3Points Bagged & Bate Preview

IMAGE CREDIT: ARSENALDOTCOM

Hey Hey Hey ma good footie loving people, how’z it being?  Let’s digress, I wonder where fat Albert is at these days? The iconic pudgy character that helped push “Fubu” designs into mainstream urban/pop culture. Oh well, I guess he is eating a maxi burger somewhere out there.

Shappaly lets get back to football in Arsenal okay.  I said I expected a tough match before the gunners outing against the baggies and Tony Pulis’s wards didn’t disappoint. Sure we had quite a lot of possession but we were up against a well drilled side that did pose a few problems on the break. Mustafi had one of those game that made u kind of wonder when he might eventually get sent off and all that. Jay Rodriguez will probably be thinking if maybe he shoulda gone down for a sure penalty when his cut back dummy left Mustafi caught in a trailing slide tackle……very lucky for the gunners that was. That wasn’t all though, Rodriguez again had to watch in astonishment, like we all did too when Nacho Monreal made an almost impossible clearance of the line after he had Cech beat. That was “the moment” for the gunners and boy was it. It showed a carryover of the commitment we saw from the team against Chelsea…..Full of Heart!

Now all in all, Lacazette got his poachers goal after another controversial moment involving Sanchez. It was great awareness by the Frenchman in front of goal for the rebound. We need more of that. I do wonder what happened against Chelsea when he scooped it high in a similar situation. The gunners ended the 1^st half with their “noses” in front but you could tell it was a ding dong nerve affair. The second half saw the gunners take a more solid foothold in control, I guess Westbrom players had tired a bit and we had a bit more energy to impose on them. Ramseys forward role is something of a “hnmmmm, okay”. You can tell he relishes it very much cuz of the freedom it gives him, Ozil might be the casualty as it appears but time will tell. Kinda like a Zidane replacement with Nedved for Juventus back then. I think for that to work the gunners will need a midfield monster who will seat deep beside Xhaka and then Ramsey can go on doing those his bursting runs upfront. Someone like Kondogbia or Nzonzi would be very nice. These guys are under the radar, no hype, no frills, strong on the ball, good passing range and I am sure won’t cost us a Neymar or Coutinho fee but hey that’s just me thinking. Ramsey helped get the penalty and Alex buried it coolly no sweat two nil up to the Arsenal. We got the tough job done 3 points in the bag another clean sheet making it 3 in a row. I would take that over a cricket score line which makes for fun viewing if you are a neutral but points to leaky defending if you are a gunner and that’s not good. They say goals win you games but solid defending win you titles, the gunners need to drill that well into their psyche.

Job done, we are off to the Europa league (yeah ….spursday night football is back) get used it it. We travel to the Belarus to keep a date with Bate Borisov. I don’t know much but they are not entirely an unknown team, at least wenger thinks so as he said earlier:

“I’ve been in this country before, I came with the French national team,” the Arsenal manager said. “They played against Belarus in June when I was on holiday. They have always technically had very good sides, and overall I remember France had a very difficult game. We know [BATE’s strength], we watched them yesterday. They are a team with good quality, technically strong, so we will need a good performance to have a chance.”

On the young line up he chose to travel with he further explained

“I said on Monday night after the game that I would play an experienced team with a young bench, and that is what I did,” he said. “We have a very tight schedule and it is an important game, and that’s why there is only one or two young players who will start the game.”

      I am sure the coach is trying to keep his main squad as fresh as he can but I hope the inexperience doesn’t cost us away. The disciplined display we are beginning to see will have to be followed to the letter here, get a result that’s the idea. A win would be very good if we can manage to keep it tight at the back and then nick one or two on the counter but it’s important we keep the momentum going of getting results especially away and then coming home to slay wins. Hnmmmm, how ideal such a grandiose thinking sounds, but we all know with Arsenal Fc, anything is possible. Whatever happens to whatever team we put out there, I hope it’s a positive result for the gunners in Minsk. Anyway that’s about it from us, shout out to Gareth Barry for his record setting Premier League appearances. We here he is a professional through and through. We also like to remember a former Gunner from these parts, Alexander Hleb. Such a good football player with mad ball skills but he left to Barcelona and it never really worked out for him from there on, liked him though. That’s it from us for now, dont forget to follow us on FB here or subscribe to our posts up there. Do enjoy the game wherever you are……..Ciaoooo 

Scrappy Points & Baggies Preview

Image Credits: Arsenaldotcom

Ok so that was not so cool for Mr President!! Not for the first time though taking to twitter for a comeback but ..........he never expected the NFL teams to come together. Such a manner of defiance as regards criticism towards any player "taking the knee", ala such a player being fired for disrespecting the honor of the stripes n stars. Well that shows what can be achieved when people put aside their differences and come together to fight against perceived injustice. Over to us in Naija Anyway, this isn’t America and definitely not blogging about "American football". Nope but score one for Colin Kaepernick!!

