Former Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack says Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud is becoming his favourite player at Euro 2016. Giroud was named man of the match after scoring twice in France’s 5-2 victory over Iceland in the quarter-finals, a victory which sets up a clash with Germany in the final four. And former Germany captain Ballack has heaped praise on the 29-year-old, who has been much maligned by Arsenal supporters throughout his three years in north London. “Maybe he doesn’t get a lot of praise sometimes because he is not that … [Read more...]
Morata wants pay rise as Arsenal are set to lure him to the Emirates
Alvaro Morata’s agent will meet with Real Madrid officials and demand a pay rise after his excellent Euro 2016, according to AS. Morata has returned to the Spanish club after they exercised his buy-back clause for £25m, but they could still sell him to a Premier League club to help fund expected moves for Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante. After an impressive season for Juventus and three goals at Euro 2016, Morata’s agents want an increase on his wages of £65,000 a week after tax; reports suggest that Madrid will offer the same terms. ‘It’s … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Giroud nets twice as France thrash Iceland to book semi-finals ticket
It is France who will face Germany on Thursday for a place in the final of Euro 2016 after giving Iceland’s underdogs a chasing. In the process, England’s humiliation was finally complete. Just when Roy Hodgson thought an ignominious week could not get any worse, the sight of the hosts, all pizzazz and panache, ripping England’s conquerors apart provided a depressing denouement and a lesson in how to prevail. Didier Deschamps had the luxury of spending the entirety of the second half, his side already 4-0 to the good, pondering how to … [Read more...]
Mikel Arteta confirms retirement set to join Man City as assistant coach
MIKEL ARTETA has confirmed his retirement to join Manchester City as assistant coach. In a statement on his Twitter account, the Spaniard admitted the chance to link up with Guardiola was 'amazing' He said: "I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal and retiring from playing to take up a coaching position at Manchester City. "I’ve enjoyed an amazing five years at Arsenal and it’s been an honour and a privilege to captain such a great club. I would like to personally thank the manager, board, all of my teammates and, of course, the … [Read more...]
Arsenal sign Japanese striker Asano
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Japanese striker Takumo Asano, with Arsene Wenger calling the 21-year-old a promising prospect for the future. Arsenal announced the deal on their official website, saying the agreement with Japanese club Sanfrecce Hiroshima is still subject to the completion of a medical and "regulatory processes." However, Asano is unlikely to play a major role at the Emirates next season, with Wenger saying he still needs time to develop. "Takuma is a talented young striker and very much one for the future," Wenger … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Germany beat Italy on penalties to end Italian hoodoo
Manuel Neuer was Germany’s hero as Joachim Low’s side reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 by beating Italy 6-5 on penalties in a dramatic shoot-out in Bordeaux. The Bayern Munich keeper made two crucial saves in the shoot-out after the game had ended 1-1 after 90 minutes. A nervy 30 minutes of extra time brought no more goals, so it went to penalties and Neuer saved brilliantly from Matteo Darmian and Leonardo Bonucci, who had earlier equalised for Italy from the penalty spot in the 78th minute. That goal came after Mesut Ozil had … [Read more...]
Ramsey backs Wales to reach Euro 2016 final without him
Aaron Ramsey has backed Wales to get to the Euro 2016 final without him – and says his display against Belgium was “one of the best” of his career. Ramsey and defender Ben Davies will both miss Wednesday’s historic semi-final against Portugal after picking up their second bookings of the tournament against Belgium. Wales produced a magnificent performance to win 3-1 in Lille on Friday night, with Ramsey setting up two of the goals to take his number of assists at Euro 2016 to four and thus becoming the top-ranked player in our ratings … [Read more...]
