Best of Europa League

The 2020/21 UEFA Europa League gradually and winding down to the grand-finale that will happen in Gdansk. The colloquial saying that "boys have been separated from men" is a good phrase one can loosely use in this case.

The four teams (Arsenal, AS Roma, Manchester United and Villarreal CF) remaining are among the biggest clubs in Europe and winning this trophy is a task none of them will take lighthearted as its the best route for three of them to be in the Champions League next season. 

Statistics 

Games played - 199

Goals scored - 600

Teams with most goals scored

Arsenal - 32 goals

AS Roma - 26 goals

Villarreal - 25 goals

Most attempts at goal

Arsenal - 175 (67 on target)

This season semi-final pitted two English teams against one Italian club and a Spanish side respectively.

Villarreal vs Arsenal

(1st-leg, April 29th & 2nd-leg, May 6th)

The coach of Villarreal, Unai Emery is a familiar name among the Gunners fan-base being a former manager, and due to his experience and records in this competition it will be difficult task to knock him and his boys out.

This is the Yellow Submarine fourth semi-final appearances in this competition, their previous appearances were in 2004,  2011 and 2016.

In the previous four meetings between both sides, Arsenal had 2 wins and the other two ended in stalemates.

So Mikel Arteta Gunners are being tip to qualify especially because winning this trophy is the most realistic way of them qualifying for the next season Champions League.

AS Roma vs Manchester United

(1st-leg, April 29th & 2nd-leg, May 6th)

Roma have been fantastic in this competition and a testament to that is the number of goals they had, including the individual brilliance of former Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral.

The Red Devils are the favorite to win and qualify after this tie although the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led side semi-final heartaches have to be broken or else struggle continues.

The Red Devils have a better head-to-head record over the Gialorossi. Hopefully, that translates into them overcoming this hurdle by qualifying for the final.

Predictions

The final might be between the two English teams, however the pendulum can swing the other way as football has shown on numerous occasions in the past.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst

The Falling Giants Competition

The UEFA Europa League is the tournament of teams that plays second fiddle to the champions of European top football - this claim might be disputed by fans of these clubs.

It serves has a consolation to these teams due to their inability to qualify for Champions League which they desire in order to rob shoulders with elite of clubs football across Europe.

Teams in this competition always compete as wounded lions, especially the lowly rated teams who always prove stubborn and show no respect to teams of high quality who missed their way in the Champions League and dropped down to this level.

Many goals have been scored so far in this season edition, and the quarterfinalists battles continues with many more goals and interesting results expected.

Arsenal vs Slavia Prague

1st-leg (8th April) & 2nd-leg (15th April)

The Gunners struggled to qualify for this stage due to their topsy-turvy form which has been evident all-through the season.

Both teams have met just twice before with the Gunners winning 7-nil during the 2007/08 Champions League season - their biggest win in Europe. However, the Czech champion are no push-over after overcoming two British teams Leicester city and Glasgow Rangers in the previous rounds, so Mikel Arteta and his lads should watch out.

Granada vs Manchester United

1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (15th April)

The Red Devils are the favourite but they sometimes find it difficult to beat Spanish opposition, although they beat Real Sociedad in round 32 with ease while they lost to Sevilla in last season semi-final.

However Granada is a tough team, two of their players are among the top 6 yellow-carded players in this competition, so they will give United a run for their money.

Ajax Amsterdam vs AS Roma

1st-leg (8th April) & 2nd-leg (15th April)

Here are two of the biggest names in European football who have found themselves in this competition.

The match is a 50 -50 tie that will produce many goals because both side scored with ease. Ajax scored 7 goals in the last round while Borja Mayoral of Roma is among the topscorers with 7goals - a goal short of the leading scorer - in this season so far.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Villarreal

1st-leg (8th April) & 2nd-leg (15th April)

This is a game that has so much excitement written all over it. The giant killers from Croatia who most pundits gave little or no chance against Tottenham in the last round with their manager in jail will be out to repeat their exploits in this round.

It is expected as well that Emery's tactics and records in Europa League can be bank on to steer Villarreal through to the next round, but it won't be easy against these resolute Croats.

To qualify for semi-final are; Arsenal, Man United, AS Roma and Villarreal. Although this predictions might change since possession doesn't win games, only goals does.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

UEFA Europa League: The second-tier competition

UEFA Europa League is the competition for the less privilege teams who couldn't qualify for champions league.