That my people brings me to things football, and of course Arsenal. What a performance that was, like a wakeup call making you wonder where that came from. let’s just assume before the game against Chelsea, I was offered a point from Stamford bridge visit I a sure most fans would have jumped at the offer without thinking about it. That was how low the expectations were going into the game. Chelsea started well for about ten minutes but Arsenal contained them as played with passion, grit and loads of determination not to give in. Chelsea definitely couldn’t cope and was epitomized not just by the eventual red card for David Luis but also the frustrated Alvaro Morata, granted Mustafi was a bit luck too, but for once we were thoroughly focused and disciplined in our approach throughout the 90 minutes. That’s not to say there were no negatives albeit it would be nitpicking to complain about not getting 3points when we would have gladly taken a point before the Kickoff, I think we deserved to win on the balance of everything. Welbeck’s injury was another sour point, that guy just can’t seem to get a break can he?? Oh well, let’s hope he recovers soon enough for his own good. The other thing that was good about this game was the togetherness shown in the dogged determination, Kudos to the wing backs especially. Bellerin gave Alonso so much to think about while Kolasinac held his own as expected against Moses and Willian. Wenger having the cajones to bench Sanchez from the start while giving Iwobi the nod. I won’t go as far as those fans on social media calling for the Chileans head for his perceived lack of commitment to the club but Arsene needs his boiz to step up if not they are gonna be on the bench. All in all, this team needs to learn the need for consistency. They have it in them to fight like it matters, they need to do this week in week out…….Can they??

Which brings us to our Monday night game with Westbrom, I would like to see a repeat of the commitment we saw at Chelsea, only this time lets top it off with the right end product by actually scoring goals and keeping another clean sheet to make it 3 in a row, counting the midweek win over Rovers. When was the last time Arsenal did that, 3 clean sheets in a row huh?? Yeah, me too I can’t remember. Tony Pulis knows how to set up a team to keep their shape and have lost just a game in5 so far. On the other hand,  Arsenal at home can take confidence from the Chelsea performance into this match. The team selection is a dicey one, does Arsene bring back Özil and Sanchez to the starting lineup or do we go with the hardwork ethic that saw us scrap to a point at the bridge? I would like to see a fired up Özil, forge the rumors about him Joining Mou at Man united, forget the slamming he consistently receives from fans and pundits alike, he is class any day. I would expect him to be charged up for this considering what’s happened In the last two weeks with Wenger showing him and Sanchez the bench for key games, so let’s hope I am right. My team selection will look like

Sub: Ospina, Walcott,  Elneny, Holding, Mertesacker, Giroud, Iwobi,  Wilshere

Image Cedits: The Uk Guardian

I expect a tough game against the baggies but a win none the less please. While I know this team isn’t likely to win the league, dropping anymore points now especially after all the top clubs won over the weekend will be disastrous. Arsenal need to keep their discipline, stay compact and take their chances when they come. A win is very very important. That’s it from us, do enjoy the game wherever you are…….Ciaooo

Jacky 3-Points & Chelsea Preview

Image Credits: Arsenal.com

Thursday night trudge of a football got off to a late start with the match delayed for about an hour or more. The eventual game never really made it match worth waiting for….naaah. As expected the boss rang some changes to his squad by rotating, giving fringe players the chance to get some game sharpness. Ospina retained his “cup keeper” role while Mertersecker, Iwobi, Niles and Giroud got their first starts of the season. Sanchez, Monreal and Bellz were the first teamers who came in from the off. Arsenal in usual form didn’t waste much time in giving their fans a scare with an unlucky clearance from onrushing Ospina falling into the wrong hands   errrhh legs I mean. Cordoba duly obliged with a curling hanger that left the whole Emirates stadium saying “here we go again” for an opener in the 9^th minute. Needless to say the rest of the first half from then on was uninspiring from a gunners perspective, Arsenal had boat loads of possession but nothing to show for it, not even carving open Koln to create goal scoring chances. Apart from Giroud’s half chances, we were just there. In fact, I daresay Koln had more clear cut opportunities to increase their tally to two but it was not to be.

The second half saw a more purposeful Arsenal take to the pitch with Holding yanked off for Kolasinac following his clumsy first half display. Back three became a back four and the gunners played with more verve. Sanchez and Kolasinac combined well on the left side of midfield. The equalizer arrived in the 49^th minute and what a thumping one it was. Walcott miscued a snapshot while Kolasinac volleyed in the rebound with a fierce hammer. That guy has some power in his body looking at the way he hit the ball with so much venom. Now that we had the equalizer the boyz played with more confidence….Sanchez opened his season account with a beautiful curler that left the keeper Hom grappling at thin air in the 67^th minute. We smelt blood and forced the issue furthermore. The 3^rd goal owed a lot to our right back’s predatory instinct, pouncing on a lose rebound after Walcott failed to beat the keeper. All in all not a bad day at the grinder. We never convinced the gunner faithful but lets take the 3points, Jack Wilshere got through some 35minutes of play unscathed and we scored some very good goals.

 It’s now on to the next station at the bridge. The gunners visit the blues in what’s to be a super Sunday clash. I can’t say based on our recent performances I am confident cuz I am not. Chelsea seem to have rebound after their opening day loss to Burnley while we are yet to find our stride, still  I am hoping someone is wrong and that someone is me. The odds are stacked against the gunners, the fanbase isn’t backing the team fully (for obvious reasons), Chelsea is riding high on confidence on the back of their midweek Champion’s league spanking against Quarabag plus some extra days of rest even though both teams rested their key players in midweek for this Sunday clash. The only positives straws I can allude to here is the fact that Wenger has beaten Conte already this season in the community shield albeit it was via penalties. All in all its looking like a draw would be a good result if we can get it, a win would definitely be fantastic if the player are psyched up enough mentally to up their game and take their chances. Looking at the midfield of Bakayoko/Kante, that’s a dream pairing…my God these guys are athletes.!