Mesut Ozil: I am as ambitious as Ronaldo
Mesut Ozil has rejected claims that he is the opposite type of player to Cristiano Ronaldo. Ozil was speaking to L’Equipe ahead of Germany’s match against Italy in Euro 2016. The playmaker says that, although he is not as hungry for goals as Ronaldo, that does not lower his desire to achieve. “Cristiano Ronaldo is obviously very ambitious, but so am I,” Ozil told L’Equipe. “I am a perfectionist on the pitch as well. I want to be successful with everything I do. “During the time I played alongside Ronaldo [at Real Madrid], I saw … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Ozil out to end Italian jinx
The world champions have never beaten Italy in a major tournament but the Arsenal playmaker is hoping to end that run in Bordeaux. Knowing history is stacked against them as they face Italy on Saturday, Germany ‘s Mesut Ozil hopes that they can overturn their historical hoodoo to make it through to the semi-final. These nations have met in eight previous international tournaments, with Italy winning four of those clashes and drawing the rest. Most recently Germany were dumped out at the semi-final stage of the last European Championship … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Ramsey stars as Wales stun Belgium to book semi-finals ticket
A sensational display from Wales saw the underdogs fight back from a goal down to beat Belgium 3-1 to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016. On a night dripping with raw emotion in northern France, Wales went one better than their 1958 predecessors who reached the last eight of the World Cup. They also did it the hard way after falling behind to Radja Nainggolan’s thunderous strike, with Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and substitute Sam Vokes proving the goal-scoring heroes. They will now meet Portugal in the semi-final in Lyon on … [Read more...]
England willing to wait for Wenger
The FA have refused to rule out the possibility of waiting a year to appoint Arsene Wenger as Roy Hodgson’s successor, with chief executive Martin Glenn confident in the abilities of Gareth Southgate to hold the fort. Glenn was determined not to mention names in the immediate aftermath of Hodgson’s decision to quit following the embarrassing 2-1 defeat to Iceland in Nice. But even though there are only nine weeks until England’s opening World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, a three-man committee of Glenn, FA technical director Dan Ashworth … [Read more...]
Sanchez wins most valuable player at the Copa America centenario
Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez was named player of the Copa America Centenario champions Chile also swept the individual awards. Chile beat Argentina on penalties for the second year in a row in the final on Sunday, and Sanchez was then awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player after scoring three goals and setting up two in six games. His teammate Eduardo Vargas won the Golden Boot after finishing as the top scorer with six goals, while Chile goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was awarded the Golden Glove. Chile also dominated the … [Read more...]
Chile beat Argentina in penalty kicks, win 2nd straight Copa title
Lionel Messi and Argentina missed out on international glory once again, as Chile claimed the Copa America Centenario 4-2 on penalties. After Sergio Romero stopped Arturo Vidal’s first attempt, the Barcelona man’s miss and Claudio Bravo’s save on Lucas Biglia proved the difference, helping La Roja claim back to back titles in a match that saw neither side able to hit the back of the net. Unfortunately for Messi and teammates, who fell to Chile on penalties in last year’s final as well, their streak of 23 years without a senior … [Read more...]
Germany ease into Euro 2016 quarter-finals
World champions Germany breezed into the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 with a commanding 3-0 victory over Slovakia. Germany took the lead after only eight minutes when Jerome Boateng scored with an excellent low volley from the edge of the box. And Germany could have doubled their lead five minutes later after being awarded a penalty, only for Mesut Ozil to see his spot-kick saved by Matus Kozacik. Mario Gomez made no mistake minutes before half-time, however, converting from inside the six-yard box after excellent work from Julian … [Read more...]
Ireland plays France for the first time after Henry dubious handball
The Republic of Ireland could be looking to exorcise some demons in Sunday's knockout round match against France. The last time the Ireland squared off against France in a competitive match, there was a bit of controversy. OK, there was a lot of controversy, as France crushed Ireland's 2010 World Cup hopes when a dubious Thierry Henry handball resulted in the decisive goal. Irish fans, you might want to look away (unless you're the kind of person that will use this as rage fuel to root on your team, then go ahead): Henry's handball in … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Wales edge out Northern Ireland after a Gareth McAuley own goal
Gareth McAuley’s cruel own-goal was enough edge Wales into the Euro 2016 quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Northern Ireland. On one of Europe’s grandest football stages at the Parc des Princes, the two sides produced a game that would not have won any beauty contests. It was competitive and wholehearted, but entertainment and chances were at a premium with so much at stake. So perhaps the goal which decided matters – and sends Wales through to a quarter-final against either Hungary or Belgium in Lille on Friday – was appropriate as … [Read more...]
Poles reach Euro quarter-final for the first time in their history after Arsenal new boy Granit Xhaka misses in shootou
Arsenal new boy Granit Xhaka suffered a penalty shootout woe as Switzerland were dumped out of Euro 2016 (5-4) on penalties after their last-16 tie had finished 1-1 AET. A Jakub Blaszczykowski strike had looked to be enough in normal time for Poland only for Stoke’s Xherdan Shaqiri to make it 1-1 with a tremendous athletic volley to send the game into extra-time. With no winning goal found, the tie was decided on penalties with new Arsenal signing Granit Xhaka missing and Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak hammering home the winning … [Read more...]
