Dortmund 2-0 Arsenal: My View

Well it was a terrible display from the gunners with the stats saying it all and were even lucky not to have conceded more goals. As a team its was awful, individually there were many players below par and overall it was a bad way to start this year's Champions League.

From the first minute it was so obvious of what the German club had in mind for the gunners. The speed of play, the pressing high up and they made life very difficult for Arsenal. That is not so much a surprise but the fact that Arsenal made it more difficult for themselves baffled me. They couldn't do the basics of the game; control and passing the ball effectively. The few chances created all fell on deaf ears. You can't win games in UCL without taking your chances.

The introduction of Carzola and OX brought a little but ineffective improvement.Welbeck's finishing was very poor especially that miss towards the end of second half. These are the kind of chances he was brought in to put away but I still believe he will get his sparks and confidence immediately he scores his first goal.
  
To cap a shameful night Jack Wilshere  picked up an ankle injury that has been keeping him out of shape as regards his potentials for the past two years. It all went wrong last night but for them to pick up in games ahead especially in EPL, they need to change the pattern of play.

The 4-1-4-1 formation is not working well for them. If Wenger can't use Ozil from the middle, he should sit on the bench because playing from the flanks is awful for him . I want to see the likes of Rosciky, Campbell and Ospina given chances to play.

Till then, I will keep my fingers and toes crossed for now.

UEFA Champions League Returns

The European Champions League is back to action tonight with the toughest game between Borrusia Dortmund and Arsenal in Germany.
Both teams met in the group stage last season with both clubs winning at their respective away stadium.

The second English team involved today is Liverpool who returns to the competition after over 5years absence.
I go for victories for both English clubs but expect a nail biting encounter especially in Germany.

Giroud facing 3 months out?

A rather bizare twist to Giroud's injury erupted last night as L'Equipe journalist Bruno Constant Tweeted and the story is circulating this morning in the British press that the French man will be out for three months with a broken foot.


Obviously this is a bad news both for the short and long term.
This means gunners best striker wont be available for tomorrow's crucial Champions League playoff.
It raises questions now about letting Podolski leave and also implies Wenger must dig deep into the market.
On a positive note, the transfer window is still open for the next six days for Arsenal to react.


Some strikers have been linked recently notably Cavani but I doubt if Wenger will go for an established chap. With Sanogo out and Sanchez not so effective in that role due to Arsenal's pattern of play, Podolski will be vital especially for the Besiktas game.


The ball is in your territory now Wenger and Ghazidis!!!

EPL Review: Gunners Fight Back

Arsenal made a notable come back at Goodison Park to draw with Everton 2-2.
The toffes took a 2-0 lead at half time but the gunners fought back with goals from Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.

Earlier Chelsea made it two out of two with a 2-0 win over new boys Leciester City at the Bridge.

The tie of the week is the monday fixture between defending champion Manchester City and Liverpool with the possibility of former city man Mario Balotelli making his debut for Liverpool.

Arsenal need more signings if they are to compete in all front this season. A defensive midfielder and a center defender is sine qua non.

FA Community Shield: Arsenal Dispatches Man City

After winning the FA cup in May following a nine year trophy drought, Arsenal collected their second trophy in three months after dispatching Manchester City 3-0 in the community shield encounter.

Goals from Carzola, Ramsey and Giroud gave the gunners the community shield silverware.
The real deal starts next week and all eyes will be on the gunners as they try to make amends to last season's EPL slump.

FA Community Shield 2014: Arsenal vs. Manchester City

It's the cotton raiser for the start of the English Premier League football Season with Arsenal taking on Manchester City.
The FA cup winner against the League winner today at the famous Wembley stadium.

Both teams are expected to field an incomplete first eleven as a result of the burn out from the World cup.

It is an opportunity for Arsenal to claim a stake in big games after been ripped off last season in these games.
As for City, they will be out to prove they are still in the mix of the top shots in the EPL.

Ebola Virus: Stop This Unconfirmed Rumours

As news swirls in the early hours of August 8, 2014 about the outbreak of Ebola virus in Yola, I begin to question myself. What are Nigerians doing to themselves?
We are so quick in circulating unconfirmed rumours all in the name of trying to save our loved ones.

Please get yourself educated and stop this rumour about bathing with salt. Same people came out few days ago about bitter kola all to no avail.
Just have a regular bath with soap. Google is your close friend, use it often to get more information.

Above all, let us channel more efforts to prayers for God to heal this land

GOD BLESS

2014 Emirates Cup: Valencia Triumph

Result for Day 2
VALENCIA 3-1 BENFICA
ARSENAL   0-1 MONACO

Final standings
VALENCIA.....9points
ARSENAL.......8points
MONACO.......7points
BENFICA........2points

With this result, Valencia is the 2014 Emirates Cup Champion

2014 Emirates Cup Result: Day1

MONACO 2-2 VALENCIA
ARSENAL 5-1 BENFICA

Colombia striker Radamel Falcao came off the bench for the French side in the closing stages of the first game as they twice came from behind.
This is his first appearance since his injury in January which prompted his absence at the world cup.

Arsenal's 21 year old striker Yaya Sanogo scored his first goal for the club by netting four times while the Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell had a goal to his credit with Alexis Sanchez and Calum Chambers making their debuts.

As it stands going into tomorrow's final day,
Arsenal....8points
Monaco...3points
Valencia..3points
Benfica....1point

2014 Emirates Cup

All is set for 2014 Emirates cup in London

Match Schedule Fixtures:
Saturday 2nd August
1400 - Valencia v AS Monaco
1620 - Arsenal FC v  Benfica

Sunday 3rd August
1400 SL Benfica v Valencia
 1620Arsenal FC v AS Monaco

 All times are UK local times

Point System

3 points for a win
1 point for a draw
1 point for each goal
0 points for a defeat

If two or more teams finish equal on points, the following criteria shall apply:
a) better goal difference
b) if still level - greater number of goals scored
c) if still level – greater number of shots on target (as determined by the Emirates Cup Tournament Committe)

Source....www.arsenal.com

The 2014 Emirates Cup

All is almost set for the start of this year's emirates cup involving Arsenal, Monaco, Benfica and Valencia this weekend at the emirates stadium in London.
It's a four club competition primarily to get these players in shape prior to the new football season.