Arsenal legend Nwaknkwo Kanu earned the adoration of the Emirates once more with his performance in Saturday’s Legends game but the former Nigerian international was more concerned with the good he was doing off the field. Kanu scored the hat-trick he had promised pre-match as an Arsenal Legends side ran out 4-2 winners over a star-studded Milan Glorie XI in front of Emirates crowd. The match was the cornerstone of the Arsenal Foundation’s bid to raise over £1million, with which they intend to build football pitches in Jordan, Somalia and London. For Kanu, whose own heart foundation aims to provide life-saving surgery to youngsters across Africa, it was the results off the pitch that mattered more than his own display. “I had that feeling that it … [Read more...]
Bremen ‘creative’ with Serge Gnabry deal amid Bayern talk – Lemke
Werder Bremen acquired Serge Gnabry from Arsenal in a “clever and creative” manner, according to a member of the club’s supervisory board. Gnabry’s exit from Arsenal on deadline day came as a surprise after Arsene Wenger had set he hoped to agree a new deal with the 21-year-old, whose contract at the Emirates was set to expire at the end of the season. Ultimately Arsenal accepted a bid of between £4-5 million from Bremen but speculation in Germany has claimed that German champions Bayern Munich had a part to play in the deal and may have an agreement in place with their fellow Bundesliga side. Whilst Wili Lemke did not confirm any involvement from Bayern in the deal, a suggestion that Bremen themselves deny, he did confirm that general manager Frank … [Read more...]
Romelu Lukaku reveals why he rejected Juve for Everton
Romelu Lukaku has claimed he could have joined Juventus in the summer transfer window but opted to stay at Everton. Chelsea are understood to have tried to re-sign Lukaku, who Everton reportedly valued at £75million. The Belgium international admits he is unhappy without European football and suggests he could still leave Goodison Park next summer. “It stings a little [not being in Europe], but I’m someone who believes that everything happens for a reason,” Lukaku said in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad . “Otherwise I would have gone to Juventus instead of staying at Everton. But I opted for Everton because it was too early for Italy and I have not done badly here. “Now we have a new coach and it is completely different from Mr [Roberto] Martinez, … [Read more...]
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane opens up on Mourinho talks
Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane has told Canal+ it was "difficult to turn down Jose Mourinho" and a move to Manchester United this summer, but says Zinedine Zidane's vote of confidence convinced him to stay in Spain. Varane, 23, has developed into a world-class centre-back since moving to Madrid from Lens in 2011 bearing the tag of being one of the game's most promising youngsters. That transformation was aided in great part by Mourinho during his three-year tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the United coach hoped to reunite with the France international at Old Trafford this summer only for Varane to reject the move. "Of course it's flattering. Manchester United is a very big club. But from the moment when Madrid and I are in sync on my project, … [Read more...]
Jurgen Klopp calls Sadio Mane to check fitness amid injury concerns
Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Sadio Mane did not suffer a serious injury while on international duty. The winger was substituted midway through the second half of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Namibia, prompting speculation about his fitness. Jurgen Klopp is understood to have called the 24-year-old the following day to check on his status and was given a positive response and Mane was back in for training at Melwood on Monday. That was a welcome news ahead of the visit of Premier League champions Leicester this weekend for the first home match of the season, when Anfield’s new Main Stand will be officially used for the first time. Klopp will want his strongest line-up available, although he will have to wait until Thursday for the return of … [Read more...]
Toure treatment will cost Manchester City African fans – agent
Yaya Toure's agent says Pep Guardiola will cost Manchester City millions of supporters in Africa due to his treatment of the midfielder. Guardiola has sidelined the 33-year-old since taking over as City manager this summer. Toure has yet to feature in the Premier League this season and has been left out of the Champions League group stage squad. The Ivorian's representative, Dimitri Seluk, is unhappy with the way his client is being treated and claims it will have serious ramifications for the club. "They will lose a lot of millions of supporters from Africa because of this decision from Guardiola," Seluk said, in an interview with the Daily Mail. "Now they will support Manchester United. A lot of people in Africa say they will never see any more … [Read more...]
Norway 0 Germany 3: Muller’s brace sinks Norway
Thomas Muller made sure Germany made a successful start to the defence of their World Cup title with a 3-0 win over Norway in Oslo. Thomas Muller was on target twice while Joshua Kimmich's first goal for his country crowned an emphatic start to qualifying for Germany, who immediately took their place at the top of Group C. Manuel Neuer led Germany out for the first time since being named their new captain following Bastian Schweinsteiger's retirement from international football. (read) The Bayern Munich goalkeeper's touch of the ball during the coin toss was the closest he would come to seeing action for much of the game, though, as Joachim Low's team pressed from the beginning. Ten minutes in, Benedikt Howedes almost gave the guests the lead when he … [Read more...]
