₦airaland Forum

Buhari ruled my grand father, my father, and now myself.

#RevolutionNow

In Hong Kong, 15 and 16 year olds are holding their nation ransome, demanding for their rights.

Nigerian ypuths need to wake up.

patrickmuf:
It's a normal ritual here, before the season proper starts, you see a lot of Arsenal fans on here but when you get to the business end of things, you only find Roland, Fkhalifa, the Solomon guy, kokane, spy360 and sod here. The thread becomes completely deserted, a place more quiet than ghost town.

Exactly the opposite takes place at United thread.

They all converge at the business end of things when the LAMENTATIONS begin.

MrDojo:
Since Ozil and Kola won't play tomorrow, Montreal and Wilock will step in for them. I've a sneaky feeling we won't see Pepe, Cabellos and Luiz in the starting 11.

--------------------Auba----------------

Nelson --------Wilock----------Miki

----------Guen-----------Xhaka----------

Monreal-----Papa-------Chambers-----AMN

--------------------Leno------------------

This might be outline up tomorrow.

(If Laca is fit, then he will replace Nelson or Miki, but my money is on Nelson.)

P.s. I don't want to see this lineup against Newcastle. Mahrez played today, Mane yesterday. So there is absolutely no reason for Unai not to play our big guns. He better not start nonsense with the first game, because the 3 & 4 game will be very difficult.

This attack won't produce anything. Aubameyang would be isolated

diggz:
You still carry this mumurity enter 2019? When you go learn aturu poyoyo spy?

I dey follow your footsteps boss. Any time your own mumu stops know that mine will stop immediately.

Marcelini:
Good money true, but only if it were reinvested on an upgrade left winger to provide take ons and create chances against bus parking teams like Iwobi did, though not at top level. Bad move if money is just to balance account books for other already bought players , as its beginning to look like.

See Pepe as Iwobi's replacement. It was the bid from Everton that helped push for Tierney and Luiz.

We are not United or Man City. We are poor. The earlier it sinks the better. Remember our budget was 45m? It was the brilliance of Raul Sanlehi that made our summer respectable.

The point is appreciating why some decisions were made.

My fear for this season is that we may confuse Chelsea as Everton...

I think Iwobi's Everton move is beneficial to all parties.

Arsenal gets a decent price for an academic product that didn't really meet expections at 23. He was still preferred over Nelson and Saka, but 40m was too good to pass by.

Iwobi gets a chance to play his preferred position, while getting more pay. He also gets another opportunity to springboard his career.

Everton gets a utility player, in replacement for failed Zaha bid. He is EpL experienced and will surely add quality to their squad.

AAA593:
He can reject it. Why will arsenal do this to iwobi? He never saw this coming

Inasmuch as I don't want Iwobi to leave, it may be a good move for him with more playing time and money as well. It will also allow him as a springboard for a new career path.

Roland17:
Good luck to E. Nketiah as he joins Leeds on loan for the season.

Good move for him. Leeds will be aiming at promotion and with Bielsa he is in good hands.

Jodera:
Alright. I understand you now.
I guess the goal Ramsey scored so 'sweet' you that you've to type the bumps twice

The ZOO lives on...

We need a CB but not the Luis type. We need someone who can stand firm, not a marauding porcupine. Chai! Those days of Sol Campbell.

Jodera:
I don't believe loyalty is the first and foremost. Wonder why wilshere wasn't a legend but henry is? Henry practically asked for a way out from arsenal yet he's still revered and appreciated (plus statue sef) wilshere carry arsenal for mind , soul and body, but he fell short of most of those criteria I listed. Will you call wilshere a legend, was he celebrated when he left?

Loyalty here is showing total commitments despite leaving for any reason.

Wilshire was loyal but he couldn't stay on his feet. Bet me, any day he becomes fit and wants to return, fans will gladly have him.

Loyalty first but not only. He has to give us memories too. And that's exactly what Ramsey gave. His goal Vs Spurs still gives me goosebumps bumps.

Dreamswayne:
My post wasn't to defend Mustafi oo


Just wanted to point out that it's not from center backs all the problem is from...



Our defenders are usually under pressure in almost all games...



