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 Champions of Europe

The 2020/21 UEFA Champions League has produced some memories and shocking results so far. This season semi-final fixtures pitted two English teams against one Spanish giant and Paris billionaire club.

Real Madrid vs Chelsea

(1st-leg, 27th May & 2nd-leg, May 5th)

Vinicius Jr. vs Christian Pulisic

This interesting tie might be decided by the individual brilliance of this young and brilliant forwards - Vinicius(Real Madrid) or Pulisic(Chelsea).

Vinicius' brace against Liverpool in the 1st-leg of the quarter-final got the Galacticos to this stage curently has 3 goals this season in this competition. For the American star, Pulisic, he is a game changer for the Blues but so far he has just a goal and an assist to show for all his brilliance. 

Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester City

(1st-leg April 28th May & 2nd-leg on May 4th)

Kylian Mbappe vs Raheem Sterling

The French champion have had it good in Europe this season because of the brilliance of Mbappe who has scored 8goals so far, only Dortmund's Haaland has more. So while City's Sterling has just a goal in champions league so far he has on many occasions in the past scored many important goals in big games for the Cityzens.

Both players must bring their A-game to the field to give their teams a chance of qualifying to the final, however you can say Mbappe has got the edge being a losing finalist last season, a position Man City nor Sterling has ever found themselves. 

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 

The Champions Battles

The UEFA Champions League is the assembly of winners, where champions trade tackles and use tactics to outmatch each other over two legs of football contest.

This season edition have live up to expectations, with mouthwatering ties and goal galore experienced in almost all games so far.

And the underdog teams are working hard tactically to close the wide gap between them and the big boys, however the difference is just high profile signings cum big stars. 

The quarter-fnals stage kick start with enthusiastic fans ready to cheer their darling team from home due to Covid-19 protocols which has not allowed fans to return into the stadia across Europe. 

Real Madrid vs Liverpool

1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (14th April)

This is the rematch of 2017/18 final where the Galacticos beat the Reds 3-1 at the Olimpiyskiy stadium in Kiev. 

Both teams have not been convincing in recent games in their local league. It is an opportunity for Liverpool to revenge the loss three seasons ago, but Real Madrid still have the pedigree to qualify.

Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund

1st-leg (6th April) & 2nd-leg (14th April)

This game will be interesting and it is expected to produce more goals because both teams for scoring many goals in games.

On paper, the Cityzens are the favourite but less fancied teams have knocked them out on big occasions in previous seasons which should give Dortmund the needed confidence going into this tie.

Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain 

1st-leg (7th April) & 2nd-leg (13th April)

The Bavarians are the defending champion, but they have a difficult opposition in last season losing finalist PSG.

This tie is a 50-50 game, with both sides boasting of superstars that can be the decider of the ties. Football itself is a game of how well you utilise your chances, so the team who best convert its chances will prevail.

Porto vs Chelsea

1st-leg (7th April) & 2nd-leg (13th April)

The Blues have lost just once in their last 15 games in all competitions under Thomas Tuchel. And the last time the Blues qualified for quarter-final was 2014.

The Portuguese champion are the surprised package among the quarter-finalist after beating Juventus on away goal rules in the last round, so they are giant killers and the Blues must be prepared to do the needful.

These are my semi-finalist predictions - Real Madrid, Chelsea, Man City & PSG to qualify for semifinals.

Due to the unpredictability that football is known for,  this predictions might change.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

New Generation of Managers

Good coaching is the architect of good football. A coach tactics determines the results of soccer games. Coach is the backbone of a winning team. Whenever a team wins laurels the coach get the accolade and if a team has a poor run of form the coach gets the boot.

In modern football, most clubs prefer to hire an experienced manager or a multiple title winning coach who can take such club to next level.

As the days of the veteran coaches like Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, Marcelo Bielsa and the likes are numbered on the touchline, let's take a look at the upcoming managers in European football.

Mikel Arteta

He has learnt on the job for 3 years under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola. He took over the Gunners from erstwhile coach Unai Emery when the ship is almost sinking.

In his first 6 months on the job, he won the English FA Cup trophy and the season curtain raiser - the Community Shield.

This season has not been rosy for Arteta and his boys, they are currently 10th on the league table and there is a high probability that the Gunners will miss out of the UEFA Champions League for the 5th consecutive season except they win the Europa league title.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

The babyface assassin was a Man United legend. He has had coaching stints in Cardiff City and Molde in Norway before joining the Red Devils first as interim manager and then the substantiated manager.

He has led united to 4 different semi-finals (2 League Cups, English FA cup and UEFA Europa League).

His team was knocked out at the group stage of this season UEFA Champions League and are currently second on the Premier League table.

Frank Lampard

The Englishman was a great player in his active days on the pitch. The Chelsea legend was the first English manager hired during this Roman Abramovich era.

