daveP:
Firmino did it, now Lacazette redid it.


Oh So Mane gets his 1st Emirates goal?!!!

Mane scored in his first game at Emirates in the 3_4 win in 2016.

Spy360:

Leave Kokaneprodigy abeg. To him now e remain small make we win league... Mtchew!

Meanwhile, Fkhalifa we don use you do give away to Liverpool what else do you want?

Abegi!
Liverpool don win una when it mattered most, both in league and Carabao.
Na preseason we dey for hear jare

iamoyindamola:
The true is this Liverpool squad will suffer from next season, they have been founded out

Laye, worst is they'll make 2nd.
Liverpool have away of not taking low profile games unserious.
.
Allison and V.dijk played too casual.

Liverpool are so unserious with preseason games, maybe we're still rusty, see how Allison and V.Dj dey do give away like they still in celebrating mood.

Liverpool doing the Arsenal giveaway tonight.

kokaneprodigy:

Once I’m done with checking my mails in the morning and actioning my bits. Next thing na to do short drive around the neighborhood dey find MILFs. The weather is not helping matters. I just dey pray make magùn no kill me.

Like players like fans, you don use all your energy on Milfs finish wetin remain?
Na why the sexy London boys at the Emirates dey jog and slow on the ball.

Eje titan ni bank

Don't you like the high electric octane from the Anfielders
Those ones no dey do Milf.

kokaneprodigy:

Fck off niggar the posts is for true Arsenal fans.

Positive vibes only. You and Sod should get a room. This is why I like Spy always positive.

Spy is like Ty of AFTV, he no dey feel pain, me I don suffer enough sifia pains, I can't take it more.
Better go enjoy football elsewhere, you're 60yrs already and still want to be hoping like Nigerian's hoping for 24/7 power supply

Baba enjoy your old age with good football o.

kokaneprodigy:

Go ur City thread the question wasn’t for u

We the Anfield faithfuls are coming to put you in premium tears.

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.

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.

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.

Jodera:
lol

Abi, If front3 of PAL of almost £200M, can't finish teams off, only to stressfully score1 and expect the average defence to be keeping clean sheet every game.
I can't wait to get the Upamencani and Koloibally, let's see what English football looks like on them.

.

Jodera:
I don't want to think of saka going to injury. To see how our attack was, we were dependent on auba(which isn't bad tho since he's experienced), then we, at a certain was depending on martinelli(our so called nobodyhinho then), now we're depending on saka for creativity. Now It got me pondering, what if saka wasn't this creative this season or martinelli didn't turn up then... How would we have coped?

We'll stress to score 1 goal a match.

kokaneprodigy:

The way the thing dey sweet my belle ehn.

The pain must be very sifia for them. Lana1 go dey purge by now

Football funny sha, the scummies will feel the Arsenal pain tonight
They were heading to 3rd only to be back to Europa spot

Jodera:
I humbly disagree with this. Check out during our Emery back days, we concede a lot, not because our defence is that bad, but because our midfield is so so bad. Our Midfield doesn't stop the opposition attack before it gets to defence and that's why we're receiving 10+ shots a game. Point is, any team that concedes 10+ shot on target has more to do with midfield and attack compared to defence. Also, how many goals have we conceded since Arteta took over? Our attack is really blunt, none of our player is in double digits aside auba in goals... Isn't this worrying? Assists nko? Worst is midfield...only one goal among all midfielders. Isn't this worrying?

Yesterday, it was all possession without actual breaking of lines. No individual creativity from the attack.
Not that we shouldn't change our defence, but midfield and attack first and you'll see the world of difference it'll make.

Let Saka get injury and let me see how Arsenal will score 2 in a game.
When you parade attackers who are scared and poor with the ball. After series of countless possessions upfront, then gbam opposition give our defenders constant pressure and they'll later capitulate.

We only look like a proper attacking team when facing teams like Norwich that gives us much space to operate.

Spy360:

Against who? Even then, we only have Martinez to thank for covering well for Leno.

I'm not covering their shits, but should our attack had buried 2 or more, Only Kola would be chopping blame by now.

Spy360:

My brother for me our attack is ready for next season. But with this kind of defense, even Messi leg go weak to score goal mere looking at the clownish displays the defense put up at the back. The psychological torture alone can make the best attack to just wind down.

OK nah.
But we kept clean sheet and didn't concede erratic goals since Luiz at city.

You can't have Auba on the wings and expect us to attack or defend effectively all day same as Pepe.

Sallah and Mane are always comfortable on the ball,causing your defense problems all day and that's why Arnold and Robertson can come forward to support with ease.

Unfortunately this team is full of cowards. When they receive the ball and an opponent is even 5 metres away, the default reaction is to just pass the ball to nearest man, (a case of Majeobaje lowomi)and rid themselves off of any pressure. Xhaka, and Kola are 2 very big culprits of that tiresome and needless backpassing.

Anybody saying we should sort defense is right and I agree, but its a matter of time we see the problems upfront.