With that kind of pressure, even Upamecano and VVD will concede a lot...



The defensive tactics needs to reviewed... Simple

You are right my brother. Our defensive woes are not due to CBs. It's a team problem compounded by team tactics and mentality.

We need a new defense coach not a new CB.

kokaneprodigy:
loyal too

Didn't even see this before post.

Jodera:
lolzz... It's an opinion sha. That's why I said I'm on the fence over him (primarily cos of his two fa cup winning goals). Take away those two goals and you'll have a largely inconsistent Ramsey. The only Ramsey we enjoyed was Ramsey of ozil debut season, and even that Ramsey have to go on an injury half-way through the season. To me, a legend is one who is consistent over the years, with being injury-free (most of his career in d club) and popping in one-_two important and crucial goals. He must also be a mainstay in the team, and must be a player whom other players can look up to( either defence, midfield or attack. Even goal keeping). Now sincerely tell me, did Ramsey fit almost all these criteria?
To be sincere, to be a legend no easy o. It isn't something you just give out like that, cos of one or Two performances. So I don't feel it's something one can just give out like that.Lo
Tho like I said, it's my personal opinion sha

The first criteria for legendary status is loyalty, which is the most scarce commodity today. Ramsey's loyalty for the club was never in doubt. Despite years of fan abuse and beration, he preserved his love for the club till he left. Little wonder why he was celebrated. What determines legendary status is fan's appreciation. If a player leaves and doesn't get a memorial, he is no legend. But if a player gets a memorial, even if he is otu, he is a legend.

Jodera:
If we fail to get a cb this summer window. I feel we should have a cb pairing of sok-chambers till holding gets fit. I just hope I don't see mustafi dat place.
Also, I wish emery should draft iwobi back to midfield and also promote willock to senior team squad. So that pepe Nelson can alternate the wings.
What do you guys think of a 442 formation, according to our personnel on ground?

Auba, Pepe, Nelson, Martinelli, Iwobi and even Micky can man our wings this season. The last two should be drafted more to the middle to slug it out with Ozil and Ceballos for creativity.

I wish we got enough to land Everton Soares.

Selling clubs are hating on us. See Zaha to Everton for less than 60m, now RB Leipzig wants to sell and unknown quantity CB for over 70m just because Arsenal ask.

Jodera:
Cr7....legend for both man u and Madrid. But more of Madrid legend
Neymar...no, he killed his would-be barca legendary status himself
Koscienly... With his acrimonious exit, I won't call him one
Ramsey...in the fence over him. His fa winning cup goals. But I might not call him one
Hazard... Definitely one if Chelsea fan would admit.

Wetin dey worry you

Ramsey scored two fa cup final goals, one against Chelsea and you say he is no legend? Biko park well, before LASMA catch you.

If Spurs succeed to get Dybala, Coutinho and Bruno Fernandes. Name big wahala for us o.

The most desperate club is United. Running around the market like a stray dog.

Most confident club is Liverpool. They don't seem to need any one.

With Rodrigo and Cancelo coming in, Man City remains favorite for the title. Once again.

BlueRayDick:
I think are trying to buy one up and coming guy(I can't really spell his name sha) from Salzburg. Tho those ones have seen our predicament and are holding out insisting on 70 million I think.

If only the Rugani rumours are true. Guy is decent.

BlueRayDick:
Show me me where DE Bruyne was given starting place in Chelsea for a year and I will beloved anything you want to say about Guendouzi.

Guendouzi has got the playing time dem De Bruyne never had at Chelsea and he's been the way I described in my post.

Guendouzi should be reserve player at beat and shouldn't be a starter at arsenal. He hasn't done anything in the last one year to suggest he deserves a starting role.

If the manager feels a deserves a chance, you can only hope for him. He isn't a star yet, but has the potentials. This is just his second Season, which could be a breaK out season for him.

