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I am proud to be a Gunner- Granit Xhaka

Granit Xhaka says it is a "dream" to join Arsenal, now that his transfer from Borussia Monchengladbach has been finalised. The 23-year-old secured a move to Emirates Stadium this week for a reported fee of close to €40million after an impressive four-year spell in the Bundesliga. The midfielder, compared to Andrea Pirlo by former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou, is believed to have sealed the move prior to Euro 2016 and is relishing the prospect of his first appearance under Arsene Wenger. "I feel good, now I'm happy to be a Gunner," Xhaka told Sky Sports News after Switzerland's 2-1 friendly defeat to Belgium on Saturday. "It's been a big week for me, but now it's official and I'm very happy. Arsenal is a big club. I've seen the pitch, it's … [Read more...]

Our Champions League place is under threat, warns Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has conceded he fears for Arsenal's top-four chances after Sunday's barren draw against Sunderland. Arsenal failed to break down the Black Cats, whose point at the Stadium of light lifted them out of the Premier League's bottom three. Petr Cech had to save sharp efforts from Wahbi Khazri and Jermain Defoe, with Arsenal failing to convert their clear-cut chances against Sam Allardyce's men. The result leaves Arsenal fourth, five points clear of Manchester United - who have a game in hand - leaving Wenger fearful of a run-in that features games against fellow European contenders Manchester City and relegation-threatened Norwich City. When asked if he was worried Arsenal could lose their top-four spot, Wenger said: "Yes, of course. We care … [Read more...]

Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany ruled out for four months

Vincent Kompany’s thigh injury is expected to keep him out for four months meaning the Belgian captain will miss the start of next season under the club’s new coach, Pep Guardiola. Kompany, 30, lasted just six minutes of the tie in the Santiago Bernabeu before succumbing to the latest muscle problem in an injury-ravaged campaign. He later released a message on his Facebook page that confirmed he will definitely miss the tournament. "I'll miss the Euros," he wrote. "To me that's very sad news. "So I could be standing here, feeling sorry for myself. I could fear for my career, as others may do. I could give up. "That is not me. I decide on my future. "There is a bigger picture to everything in life and only failing to see it, will cause me to fail. "I … [Read more...]

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp withdraws Europa League final tickets

Jürgen Klopp has told Liverpool fans not to travel to Basel for the Europa League final if they do not have tickets, despite inviting them to do so last week. The Merseyside club’s manager admitted that he had made a mistake by telling supporters to travel en masse and urged those who are unable to attend the game at St. Jakob-Park to stay at home. “Last time I spoke about Basel, I spoke like a supporter,” he said, with a sheepish grin, after Sunday’s 2-0 league win over Watford. “I do it sometimes because first of all I am a supporter, I like this game.\ “But I invited all Liverpool fans to Basel and that was not too smart to be honest. Basel is a nice city but it is not ready for us. It was my mistake. “We have to take back the invitation to Basel. … [Read more...]

United narrow win leaves Norwich staring at relegation

Manchester United's bid for Champions League football was kept alive after a 1-0 win at Carrow Road which saw Norwich slip closer to Premier League relegation. Juan Mata has formed a habit finding the net against Norwich – he had scored four times against them for United in the Premier League before this encounter. And here was the Spaniard scoring the goal that might well have dispatched the Canaries to the championship. Norwich had 18 minutes to do what they had not managed to in their three previous games -- score -- but once more they failed to do so. The Canaries' fate could be decided as soon as Wednesday, when they host Watford. The hosts began with intent, a strong early spell coming between injury blows for the visitors. Anthony Martial was … [Read more...]

Jermain Defoe strikes Earns sunderland victory in a thrilling comback win over Chelsea

Jermain Defoe's 18th goal of the season lifted Sunderland out of the Premier League relegation zone as 10-man Chelsea twice squandered the lead on Wearside. Newcastle's failure to beat Aston Villa means the Wearside club will secure a 10th consecutive season of Premier League football if they beat Roberto Martinez side at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday. Anything less, and it will go to the final day, when they travel to Watford, Newcastle host Tottenham, and Norwich, who remain in with a chance of survival, face Everton. Defoe struck 20 minutes from time - his first at the Stadium of Light since January 2 - to settle a five-goal thriller after first Wahbi Khazri and then Fabio Borini had cancelled out efforts from Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic with Blues … [Read more...]

Daniel Sturridge not considering leaving

Daniel Sturridge is ready to achieve "something special" with Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp and insists he has never planned on leaving the club. The England striker responded with a match-winning contribution, playing a role in all three Liverpool goals. Scoring his fifth goal in seven games on Thursday night as the Reds booked their place in the Europa League final against Villarreal. “I’m happy,” said Sturridge. “I have never expressed not being happy here. I think it is everyone playing devil’s advocate. “They see that I have been left out sometimes and they think, ‘Maybe that means he is unhappy’, but the manager has got a job to do. He has got to pick the team that he feels is best on the day. And I have got a job to do, which is to perform when I am … [Read more...]