Slovakia 0-1 England: Lallana scores late to give Allardyce first England win
Adam Lallana grabbed an injury time winner to hand Sam Allardyce a 1-0 win over Slovakia in his first game in charge of England. Allardyce had looked as though he would have to settle for a deeply uninspiring stalemate in Trnava – the hosts having held firm in the World Cup Group F qualifier despite Martin Skrtel’s sending-off after a nasty stamp on Harry Kane. However Lallana picked a perfect moment to break his international duck and seal a 1-0 success. The Liverpool forward had already clattered the post when the ball broke for him inside the area, with seconds of the four added minutes left. He showed neat footwork and got his shot away, then turned away in celebration as Matus Kozacik let the ball squirm between his legs and over the … [Read more...]
Zlatan hails Mourinho as ‘masterbrain’ behind his United move
Jose Mourinho was key to persuading Zlatan Ibrahimovic to move to England, as the Swedish icon felt no need to play in the Premier League. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has credited Jose Mourinho as the decisive factor in persuading him to bring his stellar career to the Premier League, claiming he previously rejected moves to England's top flight on two occasions. Ibrahimovic headed the winner in Manchester United's Community Shield victory over Leicester City and has scored three times in as many Premier League matches to prove an instant hit with the Old Trafford faithful. The 34-year-old was only compelled to move to England following a decorated stint at Paris Saint-Germain – where he became the club's all-time record goalscorer amid an unprecedented period of … [Read more...]
Guardiola humiliated Yaya Toure- Agent
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has humiliated Yaya Toure by dropping him from his Champions League squad, according to the player's agent Dimitri Seluk. Toure, 33, will not be eligible to play in Manchester City's Champions League group games because Guardiola was forced to drop an overseas players from his squad as UEFA rules permit only 17 players who are not "locally-trained" or "association-trained." "If he wins the Champions League for City this season then I will travel to England and I will say on television that Pep Guardiola is the best manager in the world," Seluk told the Sunday Mirror. "But if City don't win the Champions League then I hope that Pep has got the balls to say that he was wrong to humiliate a great player like … [Read more...]
Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil wants Jack Wilshere’s No 10 shirt
Mesut Ozil has spoken of his desire to wear the Arsenal No. 10 shirt in the absence of Jack Wilshere, amid talks with the Gunners over a new contract. The 27-year-old has taken over wearing No. 10 for Germany after Lukas Podolski's retirement and has admitted that he would like the same shirt back at the Emirates Stadium. With Wilshere joining Bournemouth on loan for the season, Ozil says that he now has the opportunity to lock down the number he desires. "It has become free and I will definitely have it," Ozil told German newspaper Express. "I did a few years ago have this number [with Germany], but Lukas Podolski wanted it. He had more matches than I did. Now I have access. "Of course I've previously given those in charge [at Arsenal] a signal. The … [Read more...]
Jamie Vardy: Why it was an easy decision to snub Arsenal
Jamie Vardy has revealed the pain felt by England’s stars at their Euro 2016 humiliation and how he made the tough decision to turn down a move to Arsenal before bumping into Gunners boss Arsene Wenger during the tournament. Despite winning the Premier League with Leicester, being named footballer of the year by the Football Writers’ Association and getting married, Vardy was also part of the England squad which crashed out of the European Championships to Iceland. Add to that a high-profile bid from Arsenal, which the forward would go on to snub, and it was an off-season of mixed emotions for the 29-year-old. Vardy, who will start on the bench for Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge of England in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Slovakia, … [Read more...]
Luke Shaw withdrawn from England squad
Luke Shaw withdrew from the England squad for Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Slovakia after missing training on Saturday morning. The 21-year-old left-back has only just returned from double leg-break and has started the season well with Manchester United. He was replaced in training at St George’s Park by Arsenal’s Tafari Moore, who is part of the Under-20s set-up, and did not fly with the team. Shaw now misses out on a potential England return having last been capped almost a year ago in a 2-0 Euro 2016 qualifying victory over Switzerland at Wembley. Shaw was not due to start in manager Sam Allardyce’s first game in charge, with Tottenham’s Danny Rose preferred at left-back. The Football Association confirmed on Saturday evening that Shaw would … [Read more...]
Kelechi Iheanacho scores to give Nigeria victory over Tanzania
Hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification were already dashed before a dominant Nigeria beat Tanzania 1-0. Kelechi Iheanacho's stunning late strike ensured Nigeria ended their failed Africa Cup of Nations qualifying bid with a 1-0 win over Tanzania. The Super Eagles' 1-0 loss to Egypt in March thwarted their hopes of reaching Gabon 2017 in a group reduced to only three teams following Chad's withdrawal for financial reasons. But they at least got their first victory of the campaign at the Akwa Ibom Stadium on Saturday, having shared a goalless stalemate with Tanzania last September. With nothing but pride at stake, it was the hosts who dominated and Salisu Yusuf's men spurned a multitude of chances before Manchester City teenager Iheanacho's … [Read more...]