Ozil preaches Premier League football to German teammates
Mesut Ozil believes the likes of Mario Gotze and Leroy Sane should consider moving to the Premier League. Ozil joined Arsenal from Real Madrid in summer 2013 in a club-record £42.5m deal, and has been a success at the Gunners thus far. He won consecutive FA Cups in his first two seasons, and has regularly been one of the club’s best performers in his first three campaigns. With Gotze linked with Liverpool, and Sane a reported target of Manchester City, Ozil has intimated that his team-mates should consider moving to England. “What’s … [Read more...]
Wenger not interested in France Job
Arsene Wenger has ruled out the possibility of managing his native country of France. He believes his time to get into international management has passed. Earlier this month, the Arsenal coach had previously kept the option of leading France open. However, it seems the 66-year-old has no plans of engaging, despite having a year left on his Arsenal contract. “I think this time [to move into international management] has gone now,” Wenger told BeIN Sport. “I have been asked a few times to do it. I was always busy somewhere … [Read more...]
Arsenal turn to Icardi after missing out on Jamie Vardy
Having missed out on Jamie Vardy , Arsenal will look to boost their attacking options by capturing Inter striker Mauro Icardi. The Gunners were left waiting for a decision from Leicester City ace Vardy, before the England international ultimately rejected the move in favour of remaining with the Foxes. With manager Arsene Wenger determined to add more firepower to his squad, Arsenal have turned their attention to the Inter captain, according to Interlive.it. The Nerazzurri are determined to keep hold of their star man however and are … [Read more...]
Vardy snubs Arsenal, signs a new four-year deal at Leicester
Jamie Vardy has rejected a move to Arsenal by signing a new four-year deal with Leicester City, the Premier League champions have announced. Leicester ended speculation about a move to the Emirates after Arsenal triggered the England striker's release clause shortly before Euro 2016 began earlier this month. "Leicester City have today [Thursday] agreed with the representatives of Jamie Vardy to extend the England international's contract with the Premier League champions for a further four years," the club said in a statement. "Both … [Read more...]
United to consider Aaron Ramsey if Henrikh Mkhitaryan bid fails
Manchester United are reportedly considering a shock swoop to sign Aaron Ramsey from Arsenal if efforts to lure Henrikh Mkhitaryan away from Borussia Dortmund stall. Jose Mourinho has highlighted midfield as an area key to his Old Trafford redevelopment and is optimistic his latest offer, believed to be in the region of £28m , will be enough to convince Dortmund to sell Mkhitaryan. The Bundesliga outfit are growing increasingly concerned about an exodus following the departures of Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan to Bayern Munich and … [Read more...]
Juventus considering Arsenal star man as Morata’s replacement
Alexis Sanchez could return to the Seria A, although the Old Lady will have to be prepared to spend big if they are to tempt him away from the Emirates With Juventus having lost striker Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid , they are identifying attacking arrivals and are mulling over a move for Alexis Sanchez. The Arsenal striker has previous experience in Serie A, having starred with Udinese from 2006 until 2011, where his performances earned him a big-money move to Barcelona. Now in London, Juventus are keen on offering him a way back to … [Read more...]
Petr Cech considering hanging up his gloves for the Czechs
Following Tuesday night’s defeat to Turkey, Petr Cech is pondering whether or not to call time on his international career with the Czech Republic. The 34-year-old has a record 124 caps for his country, but is considering hanging up his gloves in the wake of their Euro 2016 elimination. “I will take time to decide if I [will] continue with the national team,” he told Daily Sport, a Czech outlet, following his team’s 2-0 loss to Turkey. “I’m not going to make my decision today,” he added, according to L’Equipe, “[it is] a huge … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Arsene Wenger backs Pogba to rediscover form
As the tournament goes on this summer, the Juventus star will be hoping to improve at Euro 2016, as he has recently struggled to make an impact for France. France midfielder Paul Pogba has failed to meet expectations at Euro 2016 so far, but Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger believes that the best is yet to come from the player. The 23-year-old was even dropped by Didier Deschamps for their second group game against Albania, but having shown glimpses of his undeniable talent, Pogba will hope to be more consistent in the knockout stage of the … [Read more...]