Arsenal has to go with Elneny and Xhaka as against Ramsey because of his tendency for those forward runs of his, hence leaving the back open. Koscielny has to organize his backline very well, making sure we stay compact. I think the left side battle of Kolasinac-Sanchez vs Moses-Willian will be an interesting one, our right side of Özil-Bellerin as wenger like to play them these days is a week one, I will put Welbeck there instead while tucking Özil in the center where he can be more influential but then again Wenger knows. I really don’t understand why we have to play Özil on the wings especially when you are playing very physical opposition, it doesn’t add up. I am confident in our attack, Lacazette Sanchez and to a less extent …Wellbeck if Özil is given the keys behind them. Anyway I would leave the tinkering to Wenger hoping he is able to get his Team selection right in order to strke a balance between our defence and attack. Stamford Bridge as Burnley showed us, the BIG Q is…..do we have the cajones in mentality to outgun them in a smart way? Alright that’s it from us, remember to like us on FB here, twitter there, do leave us your comments feedback and help share. Enjoy the game wherever you are…Ciaoo

A Jacky Start To The Europa League?

Image Credit: Arsenal.com

          Hi good people of planet football, always good to have you here with us even if we never see eye to eye.….LOL. At least the good news of Irma being not as life threatening as the media drummed it up to be even though a tropical storm is still poses some sort of danger regardless. One can only be grateful for the little things of life, like football….. Right?

Unto things arsenal quickly. It turned out to be more like a routine 3points in the outing against Bournemouth last weekend. 3 points 3 goals and a clean sheet to boot isn’t to be complained about although one has to always find areas where the team should or could have done better cuz it was far from a perfect performance. The gunners should have shredded Bournemouth better with more goal (our goals column is -ve) Welbeck, doesn’t still look sure footed in front of goal even though he managed to score two goals and our defending still lacks the necessary discipline it should have. There were times when Arsenal had all players but Bellerin in and around the opposition’s penalty box. Looking at how Bournemouth played like they were uninterested, when they could have had a real go at Arsenal's back line. Allowing us space and time on the ball, it was generally a poor performance from them and Eddie Howie should be concerned. Take nothing away from Arsenals quality, the team upped it ante a bit after the Anfield fiasco, bringing our quality to bear especially for the second goal from Lacazette.  Özil’s pre-assist pass to find him was glorious and he showed that with the right supply line, he can score for the gunners which is comforting to know. All in all, I cant complain about the points and clean sheet but sterner tests lie ahead. This brings us to the present reality, the bigger boiz of European football have dined in the champions league and now its time for the "have nots". Yeah you heard right, shebi Wenger likes to chant Arsenal cant compete financially with the Big boiz when it comes to the transfer market init?

Thursday night football is here as the gunners take on FC Cologne or koln if you prefer to be German. It’s going to be difficult to gauge this, but since we are at home, the onus is on us to get the 3 points for a flying start in this tournament, plus get to rest some players. Speaking of resting players, the manager is going to rotate quite a bit as he keeps an eye of the super Sunday clash at Stamford Bridge with Conte’s men. I am so not looking forward to that cuz I still believe this team lacks the tactical discipline but let’s see. The last time Arsenal played Koln was back in 2012 during a preseason friendly. The gunners won by a comfy 4-0 scoreline, Podolski grabbed a brace then. All that is history now, this is the real deal, and while some may argue that on the surface, Cologne dont look particularly threatening an opposition currently. They sit bottom of the Bundesliga with no points after three matches having scored only once during that time. They have lost their key striker Modeste, on loan to the Chinese super “money” league. Then again, It’s still a football we talking, add unpredictable Arsenal into the mix, you get my drift. Ramsey, Özil, Xhaka and Coquelin aren’t going to start, Coqs out injured while the others are being rested or Sunday. We might see Xhaka though since this is German opposition….me thinkss. The interesting one is Jack Wilshere who is the coach going to start tonight, after being out for so long, kinda strange if you ask me. Wenger though thinks otherwise on Arsenal website:

“He is very hungry and sharp. He is not completely at his best, but he is getting there every week. He enjoys being back and competing for his place and what I see in training is positive. I think he has been so much under pressure to do that. At the moment, one of the positive things is that he is not under that kind of pressure.”

Image Credit: Arsenal.com

Well the jury is still very much out on Jack, God knows he has the talent to be a great, but injuries and a wrong attitude seem to be his bottle at the moment. His loan at Bournemouth was more of a cum si cum sa…… uhmm “so soo” not exactly fantastic. I would say this is his last opportunity to make his mark at the Arsenal. Sanchez Iwobi and Giroud are likely to lead the Line with fringe players like BFG Ospina and Elneny behind them as Wenger keeps an eye on the clash with Chelsea. Let’s see how the team gels, Losing will be a disaster, a draw terrible and a win Ideal. That’s a wrap up from us here, please leave us your feedback and comments. Enjoy the game wherever you are……….Ciaoooo

Arsenal In Crisis? & Bournemouth Preview

Today's post is gonna be very short n sweet sour (still smarting from Liverpool's asswhoop). I quote “Why can't Arsenal win the title? Because we have played three games, and two away games. OK, we lost at Liverpool, but can ­redress the situation very quickly. Some teams who are the new ­favourites, are not in a better ­position than us."          LOLLLL….Wenger likes to dream while he kids himself sometimes about this team, I said sometimes cuz I wanna believe in his locker room when he is alone, he sees what we all see even if he comes out in public trying to be positive by defending ze mental strength n qualithe of the team but. My gawd, that was no Arsenal team that was a sham, and Wenger has to own the blame, he picked the players and tactics which has blown up in his face. Arsenal were so terrible for the first time in my life watching a game, I almost switched off the TV. It took every ounce of will to stay on the stream despite the knowledge I was wasting my bandwidth, lucky something else more than made up for that waste of my precious data on the match.

