Arsenal fc

Bukayo Saka is a doubt for Arsenal ’s heavyweight clash against Manchester United next week after sustaining an injury against Newcastle on Saturday. The Gunners are entering into a testing run of fixtures which begins with a trip to Old Trafford on Thursday in what could be Ralf Rangnick’s first game in charge. Newcastle kept their opponents at bay during a largely uneventful first-half, but Saka broke the deadlock just 11 minutes after the re-start. The England international was set free by a clever pass from Nuno Tavares and kept his composure to find the far corner, blasting his shot across and beyond the reach of Martin Dubravka. Saka’s joy was shortlived, however, when he appeared to sustain a hip injury in the next attack and although he attempted to play on, he was eventually replaced by Gabriel Martinelli in the 64th minute. The Brazilian has been forced to settle for a bit-part role this season and hasn’t started a Premier League game since August, but …

[Read more...] about Arsenal suffer Bukayo Saka injury blow ahead of Man Utd clash

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has lavished praise on Bukayo Saka after his goalscoring display helped the Gunners record a 2-0 victory over Newcastle on Saturday. The north Londoners responded to their 4-0 defeat away at Liverpool last weekend in the best possible way, with second-half goals from Saka and Gabriel Martinelli securing all three points at the Emirates. Following a frustrating first half, the Gunners improved after the break and took the lead when Saka expertly finished off a fine passing move. However, the 20-year-old was forced off the pitch shortly after his goal, with Mikel Arteta confirming after the game that the winger is set to undergo a scan on a muscular issue . His replacement, Martinelli, made an instant impact as he volleyed home Takehiro Tomiyasu’s lofted pass just moments after coming on. England international Saka has been a key performer for Arteta’s side, and Parlour feels that the sky is the limit for the Gunners academy graduate. …

[Read more...] about Arsenal legend Ray Parlour singles out Bukayo Saka for praise after Newcastle victory

Tony Adams believes Arsenal do not have a role that would allow Arsene Wenger to return to the club and feels the 72-year-old could overshadow Mikel Arteta if the move were to happen. Wenger managed the club for 22 years but has not been back to the training ground or the stadium since his departure in 2018. Arteta has stressed that he would be keen to have Wenger back at Arsenal nut former Gunners captain Adams is unsure if the Frenchman would be the right fit. ‘I love the man, Arsene Wenger is just a wonderful human being and the knowledge that he’s got, why wouldn’t you tap into that?’ Adams told Stadium Astro. ‘I think there’s a position for him – which I don’t think there actually is – because he’s working with FIFA at the moment. ‘Arteta, when he’s been posed the question, he’s got to be respectful and say, ‘we’d love to have him’. I don’t see a position in the club where it would be possible for him to come in. ‘We’ve got a director of football, Edu, …

[Read more...] about Tony Adams fires warning to Mikel Arteta over Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal return

Martin Keown believes Arsene Wenger would be questioning Mikel Arteta’s decision to start Nuno Tavares ahead of Kieran Tierney for Arsenal ’s clash with Newcastle on Saturday. The Spanish coach made just one change from the team that were hammered by Liverpool at Anfield last time out, with Martin Odegaard replacing Alexandre Lacazette in the starting XI. Tavares had a torrid time in that 4-0 defeat, gifting a goal to Diogo Jota, and was expected to lose his place now that Tierney is fully fit again, though surprisingly kept his place in the side. Arteta recently revealed that he was keen for Wenger to return to Arsenal in some capacity and Keown claims the legendary Frenchman would not be impressed by the decision to leave out Tierney. Speaking to BT Sport before the game, he said: ‘I wonder whether Wenger might have said to him, “Why are you not playing Tierney this week?” I wonder if he would’ve said, “Why is Lokonga playing?” ‘Because I admire that he …

[Read more...] about Martin Keown claims Arsene Wenger would be questioning Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta over Kieran Tierney omission

Ian Wright reserved special praise for Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale following Arsenal ’s 2-0 victory over Newcastle, but slammed Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for what he described as an ‘unforgivable’ miss in the first half. Bukayo Saka broke the deadlock with a cool finish in the 56th minute and Martinelli doubled Arsenal’s advantage with a stunning volleyed effort just moments after coming on as a second-half substitute at the Emirates. The hosts held firm to secure maximum points and strengthen their hold on fifth place in the Premier League while Eddie Howe’s Magpies remain rooted to the bottom of the table, still yet to win a single game this season. It was the perfect response from the Gunners in the wake of their thumping 4-0 loss at the hands of Liverpool last weekend, a result which ended an impressive run of ten matches without defeat in all competitions. Speaking on Premier League Productions, Wright was critical of Newcastle and felt the …

