Sabi boi:
Morning boys...
Sabi boi:
How we gearing up?
OKECHUKWU:
Morning Sabi
Ekanem:
Morning boys.....lovely day outside
Sabi boi:
Not lovely here(london),fog,no mini skirts...jackets all around....but for once tell me u enjoyed the international week becos of the man called zlatan!!
Tosman:
Morning guys....
OKECHUKWU:
Its a beautiful day here too in Abuja
Tosman:
Its just too sunny in this side of d city....and yeah I rili enjoyed Zlatan's show yesterday, not least his last goal...world class
OKECHUKWU:
I couldn't agree more Zlatan is definitely world class
Sabi boi:
Well he's always been criticised for being too lazy,attitude,bla bla bla but gave the sweden and england 4 reason to be happy and sad respectively...am sure one or maybe two of you will be hoping giround takes a lesson off him against tottenham on saturday..can he?
Ekanem:
He has always had that in him....he posses the strength and skill to make it anywhere
OKECHUKWU:
I certainly hope Giroud does but I've learnt to expect the least from him. I'd rather be surprised than disappointed
Tosman:
I think Giroud could be better than he is right now. His movement off the ball is very very good and he gets chances bt I have been a bit surprised that he hasn't taken most of them. Wenger Certainly did his homework before signing him but he will come good I think
Sabi boi:
Well,if he's as good as u describe him...why is he goal shy?does the blame fall solely on him or his team mates?or is the entire teams form wengers fault?giroud scored 25 goals for current french champions montepellier last season..what has changed...and okey,why would you u surprised that a STRIKER scores?
Sabi boi:
And mr Ekanem,what can giroud learn from zlatan..hahaha
OKECHUKWU:
Well, Sabi, I think Giroud could be way better than he is right now but he still needs some time to adjust into both the Arsenal style of play and English football and also I think people are expecting way too much from him at the moment
Tosman:
With his two goals against fulham and his lone strike against fulham, I think maybe he is getting his game back and who knows what saturday holds for him....am not sure his form is down to his teammates because he has missed some sitters..if we go back to d first match of the season when he missed a glorious chance against sunderland, maybe that really affected him much more than we think.
Ekanem:
I agree with tosman in one regard giroud is a talented player. We should remember he's new to the league and has to adapt to the pace and style of it.
Ekanem:
He would definitely improve.his conffidence infront of goal is improving
Sabi boi:
We buy players to improve our teams?and after loosing RVP,giroud was seen as the man to take the torch....so will it be correct to say its understandable why people will not be patient with him....cazorla has settled in from day 1..so if giroud is a top player,shouldnt he settle as quick?
Tosman:
The teams form is down to the manager...selling your best player and captain and striker of van persie's calibre, you should know that u would struggle for goals unless you replace him or the rest of the team contributes more. Carzola and Podolski are good players but they have adapted to the pace of the league but wenger should have added more quality players especially in attack and in defense
Sabi boi:
In order words igwe...u saying he did not get it right with giroud?
Ekanem:
Its different bcos they play in diff positions. Cazorla sees more of the ball...and play goes thru him. Its different for a striker,a lot of his game depends on the supply from midfield or thru the wings. He can make good runs all day but if the supply isn't gd enuff it won't matter
OKECHUKWU:
I agree with ekanem the difference in positions played by Giroud and Carzola matters too but at the same time I think the main blame rest on the head of Prof. Wenger who has constantly sold Arsenal's best players season after season and by some magical means thinks he would win its simple logic great player make great teams and great players take time to settle in a team and when u sell your best player who has been with the team for so long what do u expect?
Sabi boi:
But strikers are judged on goals and goal ratio....shouldn't he take what chance he has?and regardless of supply,shouldn't a top striker create some of his chances?
Ekanem:
We also have to remember that RVP took some time to become the player he is tday....so we shd give Giroud some time
Sabi boi:
Ekanem But rvp didn't start as a top striker?
Ekanem:
Sabi not all strikers are wired that way. all I'm saying is that he shouldn't be judged by 10 or 15 games. And Giroud cannot be classified as a top striker either
Tosman:
Well, he took a gamble on Giroud and he might come good later on bt @ the moment he is struggling and giroud doesn't look the type that will create goals for himself. He relies mostly on thru balls and crosses to make his mark.
Ekanem:
He's had 2 good seasons in france...dat doesn't make u a top striker
Sabi boi:
So if he's not a top striker,why buy him especially when you have a track record of always having quality leading your attack line apart from fox in the box jeffers.
Ekanem:
Well dats for wenger to answer...wasn't one of his best judgements
Ekanem:
I think he'll come gd..just not immediately
OKECHUKWU:
I think giroud could be a top striker but again it takes time
Tosman:
Wenger is probably looking at this way, many of his players have the potential to be top players bt the questions we the fans are asking is when will that be......only carzola and maybe vermeleun and sagna can be considered as top players for now.
Sabi boi:
So why give giroud that chance,since we think he will come good and not give the likes of walcott or podolski?
