₦airaland Forum

I must confess that Elneny has been phenomenal.

Please once match starts someone should drop link. I am not at home.

Jodera:
I think it's best he moves. It's better for his career. I don't think Arteta trusts him enough to want to start him next season except his starts banging goals from now till the end of the season

He is not big enough to be our main starter next season. But if he can maintain good form and impress the manager, I see him renewing and becoming the backup for whoever will be joining. There will be enough games if we make CL. Balogun too will also be back. But if he will leave (for free), it will be a huge let off for Arsenal as he is very talented.

BlueRayDick:
lol.....whataboutism at is very best. Oya Mention one game Lokonga was That good since he joined arsenal ; let's see if u actually saw something in him or u ar just hoping he will become a better player in the nearest future.

There are games. Its hard to just pinpoint them now.

This young man you people are underrating was captain of his club before joining us. That is no mean feat for a less than 23yo.

Jodera:
He hasn't shown this yet, at least not this season. Another thing is that during our early days this season, it was Partey and Sambi pairing that we used. Not that it was even that efficient tbh. We've also seen that Xhaka and Sambi doesn't work, so it's better we use Xhaka and Elneny that have worked till otherwise.

Elneny might be inconsistent but on his day, you'll love him. We'll just pray he brings those A game days more than otherwise. Lokonga haven't even shown any A game yet

You are completely ruling out Sambi. There was a reason why he was considered first as Partey's replacement before Elneny. That is what I meant by he being the better player.

I am seeing comments but when I get vindicated and demand some commendations, Jodera and friends will start turning amala.

Jodera:
Elneny played fine game against Chelsea.
Nketiah played fine game against Chelsea
We've gotten the much needed result we need

But you want Elneny dropped and Nketiah to start. No be JuJu be that?

Moreover, the Lokonga you're clamouring for is who was starting when Southampton and Brighton dey collect 6point for our head.

Until Elneny fvcks up from now on, he'll be seeing matches till the end of the season over Sambi. Same as Nketiah.

Let Elneny start doing his Elnenyish things let's talk. After all the lonkongish things wey Sambi dey serve us make us bin don troway hope for top 4

I already agree he was good against Chelsea but that was when we were defending deep. His experience was useful then. But Lokonga is an overall better player, he must have learned one or two things from the way Elneny was calm when marking.

BlueRayDick:
Lokonga has not done anything to deserve starting shirt going forward ; know this and know peace!

I think he will start against United or get on as a sub. That's my feeling. I don't trust Elneny. I agree he did well but that was in the second half, he was all over the place in the first. I think what helped him was his experience which made him keep his nerves when we were defending.

You don't have to see what I see.

Lush100:
.
Abeg start what works.
Elneny to pair xhaka. in the middle from now on.
Nketia to start.
I said martinelli is beta a CF. He needs to understand the role (less running and more precision).
Beat your man and shoot to score.
He needs coaching.

Martinelli can play CF but stay on the left. It's simple.

You guys shouting Elneny upandan will soon begin to lament when he does Elnenyish things. Abeg, he was good Vs Chelsea and his experience came to fore, but he is not long term reliable. Lokonga will bring the initial pace needed and Elneny will finish the game when his experience and composure is most needed.

Jodera:
This was one of the qualities I was that got me worried that Lokonga mostly lacks and it was very crucial.
I just hope Elneny brings that same form going into Man u match.

The problem with trusting such players for their experience only is that they soon fade and run out of ideas. They are better off the bench than starting when pace mean more.

I would prefer to start Lokonga and then bring in Elneny to finish the game.

Jodera:
This is the main reason I wouldn't call you guru Nanak yet. I mean, any player that loses form will be replaced. Even me don dey shout for him replacement since he wasn't offering anything again.

It's a normal something...

But he's been out of form even before Aubameyang left. I said this long before Auba left. I said an out of form Aubameyang was better than him.

It only became obvious to you after I castigated his performances as just ginger which you argued. You only later started seeing things my way if not you would still think he was helping out in midfield as a false 9.

I have been calling for Nketiah since February during my claim that Nketiah will bench him before season is over which most of the people here laughed at except Blueray.

So using one line out of context will not stop you for naming me your Guru.

Nketiah will start against Man United. Agree or not?

Arteta eye don clear, he now even prefer Martinelli in CF than Laca.

Lacazette will still be useful when we need goals and some ginger which is what he is really good at.

ObaIgwe1:
I am glad we won and I am happy Nketiah found the net twice. But forgive me, I'm yet to be convinced he has arrived or won the CF position. Between him and Laca it's still like a toss of coin to me. Maybe with few more matches though...

I pray he or Laca keep finding the net. Even if we survive this season on a great note, we still need to get a proven top striker for next season, and I will still want Nketiah to sign a new contract with us... He is young and can still improve.

It's OK not to be fully convinced. But I am.

It will take Lacazette a strong showing from the bench like he did against Palace (H) to displace Nketiah.

I rate players on three fronts,
1) Talent
2) Ability or intelligence
3) Experience

A combination of the three determines my choice.

