult defender you ever faced?
Pepe: Nobody
This guy is so full of himself sha even VVD chop dribble from him

Spy360:
Ozil's performance has dropped but he is still the best chance creator in the team. Next is Pepe. Both should be starting until we get better replacements.

sometimes I think Lacazeth form is really affecting ozil creatively - wise. I hope Arteta is bold enough to start Gabi in that CF flanked by Pepe and Auba

Spy360:
Hope it is not long term. You warned about his usage.

Nwanne, I have been harping on Saka’s and Martinelli usage while playing them out of position for a while now but no one wants to listen.
I really hope we don’t run them to the ground because to be honest they are now susceptible to knocks like we saw with Saka. He looks good during training but I am worried he is a knock away.
We desperately need to transition both players to their normal positions and manage their usage.

mostob:
sometimes I think Lacazeth form is really affecting ozil creatively - wise. I hope Arteta is bold enough to start Gabi in that CF flanked by Pepe and Auba

Even Auba that has been shunted to the wings to accommodate Laca is having more chances at goal than Laca. That should tell you something is wrong. To be honest, I love Laca but it’s time to start transitioning Martinelli into the first 11 ahead of him especially when you consider his form has not made any case for him.

Roland17:
Even Auba that has been shunted to the wings to accommodate Laca is having more chances at goal than Laca. That should tell you something is wrong. To be honest, I love Laca but it’s time to start transitioning Martinelli into the first 11 ahead of him especially when you consider his form has not made any case for him.

you are right.