Ekanem:
Well he needs games to fulfil dat potential. The only time podolski played there,he was non existent, and I don't think walcott is ready for dat role quite yet
Sabi boi:
But as u say podolski has played there once,should he judged by one performance?...besides he has proven he can play there like giroud when he played for cologne.is girouds potential bigger than podolski..and walcott isn't ready?why?when will he be?
Tosman:
Giroud should be given a chance because of what has done in france and what we think he can do for arsenal. He gives arsenal different options. He has the potential of being a top striker that can hold the ball, score goals from crosses with his height and has good movements and he has shown glimpses of it. Podolski hasn't played much in central much of his career and I don't think he can play that role and for all walcott's goalscoring ability in one on one situations and maybe some the odd brilliant goals, he can't do dat in the premeirship. Its nt that easy wit the tough tackling and things
Sabi boi:
But igwe,walcott has only played in the epl apart from his early days with southampton..podolski has played as a striker In germany...so what's the difference...anyways boys,seeing as its not just about giroud(atleast we hope so)..arsenal v tottenham...saturday,emirates....wenger or avb.who has lost the plot more?and who needs the 3 points more?
Ekanem:
The thing with podolski is he has fit into the left side seamlessly and has built a gd understanding with gibbs....I don't think wenger wd want to sacrifice him for that position. Walcott needs a little finetuning bfore he can lead the line as a lone striker. His awareness is still flawed and he needs to wrk on it
Tosman:
Podolski played just a season as the main striker in Cologne but I stil prefer Giroud and walcott should stick to his wing play and leave the striking role...I might be wrong bt walcott shouldn't be played as a striker. Can Walcott hold the ball for his teammates if he is played as a lone striker against teams like chelsea?? Am nt sure
OKECHUKWU:
Walcott still needs a lot of work before he can start aspiring to be a lone striker and Podolski on the other hand is better suited to play on the flanks than from a more central role. In my opinion I think Arsenal still needs another striker mayb then giroud may finally step it up.
Sabi boi:
Podolski plays well with gibbs because he doesn't have to run back and defend....his inability to help his defence showed when he couldn't help santos against schalke at the emirates,yes the brazillian had a bad game but he goes up to support podolski in attack but gets no help from podolski in defending.and arsenal plays 4-3-3 normally and most of the time they never change their style of play...how many strikers have they had that had to hold the ball down...henry,which walcott is a mould off..used his pace,brain to lead the line..why can't walcott do the same?but let's talk about the north london derby for now...hahahah..loving this love for giroud boys..
Ekanem:
well both managers lost big players in the summer and had to make up for those losses. There where early season signings dat they had done dat but I'm guessing the reality of things is dawning on them. I think the pressure is more on wenger bcos of his reputation and that of his team. Arsenal have always been up there so the expectations a slightly higher for them than spurs
Tosman:
I just do not understand Avb, its clear that gallas is becoming weaker bt he is still playing him and why did he sanction the purchase of lloris and he is still keeping him on the bench. U do nt buy a quality keeper like Lloris and bench him. He also bought adebayor and didn't start him until against mancity and dt means benching Defoe dt has been on fire. He should be playing both of them in my opinion. He has definitely lost the plot more than wenger.
Ekanem:
Sabi we have to remember that despite penchant for speed henry had a frame that enabled him use his body well. Walcott on the other hand doesnt
Tosman:
Sabi I think the only thing u can compare henry n walcott is his finishing ability, other than that both of them can't be compared. Henry had sense while walcott has just an empty head
Sabi boi:
So who needs the 3 points more on saturday?and @ekanem, wenger shd be on more pressure but harry redknapp left spurs in a good condition and at a level of high expectancy...doesn't that leave avb on pressure @igwe...the sale of players and all,shouldn't levi take some of the blame?should have let modric go early so the funds could have been used to bring in quality plays like jao moutinho?
Sabi boi:
@igwe walcott also has pace if not faster than what henry had at similar age..
Ekanem:
Well I think arsenal need it more. They seem to be sliding into mediocracy and a derby win might be jus wat they need to kickstart their season
Ekanem:
as for the case for avb...I admit he's under pressure but a 4th to 6th place finish wd be acceptable for spurs....don't think dats d case for the gunners
Sabi boi:
I know the form guide doesn't matter with a derby but tottenham have played 11 games,won 5,drawn 2 and lost 4..leaving them with 17 points but have won more away from home..arsenal have played 11,won 4,drawn 4 and lost 3...16 points and won just 2 at home..both play a similar formation of 4-3-3....who do u think will win?
Sabi boi:
And 4th to 6th,that can't be acceptable for the spurs fans? after playing champions league 2 seasons ago and just missing out on champions league because chelsea won it...acceptable ekanem?
Tosman:
Hahahahaha @sabi walcott is faster for sure and ofcourse levy takes most of the blame for selling modric late and it would have been nice if modric was around to see wat avb would do wit him bt still spurs have other gud players in bale and lennon and even dembele who is injured. I hope he comes good because am a fan of his . In other case, arsenal need the 3 points more bcos of their own aspiration. They have become so weak that u can even bet on them even against weaker oppositon(not spurs). They r @ home and it would hit them If spurs going thru their own change come over n beat them. Spurs would panick much if they lose bcos thats what many would predict bt actually I think they have a better team than arsenal
Ekanem:
They'd handle it better than the arsenal fans who are used to more.