Referee Halsey ‘told to say I did not see incidents on the pitch’
Mark Halsey's claims that he had been told to say he hadn't seen incidents by the referees' body could be a "major issue" for the Football Association and the Premier League, former Manchester United and England star Gary Neville believes. Halsey refereed in the Premier League for 14 years between 1999 and 2013, as well as being a FIFA listed official for six years. In a Twitter discussion about the three-game ban handed down to Sergio Aguero on Friday for an elbow on West Ham's Winston Reid, Halsey told one user that he had been in that situation: I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven't seen it. @richardajkeys Paul I have been in that situation when I have seen an incident and been told to say I haven't seen it - Mark Halsey … [Read more...]
Neuer named new Germany Captain
Coach Jaochim Low as appointed Manuel Neuer as successor to Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has retired from international football. Neuer won his first full cap on June 2009 in a 7 - 2 victory over UAE. He left his feeders club Schalke two years later to join FC Bayern, where he has won World best Goalkeeper award, The Champions League, The FIFA World Cup and four German Championship titles. … [Read more...]
Mkhitaryan a major doubt for Manchester derby
A statement from the Armenian FA has revealed captain Henrikh Mkhitaryan has suffered a thigh injury and is out for up to 10 days. Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a major doubt for next weekend's derby against Manchester City after being ruled out for between seven and 10 days with a thigh injury sustained on international duty. The Armenia midfielder was hurt in a clash with Marek Suchy during a friendly against Czech Republic on Wednesday, with his side going on to lose the game 3-0. A statement released by the Armenian FA revealed he will play no part in their World Cup qualifier against Denmark on Sunday. The 27-year-old now faces a race against time to feature against City at Old Trafford on September 10. "As reported, senior … [Read more...]
I found it hard under Martinez at Everton- John Stones
England defender John Stones describes it as a weight off his shoulders to be enjoying his football at Manchester City after a breakdown of communication with Roberto Martinez marred his final season with Everton. Stones joined City in a £47.5 million deal over the summer, a huge sum that reflects the 22-year-old's youth, potential and nationality but not necessarily his recent experiences. He was part of an underachieving Toffees side who finished 11th last year and were frequently accused on being defensively disorganised. Martinez, who was sacked late in May before becoming Belgium boss, did not even consider Stones undroppable, sidelining him on several occasions during February and March. Stones is clearly loving his early days at the Etihad … [Read more...]
Olivier Giroud has ‘no problem’ with Wenger over limited game time
Olivier Giroud insists he does not have an issue with his failure to start a match for Arsenal this season, saying he understands Arsene Wenger’s reasons. France striker Giroud has been limited to just 12 minutes of first-team football this season with Wenger giving his quartet of Euro 2016 semi-finalists an extended break. However, with Laurent Koscielny rushed back into the side at Leicester to shore up a struggling backline, Mesut Ozil also found himself recalled to the starting line-up for the win at Watford last weekend. Giroud was back in action for his national side in a 3-1 win over Italy in Bari on Thursday, scoring France’s second goal in an impressive victory. Speaking after the match he insisted that he had no concerns over his place at … [Read more...]
Bastian Schweinsteiger out of Europa Leauge squad
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been left out of Manchester United's squad for the Europa League group stage. The World Cup-winning Germany star has been completely frozen out at Old Trafford since Jose Mourinho's arrival as manager. He has yet to feature in any of Mourinho's squads this season and the Portuguese has admitted it will be "very difficult" to give the 32-year-old any playing time this season. Schweinsteiger, who joined the club from Bayern Munich in 2015, still has two years left on his contract and is determined to stay. But Mourinho has delivered another snub to the veteran German by excluding him from his 27-man Europa League squad list. It means he will not be available for any of the group stage games against Feyenoord, Fenerbahce and … [Read more...]
Klopp treated Balotelli like **** at Liverpool- Mino Raiola
Jurgen Klopp acted like “a piece of sh*t” with regards to Mario Balotelli at Liverpool, according to Mino Raiola. Balotelli left Liverpool after two tumultuous years at Anfield, having joined under Brendan Rodgers in summer 2014. The Italian striker, who blamed “physical problems ” for his struggles, left on a free for French side Nice ahead of Wednesday’s transfer deadline. He scored just one goal in 16 Premier League appearances for the Reds, but never even featured under Klopp. Balotelli’s agent, Raiola, has hit out at the German in comments given to Gazzetta dello Sport. “In the end, the higher-ups at Liverpool admitted that Klopp was wrong [to send Balotelli to train with the reserves],” he said . “I’m not trying to judge him as a coach – … [Read more...]
Sergio Aguero handed three match ban, to miss Manchester derby
Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will miss the Manchester derby after being given a three-match ban for elbowing West Ham defender Winston Reid. The Football Association found the Argentine guilty of violent conduct after he clashed with Reid in the 3-1 win at the Etihad on Aug. 28. City failed in an appeal to get the decision overturned and he will now miss the game against Manchester United on Sept. 10 as well as the home clash with Bournemouth on Sept. 17 and EFL Cup tie at Swansea City four days later. Aguero caught Reid in the neck with his elbow and the New Zealand international was treated on the pitch before being substituted. Referee Andre Marriner said he and his fellow officials missed the incident during the match. Aguero was given … [Read more...]
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