 Where does one start? huhh? Abject, terrible, sloppy, lethargic and an absolute joke of a play doesn’t even come close enough to describing the team’s performance.  Liverpool never got out of max….3rd gear and it was clear to every footy fan they didnt have to with the way the sliced and diced though us at will.  I know ….yeah I know its past 2 weeks the international break has come and gone, the Super Eagle won, so let’s move on to Bournemouth right? Well we are not going to just move on, let’s look at the Team.  Arsenal has become the very dreg of the butt of all Jokes and it’s so ridiculous, it’s not even funny anymore. The opposition fans are even tired of laughing cuz they just can’t get what the heck is going on at the Emirates these days. The players act like they would rather be any other place but here (Özil & Sanchez hellooo) turning out such a terrible performance and the manager………well don’t get me started on that cuz I won’t stop. I hear Dick Law is “leaving” at the end of this month, well good riddance to his bad rubbish. I wonder if it’s a back room staff shake up the club isn’t saying or he is just tired of an unambitious board. All of them at the Colney should look themselves in the mirror and admit their incompetence season after season, from Ivan through every board member to Wenger. IF Arsenal should miss out on another season of UEFA Champion’s League football?? My ooh my let me laugh a little heheheheehehehehehehehehe. I see us becoming the new Milan clubs of EPL …..History which is such a shame. So much potential but the choosing to remain on the cusp! WHY? Well its official, Arsenal in Crisis!!

As for the game against Bournemouth…..well nothing to preview or team sheet to mention just anything short of 3 points and a clean sheet is another kick in the teeth for me. Here’s hoping the international break has been used to sort out all the silly cobwebs in the heads of everyone. Someone said to me, "hey at least U guys kept hold of Sanchez", ma response…………Puhhhllllllzzzzzzzz.!!! Before we go, we pay tribute to the godfather of country music. RIP Don Williams, your music lives on....Ciaooo

2Face Arsenal, European Football Thots & Liverpool Preview

Times like this make you realize how tough it can be as a fan to write. Yeah football is back and Arsenal “2 face” Fc is back along with their best and their worst. We all knew the Britannia stadium visit wasn’t gonna be easy especially considering our poor record there in the past, still one can be blamed for hoping and wishing….this might be the season. Naah!! 3 whole points dropped, a defence in disarray and a team with gaping holes, we back to anfield hoping Klopp’s pressing fire can be snuffed by Wenger’s seeming tactical calm. Let us put those thoughts about Sunday’s matchup on hold and talk about the European football draws a bit.

Image credit: Arsenaldotcom

Yeah as much as we hate to talk about it, the UEFA champions League and Europa League draws did take place in the last 24-36 hours and reality has hit home. Arsenal will play in the latter not the former, how the mighty have fallen? Arsenal will be playing ground hog football in Europe on spursday I mean Thursday with less fancied playmates. You know what that comes with…. playing a lot of EPL Sunday. I know the feeling and it’s hard to take, no more Champions league nights, at least till 2018. Besides the obvious loss of revenue (as an arsenal fan, economics isn’t mutually exclusive) the brand has taken a big hit. For those who don’t know by now, the group pairings for are presented for us.

Champions League

Grp A: Benfica (POR), Manchester United (ENG), Basel (SUI), CSKA (RUS)   

Grp B: FC Bayern (GER), PSG (FRA), Anderlecht (BEL), Celtic(SCO)  

Grp C: Chelsea (ENG), Atlético Madrid (ESP), Roma (ITA), Qarabağ (AZE)

Grp D: Juventus (ITA), Barcelona (ESP), Olympiacos (GRE), Sporting CP(POR)

Grp E: Spartak Moskva (RUS), Sevilla (ESP), Liverpool (ENG), Maribor (SVN)

Grp F: Shakhtar  (UKR), Man City (ENG), Napoli (ITA), Feyenoord(NED)

Grp G: Monaco (FRA), Porto (POR), Beşiktaş (TUR), RB Leipzig (GER)

Grp H: R. Madrid (ESP), B.Dortmund(GER), Tottenham (ENG), APOEL(CYP)

I can already pick the round of 16 qualifiers, with quite a number of new comers to this banquet of Europe’s elite, the tournament looks just a bit weak. The new comers in Leipzig, Maribor and Quarabag if my memory serves me right. An opportunity for them to punch above their weight and surprise a few of us, will they? I guess time will tell. Arsenal hasn’t exactly lit up the tournament in the last seven years, with the annual bow out in the round of 16, maybe Europa league is where we belong….or maybe, just maybe Wenger isn’t the one to lead the gunners in that stepup into the club of Europe’s true elite, who knows?