Manuel Pellegrini preaches focus as crucial week awaits Manchester City

Manuel Pellegrini tends to keep Manchester City's focus on their quest for points as they make the away trip to face Southampton on Sunday. The Premier League clash at St Mary's comes between the two legs of City's Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, which is up for grabs after Tuesday's goalless affair at the Etihad Stadium. Pellegrini wants to see the same level of commitment that saw his side win their league games ahead of both quarter-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain and then thrash Stoke last weekend. City's gaffer said: "It was difficult when we played Paris Saint-Germain with Bournemouth and West Brom, and when we played last Saturday before Real Madrid, but we have two different competitions. "I always say if you want to be … [Read more...]

Manchester City to attack Arsenal from the blast of the whistle- Manuel Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini expects his Manchester City side to rediscover their attacking instinct against Arsenal on Sunday. City were disappointing in their Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid, struggling to create meaningful chances in either leg of an underwhelming tie. They went down with barely a whimper at the Bernabeu in midweek, with the 1-0 aggregate scoreline flattering Pellegrini's men. They have won just one of their last five games but Pellegrini wants that put right at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Victory over the Gunners would lift City back above Arsene Wenger's side into third in the Premier League. However, anything less than a victory and their place in the Champions League next season could be under threat. "I always visualise the … [Read more...]

Welbeck’s goal against Norwich lifts Arsenal to third despite fans protest

The victory moved Arsenal back into third place ahead of Manchester City's game at Southampton on Sunday, and while a top-four finish is looking more likely for the Gunners, Welbeck was left to rue a chance to finish atop the table. Before kick off the atmosphere inside the Emirates was more a low-level anxiety than anything more. There was a loud cheer for the return to the bench of Santi Cazorla, a classy influence who has been badly missed since his injury against the same opponents in November. Otherwise Arsenal lined up in the usual 4-2-3-1, with Olivier Giroud given another chance to continue his quest for a first league goal since January. The promise of protests had circled this game with various entities, including Red Action and the scary-sounding … [Read more...]

Victor Valdes returns to Manchester United after Standard Liege loan cut short

Victor Valdes is returning to Manchester United after Standard Liege decided to cut short the Spanish goalkeeper’s loan deal. Former Barcelona man Valdes joined Standard on a six-month loan deal in January and helped them win the Belgian Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory over favourites Club Brugge. But Standard have decided to give their younger players more gametime towards the end of the season and have cut Valdes’ loan short. A statement published on their official website standard.be, which also confirmed the early departure of Giannis Maniatis, read: “As we decided to give more playing time to the youth players at the end of the season and because they couldn’t be selected for medical reasons, the Spanish goalkeeper and the Greek midfielder have decided, in … [Read more...]

Klopp unapologetic for dropping Daniel Sturridge against Villareal

Jürgen Klopp has said he has no regrets about leaving Daniel Sturridge on the bench for their Europa League semi-final defeat in Villarreal and says he would do the same again. Sturridge, 26, signed for Liverpool from Chelsea in 2013 and he has since scored 43 Premier League goals from 67 appearances, although his time on Merseyside has been hampered by injuries. The England international was left on the bench for the Reds' 1-0 loss to Villarreal on Thursday, resurfacing doubts about his future. The decision generated thousands of posts on social media but Klopp shrugged off the talk and defended his tactics. “It is about finding a stability. With decisions like this it is always two questions,” he said. “Was it the right decision to choose this … [Read more...]

Chelsea were at the brim of relegation when I took over- Guus Hiddink

Chelsea's carertaker manager Guus Hiddink has revealed for the first time how close the club were to being relegated when he first arrived, claiming the side was “drowning” and that he feared they would not survive. The Dutchman was appointed on December 19, with the club just two places and one point off the relegation zone after a woeful start to the season that saw Jose Mourinho fired. The Dutchman has since steadied Chelsea to mid-table stability, but he admits he was deeply worried when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge – admitting that some of his players were too complacent. But Hiddink says that the situation was “desperate” and far more serious when he first arrived than was realised at the time. “Is there danger when you are there, in 16 or 17 … [Read more...]

Alexis Sanchez to the rescue as 10-man Arsenal draw at White Hart Lane

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the North London derby at White Hart Lane. Having lost three consecutive games prior to the visit to White Hart Lane. Arsene Wenger’s side had to put a stop to their poor run  as their season seemed to be taking a nose dive. After a nervy opening period that saw the hosts dominate without creating chances it was Arsenal who took the lead when Aaron Ramsey flicked in Hector Bellerin’s pull back after a good move from Danny Welbeck. However, the game turned on its head when Francis Coquelin saw red for a second bookable offence after bumping into Harry Kane, with Belgian defender Toby Alderweireld blasting in from five yards following a rebound to draw Spurs level. Harry Kane seized his … [Read more...]

Aguero’s double keeps Manchester city title hopes alive

Manchester City kept alive their chance of  winning the Premier League title, with an emphatic 4-0 thrashing of relegation candidates Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium. City’s confidence was low after a 3-0 hammering at Liverpool in midweek, but they responded in a positive way on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium. After a disappointing first half that saw Manchester City with the majority of the possession(78%), but failed to convert the  chances created, the floodgates were opened in the second half with Sergio Aguero grabbing a brace and missing a chance to walk away with the match ball when his penalty struck the post. The Chilean welcomed back inspirational midfielder Yaya Toure who opened scoring and tormented rock bottom Remy Garde's men who might have … [Read more...]

