Afeez Aremu never took a vacation because he wanted to smash it at Aberdeen this season. That is exactly what the Dons did in this Premier Sports Cup dismantling of Dundee.
The defensive midfielder was one of a number of standouts after the Dons turned the tables following their league defeat at Dens Park the previous week.
Fitness turnaround after January move
Aremu came in from Kaiserslautern last January, but struggled for fitness and this time he was determined to return and hit the new season running.
He acknowledged: "Yes, of course, different from last season when I was coming from my team in Germany. When you want to leave your club, you have to train safely to not get injured before the medical, so I was not really fit when I came. But I was pushing, pushing, pushing, every training, every training and doing extra training."
"I think this season I'm fitter than last season. I kept training through the summer. When I was back in Nigeria, I didn't stay home - sometimes my friends would just come home to grab me and I'd play football, when I just came from this (Aberdeen), after the season."
"I said: 'Of course – they know I'm not lazy'. I just play and play safe with them to sweat it out. Of course, a lot of friends tell me to go for vacation. I said, no, I have to smash it this season. Of course, I know what I've lost last season. I have to do more better than what I did last season."
Revenge mission against Dundee
There was a steely determination from Aberdeen. It came after their 2-0 defeat at Dundee had left Stephen Robinson and his team in the firing line. The Dons star admitted it hurt and they were looking for payback.
He confirmed: "Yes, in the dressing room after the first half, like I said, we just have to talk to ourselves because this is the cup. It's different from a league game. We just have to also take revenge for what happened to us last week against them - they punished us, so we just have to take revenge."
"This is our home, with the fans also who can support, boost our morale, energy and confidence also towards the game."
"It was really sad (after Dens). After the game, everyone, including the boss, was sad. We know we were going to play them in the cup game, which makes everything right again because we could put the game behind us from last week."
"We made different steps from the last game. This was time for us to get revenge. It's not like they're better than us - of course we are better than Dundee. We have a lot of quality players in the team as well."
Second-half dominance and Nisbet's impact
The first half was pretty even. Dundee were through twice but Simon Murray failed to shoot and Joe Bevan got through but was denied by Marius Muller. Aberdeen had a number of efforts and Toyosi Olusanya went through but was denied by the rather busy Owen Goodman. The big talking point was Dundee losing captain Murray with a sickening knee injury.
Aremu insisted: "We didn't see what they did (at Dens) in the first half (at Pittodrie), which also gave us the boost of confidence to go to the second half to do more. The first half was looking difficult in the beginning. After some minutes we took control, we got some chances. We got a lot of the ball in their box to create chances, but we couldn't manage to create the goal."
"I think when we came out in the second half, it was different from the first half. The gaffer pushed us and we also pushed ourselves. We know if we score one goal, of course more goals will come. Generally, I really enjoyed the game."
Aberdeen took control in the second period. Olusanya had a shot saved and Nisbet knocked in the rebound. Olusanya’s neat turn then set up Mitchy Ntelo who marked his Aberdeen debut with a goal, firing high past Goodwin. The third came when Ntelo dummied Tony Yogane’s cross and Nisbet lifted the ball high into the net. He has become a key figure.
Aremu stated: "Yes, it's good to have Kevin Nisbet in the team, to be honest. Everyone knows he's very dangerous in the box - don't give him a chance. Also, as a captain, he's taking us behind him, pushing him forward. We just have to make everything right."
"He's in good form also. Six games and we've only lost one game, so I think we're in good form now. (He sets) a great standard in the dressing room and in training. He also tries to coach the young players and set a good example for the young players and for some players in the team."
Aberdeen have now won six out of seven games. Aremu is excited as to what is to come at Pittodrie.
He added: "It was a good start for us, and a lot of good signings and a lot of quality players, also different from last season, who we know can help us this season. I think we can make something out of the season. I think it's going to be a different season."
"We're aiming for the top six. Now we're going to the quarter-final and we're looking forward to winning this trophy. The gaffer has won this cup before, so I think it's not going to be a problem if he wins it again. It's one of the reasons I came to this club - to win titles and to play in Europe, which is one of my dreams and the reason I came to this club."
