₦airaland Forum

Roland17:
Firstly, thank you for the kind words, I am humbled. I am happy to see new handles come through, hopefully, everyone stays because I enjoy the variety of opinions. Shout out to @Spy360 and other handles that have stuck it through thick and thin over the last decade and counting. Please no one should construe this paragraph to mean the level of fandom for every fan on this thread.

Below are excerpts from Arteta, the head coach/ Manager of Arsenal on Saturday, not P. Merson or anyone else trying to exaggerate, the head coach.

“If you want to be successful and you want to win every three days, you have to be very consistent in all the defensive work that you do.

“The more clean sheets you get, the easier it is to win football matches.”
https://www.goal.com/en/news/arteta-address-arsenal-defensive-issues-winning-culture/q1bh51yyimsk1t3peul4v141w

I think we need to be careful with how we compare Arsenal to Liverpool and City or even Manchester United/ Chelsea, Barcelona is a huge stretch. and this is because we are no longer able to compete financially like those teams. That invariably means the path to growth is going to be different.

Trust me, I understand Jodera and Fkhalifa's point of view, my issue is they have chosen to burden the cross of our despicable showings at the back on our midfielders and attackers instead of the clowns we parade weekly at the back. For instance, according to stats, we are currently ranked 7th in goals scored, do you want to know where we rank in goals conceded worth more loses/ draws from winning positions? If we had a stable defense do you think we could have converted some of those losses into draws or wins?

My compromise will be to clear out the agbaya's in clown clothing and transition to the young defenders without buying defenders and then buy forward players that you are all clamoring for. What I refuse to agree to is combining those clowns with the best players upfront will resolve our defensive woes.

Finally, I have watched football for too long, especially Arsenal to know that a good attack wins games but a potent defense wins titles and keeps you competitive.

That's the first law of football management. I guess it was Sir Alex Ferguson that propounded the theory. Case closes here.

What's amusing is that Arsenal have already completed their transfer business in the defense department for next season in my view unless something really miraculous happens. The signing of Mari and the return of Saliba does it. We can only hope those two are different from what we already have and that they come with the right mentality. Chambers is another area where hope lies, and Holding has not acted film since I have watched him. As for Luiz, Socratis, and Mustafi I don't know how God will do it. but I don't want them anywhere near Emirates.

fredoooooo:
Wailing wailer

Elegbon agba!! Allow me wail na.. you wail, I wail, same ni oh!!!!

Roland17:
Elegbon agba!! Allow me wail na.. you wail, I wail, same ni oh!!!!

No be same atall .. oyato sirawon abeg , yiur own na every time ..
No be jeje i sidon wey you come look for my trouble

Roland17:
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/guardiola-ferguson-mourinho-wenger-combined-140609417.html

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15205/12027659/merson-says-pep-jose-wenger-fergie-whoever-is-arsenal-boss-youre-in-trouble-if-you-cant-pass-five-yards

This is P. Merson's thoughts, abeg, make una take some time to read either, same story, just different websites.

You don't need a soothsayer to tell you what the problem is with Arsenal.

Bro since wengay days, the defence have been back but they have very good midfielders that can hold up ball to protect the defence.
Shebi it's when opponents get ball they will think of attacking, but now it's a different story xhaka can't even pass to a player in front of him without making error.
There's no creativity in the midfield we depend on that wasted Pepe or wing for everything.
Tierney have to be waiting for bodies in the box18 before serving because lacazette is busy fight gidigbo with opponents midfielders instead of staying in the box.
I think the whole department need changes in personnel

iamoyindamola:
Bro since wengay days, the defence have been back but they have very good midfielders that can hold up ball to protect the defence.
Shebi it's when opponents get ball they will think of attacking, but now it's a different story xhaka can't even pass to a player in front of him without making error.
There's no creativity in the midfield we depend on that wasted Pepe or wing for everything.
Tierney have to be waiting for bodies in the box18 before serving because lacazette is busy fight gidigbo with opponents midfielders instead of staying in the box.
I think the whole department need changes in personnel

In as much as they may have a point on defence, the attacking set up is also midtable standard that needs urgent attention.