The Thursday night football is always uncomfortable for big teams due to long journey travel to match venues.

It is full of actions, freestyle skills and goal galore for the fans to groove in excitement.

Winners of this competition qualified automatically for the following season Champions League irrespective of their position in their domestic league table.

The 2020/21 round of 16 draws pit teams from 11 different countries against each other with England having the most representatives (3).

First leg ties will take place on March 11th while second-leg fixtures will be played on March 18th. At this level the boys have been separated from the men.

Olympiacos vs Arsenal

This tie is a game of significance  for the Gunners, the Greek side knocked out the Gunners in round of 32 last season, so they must be careful for history not to repeat itself.

Both side have met 10 times in European competitions, they both have 5 wins apiece.

However the North Londoners should be able to prevail this time.

Manchester United vs AC Milan

The fallen champions of European football tie is a mouthwatering fixture.

Both teams have met 10 times before now in the elite competition, the Rossoneri have qualified 4 times although United won their last meeting in 2010.

Veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic might not be able to win this game for Milan against his former team, so United is tip to qualify.

Dinamo Zagreb vs Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs scored 8 goals in two matches in the round of 32 and despits their form so far and having to face a supposed minnow, it won't be easy.

Slavia Prague vs Glasgow Rangers

The recently crowned Scottish champion are the favorite to win this tie, where three Nigerians will be facing off, Joe Aribo and Leon Balogun of Rangers and Peter Olayinka for Slavia Prague. 

Granada vs Molde FK

The Spanish side Granada are the favourite to progress in this round while the Norwegian champion are the underdogs.

AS Roma vs Shakhtar Donetsk 

The tie is a 50 -50 game, the Italian side are disciplined while the Ukraine side plays like the samba boys of Brazil due to many Brazilian players in their team.

Dynamo Kiev vs Villarreal

Emery and his boys from Spain are the favorite, because of his experience and records in Europa league, in 4 finals ,1 runner-up in 2017/18 (Arsenal). and 3 titles with sevilla.

Ajax Amsterdam vs Young Boys

The Dutch kings are finalist in  2015/16, and this game promises to be interesting because it will produce a lot of goals.

Ajax have the pedigree and quality to scale through to the next round but the Swiss side will give them a run for their money.

Hence we keep our fingers cross to see the teams that will progress to the quarter finals and the later stages of the competition .

Which team will emerge the 2020/21 champion?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

Most Criticised Playmaker

Mesut Ozil is a German footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and can also be deployed as a winger. He recently joined Turkish giant Fenerbahce from Arsenal FC in England after several years with the North London club. He is a fan's favourite because of his technical skills, creativity and eyes for passes.

The 2014 World Cup winner had 92 appearances and 23 goals for the German national team, but he left the side after a poor outing at the 2018 world cup no thanks to discriminative act he encountered after taking a picture with Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The former Arsenal creative expert was left out of the squad list in the Premier League 25-man squad and also the Europa league squad for 2020/21 season by the coach Mikel Arteta who sighted football reasons for his decision, making former record signing last game for the Gunners be the match against West Ham United in March 2020.

He was criticize on many occasions because  he is always a shade of himself in big games.

His problem begins when he commented on the bad treatment meted out to the Uyghur Muslims in China, but the Arsenal board failed to support him due to Television coverage on the Gunners in China.

And after he was frozen out of the team, he also failed to take a pay cut due to the COVID-19 effect on sports and he questioned the board on the decision.

The team felt his absence due to their lack of creativity and goals drought at some point before the emergence of Emile Smith-Rowe who Ozil himself tagged the "difference maker" in the team.

After 7 years of loyal service to the North London faithful, Ozil's 350,000 pounds contract was terminated, he earned 5 million pounds to go free with 6 months remaining on his contract.

He was pivotal in the squad that end the Gunners trophy drought in 2013 by lifting the FA Cup. Overall, he won 3 English FA Cups and 3 Community Shields, a UEFA Europa League runner-up in 2018/19 and made 254 appearances with 77 assists and 44 goals contributions to the Emirates outfit. 

The 32-year old has now join his boyhood club Fenerbahce and the world awaits what this uncelebrated playmaker of this century will add to Fenerbahce title chase this season. He made his debut on Tuesday night playing the last 18 minutes of a 2-1 triumph over Hatayspor in the Super Lig. 