Klopp delighted with win at Selhurst park despite red card

Liverpool responded to James Milner's sending-off in the 62nd minute against Crystal Palace by coming from 1-0 down to win 2-1 as Christian Benteke's penalty clinched victory in the sixth minute of injury time. Liverpool played its best football down to 10 men at Selhurst Park, where the team hadn't won since 1997, although it needed two errors by Palace players to bring about the comeback Liverpool looked set to suffer their fourth straight Premier League loss to Palace after Joe Ledley opened the scoring and James Milner sent off for his second bookable offence in the 62nd minute. But an error from Palace's goalkeeper Alex McCarthy allowed Roberto Firmino to equalize and the ambition of Klopp's side despite their numerical disadvantage was rewarded deep … [Read more...]

10-man United risk European Qualification after suffering defeat at West Brom

Manchester United were made to pay for a 26th-minute red card to Juan Mata at West Bromwich Albion, who won 1-0 thanks to Salomon Rondon's 66th minute strike at The Hawthorns. The Baggies claimed a 1-0 win over 10-man United at the Hawthorns – their first home league win over the Red Devils in 32 years . United dropped three points behind fourth-place Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification and is now only three ahead of Liverpool, which has won three straight league games for the first time in a year. The Dutchman, speaking after the match, says he was not happy about Mata’s two first half bookings, which saw referee Mike Dean send him off in the 26th minute. He said: "it's a big blow,"We have played 60 minutes with 10 versus 11, and … [Read more...]

Late Diouf strike denies Chelsea win at the Bridge

A late Mame Biram Diouf strike denied Chelsea a win in a 1-1 score draw at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Saturday. Chelsea took the lead in the 39th minute when Bertrand Traore's stunnig strike from just outside the box rested in the back of the net. Stoke pushed and deservedly drew level in the 85th minute as Diouf headed a rebound pass Thibaut Courtois for Mark Hughes men. The first half was  a beehive of activities with both teams creating early chances. It was the Blues who took the initiative as Traore, who was standing in for the injured Diego Costa, struck with aplomb from the edge of the box. The second half continued in a similar fashion, with chances created for each team. Stoke's goal came after Courtois punched the ball straight to … [Read more...]

Cech sidelined for three to four weeks

Arsenal's Premier League title hopes have been dealt a huge blow after it was confirmed a calf injury will rule Petr Cech out for close to a month. Arsenal fell to a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea City on Wednesday leaving them six points adrift Premier League table toppers Leicester City in third place. But Arsenal's shaky title bid got from bad to worse when Cech injured his calf rushing back to his goal after he had gone for an injury-time corner as Wenger's men sought a late equalizer at Emirates Stadium. Wenger said Cech had already been carrying an injury following Swansea's equalizer and the goalkeeper is now set for the treatment table during a busy and nervy period. "Cech is out," Wenger told a news conference ahead of Saturday's north London derby … [Read more...]

Pellegrini not giving up on premier League Title

Manuel Pellegrini has charged his players to replicate their feat of two years ago when City clinched the Premier League title on the very last day. City's 3-0 humiliating defeat at Anfield on Wednesday - just days after they beat the same opposition at Wembley in the League Cup final - was their third successive defeat in the league and has left them 10 points adrift leaders Leicester, howbeit a game in hand. Speaking in His Pre-match conference ahead of Saturday's encounter with Remi Garde's Aston Villa who are rooted to the bottom of the table. Pellegrini said: "Remember the first season I was here? We needed to win the three games in hand and we won the three games. Everyone said we were out of it but we won the games and won the title. "This group of … [Read more...]

Hazard hopeful of silverware at the Bridge

Eden Hazard insists he is enjoying life at Chelsea and has his gaze set on winning trophies at the Bridge. The Belgium international revealed last month that it would be difficult to turn down French champions Paris Saint-Germain and added there was a slight possibility of him leaving at the end of the season. The attacking Midfielder who is under contract until 2020, said he is content with Chelsea and enjoys challenging for trophies. "I am always happy here," he told Chelsea TV. "Even if I play badly, I am happy. I know this is football but I try to keep a smile on my face every time. "The future is always the same and that is to win trophies, next season, in two and three years. "You want to win the games, to win trophies. [To do that] you have to be … [Read more...]

Kloop confident of European qualification despite injury woes

Jurgen Klopp has been dealt a big blow as he plans on taking Liverpool to the top four, with Lucas Leiva set for the treatment table. Lucas Leiva is facing five to six weeks on the sidelines with a quad injury, Jurgen Klopp has confirmed. The Brazilian midfielder missed Wednesday's 3-0 triumph over Manchester City due to the injury, which he sustained taking a penalty in Liverpool's League Cup final shoot-out defeat to the sky blues. The 29-year-old will be out of action for a long period as Liverpool fight to finish the Premier League season in a European qualification place. "I've never heard of an injury like this, after taking a penalty," Klopp said at his pre-match media conference ahead of Sunday's game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst … [Read more...]