Below is a fan's opinion last year on the matter.

Realistically, we cannot change the entire team. But if we must start somewhere it should be the defense. Sadly, I believe the club have done their business there after getting Mari and Saliba. We just hope the turn up.

Next is to get a decent DM then a LW according to how Arteta is currently lining up his team. 343. If he is going for a 433, then an AM is needed ahead of the LW.

Will he keep Ceballos, sell Guendouzi? Can't say, but I wish Ceb stays.

Fkhalifa:
In as much as they may have a point on defence, the attacking set up is also midtable standard that needs urgent attention.

Below is a fan's opinion last year on the matter.

Exactly I think the midfield is the problem here

Fkhalifa:
In as much as they may have a point on defence, the attacking set up is also midtable standard that needs urgent attention.

Below is a fan's opinion last year on the matter.

Let's do something. Let's list the attack of teams around us and compare.

Oya, start with Spurs. Help us.

iamoyindamola:
Exactly I think the midfield is the problem here

Yes, and even most of our attackers Unfortunately are mostly cowards, When they receive the ball and an opponent is even 5 metres away, the default reaction is to just pass the ball back where it came from and rid themselves off of any pressure. Ever wondered why the attacking play has lacked bite since Sanchez left?
An Arsenal fan of about 10yrs should definately be frustrated of the tiresome and needless sidepasses and backpassing.

Spy360:
Let's do something. Let's list the attack of teams around us and compare.

Oya, start with Spurs. Help us.

Kane
Son
Alli
Lo celso
Bergwin
Moura.

Mouriho may have turned them defensive, but don't forget those attack got to the UCL final and got top4 in recent years.

Fkhalifa:
Kane
Son
Alli
Lo celso
Bergwin
Moura.

Mouriho may have turned them defensive, but don't forget those attack got to the UCL final and got top4 in recent years.

They have numbers and experience but not much difference in terms of quality compared to ours.

Since guys are mentioning Liverpool up and down. Take a look at the attachment and tell me what you see. What is the difference between both teams? 1 team broke scoring records came close but ultimately failed to win the EPL, the other won the title.

Roland17:
Since guys are mentioning Liverpool up and down. Take a look at the attachment and tell me what you see. What is the difference between both teams? 1 team broke scoring records came close but ultimately failed to win the EPL, the other won the title.

Good defense.

There is no argument. If Fergie says so, no one must say otherwise. The man that has won more titles than any other manager should not be argued with.

The thing is it even takes a good defense to have a good attack. Just take a look at Sheffield.

In Klopp's set up, when attacking the front three enters the box while the FBs become wingers, then the middle three spreads to protect the CBs.

When defending the back four stays while the middle three joins the front three in pressing. They chase the ball where ever it goes.

Brilliant set up.

I just saw the highlight of that Spurs equalising goal.. Can't believe some guys here still managed to blame Louis for it. If I was the manager I would definitely sub that bouncer off immediately

Spy360:
They have numbers and experience but not much difference in terms of quality compared to ours.

how is it not much difference? Aside Auba, I'm not sure laca and pepe will see that attack

Roland17:
Since guys are mentioning Liverpool up and down. Take a look at the attachment and tell me what you see. What is the difference between both teams? 1 team broke scoring records came close but ultimately failed to win the EPL, the other won the title.

Lol..
Same team that won the title ultimately came 2nd too, just like the Suarez team. The difference between the two was 1 key player left(Suarez) and there was no much squad depth in the former compared to the latter.

Spy360:
Realistically, we cannot change the entire team. But if we must start somewhere it should be the defense. Sadly, I believe the club have done their business there after getting Mari and Saliba. We just hope the turn up.

Next is to get a decent DM then a LW according to how Arteta is currently lining up his team. 343. If he is going for a 433, then an AM is needed ahead of the LW.

Will he keep Ceballos, sell Guendouzi? Can't say, but I wish Ceb stays.

In terms of CBs, it's good if they're done buying them sef. Our cb can be groomed esp without injuries to key players in CBs. Chambers, holding Mari and Saliba can do a good job if groomed well. But you see that midfield and attack. Na injection we need to spark live to that place.
Talk your truth, aside Auba, who are you confidently expecting can score a goal wen we need it?