Roland17:


Baba, I no agree with this one. So the other teams are supposed to just sit and watch you score abi, including the top teams? Your goals will not save you or guarantee you a W against top sides, i.e: Chelsea vs Sheffield. Our attack has to average 3 or more goals to get a W at this point, anything lower will end in tears (draw or loss).
A combination of the best attackers in the world can not even guarantee you an average of 3 goals per game worth more our own. We have gotten so used to mediocrity that it is now okay and normal to parade clowns as defenders in the EPL. No attacker will be motivated to stay aggressive when they constantly lose leads/ games because of clownish displays from our defenders.
Our defense is below average and that is a big difference when it comes to working with what you have.

I get your point, and I'm not disputing the problems at the back. But if we can kill games off,put opposition on constant pressure as against the insipid pointless possession, we'll be close if not there yet.

Remember the game at city, we didn't concede till 45th minute, but we never looked like scoring all through, maybe its my eyes, we don't look threatening, you won't see dangerous crosses,shots,defense splitting passes, everything is just pass pass and pass.

See the game at wolves, we defended and got lucky not to concede, but going forward, we were slow,weak and dry, until Laca came on, and immediately we scored, everyone became energized.

If we buy the best defenders, I can assure you if the forwards are not making use of the ball effectively, opposition teams will put constant pressure and the world class defenders will look mediocre also.

We need to fix defense just as the attack. If I were to be coach, I'll focus on attack first as we don't concede or make errors every minute.

PAL trio is overhyped
This is supposed to be the deadly forward, we struggle and allow teams group back. It’s all fantasizing that when they play together we’d be great.
It can even be debated that Saka has outperformed all of them this season. If Pepe can only boast of 8goals 8assist a whole season. Stat not so better than Iwobi's.

Jodera:
Hmm...
In as much everyone is shouting cb cb. I still feel cb or our back line can be managed till we sort the pressing issues at hand. Which are good DM, Am and good attack (wingers) before any cb.

Come to think of it, our midfield was sliced open ystdy anytime spurs were attacking, only ceballos was making meaning tackles and interception(which is why we need good technical and robust dm). Our midfield lacked creativity except also for ceballos who tried to string things (tho xhaka gave an important key pass to bellerin which he flounder). Which is why we need good AM. As for attack, the less said about it the better. Pepe who supposed to be our goto guy for creativity in attack had a very sub par day ystdy and have been underwhelming this season. Auba isn't creative neither is laca. That leaves our creativity in attack blunt as hell.
Once midfield and attack are shorn of creativity what do you expect our Cbs to do? Not alienating our cb tho, but the best form of defence is attack, and until we sort that then we can think of solving the cb issues. Let's take a cue out of klopps team. He first sorted attack and midfield, which yielded them top 4. Then he completed it with the defence which now won the league. And I think that's the best way to go about it.

Order of priority(my opinion)

DM
Wingers
AM
Cbs

Its not like we concede every minute, iOnly if our attackers killed games early. We score because of Auba.

This has been my stand, good ball players behind Auba from AM,LW and RW will take this team to 5th with this shitty defense.

Then later sort the defensive side.

vicenzo:


Please no more Chelsea aged players.
We can't continue repeating mistakes of yesterdays and expect different outcome.

Chelsea aging players never did us any good. From Gallas to Cech, Luiz

We need better. No one should be mentioning Willian here. He is looking for retirement home. Emirates is not one. Three years contract for an aging midfielder. Totally not worth it. We should and can do better. Rather give the game time to our younger players to improve their craft than buy aging Willian looking for a place of comfort.

We should get Marlang to replace Kolasinac on the Left. Marlang is just 21yrs, can play left CB and LB. His strong point is passing ability and speed. Very ideal for a possession based team that would also play highline when passing up the pitch and hence needs a speedy CB that can rush back to stop counters from opponents when play breaks down.
He is free, if he flops, we can always cut our loses and resale.
If Arsenal were a serious club not run by morons, this is a transfer we would have since concluded.

Serious clubs like Chelsea, Bayern have almost concluded their transfers. Arsenal is waiting for people to finish buying the hot talents, then we go for left over cheap scraps.
This club is cursed,I swear. Damn you Kroenke!

The bolded is 75% of Arsenal's problem. Its a pity some of our fans are still hoping hoping and hoping.

The Alaye you did above is good, but not an unambitious club like Arsenal will listen to you until you put a threat to their profit.

iamoyindamola:
Yay UCL for city next season after successful appeal now let's get defence sorted out and retain our league.
Incase you don't know city will first asnal to win UCL

Forget Liverpool will get stronger, and we sha don win UCL faster than pep.

kokaneprodigy:

I was one of the optimists going into this game iamoyindamola is a witness to that. Saying I am happy with the result and content with mediocrity is a slander on my reputation on here. I am grossly disappointed with the result.

But If you read between the lines of my post you’ll find I’m looking at the team from the perspective of manager influence. If you ask me, Again I’ll say Arteta has improved the team considering what he inherited. Let him get a TW and Preseason cos there’s absolutely nothing much he can do about Kola, Mustafi and Luiz playing right now unless you want him to enter pitch.

