Tonight, Arsenal will welcome Liverpool to the Emirates for their 3rd game of the season with Reds already with 6 points from 2 games. Benteke has opened his account for them but there is high hopes that he will be in Koscielny’s pocket till tomorrow just like the FA cup final.

It is a must win game for Arsenal. Manchester City are firing on all cylinders, determined to dethrone Chelsea as champions. They have scored 8 goals and conceded none. Pellegrini surely doesn’t want to be sacked. Mourinho enjoyed his first victory of the season but not without another red card – this time given to John Terry. The Portuguese hypocritical coach will thank his stars that Morrison failed to convert a 1st half penalty to give Westbrom the lead but Pedro – shivers.

Off the pitch and on transfer matters, everyone keeps expecting Benzema to arrive at Arsenal before the window closes. I hate this windows because there are so many rumours that you can’t validate until they become official. Last night, Real Madrid couldn’t start their season with a win and Benzema was not on the bench. You can think about that.

A couple of our youngsters have been sent on loan to gain further experience just like an internship. Akpom, Hayden, Martinez are bossing the championship. Wellington Silva – yet to debut for Arsenal, despite being 22 – has been sent to Bolton on loan and the gods of football knows his fate. Can he do a Coq? The probability is closer to zero than ever. Is he the most loaned player ever in Arsenal?  Zelalem on the other hand has joined Rangers on loan in Scotland. Hopefully, all these youngsters return better, challenging for first team shirts.

Jenkinson had a horrible game against AFC Bournemouth where Wilson got his hattrick – good for me FPL. Hope he forgets that game quickly. I love the lad but Bellerin has taken his spot at the Emirates. Szczesny was a hero in Rome as he kept Roma from defeat pulling out great saves over the weekend.

Away from Arsenal, Sunday Oliseh have invited a bunch of Nigerians to feature in the upcoming AFCON qualifier. Notable absentees include Chelsea benching duo of Mikel and Moses. The former refused to answer his calls or reply his messages which brings us to a familiar topic of his commitment to the Super Eagles. His spokesman has defended him by saying he receives so many calls and messages that he doesn’t read most and that he doesn’t have Oliseh’s number – like seriously?

This has been same issue with every new coach in the Super Eagles. Irrespective of the call/SMS melodrama,  he has been comfortable sitting on Chelsea’s bench with a nice seat belt. I don’t see Oliseh calling up bench warmers. Mikel will need to be more than a bit-part player in Chelsea. He needs to look at Messi who he shared a podium with in 2005. 10yrs later their parts have been opposites.

Odion Ighalo was also omitted but Oliseh has assured everyone that he is in his plans. As expected, Ahmed Musa and Vincent Enyeama were on the list – the most active Nigerians in Europe. Hopefully the players in the domestic league make a good percentage of the starting 11 in the qualifier.

On the pitch, Rangers were knocked out of the Federation Cup by Lobi Stars. They have been trophyless since 1970. Akwa United defeated Nasarawa United to set up a final with Lobi Stars in Lagos.

In the League, Enyimba defeated Kano Pillars on Wednesday to go top of the table but over the weekend Sunshine Stars scorched Elkanemi Warriors 5-0 to return to the summit of the table.

The biggest news was in Kano where Nasarawa United broke the 12 year old jinx of Kano Pillars by defeating their host 2-1. Pillars have been unbeaten in previous 202 league home games. Julius Berger were the last team to achieve such victory – where is Julius Berger? Pillars couldn’t match Real Madrid’s 221 record.

The Nigerian Premier League has improved in recent years and this broken record is another measure of this growth.

What a long post. Before i drop my pen/keyboard, you have to know that Bendtner scored a late goal to salvage a point for Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.

Pheew. Time for breakfast. Eagerly waiting for Enyimba’s 10am game today before Arsenal’s in the evening.

Enjoy.

By Chibuzor Amos (@AmosCP)
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