Spy360:
Good defense.

There is no argument. If Fergie says so, no one must say otherwise. The man that has won more titles than any other manager should not be argued with.

The thing is it even takes a good defense to have a good attack. Just take a look at Sheffield.

Lol . I can also say opposite for man city and barca. Even barca dominance is waning cos they have ageing and poor midfield and attack compared to before.

Jodera:
how is it not much difference? Aside Auba, I'm not sure laca and pepe will see that attack

Is it because you haven''t seen them play against you? In terms of quality it's the same, they only have numbers to rotate.

Jodera:
Lol . I can also say opposite for man city and barca. Even barca dominance is waning cos they have ageing and poor midfield and attack compared to before.

Lie.

Check the quality of defenders they have at the clubs you mentioned.

Man City= Stones, Otamendi, Laporte, Mendy, Cancelo, Zinchenko
Barcelona= Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Lenglet, Semedo

Don't even try, these clubs invest in their defense. any good coach knows that for your attack to be potent you must have a reliable back line. That was exactly what Klopp did to get his Liverpool to dominate other teams the way they did. all the times we won the league the had an enviable backline. The difference between Rodgers' Liverpool and Klopp's is a reliable defense. A good attack may win you games but if you have a bad defense you will eventually capitulate. Rodgers lost the league after drawing to Crystal palace. The score? 3-3. And that was after they were 3-0 up.

Honestly we shouldn't be arguing this.

Jodera:
In terms of CBs, it's good if they're done buying them sef. Our cb can be groomed esp without injuries to key players in CBs. Chambers, holding Mari and Saliba can do a good job if groomed well. But you see that midfield and attack. Na injection we need to spark live to that place.
Talk your truth, aside Auba, who are you confidently expecting can score a goal wen we need it?

Please don't get me wrong. The question is not whether we need improvements in our midfield and attack. Off course we do. The question is about which is more priority. And I say that our defense is no where near any thing to be desired and it's in a state of emergency. We can manage our midfield and attack, but we must not take this defense into next season.

Yes actually I believe they can be groomed. But no team goes into a season hoping to finish top four based on grooming young untested defenders. Like I said, I feel our business in that department may have been concluded already, but that goes to show how unambitious our owners are. So we as fans can only HOPE the younger ones turn up.

Mind you, you cannot take away the most important factor in the argument (Aubameyang) and expect anything meaningful. Assuming we don't have Auba, I'd say we get a top stricker first, but then we've got Auba.

Spy360:
Lie.

Check the quality of defenders they have at the clubs you mentioned.

Man City= Stones, Otamendi, Laporte, Mendy, Cancelo, Zinchenko
Barcelona= Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Lenglet, Semedo

Don't even try, these clubs invest in their defense. any good coach knows that for your attack to be potent you must have a reliable back line. That was exactly what Klopp did to get his Liverpool to dominate other teams the way they did. all the times we won the league the had an enviable backline. The difference between Rodgers' Liverpool and Klopp's is a reliable defense. A good attack may win you games but if you have a bad defense you will eventually capitulate. Rodgers lost the league after drawing to Crystal palace. The score? 3-3. And that was after they were 3-0 up.

Honestly we shouldn't be arguing this.

Baba, I no come even understand again. The example of Barcelona and City should not even suffice. They forget that both teams invested in defenders and goalkeepers for City so they can start their attack from the back. If that does not make the argument then I don't know what does. The most successful Barcelona side in recent times (from 2008) paraded Abidal/Puyol/Pique/Alves. Do you have any idea how many clean sheets that team had? Abeg I go die the matter.

Like I said in my previous post, my compromise will be to allow them to take all the investment and resources in buying new midfielders and attackers, only if we focus on transitioning away from those agabya clowns we parade every game day. I want to see Mari/Saliba/Chamber/Holding battle for the CB while Mustafi/Sok/Luiz/Kolasinac should respectfully find their way out of the team.

