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...]
Radamel Falcao: Expensive mistake for Chelsea
Radamel Falcao’s woeful campaign at Chelsea has become even more difficult to swallow for the Blues, after stats revealed just how costly a failure the Colombian was at Stamford Bridge. The Blues confirmed on Friday that Falcao, Alexandre Pato and squad goalkeeper Marco Amelia will all leave Stamford after failing to make an impact at the club. Colombian Falcao – once regarded as one of the world’s top strikers – struggled during a spell with Manchester United in 2014/15 – but his stats at Old Trafford were nothing compared to the … [Read more...]
Mourinho: Zlatan needs no introduction
Jose Mourinho has spoken for the first time about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's arrival at Manchester United. Ibrahimovic has signed a one-year contract at United, which also contains an option to extend it for a further year. Aged 34, there are doubts as to whether the striker will be able to adapt to the pace of the Premier League. Mourinho believes those fears will prove unfounded. The new Manchester United manager also feels that part of Ibrahimovic’s role is to assist the club’s younger players, with Marcus Rashford the obvious … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Conte proud despite defeat to the Germans
With Antonio Conte's time as Azzuri boss now over, the tactian will look to change Chelsea's fortunes in the new season. Following his side’s penalty shootout defeat to world champions Germany , Italy coach Antonio Conte has praised his Azzurri outfit despite their exit from Euro 2016. Leonardo Bonucci levelled things up in Bordeaux in the second half after Mesut Ozil had opened the scoring in the tense quarter-final. However it was enough as Italy were ultimately defeated on penalties, and Conte was saddened to end his spell as Italy … [Read more...]
Euro 2016: Courtois and Wilmots in heated argument after loss to Wales
The Red Devils were stunned by Wales, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did not hold back his disappointment after the game, blaming tactician Marc Wilmots for their elimination . After Friday night’s shock 3-1 defeat to Wales , Belgium coach Marc Wilmots was involved in a heated dispute with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois The Red Devils got off to a horrific start at Euro 2016 as they were fell to a 2-0 defeat to Italy , with Wilmots being confronted by his shot-stopper in the aftermath of that defeat as well. Although his contract runs … [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...]
Eden Hazard: Belgium can take positives after Euro 2016 exit
Eden Hazard says Belgium can be "positive" about their future despite being eliminated from Euro 2016 by Wales. Belgium crashed out of the tournament in France on Friday after being beaten 3-1 by Wales in the quarterfinals in Lille. But while the Red Devils players will be hurting following a game that they were expected to win, Hazard, 25, says his teammates have reason to be cheerful going forward. "We're going to keep working with the aim of winning things in future," the Belgium captain told reporters. "In two years there is a … [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...]
Balotelli vows to win Ballon D’Or
Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli still believes that he can win the Ballon D’Or, despite enduring a tough two seasons. Balotelli has returned to Liverpool training for the first time under Jurgen Klopp, but faces a tough battle to establish himself at Anfield. The Italian striker was loaned out by Brendan Rodgers at the start of last season, but scored only one league goals in his 20 Serie A matches for Milan. It’s fair to say that that hasn’t dampened his ambitions for individual success. “In my view there weren’t enough … [Read more...]