Lacazette has the experience, and will be useful against bigger opposition. But if the opposition is a smaller team, experience won't mean much compared to talent and ability.

Nketiah is more talented and intelligent in my opinion and will do better in most games.

Lacazette is currently out of form, but his experience will be useful especially coming off the bench.

BlueRayDick:
Time cue of money applies everywhere, not Naija alone.

True for money not spent or invested. Once it's spent value remains constant if the currency does not drop. It's the value that is more important than the amount.

Jodera:
Hats off to Elneny also. Very impressive play yesterday and he did most things Sambi was inexperienced to do. Like I said yesterday, he really brought his A game and that's what helped our midfield stood strong compared to Xhaka Sambi combo. Intercepted balls, made good tackles, was open to win 2nd balls and was an outlet for a pass. Best game in a while since his match against Man u at old Trafford last season. Him and Xhaka was immense yesterday. Xhaka also deserves accolades for the way he played, pushed our attack and made sure ball reaches to Odegaard for ball transitioning to attack.

Hopefully, the midfield 2 of Elneny and Xhaka impresses from here on as they did ystdy as we enter the last crucial matches of the season.

Coyg!!

The value of experience players

Lokonga may be the better player in terms of talent and ability, but Elneny's experience was invaluable in that match especially during the second half. He wasn't fazed by the task of marking the opposition, and kept his nerves when under tight situations. Little things that matter big.

Lokonga may want to learn one or two things from that performance.

Jodera:
Call you guru because...??

Me I'm one for the team and not for any personal player. Na still here I dey wey I say make dem bench Lacazette for Nketiah esp against Chelsea. Especially When Laca has started floundering in every aspects.

We had an agreement way back in Feb/Mar that if Nketiah drops Laca to the bench this season you will pronounce me your Guru...

Also remember what I said on Balogun. Another gem rising.

Roland17:
I am sorry but I am not buying into the Iwobi regret. I never thought he possessed enough creativity or stamina to thrive in his preferred position. His creativity was and still remains bang average in my books, nothing spectacular, mostly predictable with his passing. We held on way too long but I am glad we got 30M for him. We have watched in with Everton where he has struggled to keep a starting place in different positions including the WB. Would he be useful from the bench? hmmm, maybe but nothing better than what we already parade. I would rather play ESR/Odegaard than Iwobi.

I don't really miss him as we got a good price for him. He hasn't turned to Modric yet, so no qualms with what he is doing at Everton. In fact it's because of Nigeria NT that I am happy for him.

BlueRayDick:
Iwobi was same Ol'same for 4 years at Arsenal and refused to move from a potential to a superstar. 30m in 2019 when we sold Iwobi is not the same as 30m in 2022 when we bought Odegaard(Time Value of Money 101)......So we didn't get Odegaard for same price; in fact we can infer we made profit from the transaction.(no matter how minute it may appear)

Absolutely. Even though Naira and dollar nor be the same.

daveP:
Now we need spend 90 to get our desire AM.

We sold Iwobi for 30m which was decent. Though he would have been useful now but not worth more than what we sold him. We got Odegaard for same price.

daveP:
You have won a point but easy there. Nketiah is only playing because of Laca indiscipline.

Indiscipline? He was on the bench last night

daveP:
My Joy from this London Derby was seeing Elneny stepping up to the task that he made 4 Gunners legends tweet only his name on a night that Nketiah and ESR owns. I had virtually no hopes for this match but as i saw 2-2, all i remember was Martinelli goal.


Tuchel complained about their pitch being faulty to their gameplay


Ahh.


Ian Wright makes Hall of Fame finally. His 6games, 10goals for Arsenal in opening 6games of a season is still unmatched by any player in both Arsenal or the EPL.


A Chelsea fan said they dash us three points cos they hate Man U than Arsenal. Make Man U mo smell Ucl spot.


Its left to Arteta to not overthink Man U game.


Besides, i dinno why none of our managers were patient with Iwobi to do what Lampard is doing with him right now. Yeah he lost form but only an intentional manager would know what to do and get such player to their best. I won't like, his movement has improved and so also his passing. I imagine him in our setup cos he's an Arteta kinda player. Glad he's getting his mojo back.

You're right about Iwobi.

It's not like I am blowing some trumpet. This is a fans forum where we share ideas, thoughts and experiences. And as a trained analyst I have the eye to see things and break them down. I appreciate your respect.

I have said before that the problem of the past couple of weeks is a psychological downturn for the young team. They have just lost their best player and joker, and due to lack of experience or leadership fell. I clearly observed this after the second game.

I have also said that I trust the 'golden boys' to pick themselves up and drive this team to the finish line.

They did not disappoint at all.

COYG

melodyogonna:
Actually, Ralf will still manage till end of the season. Nawa sha

This information is critical to me as an Arsenal fan.

Jodera Nketiah will start against Man United.

Oya call me your guru

On Nketiah...

He may not be the fantasy striker, but he is a poacher. He knows the post and knows how to put the ball in there.