Will Arsenal regret the leaving of Ozil in future?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

Pain in the Arsenal

Mikel Arteta is under a serious pressure to save his job at the red half of North London team, after losing to Everton which makes it 6 losses in 7 games.

Currently the team are battling with relegation, because the goalkeeper is helpless, the defenders have forgotten how to do their duties on the pitch, the midfielders lack passes vision and the strikers have lost their scoring boots.

The god of soccer is not fair with the Gunners, this is not the best of time to be an Arsenal fan.

The Mikel Arteta led side have been wobbling and fumbling in the 2020/21 season so far after 14 EPL games they have lost 8 games, drawn 2, 4 wins, scored 12goals ,conceded 18 goals,3 own goals and amassed just 14 points. These are the worst EPL stats in about 40 years in the history of the club.

Arteta tactics has been failing him although he has performed very well in cup competition games, in 9 games he had 7 wins and 2 draws.

Problems facing the team

Lack of creativity

This season the Gunners have created few chances, they had few shots on target only the bottom three teams had less and they had more crosses ratio week in week out in the premier league.

However the omission of their only playmaker Mesut Ozil in their 25 men squad is a major reason for the team poor creativity.

Indiscipline among the players

There are possibilities that some of the players might want Arteta to be sacked, rumors had it that Arteta has lost the players confidence, the players have failed to unite and there are insinuations that some of the senior players are not in good terms with the manager. So far the Gunners have received 7 red cards under Arteta 's tenure.

Lack of quality signings

The management of the club are always cunning to avoid spending excessive on players signing.

This is the fourth consecutive seasons that Arsenal have failed to qualified for both uefa champions league, this has also affected the club revenue and it has also hindered their chances of signing superstars in the transfer market.

Up next for Arteta and his boys is Man City in the carabao cup quarter final and on Boxing day a tie with Chelsea .

Will Arsenal eventually overcome these blip in form?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

Premier League 2019/20 Stats

As the new league season is about to commence later on in this month of September and teams are recruiting to gear up for better performance in 2020/21 season, it is imperative to take a look into some astonishing records of last season - the longest of it's kind which was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Liverpool emerged champions after three decades of the Premier League formation.

Relegated Teams

Watford

Bournemouth

Norwich City

Games played - 380 matches 

Goals scored - 1,034 goals

Goalscorers - 317 different players scored

Top scorers

Jamie Vardy (Leicester) - 23 goals

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Arsenal) - 22 goals

Danny Ings (Burnley) - 22 goals

Most Assists

Kevin Bruyne (Man City) - 20 assists

(equalling the assist record for a single season which was held by Thierry Henry in 2002/03 season).

Most clean sheets

Ederson Moraes (Man City) - 16 games 

Top Tacklers

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Man United) -129 tackles

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) - 129

Ricardo Pereira (Leicester) - 119

Most interceptions

Diego Rico (Bournemouth) - 84

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester) - 80

Declan Rice (West Ham) - 78

Longest unbeaten run

Liverpool - 27 games

Longest losing run

Norwich City - 9 games

Longest winless run

Watford - 11 games

Biggest home win 

Man City 8-0 Watford (21 September, 2019)

Biggest away win

Southampton 0-9 Leicester City (25th October, 2019)

Yellow cards issued - 407

Most yellow carded team

Arsenal FC - 77 yellow cards

Most red carded team

Arsenal FC - 5 red cards

Most penalty given away by a player

David Luiz (Arsenal) - 5 penalties

Corners - 1206 corners

Offside calls - 400 offsides.

Six different Managers were sacked

Promoted Teams

Leeds United

West Bromwich Albion

Fulham

The new EPL season will start on September 12, 2020.

Which team will emerge as champion in the 2020/21 season?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Top 5 Leagues in Europe

There are many professional football leagues in Europe, but  according to the UEFA's league rankings and co-efficient, here are the top 5 leagues on the continent. 

Spanish La Liga

The Spanish La Liga which was established in 1929 is one of the most popular professional football league in the world.

In accordance with the UEFA's League co- efficient, La liga has been ranked as the top league in Europe over the last 5 years.

Till date, 62 teams have competed in the La liga and only 9 teams have emerged as champions.

Barcelona won the inaugural season.

The most successful team in La Liga history is  Real madrid with an overall record of 33 titles while Barcelona have 25 titles.

Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only teams that have never been relegated since the inception of the league in 1929 till date.