Roland17:
Baba, I no come even understand again. The example of Barcelona and City should not even suffice. They forget that both teams invested in defenders and goalkeepers for City so they can start their attack from the back. If that does not make the argument then I don't know what does. The most successful Barcelona side in recent times (from 2008) paraded Abidal/Puyol/Pique/Alves. Do you have any idea how many clean sheets that team had? Abeg I go die the matter.

Like I said in my previous post, my compromise will be to allow them to take all the investment and resources in buying new midfielders and attackers, only if we focus on transitioning away from those agabya clowns we parade every game day. I want to see Mari/Saliba/Chamber/Holding battle for the CB while Mustafi/Sok/Luiz/Kolasinac should respectfully find their way out of the team.

I lost hope of any investment in our defence after Luiz was offered an extension. Na so we want take waste money?

Talking about wasting money, why can't the club come clean on the Ozil situation? Instead of saying him missing games because he needed a spa massage, they should just say he is no longer going to play for us. Bale's case in Madrid is even better, at least him dey see bench.

Spy360:
Lie.

Check the quality of defenders they have at the clubs you mentioned.

Man City= Stones, Otamendi, Laporte, Mendy, Cancelo, Zinchenko
Barcelona= Pique, Umtiti, Alba, Lenglet, Semedo

Don't even try, these clubs invest in their defense. any good coach knows that for your attack to be potent you must have a reliable back line. That was exactly what Klopp did to get his Liverpool to dominate other teams the way they did. all the times we won the league the had an enviable backline. The difference between Rodgers' Liverpool and Klopp's is a reliable defense. A good attack may win you games but if you have a bad defense you will eventually capitulate. Rodgers lost the league after drawing to Crystal palace. The score? 3-3. And that was after they were 3-0 up.

Honestly we shouldn't be arguing this.

Wait wait wait??
Did you actually call Mendy, otamendi, stones, good defenders? Like seriously?
Zichenko isn't even a defender sef but a midfielder. The only good defender I'm seeing there is laporte to be honest. Can't even judge cancelo cos he's been underwhelming this season and his juventus days wasn't elite unlike Alex Sandro. But you see what I'm saying, you're calling poor and average defenders as good defenders cos the midfield and attack is shielding them. It's not as if we're conceding goals up to 2-4 per match. Obviously, the defence isn't as bad as the media is portraying them.

In as much as I'll agree that the incidence lost Liverpool the league, but that happens occasionally. Ac Milan of peak capitulated same way in a champions league final, will you say they have a very weak defence then?
Also, that's the only time such a thing happened and it's not as if such result was a common scenario that season or Liverpool were drinking goals like kunu that season. Why? Inasmuch as their defence wasn't great, their midfield and attack was very very good that year

Spy360:
Please don't get me wrong. The question is not whether we need improvements in our midfield and attack. Off course we do. The question is about which is more priority. And I say that our defense is no where near any thing to be desired and it's in a state of emergency. We can manage our midfield and attack, but we must not take this defense into next season.

Yes actually I believe they can be groomed. But no team goes into a season hoping to finish top four based on grooming young untested defenders. Like I said, I feel our business in that department may have been concluded already, but that goes to show how unambitious our owners are. So we as fans can only HOPE the younger ones turn up.

Mind you, you cannot take away the most important factor in the argument (Aubameyang) and expect anything meaningful. Assuming we don't have Auba, I'd say we get a top stricker first, but then we've got Auba.

Bro, I'm not getting you wrong sincerely. It's you that's getting me wrong. Why do I say so?
You said " attack win you games, defence win you league". And that's the issue here. We never reach to carry league na.. It's top 4 we're hoping on. A good midfield and attack can make us top 4 the way it normally helps us then. Then once we've settled it, we can think of league by getting the best defence. There's hardly any team that win league solely on good defence. I can just name only two (athletico and inter of 2010). But I can count so many number of teams that won leagues and cups with good midfield and attack but average defence.

Roland17:
Baba, I no come even understand again. The example of Barcelona and City should not even suffice. They forget that both teams invested in defenders and goalkeepers for City so they can start their attack from the back. If that does not make the argument then I don't know what does. The most successful Barcelona side in recent times (from 2008) paraded Abidal/Puyol/Pique/Alves. Do you have any idea how many clean sheets that team had? Abeg I go die the matter.