He started his managerial career at championship side Derby county, and his stint at Chelsea ended on a sad note culminatung to him being sacked after a run of bad results.

However, he has the potential to bounce back strong and better in the nearest future

Scot Parker

He is an another upcoming manager,who is new in the coaching business. His Fulham led-side have been battling relegation all season in the Premier League. 

So far he has 5 wins,11 draws qnd 12 losses, and sit 18th on the log with 26 points.

Can he survive relegation this season?

Gennaro Gattuso

He has had stints in some clubs in Italian topflight and lower division.

He won the Coppa Italia title for Napoli in just 3 months after taking over last season. This season has been full of issues on and off the pitch especially concerning their record signing Victor Osimhen.

Presently Napoli has 47points, lost 8 games and sit 6th on the log.

Andrea Pirlo

The Italian legend finished his coaching badge in October 2019. And in June 2020, the Juventus legend was appointed as the Turin side U-23 coach, few days after he was named the manager of the first team taking over from Maurizio Sarri

He won Italian Super cup, and his side is in the final of Coppa Italia where they will have to face Atalanta.

Juventus might not win the scuddeto title this season because presently they are 10 points behind leaders Inter Milan on 52 points and 3rd on the log .

Steven Gerrard

The Englishman has just won the first league title of his career with Glasgow Rangers. He became the first manager in 10 years to stop Celtic from winning the SPL title.

His team has remained unbeaten so far this season with stats; 28 wins, 4 draws, and no loss in the league with 77goals scored and only 9 conceded.

His team are still flying high in the Europa League as well having qualified for the quarter-final.

There are already rumours and insinuations that he will soon take over the Anfield giants. Can he takeover Liverpool and replicate this form? Only time will tell.

Who are the next former players that will become coach in future ?

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 

The Pinnacle of Football

The UEFA Champions League is the mother of all football competitions in Europe where elite teams across the leagues showcase their football playing artistry in grand style to outmuscle themselves. 

The 2020/21 knock-out stage is set to resume after the boys have been separated from the men in the group phase games which came to conclusion in December 2020.

Round of 16 Matches

RB Leipzig vs Liverpool

(Feb 16 & March 10)

This tie will be interesting as the German side are not a pushover with their last match against Man United in the group phase a testament to how good they are, but the Reds are the favorite to prevail.

Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain

(Feb 16 & March 10)

This mouthwatering tie should be a revenged mission for the Billionaires club in Paris due to their loss against the Blaugrana at the quarter-final stage of 2016/17 season, but overall the Catalans have a better head to head records.

FC Porto vs Juventus 

(Feb 17 & March 9)

The bookies are tipping the Bianconeri to qualify easily because the 2004 champion Porto are not a match for the Old Lady of Turin, but football is like a biscuit it can crack anywhere.

Sevilla vs Borussia Dortmund 

(Feb 17 & March 9)

This tie is a game of 50-50 with both side having an equal chance of qualifying to the next round. But if Erling Haaland is in top form, Dortmund have a better chance. However in their last two previous meeting, Sevilla has a win and a draw.

Lazio vs Bayern Munich

(Feb 23 & March 17)

The defending champions are the favourite but Lazio will give them a run for their money.

The last time Lazio qualified for round of 16 was in the 1999/2000 season. The Bavarian having just completed a sextuplet with their Club World Cup trophy will leave nothing to chance over the two legs.

Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea

(Feb 23 & March 17)

Diego Simeone's Atletico side are famed for their resolute defence and stubborn attitide in games but the Blues are progressing impressively under new manager Tuchel and therfore will make this encounter a thrilling one. During the group stage, the Blues went 355 minutes without conceding a goal.

Both side are tie in head-to-head record with two wins and three draws apiece so the pendulum can swings to either side.

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City

(Feb 24 & March 16).

Goals come easily for both side because they play without fear and their brand of football is captivating. The Cityzens are poise to go through if they can convert their chances and also the record is on their side.

Atalanta vs Real Madrid 

(Feb 24 & March 16)

The brash newcomer are the dark horse in this tie because they have scored the most goals in two consecutive season in Serie A. However the experience of Real Madrid's manager Zinedine Zidane and his boys should count in their favour and be able to get them through to the next round. 

Let's keep our fingers cross to see the teams that will get to the semis and final of this season champions league showpiece.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

The Wobbling Reds

Liverpool are presently walking alone in the face of poor results. At the beginning of 2020/21, the Reds were touted by many pundits to retain the title after winning it for the first time since 1992 when the Premier League was renamed and has we have come to know it.

Jurgen Klopp inability to find solution to the loss of form of his famed front-trio - Mohammed Salah, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane - and without exception of the injured Diogo Jota has been the major cause of concern to their dwindling results with one of the Merseyside's low point this season being the 7-2 loss to Aston villa.