Europa League

Grp A: Villarreal (ESP), M.Tel-Aviv (ISR), Astana (KAZ), S. Praha (CZE)

Grp B: D. Kyiv (UKR), Young Boys (SUI), Partizan (SRB), Skënderbeu (ALB)

Grp C: Braga (POR), L.Razgrad(BUL), Hoffenheim(GER), I.Başakşehir (TUR)

Grp D: AC Milan (ITA), Austria Wien (AUT), Rijeka (CRO), AEK Athens (GRE)

Grp E: Lyon (FRA), Everton (ENG), Atalanta (ITA), Apollon Limassol (CYP)

Grp F: København (DEN), Lokomotiv Moskva(RUS), Sheriff (MDA), Zlín(CZE)

Grp G: Viktoria Plzeň (CZE), FCSB (ROU), H.B-Sheva (ISR), Lugano (SUI)

Grp H: Arsenal (ENG), BATE Borisov (BLR), Köln (GER), Crvena zvezda (SRB)

Grp I: Salzburg (AUT), Marseille (FRA), Vitória SC (POR), Konyaspor (TUR)

Grp J: Athletic Club (ESP), Hertha Berlin(GER), Zorya(UKR), Östersund(SWE)

Grp K: Lazio (ITA), Nice (FRA), Zulte Waregem (BEL), Vitesse (NED)

Grp L: Zenit (RUS), Real Sociedad (ESP), Rosenborg (NOR), Vardar (MKD

Being the top seed in the tournament, one can’t help but feel the need to set a high bar. Winning the tournament will be good, while it’s not the “BIG ears” we all wish to win, it should help assuage the fans animosity while also banishing a few of Wenger’s demons in terms of failure thus far in Europe, two finals and two losses isn’t pretty. The added automatic Champion’s league qualification that comes with it is a welcome bonus not the chum change in prize money. How Wenger and the team will plot their way through the minefield of games to the final and get that trophy into the Emirates, is up to him. He is the manager so he would have to figure that tough one out correctly cuz he bought the pressure for himself by last season’s failings. Don’t quote me.

Back to the EPL, Sunday games have started and we gonna have to get used to it as the gunners visit the mugmashers at Anfield. After just two games, 1W 1L, gaping holes in the squad, its glaring this team is still not prepared for the season and “Arsenal in crisis” wind is beginning to pick up. The manner in which we failed to salvage anything from a game where we were dominant in terms of chances created and shots on target while making a solid goal keeper in Butland look world class is just a shot of Déjà vu. You could argue about the legit goal from Lacazette which should have stood, but that’s besides the point which for me says this team hasn’t still learnt its lessons from past experiences. Eventually conceding a soft goal from sloppy play …..again! I won’t wanna dwell too much on spilt milk but I hope the team realizes that already, the Liverpool game is now a must win or at the very worst, a must not lose or else the pitchforks, brooms and axes will be out. We just cant afford anymore slips in the EPL going into the international break. No sloppy play in midfield from Xhaka and Ramsey, Özil needs to assert his skill and dictate play.

Wenger must play his best players in their best positions. Bellerin or Ox on the right wing instead of the mix and match we saw away at Stoke. Good enough Koscielny is back from his match ban so we can have a more sold back line. Up front, Lacazette seems to be settling in well but his support cast must be more clinical, maybe Walcott should come in ahead of Welbz, Walcott is a better finisher and has a better return against Liverpool. I doubt if Alexis can start immediately, a cameo appearance from the bench is more likely.  All that being said, Liverpool isn’t without problems of their own. While their formidable ghengen press is one to be wary off, their defending is equally as atrocious if not worse than ours. Add the fact that Coutinho isn’t exactly in the game psychologically. We have a slight upper hand.        While Mane, Firmino and Origi remain a threat, the absence of Lallana, Coutinho and a dodgy their backline as an achilles heel they haven’t addressed properly, they are beatable. Its up to Wenger to deploy his Arsenal properly with strict instructions while the gunners take their chances when Liverpool present them. A win going into the international break will be very much welcome as is even much more needed. I don’t even want to think of a loss, please.

       To contract rebels in the Ox Özil and Sanchez, we still have a bit of dark cloud of surrounding the team which shows how much we still makes the same mistakes season after season. Rumour has it that we might be selling Ox soon and Mustafi, this late in the transfer window…..i can’t laugh if that’s true. If we are serious about winning anything tangible this season, the gunners need to quickly make up their mind by trimming off the deadwood and get in their replacements starting like yesterday. Arsene should stop kidding himself cuz this squad is still short simple!! That’s it from us, please drop us a feedback in the comments and like our FB page here. Enjoy the game wherever you are….Ciaoo

Wobbly Start But 3 Points In & Stoke Preview

Happy Birthday Igweee the 14th
Image Credits: Arsenal.com

Aahhahh!!! Football is back, and we want to start off by wishing one of Arsenal's finest a Happy 40th Birthday Celebration. King Henry, the Va Va Va Voom of the Arsenal FC, 228 goals for the club making him the all time highest scorer....Iiiggweee!

What an opening weekend of matches we had and as always Arsenal was part of what made it a spectacle…..well depending on what team you trump for. The gunners didn’t disappoint in their opening day encounter with the Foxes from the city of Leicester, delivering a performance that had the excitingly annoying mix of the good, the bad, and the very ugly to watch. A seven goal thriller as a season curtain raiser is always going to be a joy to any neutral but to a team that ends up with zero points despite scoring three goals In such a match…..needless to say. Let quickly run through some of the positives from the game.

The Good.

