Manchester City sealed their place in the Champions League group stage with a comfortable 6-0 aggregate victory over Steaua Bucharest in the playoff round on Wednesday night, and will be in pot 2 for Thursday's draw. Pot 1 contains the seeded teams, featuring holders Real Madrid and the champions of the top seven leagues: Barcelona, Leicester City, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Benfica, PSG and CSKA Moscow. City slot into the second pot with the best performing clubs in Europe over recent seasons, placing them alongside Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Sevilla, Porto, Napoli and Bayer Leverkusen. Tottenham Hotspur could face a difficult group as they are in pot 3 -- which means they will definitely draw one of the six-non English teams from pot 2 … [Read more...]
Chelsea take on Leicester in the EFL Cup, Manchester City face Swansea
Premier League champions Leicester have been drawn at home to Chelsea in the third round of the EFL Cup. Claudio Ranieri’s men are entering at this stage of the competition due to their European commitments, and will take on the Blues - who overcame Bristol Rovers in the second round. Manchester City will also face a Premier League side having been drawn to face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium, but top flight rivals Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all coming up against lower league opposition in Northampton, Nottingham Forest and Derby respectively. Elsewhere, Accrington Stanley were rewarded for overcoming Burnley by drawing another Premier League side in West Ham, and Gillingham , victors over Watford in the second round, will … [Read more...]
Arsenal show interest in Roma defender Kostas Manolas
As Arsene Wenger’s protracted search for a new defender continues, Roma ‘s Kostas Manolas has now emerged as the latest candidate to be linked with a potential switch to Arsenal. Having already shown interest in the Greek international once before, the Premier League outfit have since rekindled their attraction due to various struggles in signing Valencia’s Shkodran Mustafi. According to The Daily Mail, The Gunners sent scouts to specifically observe Manolas’ performance during the Giallorossi’s disappointing 3-0 play-off defeat to Porto on Tuesday evening, although they could still launch a significant assault in the coming days. Arsenal had been expected to swiftly complete a deal for Mustafi, however, the LaLiga outfit are now demanding a … [Read more...]
Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey left out of Wales squad
Wales manager Chris Coleman has revealed he will be without Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey for the Dragons’ upcoming World Cup qualifier against Moldova. The midfielder suffered a hamstring injury in the Gunners’ Premier League opener against Liverpool, and Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said he would not be fit until after the international break Coleman on Wednesday named his squad for the Moldova game in Cardiff on September 5, and said he expected Ramsey to be out for another three weeks. "When you've got a player as good as Aaron, take him out of any team and you are going to know about it,” said the Wales boss. "He is irreplaceable, he makes a huge impact for us. He is a great player and it's a shame he's not here. He's a loss to any team." Wales show … [Read more...]
Valencia insist Arsenal target Mustafi is ‘not for sale’
Shkodran Mustafi will remain at the club this summer according to Valencia manager Pako Ayestaran. Arsene Wenger revealed he was hopeful of completing a deal for the 23-year-old after Saturday's goalless draw with Leicester, but the clubs are yet to strike an agreement that satisfies all parties despite the Gunners settling personal terms with the player. Mustafi's manager has since delivered a blow to Wenger, who is pursuing defensive targets following long-term injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista. The Valencia boss said: "Mustafi is not for sale and he will stay at VCF. The market is open and there are still possibilities." The Germany international is Wenger's primary target with just over a week to go in the summer transfer … [Read more...]
Arsenal are too soft to win the Premier League- Patrick Vieria
Patrick Vieira has told The Times that Arsenal should reinforce the squad to address the longstanding lack of physical presence and leadership in the team. Vieira, who won the Premier League three times during his nine years with Arsenal, said he respects Arsene Wenger's refusal to overpay for players and believes they are capable of winning the title this season. Even so, the Frenchman, now in charge of New York City FC in MLS, warned that the current squad is missing the qualities of the 2003-04 "Invincibles," who finished top without losing a league game. He said: "We had [Dennis] Bergkamp, who had the flair; Thierry Henry who could finish and had so much power; athletic players with the physical aspect like Sol Campbell; and some really strong … [Read more...]
Laurent Koscielny vows Arsenal will compete for the Premier League title
Laurent Koscielny has vowed Arsenal will challenge for the title despite their rivals’ “unbelievable” spending this summer. The Gunners drew 0-0 at champions Leicester on Saturday and remain winless after the opening two Premier League games. Travelling fans again turned on Arsene Wenger and urged him to spend as the toothless visitors struggled to create clear chances. But defender Koscielny insisted the Gunners, runners-up to Leicester last season, will battle for the Premier League crown as they hunt their first title since 2004. “Always. We are Arsenal – we fight for the title. Every game we play we want to win the game,” he said. “This season will be very difficult because of the top clubs spending a lot of money on transfers, it’s … [Read more...]