The key players in defence like Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez have all been lost to various form of injuries and their the back-up players have not being able to fill-in well for them due to little or no experience. It has taken Klopp to feature midfielders like the captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in that defence line for some games this season. 

Goalkeeper, Alisson Becker who was a reputable safe-hand between the sticks for the past two seasons is presently a shadow of himself due to some errors. Since he made his debut in the league, he has the made most errors leading to goal than any other goalkeeper.

However, since Liverpool defeated Crystal Palace 7-nil on December 19 2020, things has totally fallen apart. In that period, Liverpool have won just 3 games out of 11 games in all competitions, drawn 3 and lost 5.

It seems like the Klopp's high intensity (Ghen Ghen pressing)  style is fading out due to the inconsistency of his lads.

The team is short of enough goals since the beginning of 2021 calendar year and up next against is against fearless Leicester city at the Kingpower stadium.

With Champions League knockout phase around the corner the Reds must put their house in order.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sports Writer and Analyst 

NPFL Match Report: MFM FC vs Heartland

The Nigeria Professional Football League matchday 9 between the Olukoya boys against their former manager Fidelis llechukwu led side Heartland of Owerri at the Agege stadium ended on a good note for the away team.

The home team performance in the first half was nothing to write home about maybe due to some changes made to the starting 11 by coach Tony Bolus.

Heartland gave a good account of themselves in both half, and they drew the first blood in the 7th minute through a spotkick converted by Adachi Emmanuel, who also later got the winning goal in the 55th minute of the encounter. 

MFM had their own fair share of the game in the second half when some of the regular players on the bench came on board to add more firepower to the attack and Muyiwa Balogun scored the equaliser in the 49th minute, a goal which at the end of the match happened to be the consolation for MFM of Lagos.

They are now without a win in six consecutive NPFL matches for the first time since April 2019, with 2 losses and 4 draws being recorded within this span of games

The last 4 meetings between these two teams prior to this game had MFM in the front burner having kept a clean sheet and also avoided defeat (3wins and 1 draw).

As it stands now MFM have amassed 10 points in 9 games - an average ratio of one per game - and just 3 places above relegation.

Heartland also have been able to gather 10points with this win at the Soccer temple being their first away win of the season which ostensibly has move them out of the drop zone.

Can Tony Bolus team bounce back in their next game having only won 2 games all season?

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 

NWFL: The Best of Women Football

The Nigerian Women Football League has been playing in an abridged league format since 2003, but the league body decided to change it for 2020/21 season with a  league that boasts of 14 teams playing in a straight format of home and away matches.

This season has started with a bang and the teams have entertain the spectators with galore of goals and good football, therefore women football is now producing more glamour for the spectators to groove with estacy.

And the most interesting part is that the maiden Africa Women's Champions League edition will take center stage next season, so all the teams are working hard tactically to be part of the history.

Stats after 4 rounds of matches

Bayelsa Queens have 100% record with 4 wins out of 4 games.

Pelican Stars, Nasarawa Amazons and Dream Star ladies have lost 3 games apiece.

Pelican Stars and Dream Star ladies have conceded the most goals (9)

FC Robo and Rivers Angels have scored the most goals - 10 goals apiece.

With the most clean sheets are; Edo Queens, Royal Queens and Sunshine Queens - 2 apiece.

FC Robo striker, Monday Gift has scored the only hat-trick so far - she has 5 goals in all to currently lead the goalscoring chat.

Edo Queens striker, Chioma Wogu received the first and only red card so far this season when she was sent off against Dream star ladies

In 28 games so far, 73 goals have been scored.

We have had 20 home wins, 4 away wins, 4 draws.

Less than 10 penalties has been awarded.

As the season progresses more records will be set and broken.

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sport Writer and Analyst

The Semi-final Hoodoo

Manchester united have been fantastic under Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, the legend cum manager has built a formidable team mixed with youth and experience players since he took over the Red Devils in December 2018

However, it is sadden that his boys always fall like a pack of cards when it really matters, recently their bitter rival Man City compound their semi-final bad luck with a 2-nil victory at old Trafford to book a place in the League Cup final.

Moreover Solskjaer and his lads suffered 3 semifinals heartache in the domestic and European cup competitions last season - to Man City (League Cup), Chelsea (FA cup) and Sevilla (UEFA Europa league).

Since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of 2012/13 season, Manchester United have been a shadow of themselves. Managers such as David Moyes, Ryan Giggs (interim), Louis Van Gal, Jose Mourinho and now Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have all been brought into the fray but none of them could do it as the great man himself.

The last time Man United won any trophy was under Jose Mourinho in 2017 when they won the Europa league and League Cup by defeating Ajax and Southampton in respective finals.

The present squad are showing glimpses of promise but nearly can not kill a bird.