Like I said in my previous post, my compromise will be to allow them to take all the investment and resources in buying new midfielders and attackers, only if we focus on transitioning away from those agabya clowns we parade every game day. I want to see Mari/Saliba/Chamber/Holding battle for the CB while Mustafi/Sok/Luiz/Kolasinac should respectfully find their way out of the team.

Brother, thank you very much. The bolded is what I've been trying to point out since in the beginning of my argument.
At least, those clowns and agbayas you call them have people that can deputize for them with less error at the back.

That's why I said midfield and attack is what we need cos CBs is already sorted

Jodera:
Bro, I'm not getting you wrong sincerely. It's you that's getting me wrong. Why do I say so?
You said " attack win you games, defence win you league". And that's the issue here. We never reach to carry league na.. It's top 4 we're hoping on. A good midfield and attack can make us top 4 the way it normally helps us then. Then once we've settled it, we can think of league by getting the best defence. There's hardly any team that win league solely on good defence. I can just name only two (athletico and inter of 2010). But I can count so many number of teams that won leagues and cups with good midfield and attack but average defence.

Hahaha. OK. Let's analyse.

First of all we must agree that both defense and attack must be good for a team to be successful.

Secondly, not conceding guarantees you won't lose. But no matter how many goals you score, there is always the probability of losing. You win by how few you concede not by how much you score.

Thirdly the statement you quoted wasn't mine, it was that of Sir Alex Ferguson. The less said I believe the better.

Fourthly, mention any team that won anything and I will give you at least two world class defenders in their ranks. In fact teams have beaten others who possess better attack than theirs due to superior defending. Barcelona Vs Chelsea comes to mind.

Let me stop here.

Spy360:
Hahaha. OK. Let's analyse.

First of all we must agree that both defense and attack must be good for a team to be successful.

Secondly, not conceding guarantees you won't lose. But no matter how many goals you score, there is always the probability of losing. You win by how few you concede not by how much you score.

Thirdly the statement you quoted wasn't mine, it was that of Sir Alex Ferguson. The less said I believe the better.

Fourthly, mention any team that won anything and I will give you at least two world class defenders in their ranks. In fact teams have beaten others who possess better attack than theirs due to superior defending. Barcelona Vs Chelsea comes to mind.

Let me stop here.

Lol OK...
Lemme see if I can give my answer to the 4 you posited

1... Yes both of us agree on that one
2.. It's relative. Some sch of thought coaches like Wenger, klopp and guardiola, fergie believe in scoring goals (not as if they don't believe in defence ---( don't get me wrong), but not world class defenders per se) while some others like mourinho and simeone believe in not conceding. I know whom I'll choose between the two classes.
3.. I know it's Ferguson. Lol. But at least you get the message I'm passing across there.
4.. Let's start with Dortmund's klopp. Even Leicester league winning run. Check weda goal/goal no sure that year (using bet9ja slangs)

Jodera:
Lol OK...
Lemme see if I can give my answer to the 4 you posited

1... Yes both of us agree on that one
2.. It's relative. Some sch of thought coaches like Wenger, klopp and guardiola, fergie believe in scoring goals (not as if they don't believe in defence ---( don't get me wrong), but not world class defenders per se) while some others like mourinho and simeone believe in not conceding. I know whom I'll choose between the two classes.
3.. I know it's Ferguson. Lol. But at least you get the message I'm passing across there.
4.. Let's start with Dortmund's klopp. Even Leicester league winning run. Check weda goal/goal no sure that year (using bet9ja slangs)

1 is off.

For no 2, there is no relativity there. We must agree that not conceding guarantees you won't lose at least, worst draw. It goes to show that football is slightly skewed towards defense than attack. I mean, this one is clear

For no 3, I respect your opinion if you differ. You may even be a better manager than Fergie, who knows

No 4 is the real deal. First, you can't use goal ratio. This is because, having a strong defense could mean a very high goal. In fact, we can't use maths stats here, it won't work. A close stat could be no of goals needed to win a league season. We do the average and see which teams won below the average. This too is not a yard stick. But let's try?

We play Liverpool today, what are ur expectations?

N.B positive vibes only