What do you think will happen in the TW?
Expect the following:

Loans _option to buy
Loans_no option to buy
Promote_ Academy players who will impress in pre season
Free transfers
Young players around £5,£6,£8(the nobodinhos)
Dead woods in their 40s from rivals or big teams
And splashing big on media hyped players to appease fans after protests.

BTW, Arterta has extended some contracts and he looks pleased with his favorite 11 he's been starting so far, Abi since Holding and Sokratis are deemed bench material.

Hopefully it dawns on those who haven’t realized that Pepe was never a £72m kind of player.

Infact, the PAL forward line is overhyped for the way they play. Auba’s not an effective winger, Laca’s inconsistent and Pepe isn’t great. Saka imo. I also feel our midfield will never reach its full potential with Xhaka in it. His attack and defense are nothing special and his strength is for games where there is space to operate.

I would also not sign Ceballos because even though he’s good we need a more adventurous CM to partner the DM imo. AMN to me could’ve been a very good CM if only we spent time to develop him. He would’ve provided some physicality and darting runs from midfield.

That is why we need to sign Partey. Our defense was poor as usual. Harry Kane and Son just cruised through anytime they wanted to. I’m still longing to see the back of most of our CB’s. Poor showing today and Spurs looked there for the taking.

Copied#.

Akinbahm:


A topic on who should we let go out of our current midfielders

Dani ceballos stay

Xhaka stay

Willock stay

Guendozi leave

Ozil leave

Torreira. leave

AMN. leave

A reply from a fan culled below...

I agree with all the above except Xhaka. To be effective in the modern game a good defensive midfielder MUST have the following skills –
ability to turn quickly with the ball on both sides
creativity, vision and leadership
good in the air
athletic ability and speed
ability to shield the back four and tackle
ability to dictate pace of play
Ever since the departure of Alex Song and Francis Coquelin this position has been vacant.

Xhaka who is supposed to be the leader, oldest serving and everything matured professional in Arsenal's midfield, Sadly lacks all the qualities listed above.

Since his arrival in 2016, we've failed to make top4, he plays the most and one of the major reason our build up is slow, this is who the Academy and young players look up to.

I knew Emery will fail when he had him in plans and Arterta will also the moment he blocked his transfer.

Good luck with your midfield general.

Spy360:

That's why I said thank God, because Luiz would score own goal, cause penalty and get red carded as Guen would not cover him.

You see say Ozil sef dey chill, baba no chop blame again,him dey chop money instead.

iamoyindamola:

As In it's very sad
Just look at how they threw away a lead so very easy yesterday this is the same silly mistake that happen week in and out, even every season sane old mistake.
Xhaka wanted to pass to Tierney that was very close and he still missed it
Na here we they when ceballos will move to another club

Awon werey

You think Saka is not calling Oxlade and inquiring about Liverpool?

afrodoc2:


It is too late to apologize............................................It's too late.
Wenger bred a whole generation of Assanal fans that were always happy with top 4 and nothing else. He and the owners used the new stadium to do boju boju for their policy of endorsement of mediocrity.

That is why when Gallas came to the club he sat down crying in the middle of the pitch, tearing his jersey and "pint", pulling out the grass from the roots when he saw how soft and uncaring the players in the club were.
Guess what? The fans turned against him 100% instead of asking questions.

A whole generation of Assanal fans have been brought up celebrating mediocrity and finding silver linings in every defeat. Any Assanal fan who is less than 25 yrs now can't understand the spirit of people like Adams, Keown, Parlour, Vieira, Gilberto Silva.

God bless you, This is where everything stems from, but we're not allowed to touch Wenger but Ebening.

What you pointed is the reason why the Sanchez,Oxlade and others left.

You're not allowed to be crazy at Arsenal, Everybody cool fine London sexy boy.not aggression, rigidity and zero fire in the belly. I just wish my boi ends up at somewhere like Atlectico, where he can grow/learn better and turn his madness to something useful like them Diego Costa.

We're gradually sliding down and some are still seeing useless positives.
Were there not better positives from Emery's first year? But what became the end of the team, Arterta started on that note and where's he now?
Which manager will manage trash for long? It will surely be ending in hoping/excuses and tears.

Still can't surpass the 8th Emery left us with, is Arteta to be blamed? For me,NO. The ogas at the top should clear away and not extending some yeye contract and invest big time.

Few weeks ago, it was the midfield with Issues, now everybody is pointing to defence they felt is getting better, whilst I maintain the attack is still blunt and midtable standard.

Rubbish. Awon Werey oshi

kokaneprodigy:

Gbam!!!
Guys are over flogging the result Despite the anticlimax in result. Game play and stats shows we’ve significantly improved from Emery. Gone are the days we were consistently bombarded by shots and getting bossed in midfield. FFS despite MOU’s bus we still had 5 shots on target.
It’s Spurs away and guys making it seem we are expected to win every game is over optimism. Even City with all its form lost to Southampton, Chelsea got trashed by fxking Sheffield.

Since the restart ..Spuds have managed only 11 shots on target in 5 gamesm.Today they amassed 9shots on goal…With (wait for it)37% possession..

They’ve only scored 2 goals against West ham..They registered no shot on target against BOURNEMOUTH..But today they not only managed to get 9 shots on target…thay score 2 goals against us…