Make AFC AJAX Great Again

[Agent]

At least the club pulled out a W despite the unexpected event

[Xixak]

I wanna see more possession in these games bro!

[ShireNiner]

Budget cut in half is a hit, but that is still a good size budget for the players you are looking to sign.

[Caesar]

I'm jealous. When I got that unexpected event, my budget was halved to 7M.

Shouldn't be too much of a problem for Ajax in the Eredivisie to work with 38M though.

[JustinCase]

First the Rots brothers. Now potentially the Kluivert brothers. Any more brothers on your radar?

[RMJH4]

I was thinking the Kluiverts would be great additions. It will be tough to do it with than slashed transfer budget though

[Danimal5981]

At least the club pulled out a W despite the unexpected event

I wanna see more possession in these games bro!

Budget cut in half is a hit, but that is still a good size budget for the players you are looking to sign.

I'm jealous. When I got that unexpected event, my budget was halved to 7M.

Shouldn't be too much of a problem for Ajax in the Eredivisie to work with 38M though.

First the Rots brothers. Now potentially the Kluivert brothers. Any more brothers on your radar?

I was thinking the Kluiverts would be great additions. It will be tough to do it with than slashed transfer budget though

We're gonna see what's possible on the winter transfer market (though big tranfers such as the Kluiverts would be something more suitable for summer), also because some players aren't fully satisfied with their team role (read: lack of playing time). So, it could well be that we're going to do the neat because of the necessary.

[Danimal5981]

ARTETA: "AJAX ARE ON THE UP AGAIN"

Arsenal-manager Mikel Arteta was genuinly impressed, after his team was held to 1-1 draw by Ajax in the Johan Cruijff Arena. "What can I say? They disarmed us fairly quickly: we could not dominate while in possession, they squeezed the playing field well so we couldn't optimize our speed across both flanks. So, while on paper we were the stronger side, this was a game of equals." Arsenal-defender, local Amsterdam boy and product of opponent's academy Jurrien Timber also had praise for his old team: "Given where they were before summer, that's a huge leap forward. Ajax are on the up again, if they can keep the core of this group intact for another season and a half, they'd be serious contenders. This reminded me very much of my time at Ajax and how we were able to give the big guns of Europe a serious run for their money."

Ajax began surprisingly aggressive and attacking against Arsenal, but at first the Amsterdam team couln't produce much more than some off-target shots from a greater distance. Arsenal countered with a quick breakaway, but Bukayo Saka was cleverly put in offside which canceled his goal as a consequence. This could've become another Dolberg dice with the Dane being in superb form. Indeed, he brought his team 1-0 up, when a cross by Maher Carrizo was cleverly whipped into the net, outfoxing defender Gabriel and goalie David Raya.


Viktor Györkeres wasn't given an inch by Ajax-captain Youri Baas, who many see as the symbol of the resurrection of this Ajax: home-grown, initially thought to be not good enough and away on a pre-departure loan at NEC Nijmegen, once returned the boy turned into a man and is now able to hold up against the best strikers of Europe. "I wish I had him on my team", Arteta praised the defender, "strong on the ball, strong in the 1-v-1, keeps calm all the time: great player!" However, Youri Baas couldn't prevent a quick equalizer. An attempt by Leandro Trossard, bounced off from the body of Baas, with Györkeres no having an open corner to place the ball into: 1-1.

From that point on, the entertaining game flowed nicely up and down. Arsenal often tried to reach their striker in vain, while Ajax wove long spells of possession with an attempt at goal by Dolberg. But the striker couldn't make a second goal: close before halftime one ball did get past Raya, only to graze the outside of the far post. In the second half, a cross by Mika Godts ended in front of Dolberg's feet ony to plant the ball in the side net. Arsenal also was close to a winner, but a shot by Trossard bounced back of the cross bar, then bounced off the back of Ajax-keeper Predrag Rajkovic, only for the ball to disappear mere inches wide.

"It is a bit of a double feeling", Ajax-head coach Daniel Marzec had to admit, "normally, a draw against Arsenal would be something I'd sign for immediately. But here, we had a game on equal footing, where both of us could've won. The draw seems just, but I also feel we should've converted those two chances we had, after the equalizer. But a very positive thing, is that we've gotten through this baptism with flying colours and we feel very confident for the remainder of this Champions League group stage!"

[Danimal5981]

[Danimal5981]

EREDIVISIE ROUND 09/34: LACKLUSTER AJAX ALMOST DROP POINTS

• A lackluster Ajax, the almost arrogant Amsterdam side took things a little too easy, almost dropping points at home against FC Groningen
• The fortunate win counted extra with competitors PSV and Feyenoord dropping points
• Things are even worse for European regulars AZ Alkmaar. They are still without a win this season after 9 rounds. Just above the relegation line, AZ has 4 draws and 5 defeats to their name