OFFICIAL: Arsenal completes the Signing of Mustafi

BREAKING NEWS!!! I GUESS YOU ALREADY KNEW

Arsenal have announced the signing of Valencia centre-back Shkodran Mustafi.

MORE THAN JUST A FLASH IN THE PAN aka RASH’S EPIPHANY

         The English Wonder Kid

Was on youtube recently to watch Paul Pogba do the dab*smiles*(don’t judge me,he is worth it!!).pun unintended!!

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I digress,

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Of the numerous videos I scanned through,one of the few videos I watched was of Thierry Henry interviewing Pobga at Carrington(Man United’s training center).Apart from seeing Theirry dab(which was cool by the way*insert smile*)one thing stood out for me in that interview was his response when he was asked the Ferguson question.

He said and I paraphrase,’I have no issue with Sir Alex,the only issue between us then  was that at that time,I was ready but he felt I wasn’t’.

Simply put,Pogba waited for  his opportunity to be thrown into the fray,he was patient,he was ready,he didn’t get a chance and he found his way to Italy.

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I digress again,

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Marcus Rashford,the precocious English Wonder kid whose exploits last season earned him a seat on the flight to the Euros with the Three Lions.Despite their uneventful outing,making the trip is a an achievement worth  pointing out for the English teenager.

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He announced himself to the world,thanks to the serendipitous injury to Anthony Martial during the match warm ups,of the Europa League group stage match against Midtylland where he scored twice.Arsenal and Manchester City were subsequent follow ups that to a reasonable extent made Rashford a name that was on every lip for all the right reasons.

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I was still skeptical and labelled him a one hit wonder. Blame me not,time and again we all  have been wowed by countless prodigies who eventually fail to deliver when it matters.

He continued to be be a useful trump card for Manchester United and racked up more goals last season

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Last weekend against a resolute Hull City defence who were ready to win ‘a draw’,even the star studded Machester United line up were in sixes and sevens about how to get a goal in.Ibrahimovic was marked,Pogba unlucky in front of goal,Martial low on confidence,Mata lacking that oomph and miki showing flashes of quality,Man U were doomed to drop points at the KB stadium.

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In came Rashford and things opened up,not completely though.This time the defenders were pinned back,a different kind of player was in.He took on defenders,had a go at the goal keeper that almost found its way in and a text book cross that Ibrahimovic underrated(the irony).Your guess is as good as mine who got the winning goal.

Good work by Rooney on the flank and he was right on time to meet with the square play.

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                         Rashford's future is hardly in Mourinho's hands!

There was a lot of buzz after the match about Jose Mourinho giving Rashford more playing time and it is understandable.

Looking at a forward line that has Zlatan who has a spot that only injury can hinder him from,Martial and Rooney above him in the pecking order,Marcus Rashford’s opportunities  are in all truth,slim.

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I choose to see things through different set of eyes…Marcus Rashford’s.

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For me,this season should be Rashford’s Epiphany.A revelation of who he truly is as a footballer and what he truly is capable of.He should know if he ‘is ready or not’ to go next level with his football.

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It is a 'dog eat dog life' out there and to couple the unfairness and unpredictability of life with uncertainty and a blur idea of who one is and what one is capable of is a recipe doomed for disaster.

Hope he has his epiphany because his potential is otherwordly and stupendous!!! and of course I wish him all the best this season.

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Ciao!!!

Arsenal signs Lucas Perez Martinez aka Wenger at his best

     

 

Arsenal's new boy,Perez

Was greeted this morning by my friend shelocs with the youtube video of a certain  Lucas Perez.A striker that Arsenal just purchased and truthfully I was by far more than impressed by what I saw.I was double impressed when I got to know how much Wenger acquired his services,

20 million pounds!!!

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I digress.

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To an average football viewer ,Arsenal’s problems are easy to point out.They lack a strong spine in  the midfield despite their flurry of creative talent in that same department, and they need a striker that could consistently deliver the goods to goal ‘avenue’ and not just a striker that is  a genius at link up play*insert Olivier Giroud*.