BlueRayDick:
You dey mind dem? They all watch Bernardo Silva play and marvel at how he makes runs, tackles spiritedly,etc....they see how debruyne no dey waste time once he sights u about to make a run releases the ball with a powerful pass, etc....But No! They prefer the way Guendouzi shields the ball unnecessarily, gets fouled shielding the ball when he ought to have long passed, and ends up passing when the opponent has almost figured our attack out....Anyway I don't blame them sha, na the coach wey dey comfortable with his game play

Just look at sterling at Liverpool and sterling at city. See the difference. See how the coach has helped sterling developed from that diving player that holds to the ball unnecessarily to a great winger who deals with defenders and doesn't stop until he either scores or some of his teammates does.

Funny thing is Guendouzi isn't even as talented as some of our youngsters in the last we let go like dem Carlos vela and Co.

Your first error is to compare Guendouzi with De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.

Your second error is to think Guendouzi is an all attacking player, in fact he is primarily defensive.

Third you forget that the likes of De Bruyne were once rejects. Your lots made that kind of mistake at Chelsea, they never saw anything good despite that the lad was YOUNG and DEVELOPING.

Cool down, the young shall grow.

The problem with Yoruba people is that their eyes open very late.

But better late than never like the hausa. Those ones brains have been eaten by Fulani.

Fkhalifa:
I understand your point and that's the reason I said that opinion is unpopular and many will disagree..

If you're rating their entire defence performance on goals conceded and trophies, it's okay,but I don't want to believe it was the defenders in those top teams doing incredible defensive duties,in fact its largely as a result of massive qualities they've got in attack, ability to posses and wingers pinning opponents back, if you see lots of this big teams, weaker teams don't attack them.

See barca, teams hardly get to their box, pique overlaps anyhow, semedo and Alba mount pressure on opponents, I don't see them sweating like Simeones' men.. Those are defenders..

Arsenal's attempt to attack teams like barca,Liverpool,Bayern city is the reason why we lose with a cricket score, Chelsea, utd will rather keep it tight with more men behind the back and rely on counters to score..
The moment thies teams face an equally or better attackers, they also concede in large, The following fixtures comes to mind:
barca vs Bayern. Liverpool, city. Barca vs PSG, barca vs Liverpool, barca vs roma ...but against average attacks, they dominate and keep you off the ball..

Barca over the years do not have man to man better defenders than Madrid..

Teams like Madrid,juve and Chelsea rely on individual defensive effort to survive, Ramos,varane,Terry,vidic,ferdinand,Godin,kompany,koscv.dijk are examples, stones, pique,Alves,Alaba,boateng et all are ball playing types who keeps you off the ball ..
but city,barca and PSG, its majorly ability to guard and posses the ball well which prevents opposition from even getting the ball..

Schezney, Kosc and mert benefited from this in 2014 or 15, we had the golden glove that year, this isn't because they were genius, we had players in carzola,Sanchez, rosckiy, coq et Al who are good at keeping the ball..

Ferguson played traditional defenders, Rodgers team bottled it on match 37th at crystal palace, surely, defensive weakness will show but its a sign you can go far, I mean if Auba,laca and pepe can be ruthless and score as much as many chances, 3-0 at half time would have settled the defenders Nerves, should they attempt to attack us in numberd for equalizer, we kill them more on the counter..

I'm for us getting defenders but for lack of funds to to that, I believe with quality forwards who can break teams down,our defenders can fair well this year,and we bring in A class CB next summer like Liverpool did.

Once again your head is correct. Our defenders are not the worst in the top six. It's the midfield and attack that over exposes them. A winger loses the ball and fails to track back, leaving the defender with two to mark.

Our defensive woes are not due to bad defenders but poor TEAM defending.

Holding and Chambers, Socratis and Mustafi could hold their own when under less pressure. Give them the confidence by ensuring they have cover, they would be classy. Give them the right psychology by placing good men in front of them.

At 0-0 by 70mins against the likes of Watford, West Ham, or Everton you know we are going to lose. But go 3-0 by 60mins and it's game over.

Against the big teams, they know that attacking us is exposing themselves to dangerous play, so they will be careful. I am not afraid of losing as long as the effort to win is made.

Roland17:
Suddenly, Mustafi is the 2nd coming of F. Baresi and L. Thurman in the eyes of many on this thread because of irrelevant stats that do not tell the entire story. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but I have seen enough to know that we need to move on from Mustafi.
If he stays, I will have no option than to support him and hope he performs differently.