Three points is always a welcome haul from any league match and this one isn’t different, the boiz went out wobbled and stumbled to them like two left Danny Welbz legs trying out for a ballet role in a Hollywood movie. Considering the fact that the gunners have won just one of their opening fixtures in the past six seasons makes this even more of a pleasant surprise so I will take it with joy. Lacazette had a dream league debut with a goal, plus the manner in which the team fought back for the win does tick the box for me the most. First it was leveling it at 2-2 just on the stroke of half time, then after we kept plugging away at 3-2 down with less than 15 minutes to go, reminiscent of a seemingly developing habit of fighting back. Two fabulous goals from two spot-on substitutes by Wenger and the tide was turned for the team. The cherry on the cake will be doing this without the distraction of Sanchez and a terrible makeshift back line of 3 wing backs and a midfielder. Now that’s something like a silver lining to cheer.....…init?

The Bad

It won’t be arsenal if we didn’t get some hairy nail-biting edge of ya seat moments will it? I guess it won’t, in my review of the community shield game, I said both teams (Arsenal and Chelsea) didn’t look ready for the season and their respective opening day performances buttressed that conclusion. The gunners true to character, delivered some horrendous defending I wish I could reach out from the perch of my seat and scream someone’s head off. First of all the whole team was without harmony and how in the world did Xhaka have such an awful day at the office? That’s especially after his stellar performance against Chelsea in the community shield. He was just a liability, he allowed Okazaki to win a header over him for Leicester’s first goal, he gave away possession cheaply in a dangerous area that lead to the second goal and he lost Vardy for their third goal. An absolute shambolic out of sorts’ cacophony of defending. I mean, after Lacazette put the team ahead in less than two minutes, you would be forgiven to think the gunners were gonna come out all gunz   cannons blazing ready to run riot on Leicester. Kudos to Leicester though, the gunners gave them a look-in and the Foxes took the game to their opponents. The right side of the team was weak, with Özil Bellerin and Holding. The Foxes smelt it and they duly attacked from there. If you ask me, I would say the gunners were lucky to snatch three points

The Ugly

All that negative being said above, we won and we had to scrap for those precious three points. If there is anything this team is showing in recent times, it’s the ability to fight back, it’s not always pretty but it’s nice to get the feeling that the boiz are up for a scrap. That boy Kolasinac is showing how to do an ugly job and I am loving it. He was ball watching for Vardy’s second goal but all through the game he was bulldozing the team forward. He crowned his performance with a peach of an assist to Welbz, plus his goal and assist in the community shield, you will agree with me he just might be the bargain find of this season. On an even uglier note, Wenger has come out to say Lucas Perez can leave the club which is a shame cuz I think he is very capable of hitting double figures in goals & assists but hey i ain't Wenger.

The Arsenal train chugs down to pay the potters a visit. Playing Stoke at the Bet 365 stadium has never been a cake walk so I am not expecting an easy match, however I expect the team knows the importance of bagging another the points in order to keep building the momentum. The gunners have just a win in six visits to Stoke and that’s not good. Stoke lost their opening day fixture at Goodison park so I would be wary of them rallying for a response. Shaqiri Allen Crouch and Fletcher could be tricky customers on their day and I wouldn’t want us to underestimate them. None of that lazy rag tag defending we saw against Leicester else Crouch will be smacking his lips at the prospect high going against them. Our Team news is much better than it was a couple weeks ago, Mustafi Coq & Merts are available for selection if Wenger feels like reigning Holding in, he had one of his less than impressive games against Leicester. Anyway let’s hope we can get a couple over them potters in their backyard. My expected line up still has Giroud coming off the bench, Welbeck and Lacazette get the nod ahead of him. My team sheet looks like:   Subs: Ospina, Giroud, Walcott, Coquelin, Elneny, Kolasinac, Niles, Iwobi.  

   

 I expect a tough game with the odds against us but i think that line-up should be able to handle what the potters bring on so lets hope i am right. That's it from us here, please remember to give us your feedback and like our Facebook page here. Enjoy the game wherever you are......Ciaooo

2017-18 Kick-Off & Transfer Rumblings

Image Credit: Versus.co.uk

Its been a dazed two weeks for the “record” as we have been stunned speechless. I am just about finding my tongue in all this crazy, mind boggling, eye popping world of transfer. Just in case you’re wondering whats got me all tongue tied, it’s not the the fact that white house circus continues from one ill advised comment to the other, or that Buhari is really testing the patience of many Nigerians with his neither here nor there presidency. It’s the Neymar transfer for heaven’s sake, £198 Milliioooon!!! Football has gone bonkers on another level if you ask me, Mouhrinho being right about the “bargain” tag he called Pogba when Man United made him the world’s most expensive player last season is a lot to stomach but hey he is right on the Money!! Wenger might as well just admit what we all knew before, FIFA & UEFA with their FFP rules are just crapped out bollocks to say it nicely without cussing. Barca crying foul to the Spanish FA is just pure hypocrisy after creating football's largest buyout clauses with one hand while collecting 198 million pounds in the other. Football has become a financial monster of a juggernaut and we (U and me) are all responsible for creating the beast, oooh the footballing gods, how did we get here? Look in the mirror my peoples……..that's how.