Sporting Lisbon sign Arsenal forward Joel Campbell on loan
Joel Campbell has joined Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon on loan after failing to secure a regular place in the Arsenal side. The Gunners announced the season-long deal on Sunday and said the Costa Rica forward "will be hoping he can help the Portugese side win the Primeira and gain further Champions League experience." Sporting Lisbon tweeted a picture of Campbell posing in club colours after he had tweeted them to suggest that they sign him. .@joel_campbell12 challenge accepted! Welcome to Sporting CP! #BemvindoCampbell pic.twitter.com/NyA7vIv2aV - Sporting CP (@Sporting_CP) August 21, 2016 It is the latest in a series of loan moves for a player who joined the Gunners in 2011 but has since spent spells in France, Spain and Greece. Campbell got … [Read more...]
Claudio Ranieri refuses to criticise Mark Clattenburg over penalty
Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri praised his team's display in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal and had no complaints over the referee. Claudio Ranieri refused to criticise referee Mark Clattenburg after Leicester City had two penalty appeals waved away during their 0-0 draw against Arsenal. The Premier League champions are still searching for the first win of their title defence, following last weekend's 2-1 loss at Hull City, and they could not find a way through in a game of few chances at the King Power Stadium. Danny Drinkwater went down under a lunging tackle from Laurent Koscielny in the 43rd minute and Ahmed Musa's lively cameo from the bench featured an untidy challenge from Hector Bellerin on the Nigeria international in the box. "I am not a … [Read more...]
Arsenal, Leicester play out a goalless draw
It ended goalless between defending champions Leicester City and last season's runners-up Arsenal at the King Power Stadium. Arsenal had the better of the opening period, looking dangerous in attack , testing the reigning Premier League champions’ defence. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came close in the 26th minute, unleashing a curling effort from 20 yards having beaten Riyad Mahrez, with ease, on the left flank. His effort had Foxes stopper Kasper Schmeichel beaten, but sailed wide of the far post. There was late controversy in the first half, as Danny Drinkwater looked to have brought down in the box by Laurent Koscielny . Petr Cech superbly challenged Jamie Vardy who had been played in by Riyad Mahrez on the counter-attack, but Drinkwater, on the follow … [Read more...]
Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck due back by Christmas
Arsenal have been handed a boost with the news that Danny Welbeck could return from injury ahead of schedule. Danny Welbeck underwent surgery in May after injuring his right knee against Manchester City last season. The festive period is set to see the return of Danny Welbeck, with Arsene Wenger revealing the injury-plagued Arsenal forward is on track for a Christmas comeback. Welbeck has been sidelined since undergoing surgery in May after injuring his right knee against Manchester City in the Premier League last season. The 25-year-old suffered "significant cartilage damage", which ended his Euro 2016 hopes, but Arsenal manager Wenger said the Englishman is nearing a December return. "If the healing was not good, he would have been out until … [Read more...]
Klopp defends Moreno after defender is mocked
Jurgen Klopp was bemused when asked about Alberto Moreno's erratic performance in Liverpool's win over Arsenal. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has defended Alberto Moreno in the wake of recent criticism and feels the reaction to the Spaniard's performance in the 4-3 win over Arsenal has been exaggerated. Moreno conceded a penalty - which was subsequently missed - after bringing down Theo Walcott, before he was caught out of position for the England international's goal a minute later. The 24-year-old was heavily criticised for his performance, with some even suggesting Liverpool have little chance of qualifying for the Champions League with Moreno on the pitch, but Klopp refuses to point the finger at the former Sevilla man. "If someone doesn't perform … [Read more...]
Arsenal are ready to spend in this transfer window- Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger insists he is ready to splash the cash in order to land new signings this summer. Arsenal have already been turned down by Jamie Vardy while they had a bid for Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette rejected by the French club. They have also struggled to bring in a new central defender with Shkodran Mustafi's mooted move from Valencia still not complete. This has led to suggestions that Wenger's club is not willing to spend money in the same way some of the other Premier League title challengers are. But the Frenchman has reassured Arsenal fans that money will be spent when necessary. When asked specifically about the Mustafi move, Wenger said: "I believe it's better I don't speak about any individual player but we are working very … [Read more...]
Riyad Mahrez rejects Arsenal and Chelsea to sign new deal at Leicester City
Reigning PFA Players' Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez has committed his future to Leicester by signing a new deal with the Premier League champions. Mahrez, 25, had been linked with making a move to Arsenal during the summer transfer window. But the Algeria international has followed striker Jamie Vardy in committing his future to Claudio Ranieri's side. Mahrez scored 17 goals and assisted 11 as the Foxes claimed a shock Premier League title last season. He's signed! #lcfc magician @Mahrez22 commits future with new deal to 2020! Leicester City (@LCFC) August 17, 2016 The forward, who was on target in a 2-1 loss at Hull City in the opening game of 2016-17, was named PFA Player of the Year following his stunning campaign. Mahrez had said only … [Read more...]
Arsenal attacker Alex Iwobi out for four weeks
Arsenal midfielder Alex Iwobi will be sidelined for up to four weeks, according to sources, adding another injury blow to Arsene Wenger's team. The Nigerian was substituted just before the hour mark in the Gunners' 4-3 loss to Liverpool on Sunday with what Wenger described as a thigh strain, and a source said on Wednesday that he could be out for up to a month. That would rule him out of Arsenal's next two games, against Leicester on Saturday and Watford the following weekend before a possible return on Sept. 10 against Southampton. He would also miss Nigeria's final African Nations Cup qualifier against Tanzania, though the Super Eagles have already been eliminated. Iwobi could well be back earlier than that as he is already in physiotherapy and responding … [Read more...]