For me, the problem with most players is not absence of skill or ability but mentality and poor psychology. Mustafi falls into this category.

Defenders like DeLigt, McGuire, VVD are of the mould of Ferdinand and Vidic, Adams, etc. They are not there for their skills but the mentality and the attitude they bring to the team. That is why managers make them captains.

Defending is not stats, it's an attitude.

MrDojo:
I was just about to mention this. Tactics is the difference when two teams with similar strength meet. In fact, if used well, an underdog could blow away the favorite with 'good' tactics.

I'm surprised that some people think tactics is somewhat overated. Especially in modern football. If Barca had a tactically sound coach, there is no way Roma or Liverpool would have done that nonsense to them.

In my opinion, if you're not prepared tactically before a match, then you have lost that match already. Gone are the days, managers gather players and tell them to just play.

Bros tactics is short term solution, one game at a time, that is why it works for cups. Quality is long term, last you even beyond full season.

There are cases like Leicester, tactics lasted them the season and there are cases like Chelsea 2015/16 were it was just quality.

In all, both tactics and quality are required to keep you constantly afloat. See Fergie's Man Utd teams and Pep's Man City of two seasons now.

solomonbrown64:
.... On his day, Ceballos is destructive too but between Ozil and him finding that amazing form, my money is on the younger player.

.... Xhaka is very important in our midfield play, the manner in which he spreads play is vital to how Emery wants his team to play. Ceballos will most certainly bring in another style but right now, it's only Guendouzi that can do something similar to Xhaka's role in our current midfield and he is still learning the trade. Yes, I would want a better player in Xhaka's place, but for now, it's not a if for Granit's place in Emery's team, it's certain. Except if Ozil brings his A game like I predicted in game 1 -- 6, if not, once Ceballos is settled, it's straight into the first team.

Form aside, Ozil is the more quality player. But just as you, I'd bet Ceballos to peak ahead of him unless his mentality has changed.

Xhaka's place isn't too secure either, because Ceballos who is a Cazorla type may be needed to pass the ball from deep and get the team outvof tight situations. He may be playing deep, so Xhaka would have to give way unless he ups his game.

Nevertheless, my Joy is the competition this brings.

solomonbrown64:
...... I think people get carried away too quickly and majority of our fans have short term memory or are just obsessed with a player.
.... We all witnessed the complete collapse that was our midfield whenever Xhaka didn't play last season and yet you see funny formations where you have Ozil, Ceballos and Torreira to play in a midfield in England! Lmao! ..... Emery is not stupid to use such a formation with a woeful defense at the back.

.... Apart from Leno, the first player on tht team sheet is Xhaka.... Ceballos was brought in to compete with underperforming Ozil, even with the delusions of grandeur common with some of our fans as regards an aging player, it won't happen. I surely expect Ceballos to be a first team player by game six or seven and Ozil will be the one to take the fall.
... Xhaka is the only physical midfielder we have currently in midfield however his mobility and must start at the base of the midfield except if he is having a stinker of a game and trust Emery, he will haul him off at halftime.

.... I don't know how the defense or attack will be arranged because Laca can play as a false nine as well as a #10 as we have to be careful with two inverted wingers coming in centrally at the same time. Lyon's second goal happened because Auba had drifted in centrally but I expect Emery to speak with both Auba and Pepe concerning that. But for our midfield, Xhaka who is likely the first Captain will be the first name on the team sheet. No doubt about that.

You can never tell. Ozil needs competition and that's what he has got. On his day, Ceballos is no where near.

True Xhaka brings steel and leadership, but his sluggishness which is inherent may cost him a place in that sheet.

My point is, it will be one of Ozil and Xhaka if at all Ceballos will play.

@Fkhalifa, Ceballos will play where we are weaker between Özil and Xhaka...

iamoyindamola:
bros we can now believe, wengay torture days are over that man will tell the press he won't buy yet he will buy squillachi, gervinho, Kim Kardashian
Chai that man dealth with us mehn

You just cant forget Wenger. Or are you a secret lover?

And na you complain pass...

Dreamswayne:


I remember this

Me too.

Sod be careful before you spoil us with analysis