Sabi boi:
So are the arsenal fans used to not winning trophies?iare u learning to handle it better?
Ekanem:
I'd go for a draw bcos these are 2 teams dat desperately need points. I would like to think it wd be a tight and calculated game,but with these two teams we might have a goalfest
Tosman:
I reckon it will be a draw. Last season arsenal won thanks to van persie's ability bt it will be closer this time.
Sabi boi:
Adebayo returns to the emirates,am sure he will be welcomed with open arms..hahaha,he has started just one game this season but that was frowned upon as defoe was dropped even with his form....would you play both of them upfront?avb with a fully fit squad will pack the midfield with bale,lenon,dembele,dempsey/scott parker and sigursson...will u compromise that midfield to play 2 strikers especially against arsenal?
Ekanem:
I think playing 2 strikers wd be a bold move that wd leave spurs exposed in the middle of the pack. I doubt AVB wd be dat adventerous. I think he shd mimic the arsenal formation
Tosman:
if I was Avb, I would play both of them. Adebayor is coming up against and we kno that players r always motivated wen they play their former clubs and wit defoe on form, I 'd play them two and maybe drop dempsey who is a gud player bt hasn't shined as much 4 his new club. Defoe and adebayor will be alternating who drops deep to help the midfield wen the need arises.
Ekanem:
I think playing adebayor wd suit spurs cos his exactly d kind of player the arsenal backline don't like coming up against
Ekanem:
He'll surely cause dem some problems
Sabi boi:
Who has a more stable back 4?spurs have conceded 16 goals in the league this season and arsenal have conceded 11 but there are a lot of question marks on both defense lines right?
OKECHUKWU:
@sabi very true both back lines haven't been in the best shape this season but I think Arsenal has the better back four at the moment now
Ekanem:
Yes there are. The standout defenders for me have been vertoghen and metasacker. Arsenal have had to shuffle a lot this season and seems to have affected the commnication and concentration levels of the backline. I honestly haven't seen much of spurs this season but the stats of conceding 16 says it all. One things for sure,the team with the better defense wd edge the game
Tosman:
I watched both teams to a certain level and I think arsenal's problem has been their left back and that has been when gibbs is nt playing and spurs weak link has been gallas. Most of the goals has come thru his mistakes but arsenal has obviously defended far better as a team than spurs
Sabi boi:
@ekanem Better defense or better attack?
Sabi boi:
In terms of edging it?
Ekanem:
I think both teams attack well...it wd be the team dat deals better wit the others attack dat wd edge it
Sabi boi:
In attack terms..arsenal has scored 23 goals compared to spurs 15 goals but defoe scoring 5 compared to girouds 3
Sabi boi:
Will it be a game decided by strikers?
Ekanem:
I don't think so.they'll have big roles to play if selected, but the defence and midfield areas wd be more decisive in this game
Tosman:
I think it will be d midfield dt will decide. It will be an open game and I won't rule out strikers making the headlines
OKECHUKWU:
I think the midfield would be the major difference in both teams. The level of creativity from the midfield would in my opinion decide who wins ultimately
Sabi boi:
Speaking about midfield,jack is back and everyone hoping he gets back to his old self but since he's come back into the squad,he has kinda shadowed or slowed down cazorla play...why is that?who commands the midfield?
OKECHUKWU:
@ sabi its carzola for me because of his experience and his performance this season. I think both players have what it takes to command the midfield adequately but jack isn't at this best yet
Sabi boi:
But if jack isn't ready,why has cazorlas performance gone down,against qpr,jack ran the show and cazorla was quiet...carzorla only came to life when wilshere was red carded against man united...I ask again..who should command,can't they both command?
Ekanem:
I agree wit sabi....cazorla has been a bit subdued since jack returned. I want to believe there's a clash of roles as they are not particularly sure abt wat they shd do on the pitch. I believe the understanding wd grow after more games together. At d moment cazorla is a more experienced player and shd command d midfield
OKECHUKWU:
yh I noticed it too his performance has dropped a bit
Ekanem:
They have to compromise at times. Share d responsibilities.cazorla has been trying to hard in recent games and needs to keep it simple and share the responsibility
Sabi boi:
well let's hope the potential u all see in giroud and typical north london clash gives us a good game...last questions boys.....who's ur possible match winner? And final predictions?
Tosman:
Predictions - arsenal 3 vs spurs 3. Possible match winner is adebayor as he returns to his former club fully motivated to open his league account this season
Ekanem:
Ill go for 2-2 draw
OKECHUKWU:
I'll go for a 2-1 win for Arsenal and Carzola is my match winner.
Sabi boi:
Okay boys...its lunch time for me...by 3pm come saturday...we shall see who runs north london atleast till the return leg...good afternoon boys..
Tosman:
Cheers mate
OKECHUKWU:
Nice 1 boys
Ekanem:
Cheers guys