Enough with the whining, back to things Arsenal eeeiih. The gunners managed to best Chelsea to another tinware at wembley. While I wouldn’t be excited over that win. It’s good for the confidence of the boiz going into the season and Conte must really be livid with his charges. Not like I am any concerned about that, its th gunners that’s my own source of worry.  Our 2017/18 season kicks off in a hours to a day and I can say from the Chelsea and Sevilla matches, Arsenal isn’t prepared for the campaign (yeah neither is Chelsea) but that’s not my problem. The Team still has obvious holes to fill in midfield and attack, contractual distractions should have been sorted out and deadwood U, me and ma dog (I don’t have one) know about should have long been shipped out with replacements brought in.  That’s what change was promised at the end of last season’s fiasco, but as we all probably feared with things on Arsenal Transfer, we are the so measured out of the blocks in doing the needful, always seem to be settling for the baseline minimum for the team. I don’t mean to be a nitpick here, I mean Kolasinac looks like he will be a Holdinesque bargain pick while Lacazzete is showing signs of good things to come, which can only be good for Arsenal hopefull (touch wood).

Image credits: Skysports Online

My question in an honest assessment is “Are those two adequate to plug the holes in the squad?” We all know the answer to that question and that’s what gives me worry. Arsenal again is playing catch up even before the season begins and I can’t understand why?  Let’s look across the road to see the competition. The mancunians are still strengthening their squads while we are dawdling as usual, I really don’t know what’s up with Spurs n Pool though and I don’t care. If we intend to navigate this season with the extra strain of the Europa league (bad taste) then Wenger and the board had better wake up to their duties because, this season is gonna make or break a legacy for someone in Arsenal and for his sake I hope Arsene realizes it.

Leicester City come to town on Friday in the EPL proper, so it time to dust out our cable subscriptions ready for another season of footie fest. Leicester have a lot to prove after last season’s failings. Not like we expected them to attain 2015/16 season’s height or anything but I am sure the taste for success in the league and champion’s league would be something they will be looking to aspire towards. Their Asia tour during preseason wasn’t stellar, Iheanacho joining the Foxes them from Man City makes them potent, even though Rhiyad Mahrez is still itching for a move away. Now whether they are more prepared than the gunners will be seen on Friday and I hope we don’t underestimate them. Another concern for me is Arsenals recent opening day form, which has seen us loose in the last 3 season’s……not the best of comforts, I know.  On who plays for the gunners, there are plenty uncertainties according to Wenger:

 “I have players coming back who have not played, like Mustafi. Alexis will not be available for example, so I cannot go into the game with too many uncertainties. I can take a gamble on one, maybe maximum two, but I focus more on the players who had the right number of competitive minutes in recent weeks. We are well prepared and ready for a fight, and of course ambitious as well".                                   There you go, 90+ minutes will tell us on how well prepared or ambitious the gunners are. That’s it from us, do enjoy the game wherever you may be and dont forget to like our facebook page here ..........Ciaoooo

Season Review III & 2017 Emirates Cup

So whats up ma footie people in football, can you smell it? Oooo sure you can, its football in the air, plus silly money in transfer fees stinking up the beautiful game too. With the “economic tour” of China and Australia done and dusted. Chelsea giving the young guns a revenge lesson while at it, the Arsenal train comes home to roost with the Emirates cup at the fore. We all know going to the far east is for promoting “The Arsenal Brand” while showcasing a few young gunners (if any) and seeing where we go. The sterner test comes just before the community shield in the Emirates cup. That’s not to say the tourney is a great indicator of how well prepared we are for the season, NO! More often than not Arsenal is never wrapped up with its transfer biz by then, this season is no different. Even ma lil daughter knows the squad is lacking but Arsenal will dilly and dally till we never address the gaping holes in the team, very reactive…..never proactive.

The transfer news is awash with Thomas this and Lamar that, but not much is happening except the same old same just change the days. Yeah we have Lacazette down with the dreaded ‘#9’ squad number but its looking like more outs than ins for the gunners. A Sanchez dark cloud is still hanging (will he go, will he not). Add a sure Perez(which I don’t understand why) cuz he is good. A Gibbs, a Jenks and maybe Jack and the Ox more to go …..Yeah, that’s Arsenal, still, let’s pause with the rant and continue the 2016/17 end of season critique shall we??  

##The Midfield

A look at Arsenal's Midfield options at the start of last season showed the gunners to be well stocked, so much that Jack had to go out on loan. We had Neny, Santi, Ramsey, Le Coq, Xhaka, Oxlade and of course Ozil vying for just 3 slots when all fit so it made sense for Jack to go play elsewhere if he could manage to stay fit. Looking at those names, no one could argue against the power and poise present. Ozil Chamberlain Carzola for nifty craft while Xhaka Neny and Le Coq for grit and graft. Arsenals midfield never really bossed it like we expected. Xchaka brought his long range of passing which was good but he also came with his knack for picking up silly fouls and ultimately red cards. Santi much to my chagrin was over played (Like wenger did jack) till his ankles let go and our season went up in puff. That for me was the beginning of our end last season, Santi is one magician who connects the dots between the midfield and attack like no other, retaining possession in tight spaces while finding the “spring pass”. He was definitely missed end of story. Ozil on the other hand was a mixed bag, lots of creativity but lacking that killa instinct to pull a team over the line. He did have his best ever goals returns in club football thus far. Double digits in goals and assists, 13 each something he rarely achieves in goals, assists definitely yes.

 Despite his assists numbers taking a dive compared to last season, he was still more productive last season than any other. His numbers show he contributed to 26 goals as compared to 25 the season before. It seems my focus is on him cuz he is such a player that polarizes the fan base and I happen to be a fan of his, like him or hate him. His numbers are improving, sure he disappears in big games sometime but he also scores in big games, Chelsea Man U Liverpool Spurs, and Mancity He has scored against them or assisted against them all so whats the biggie. He does need to show a bit more aggression in his game, like when he chased and tackled Hazard in the FA cup final last season ….that was epic. A one off though, in all honesty we won’t be seeing him do many of such but he can do more to influence BIG games, I definitely agree with that. That said, with Lacazette on board now and hopefully a fitter Welbeck this season, Just maybe he can have a more influential season goals and assists wise.