[Read more...] about Ian Wright praises Gabriel Martinelli and Aaron Ramsdale after Arsenal’s win over Newcastle

Jonjo Shelvey has revealed Newcastle players are so exhausted by Eddie Howe’s new training regime they are falling asleep at 8pm. The United midfielder says hew boss Howe, and Jason Tindale who has taken training this week, have made work “very intense.” Howe ordered a physical fortnight to raise fitness levels and refocus minds when he took charge - ending in last weekend’s 3-3 draw with Brentford. The 43-year-old has spent the week isolating in his Tyneside hotel reviewing training footage and will pick the team to face Arsenal on Saturday. Jonjo Shelvey is ready to face Arsenal ( Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image) It remains to be seen whether Howe will claim his COVID symptoms began several days earlier than his routine test on Friday last week which ruled him out of action. Asked about the impact of Howe and his new regime, Shelvey said: ”It is very intense. You are on it every second of the day. “You are constantly thinking of football. That is the …

[Read more...] about Eddie Howe’s “intense” new training regime is sending Newcastle players to sleep

On this day in 2008, Portsmouth came seconds away from recording one of the most historic results in European football’s history by beating AC Milan. A late equaliser from Filippo Inzaghi equalised for Milan in the second minute of added time to break the hearts of the Pompey faithful in the UEFA Cup group stage. Now in League 1, Portsmouth are miles away from being within touching distance of European football, and even in principle, it is somewhat outstanding that the two clubs crossed paths. Rossoneri’s starting lineup included some of the most legendary players in recent history with the likes of Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Kaka, Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko. But who did Portsmouth line up with on that memorable night, and where are they now? Daily Star Sport has taken a close look... David James (Goalkeeper) Shot-stopper David James made a return to the England set-up three years after this fixture and even made three appearances at the 2010 South Africa …

[Read more...] about Where Portsmouth’s all-star XI who suffered last-gasp heartbreak against AC Milan are now

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has labelled Jamie Vardy 's move to Leicester as the greatest transfer in football history. Vardy has proved a revelation since completing a £1million move to Leicester from Fleetwood in 2012, scoring 154 goals in 367 appearances for the Foxes. The former England striker played a key part in their historic 2015/16 Premier League title triumph, with his return of 24 goals in 36 games helping them seal one of the biggest upsets of all time. And Carragher is convinced that Leicester pulled off the greatest transfer of all time by prising him away from League One nine years ago. "There may never be a better transfer than Vardy's from Fleetwood Town to Leicester - not just in the Premier League era, but in football history," Carragher said in his column for the Telegraph . "I am always reluctant to definitively declare anyone or anything is 'the best ever'. It can only be a matter of opinion. Do you agree with …

[Read more...] about Jamie Carragher names the greatest transfer in history – and it’s not at top four club

Leeds star Raphinha has distanced himself from rumours he could be set to leave the club this winter, insisting he can ‘without a doubt’ realise his lofty ambitions by staying put at Elland Road. Raphinha has established himself as one of the most exciting attacking players in the Premier League since swapping Rennes for Leeds back in October 2020, racking up six goals and nine assists across an outstanding debut season. The 24-year-old winger has picked up where he left off this term – netting five times in his opening ten appearances of the campaign – and his performances have reportedly made him a target for a host of Europe’s elite teams. Liverpool, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund have all been credited with a strong interest in recent weeks and there have been mounting fears at Leeds that Raphinha could have his head turned ahead of the January transfer window. But it appears the Brazil international – who is tied into a contract at Leeds until 2024 – …

[Read more...] about Raphinha speaks out on Leeds future amid Liverpool and Manchester United transfer links

Jody Morris has helped oversee the development of many of the youngsters currently starring as part of Thomas Tuchel ’s rampant Premier League leaders, but one player still isn’t getting the credit he deserves, according to Frank Lampard ’s former assistant. The one-time Chelsea midfielder occupied a number of different roles at the club during his time in west London and saw the likes of Reece James, Calum Hudson-Odoi, Trevor Chalobah and Mason Mount graduate from youth teams stars into established first team players. Mount was among a group of elite footballers to be named as one of the candidates to win the Ballon d’Or following the impact he made during Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last term. The England international has struggled for consistency this term, while injury and the re-emergence of Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek has further intensified the competition for places. Mount has only just recovered from dental surgery and played a part in …

[Read more...] about Jody Morris names the Chelsea star who still isn’t properly appreciated