Since 2009, Barcelona have won the Spanish La Liga title 7 times (2009 - 2011, 2012/13, 2014- 2016 and 2017 - 2019) while Real Madrid has won it twice ( 2013/14 and 2016/17).

Will Barcelona continues their dominance this season ?

English Premier League (EPL)

The Football League was established in 1888,  and at the end of the 1888/89 season Preston North End were the first club to be crowned Champion after completing their fixtures unbeaten.

In 1992, the First division change its nomenclature to be called the FA Premier league.

The first 5 champions in the Premier League era were Arsenal, Blackburn Rovers , Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United who

had all won the title at least once prior to 1992.

Leicester City were crowned champions for the first time in 2016, becoming the first team to win the Premier League without having previously won the First division title.

Man United have won 20 titles - the most of any club, Liverpool are second with 18 while Arsenal are third with13 titles - all of which came after 1930.

In the last one decade, Man City have won 4 League titles (2011/12, 2013/14, 2017 to 2019) while Chelsea has won it thrice (2009/10, 2014/15 and 2016/17). Man United won in 2012/13 and Leicester City won in 2015/16.

Liverpool have never won the EPL title in this era.

Will Liverpool break the jinx this season?

Italian Serie A

The Serie A title has been contested since 1898 in varying forms of competition. Juventus are the current champions, and have won a record 35 titles.

About 14 different teams have won the Serie A title since the inaugural season.

The Serie A championship title is referred to as the Scudetto(small shield), because the winning team will wear a small coat of arms with the Italian flag on their jersey in the following season.

Juventus have won 8 consecutive scudetti from 2011 to 2019.

Will any Serie A team hijack the title from Juventus this season?

German Bundesliga

The ancient German football league begins in 1903 as VfB Leipzig emerge champion.

The formation of the Bundesliga in 1963, marked a significant change to the German football championship, as FC Koln captured the first ever Bundesliga title in the league's inaugural 1963/64 season. So far, 13 different teams have won the Bundesliga titles.

Since the inaugural win of FC Koln, the competition has been dominated by Bayern Munich which has taken the championship 29 times out of the 57 Bundesliga seasons played to 2019/20 season.

In the last one decade, Bayern have won the German league 8 times and 7 consecutive bundesliga titles from 2012/13 till date,

Which team will end Bayern dominance in Germany?

French Ligue 1

The Union Design Societes Francaises de Sports Athletiques (USfSA) was founded in 1893/94, the first champion of  french football was Standard Athletic club, who defeated the White Rovers 2 nil in Courbevoie on 6th of may 1894.

Olympique Lyon established themselves as a top club by winning a record- breaking streak of seven successive league titles from 2002 to 2008/09 season.

Olympic Marseille and Saint- Etienne have the most championship wins with 10 Ligue 1 titles each while Paris Saint-Germain have won 8.

In the last one decade PSG have won the league 6 times.

No doubt that PSG is the best team currently in the French league with the Neymars and Mbappes of this world.

Do you think PSG will match the records of Marseille and Saint Etienne soon ? 

Fabiyi Ridwan 

Sports Writer and Analyst

THINGS FALL APART

Arsenal lost 3-nil at home to champion Manchester City on Sunday in a very embarrassing manner.

It is Arsenal FC worst run in 42 years (since 1977). They are currently 10th on the English Premier League log - 7 points above the relegation zone.

In their next 4 games the die may be cast - with mouthwatering ties like Everton, Bournemouth, Chelsea & Manchester United line-up on the trot. The gunners are sleep walking to relegation.

   

Arsenal has conceded first goal in their last 6 games in the league, which is the longest run in the competition's history.

The causes of the Gunners poor form can be attributed to these factors

    

Absence of owner

Stan kroenke's priorities lies with the L.A Rams and his sofi stadium project in Inglewood, which will be the most expensive stadium ever built.

To Kroenke, Arsenal is a mere cash cow. He has never put any of his own money into the club, yet the worth of his revenue is increasing by hundreds of millions of pounds every season.

When Stan Kroenke joined Arsenal in 2007, the club had just been in the UEFA Champions League final - 12 years after, the team's European ambitions are bleak.

 

Other causes of this dampening in form are;

Lack of leadership in the team

Arsenal's previous captains are rebels.

Contracts mismanagement and a spiralling wage bills

Some great players left the club with lesser transfer fees.

Wasted millions and poor squad management

Some players have yet to live up to expectations, while some didn't at all.

Ridwan Fabiyi

Sports Writer and Analyst