Now lets get back to the Emirates Cup, we shouldn’t read much into these games (Sanogo anyone) just make sure the squad gets sharper in terms of fitness levels, with no injuries and we good. I would be looking at Maitiland Niles as a potential step up, whether he is ready or not is another question, I guess time will tell. Anyway, Arsenal take on Benfica in a early evening kickoff Saturday, while Sevilla do bizness against last season’s Bundesliga surprise package RB Leipzig. Our Team News shows a mix of experience and a sprinkling of youth here and there Cohen, Wilcock, Neilson and Niles all getting a look in so lets see how they fare ….again touch wood.  Anyway that’s it from us here, do enjoy the games wherever you may be…Ciaoooo.

Early Season Review Part II

Image Source: Arsenal Dotcom

Eid Mubarak greetings to all our Muslim friends out there, we come in peace and love. So where do we start,  i mean there's so much to talk on especially with what’s being going on in the world of football? Aaaah yeah there’s the confederations cup still on going, with the semis slated for 29^th and the 30^th of June. A consolation of sort for club football enthusiasts like you and me but hey,. For what it’s worth,  its better than nada so i will take that…….Go Chile….Go Chile!!

Aiite enough of that, let’s get back to things Arsenal and continue with our 2017/2017 season review. We would take a critiquing critical look at our back five.

The Defence

         We all know that attack is the best form of defence Arsene Wenger likes to bang on the mantra about how we like to play fluid attacking football, very pretty on the eye with its expansive play. The good thing about that is yes, you deny the opponent the ball and limit their chances (Barcelona under Pep) right? I wish that was the case at Arsenal right now, cuz its not, we barely excited with pretty football and the gunners shipped in more goals last season that the previous season. This being the case after buying Mustafi and Holding, the former while an experienced international, has not exactly plugged the leaks. The latter on the other hand has been quite a revelation ……at a snippet too. Having said that, let’s start from the keeper Cech, it’s obvious he isn’t as stellar as he used to be back in Chelsea but he still is an upgrade over all our other keepers so moving on. It’s very obvious to everyone (including Wenger I hope) that you can’t win the EPL with a defence that ships in over forty goals a season. Naaah can’t work! If you ask me, our individual defenders are good. Bellerin is besides a few bogey games (crystal palace away), is developing into a world beater of a wing back, Monreal is still one of the most consistent left backs in the league, Koscielny I dare say is a world class center back even at over 30 years of age. Jury is still out on Mustafi but his debut season with us looks promising if not outstanding. 

          Now having said these, how come Arsenal is still conceding goals hopelessly? Simple.. our collective defending as a unit.  Look at Chelsea and Tottenham especially, as much as it goads me to say this, Spurs had the best goal difference(60) , scored the highest number of goals (86) and conceded the least number last season (26), did I hear you ask so why didn’t they win the league (pun intended)? Well I don’t know why, and frankly I really don’t care if they didn’t. Arsenal on the other were hand were 5^th on goal difference (33), 4^th on goals scored (77) and a distant 6^th on goals conceded (44) We definitely could borrow a leaf from either of Spurs book cuz they understand what It means to defend as a Unit way way better than the gunners despite the fact that we have better individuals. If I was Arsene, I would be looking at those numbers above and get Steve Bould to come up with a better plan. Conceding 44 goals in a season is just not good enough for a club of Arsenals stature, more indicting is matching the numbers side by side Spurs’s…..its DAMNING ARSENE, & that’s me putting it nicely. Whatever it is, just fix it.

On the transfers’ front, it’s the usual circus of speculations and half-truths just to get us to click links and buy their papers aye. Today its Mbape tomorrow its Lemar or Lacazette well my advice people, just remember Arsenal doesn’t conduct its transfers in the open so I take all these links/speculations with a pinch of salt. It would be nice to have Mbape though, to think we could have snapped him up last season for chum change. Anyway I don’t see Arsene spending all that money to get Mbape so let’s move on, Lacazette is looking more likely if you ask me and maybe one of Mahrez or Lemar. Then it’s on to the OUTs, Oxlade, Giroud, Walcott and Alexis, they won’t all go but I fear we would lose at least two of those players, note I said at least two. Quite frankly I wont mind losing Giroud as he is 30+ and not quite the consistent, i repeat the word consistent goal machine we desire. As long as we are getting a younger proven goal scorer like Lacazette albeit untested in the EPL. Alexis sale is a no no except its Aguero from city plus cash….Yes, plus CA$$H! Here is why, Aguero is good I mean really EPL proven gooood, but he is 29 and very injury prone, he also isn’t a harrier like Sanchez, plus whats the wage bill on MR Kun?? That’s why I need the cash. Oxlade I will keep and let Walcott go, the money could be used to get a Mahrez who has way more potential if you ask me. 

 Whatever we are doing I hope Arsene doesn’t dally as he is known to, get your team settled before the league kicks off instead of playing catch up again. I guess time will tell, for now let’s just enjoy the media circus of silly season as they regenerate same stories from the same old sources and quotes. Do enjoy the Confed cup games wherever you are….Ciaoo!