If enough chances are created, you will be sure to find him where and when you need him.

His style is a bit different from Lacazette because he wants to go forward rather than drop deep, but who needs that when you have capable midfielders and wingers? Those who drop deep are better coming off the bench than starting.

If allowed enough playing time he will surely blossom into a reliable goal scorer. He has the capacity to become our top striker.

Jodera:
Hats off to Nketiah. He really showed that he wanted it. That's a class example of how to win a shirt when presented with opportunity. Aside his two goals which was rewarded because of his desire, I love how he always disturbs the Defenders for any high ball we budey even if he might not win it. Ironically, he even won some after Christensen and sarr panicked on some occasions in which he pressed. This is something Laca hardly does and that's why any aerial ball to opposition CBs is always dealt with easily. Aside that, I noticed his control and bringing people in play Which was absent in the past 2 games he started. Best game for him in an arsenal shirt .

Elneny started slowly but grew into the game with time. The good thing was that he was able to bring his A game during the first half, reason why we were seeing most of the ball to feed to our attackers. Xhaka was really immense today. Both were good solidly defensively and pushing ball offensively. I feel tonight's performance have cosigned Sambi to the bench. The thing is , elneny is too inconsistent. Will give you A game today and F game tomorrow. I just hope he brings more of tonight's performance alongside Xhaka. This will cushion the loss of Partey

Saka, Smith Rowe and martinelli when he came on where superb. I love the press they normally do(alongside Odegaard). How they judiciously used the ball threateningly, making every counter attack dangerous. I'm glad Hale end boys wrapped it up with their deserved their goals.

Defence was great coming into the 2nd half. Arteta should be commended for that as the team where more compact and organised in the 2nd half. Kudos also to the changes. It was so so spot on.

3 great points, clinical arsenal, massive wins.
Hope this win gives this guys renewed confidence and momentum going into the next big game against Man u.

Coyg!!

I am still waiting

After all these thesis, you nor put me for Acknowledgement.

50d33q:
Can you explain the formation we played today
Well the agenda is we played 3 fvcking CB and conceded 2
Thank God for 2 scrappy goals and luck because that ESR goal is very difficult to execute

This is absolutely insane

Jencejyde:
Motm for me was Cedric. The attitude he brought into the game in that second half is what we are asking for. He literally ended any hopes of Chelsea on that right side . He was making runs and tackles .

This is not exactly whom you'd call a top player but on the night he came into that match when. Called upon with the right mentality. Same as Martinelli.

Great Response but now is the time for consistency. This same attitude and mentality should be taken into the next game.

You see why I said someone like you have to be on this thread consistently? Bros if you disapear again, I won't take it lightly with you.

So agenda no go agend this week. But when I said it was psychological, they said I nor know ball. It over a month I predicted Nketiah will take that striker role from Lacazette but they doubted me.

I demand a resounding apology from every member of this forum especially Jodera and 50d33q

Roland17:
I no mind contribute 3 Dangote trailers and Naija trains to defend this lead.

We die here today.

Those trailers even if you put new batteries them must do hard starting as for the trains, they won't move

Jodera:
it's newly invented or, at least that's what I know. Hardly have I seen such 4man setup.

Actually, I need only Martinelli. I no need Laca at all

She you see why I asked for game time for Nketiah. He is a poacher. Give him chances he will score.

BlueRayDick:
We just need to stop losing the ball in dangerous areas and we might as well get something out of this game

Too much rustiness.

Roland17:
Shame my enemies LORD

Excellent finish by Nketiah there..

Fine finish

Jodera:
Bentancur is mostly a central Midfielder that's why I was using Winks who's a central Midfielder that got displaced also not dier that has been playing CB since last season for Tottenham. So I dunno why you're using Dier.

Anyways, Why I'm even insistent of these explanations and examples was because you categorically said summer transfer window was mostly for upgrade while winter was Mostly for make up. So with or without makeup, the team can still perform.

But after everything, na so so makeup you dey give as examples from White to Ramsdale to Odegaard who have improved us. That's to tell you Jan Tw is even crucial than the way you're making it sound and you're not even aware of it.
And that's also the main reason arsenal is crumbling before our very eyes.

I think I've gotten what I wanted to get from you on this matter

Ask those who run football clubs. They don't do upgrades in Jan. That's because (as I have said before) it's risky, it's expensive, and the desired players aren't readily available because the current clubs won't release them. There may be one or two exceptions but this is generally the feeling and also generally the case.

Again, like I said before, whether you call a player an upgrade or makeup, largely depends on you. It's a relative thing. I see Ramsdale as a makeup signing because we needed to give the goalkeeping dept some competition not necessarily to drop Leno is no 1.

But someone like Tierney was actually brought to take over the LB role from Kolasinac- an upgrade. Tomi was a makeup because we lost Bellerin. He was a direct replacement. Odegaard was to add balance, as we didn't have an AM apart from ESR who considers himself a winger. So that was a makeup too. Partey was an upgrade on Elneny. Lokonga was a makeup. Some cases are just left to individual perspective.