Arsenal target Riyad Mahrez would consider Leicester exit for ‘two or three clubs’
Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez says only "two or three clubs" in the world could tempt him to leave the Premier League champions. Mahrez had been linked with a move to Arsenal earlier this summer, though Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri has been confident the Algerian would stay with the Foxes. In an interview with France Football, Mahrez said he would prefer to stay in England, though he could be tempted abroad by a select few teams. "[The Premier League] is a super league and I would like to stay here as long as possible," he said. "Now, there are two or three clubs in the world, that if they come for me, it definitely makes you think, if you understand what I am trying to say." Mahrez also erased any doubt of a link to Chelsea, after he had … [Read more...]
Arsenal join Man United in chase for Fonte
Southampton centre-back Jose Fonte is keen to join Manchester United but he has also received an approach from Arsenal, according to reports. Jose Mourinho is seeking an experienced defensive leader and club sources say that United had opened informal talks over 32-year-old Fonte, who could play for Southampton at Old Trafford on Friday night. However, United need to sell or loan one of their existing central defenders before signing Fonte, with Argentina international Marcos Rojo the player the club are most eager to offload. United also have Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind and Phil Jones as centre-back options. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson prefers to play as a central defender, but he was told by Mourinho that he is free to go on loan this … [Read more...]
Schweinsteiger and Podolski granted Germany farewell appearance
Germany will honour Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski with farewell friendlies. Germany will pay tribute to the international careers of former captain Bastian Schweinsteiger and forward Lukas Podolski with farewell matches in their honour. After 120 and 129 appearances for their country respectively, 2014 World Cup winners Schweinsteiger and Podolski have called time on playing at the highest level in the aftermath of Euro 2016. Germany's friendly match against Finland in Monchengladbach on August 31 will be played under the banner 'Servus, Basti' (Goodbye, Basti), with the Manchester United midfielder set to make a final international appearance. "It will be a special evening for me in Monchengladbach and I have a lot to thank DFB [German … [Read more...]
Arsenal will sign a striker this month- Keown
Former Arsenal centre-back Martin Keown believes Arsene Wenger will sign a striker before the end of the transfer window. The Gunners boss was on the hunt for a striker earlier in the summer when he triggered Jamie Vardy’s release clause with a £20million bid ahead of the European Championships. However, the 29-year-old decided to stay with champions Leicester, penning a four-year extension on £100,000 a week. Whether Wenger is still actively pursuing another forward is debatable after his reported move for Alexandre Lacazette also failed. Carlos Bacca, Romelu Lukuku, Mauro Icardi and Gonzalo Higuain have all been linked with big-money moves to The Emirates and Keown, 50, thinks Wenger will splash the cash in the next two weeks. “I do believe that … [Read more...]
Henry worried by Arsenal’s lack of spending
Thierry Henry is worried that Arsenal have lost the ability to attract the very best players in world football to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners looked far from convincing in their opening day 4-3 loss to Liverpool and many fans will be expecting additions to the squad before the end of the transfer window. Arsene Wenger has only brought in Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding and Takuma Asano , with Xhaka likely to be the only one that features on a regular basis for the Gunners. And Henry thinks Arsenal will struggle to find the quality they need to improve their side as players don’t find a move to the Emirates an attractive prospect anymore. “The thing I don’t understand is, we’ve been told that Arsenal are wealthy, that we have money, that we can compete … [Read more...]
Arsene Wenger blames lack of defensive cover for Liverpool defeat
Arsene Wenger believes his side came up short against Liverpool on Sunday because of the lack of experience in their back four. The Gunners lost 4-3 at the Emirates Stadium despite two second-half goals from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers that gave them hope they could get something out of the game. Three quick goals in a 15-minute spell from the Reds effectively sealed the game for Jurgen Klopp’s men and the French man was left frustrated at his side’s youthful defence. “We lacked experience at the back and we were physically short,” Wenger told the BBC. “Liverpool did well and we were for 15 minutes completely shocked. We pushed players today like Aaron Ramsey. “It is an impossible situation to get players back from the Euros and … [Read more...]
Klopp half-time talk sparked Liverpool win – Lallana
He was on the scoresheet as Liverpool defeated Arsenal and Adam Lallana hailed the belief that Jurgen Klopp has instilled in the side. Adam Lallana was relieved to escape Emirates Stadium with three points after Liverpool held off Arsenal's stirring comeback on Sunday. In a classic Premier League meeting, Arsenal were ahead through Theo Walcott before a blitz of four goals in 18 minutes had Liverpool 4-1 in front. Philippe Coutinho scored twice either side of Lallana's fine goal, while debutant Sadio Mane's superb individual effort threatened to embarrass the hosts. However, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers reduced the arrears to one with 15 minutes to go, before Liverpool held on to get their 2016-17 season under way with a victory. "It … [Read more...]
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