Can this crops of players eventually win a trophy?

Fabiyi Ridwan

Sport Writer and Analyst

The Fumbling Blues

Chelsea FC started the 2020/21 Premier League season on a good note, and at some point they look like title contender during their 9 games unbeaten run that was halted by Everton.

However,  presently the club legend cum manager Frank Lampard who guided the team safely to the UEFA Champions League knockout stage earlier this season seems to be short of ideas on the touchline.

Recently, Man City compound the Pensioners woes with a three goals to one victory at Stamford Bridge which has resulted into piling more pressure on Lampard.

Hence, so far the Blues have lost 4 games out of there last 6 Premier League matches. In 17 games, they had 7 wins, drawn 5,

lost 5, amassed 26 points, kept 6 clean sheets, scored 32 goals - the third highest in the league - and conceded just 11 goals.

Problems of the team

Chelsea spent over 250 million pounds in the summer on signings of players.

Some of the players does not fit the billing, the Kai Havertz's of this world has not live up to expectations.

Timo Werner is a good forward but he is inconsistent and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy has forgotten how to save shot on target.

Injury crisis

Whenever some of the regular are not fit the back up players usually fail to come to the party, for instance Hakim ziyech has been battling with injury and his replacement Pulisic is also prone to injury.

Solution to the crisis

The team need more reinforcements in defence, a quality one - not the tired legs of Thiago Silva.

A good defensive midfielder to support the fading N'golo Kante.

Finally, Lampard must start getting a positive result to avoid the axe of Roman Abrahamovic who has sacked about 10 managers since he took over the ownership of Chelsea in 2003.

Up next for Lampard and his boys is Morecambe in FA Cup follow by a visit to Leicester City 3 days later in the league. 

Can he survive and turn things around?

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 

Lionel Messi confirms Barcelona stay for next season.

Lionel Messi has confirmed that he will stay at FC Barcelona for another year, ten days after handling in a transfer request to the team he has played for in his entire professional career.

The 33-year-old who is arguably the best player to have ever grace a football pitch has spent 20 years at the Catalan club since joining as a 13year-old from his homeland Argentina.

He had handed over a transfer request in late August that he intended to leave for free but Barça had however refused to recognise the break in his contract claiming the moment for using it had passed in June, and so a stalemate began in which La Pulga as he is fondly called tried to find a way out.

However, Messi has accepted he must stay at Camp Nou to avoid dragging his beloved club to court, but not until after a desperately sad couple of weeks.

Speaking to Goal this afternoon, Messi said “When I communicated my wish to leave to my wife and children, it was a brutal drama,”

“The whole family began crying, my children did not want to leave Barcelona, nor did they want to change schools."

“But I looked further afield and I want to compete at the highest level, win titles, compete in the Champions League. You can win or lose in it, because it is very difficult, but you have to compete.

“At least compete for it and let us not fall apart in Rome, Liverpool, Lisbon. All that led me to think about that decision that I wanted to carry out.”

“I thought and was sure that I was free to leave, the president always said that at the end of the season I could decide if I stayed or not,” he said.

“Now they cling to the fact that I did not say it before June 10, when it turns out that on June 10 we were competing for La Liga in the middle of this awful coronavirus and this disease altered all the season.

“And this is the reason why I am going to continue in the club. Now I am going to continue in the club because the president told me that the only way to leave was to pay the €700 million (£624m/$823m) clause, and that this is impossible.”

Taking Barcelona to court was another option being discussed in the media, on which Messi also had something to say,

“There was another way and it was to go to trial, I would never go to court against Barca because it is the club that I love, which gave me everything since I arrived.

“It is the club of my life, I have made my life here.

“Barca gave me everything and I gave it everything. I know that it never crossed my mind to take Barca to court.”

He also had something to say about the heartbreaking conversation he had with his son, Thiago and wife Antonella. 

“Mateo is still little and he doesn't realise what it means to go somewhere else and make your life a few years elsewhere,” he said.

“Thiago, he is older. He heard something on TV and found out something and asked.

“I didn't want him to know anything about being forced to leave, to have to live in a new school, or make new friends.

“He cried to me and said ‘let's not go’. I repeat that it was hard, really.

“It was understandable. It happened to me. It is very difficult to make a decision.

“I love Barcelona and I'm not going to find a better place than here anywhere. Still, I have the right to decide. I was going to look for new goals and new challenges. And tomorrow I could go back, because here in Barcelona I have everything.

My son, my family, they grew up here and are from here. There was nothing wrong with wanting to leave. I needed it, the club needed it and it was good for everyone.

“My wife, with all the pain of her soul, supported and accompanied me.”

The highest goalscorer and undoubtedly the greatest in the history of the club will now have to team up with Ronald Koeman led side in the coming days as the new season is set to begin.