Mikel Arteta has been hit with yet another injury blow, it was he termed a ‘nightmare’ start to the season. Defender Ben White has completed surgery on a knee problem which has been troubling him for some time. The 27-year-old has now been confirmed to be out for the entire festive period — with the club working hard to ensure he makes a return in January. With the rush of the games during the holiday period, White – who can play as a right back or centre back – will be a huge blow to Arteta who already lost Bukayo…
Author: Somto Isaac
England captain Harry Kane is furious at his teammates who pulled out of the November international duty, blasting them of “taking advantage” of the void of a current permanent manager. Eight players withdrew from interim gaffer Lee Carsley’s squad ahead of the Three Lions’ November games, first of which they emerged victorious on Thursday night against Greece and another against Republic of Ireland. Manchester City duo, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, Arsenal pair, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold were among those who pulled out of the squad earlier this week. “Gareth Southgate brought the joy to…
Manchester City have hit a rocky patch in their current 2024-25 campaign as they fell five points behind league leaders Liverpool as they continue the defence of their title and Portuguese centre-back Ruben Dias is defiant, insisting any form of doubt is at the peril of the critics. For the first time ever, Pep Guardiola’s City suffered their fourth successive loss in all competitions following their 2-1 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on the English top flight on Saturday. The Cityzens, who are on the hunt for an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League crown, also exited the League Cup…
New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted he understands to level of difficulty at Old Trafford dugout, but insists he is looking forward to the new challenge. The Red Devils announced the appointment of the Portuguese coach set to arrive, on a contract until June 2027. The 39-year-old, who replaces the axed Erik ten Hag, brought the curtains of his career at Sporting to a close with a 4-2 win at Braga on Sunday. “I feel ready for the new challenge,” he said to reporters after the comeback win. “I’m not naive, I know it’s going to be very…
Fresh knocks to Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka compounded the worries on Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, following the 1-1 draw at Chelsea in the Premier League. Rice was substituted after 71 minutes and Saka went off 10 minutes later as both Englishmen could not continue. “It doesn’t look good because for two players of that importance to say they want to come off is unusual,” Arteta said after the derby at Stamford Bridge. “I don’t expect them to be fit [for the international break] because if not they don’t come off.” Arsenal, who headed into the contest without the likes…
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick was critical of his side’s showing in their shock 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad on Sunday, which ended their seven-match winning run in all competitions. The German also lauded the performance of his opponents, insisting that his team have to move on as they still sit with 33 points at the top of the standings, six above Real Madrid who have a game in hand. “Today was not our day,” Flick said in a press conference. “I think we have to accept this result because they played decisively. It’s clear, there are no excuses. We didn’t…
A high-stakes London derby headlines matchday 11 of the English top-flight, as champions Manchester City aim to avoid four straight losses in all competitions and Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in the dugout for his final game as interim manager of Manchester United — as the 2023-24 Premier League campaign looks to provide more drama and excitement ahead of the upcoming November international break. Chelsea vs Arsenal – Stamford Bridge (Sunday, November 10, 2024 – 5:30pm WAT) It has been a while in which the derby between Chelsea and Arsenal provided this much intrigue and anticipation as the London rivals…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is on the brink of setting what would be an unwanted managerial record if his side loses their fourth straight game when they travel to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday evening. The Cityzens were knocked out of the League Cup in a loss at Tottenham Hotspur, followed up by a shock 2-1 loss at Bournemouth and then thrashed 4-1 by Sporting in the Champions League, coached by incoming Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim. However, Guardiola is hoping that his City team who are two points off the top and…
Champions Bayer Leverkusen have forced manager Xabi Alonso to a rallying call, demanding focus on their total games as they travel to Bochum to aim for just their second win in the league since September. Following a domestic double win last year, Leverkusen have struggled in recent weeks, with just one win in their last five games which has seen them drop to fourth in the standings, seven points off leaders Bayern Munich Munich. “We have to become consistent in the game with our concentration and mentality,” coach Xabi Alonso said in his press conference. “That’s what we need to…
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca provided an update on marquee player Cole Palmer, after the Englishman suffered a knee injury in the draw at Manchester United in their last Premier League game. The 22-year-old has now been revealed to still be in doubt ahead of Sunday’s derby clash against Arsenal. Palmer has begun the season in electrifying fashion, netting seven goals and five assists in 10 Premier League games, aiding the Blues up to fourth on the log. The Englishman was not registered in Chelsea’s Conference League squad for the league phase, as he did not feature in Thursday’s 8-0…