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Arsenal’s transfer window this summer has not been sprinkled with confetti or graced by red carpet buys like their counter parts (hello Man U) and considering the inflation in the transfer market these days to purchase about anybody,it was quite justifiable that Wenger was put to the sword by fans and football enthusiasts alike for his unchanging shrewd and “I won’t budge attitude” that still shone bright despite the gaping holes that he needed to fill and the little time he had to act.

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But looking at his foray in the transfer market this window objectively,it may not be stacked with the most expensive toys one could find but they certainly are strategic,necessary and  yes cheap.

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Lucas Perez is a 27 year old left footed Attacking midfielder who can also play as a forward.

His goal tally was 17 goals in 36 games  last season and averaged almost a goal every two games which is by far impressive considering he plays for Deportivo la coruna in a league dominated by the ballon d’or twins and Atleti.

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A tireless and willing runner with a great first touch who is not just lethal in front of goal but also not scared to take on defenders or cut in from the flank on to his favored left foot.A flourishing partnership with Olivier Giroud is definitely in the books.

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He is also a creator with a 72 chances created  and 6 assists last season.The only weakness he seems to posses is his aerial prowess.A weakness that Giroud more than complements.His ability anyway is not judged by his prowess with his feet off the ground,so he still qualifies as a fantastic player.

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Statistics compare him with Alexandre Lacazette(who has been Arsenal’s prime target) and even the Atleti Poster boy,Griezmann and he fared very well in a lot of departments.His potential in that light in a bigger and stronger team is stupendous to say the least.

Arsenal fans can calm down now as Wenger has filled all the gaps that needed filling  in his team and he did that at a very affordable way.

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Kudos to Wenger and Kudos to Arsenal.

I really look forward to see how they fare in this new season.

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Ciao

MANCHESTER UNITED VS SOUTHAMPTON and how i saw it.

how Man U got their groove back

 

 

Err…i think i should begin this post with an advice to Monsieur Wenger,’with all due respect to your age and experience sir,please swallow your pride and adapt to change.Sign at least a player before the transfer window runs out or you will be the butt of so so many jokes…and yes you’ll end up without your 4th position trophy you so love.’
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I digress
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I just had to put all i was doing last night to go see Man U’s match,to go watch Paul Pogba and boy…was i entertained.My 70naira was maximally enjoyed.Man United were a beauty to watch.Talk about buying your bark and your bite back.*side eyes Arsenal*
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Here are a few things i saw:
. Paul Pogba may be overpriced but he ain’t overhyped.
Okay,he misplaced his first touch.
Then grew into the game and he bossed that midfield like a pro.
He oozed confidence whenever on the ball,very aware,physically dominant,has a fantastic passing range and he is a dribbler too.All i can do is regret why he couldn’t be signed by my club.He is the complete package and he is just 23! Ohhh Lord!!
. The influence at the center
I have a feeling that Fellaini would be very useful to Mourinho.With his towering presence in that midfield,combined with mourinho’s trust,he is there to stay and cause havoc.
Mata had a great game also,and he did a lot of tracking back.Lessons learnt
in blue(you dig?err…maybe later).Miki had an Ok cameo,i just wonder and look forward to how he would fit into Mourinho’s jigsaw.
Rooney assisted zlatan’s first and had a good game but for me save for his rep. as an english player,i am not so much a fan of his work.
. zlat firepower
2 goals 2 easy.Zlatan Ibrahimovic is doing how he does best.His header just encapsulates every reason why he was bought.Standing as big and huge like a meta human amongst humans,that man would take some stopping this season.
Martial would eventually get into his own element.There were flashes of that.
. BLINDed by bailey
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It felt as though Eric bailey was the only center back.He was involved in almost any and everything.Confident,quick,strong,arrogant.The perfect Mourinho defender cocktail!!
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It is a tad to early to say this team are champion material.But i daresay that Man U just got their groove back and they are taking no prisoners.
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Ciao...

Lights,Camera,Goal!!! aka Football like a movie

Hello
My name is Fabian Irabor,i'd prefer you'd refer to me as Ian Irabor though for obvious reasons*insert smile*.I have been blogging about football on and off for some time now and some of you may know me from my first blog (iamianlu.wordpress.com).