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…
Author: Somto Isaac
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…
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has revealed his teammates would hope to see interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy remain at the club, ahead of the expected arrival of Ruben Amorim as new gaffer. Van Nistelrooy assumed the role following the sacking of Erik ten Hag and has overseen three games, remaining unbeaten and guiding United to their first win in Europe in over a year — a 2-0 win over PAOK. The former United striker, admitted he would like to remain part of the club’s restructured management team after his interim spell ends on Sunday with a Premier League home…
France captain Kylian Mbappe has been omitted from his nation’s squad for the games against Israel and Italy coming up this month in the Nations League, according to head coach Didier Deschamps. Deschamps did not specify if the Real Madrid forward has been left out due to injury but insisted his decision is a “one-off” and Mbappe “wanted to come” and join the team. The 25-year-old, who has had a worrying start to life in the Spanish capital following his transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, missed the last two France games against Israel and Belgium. “I’ve had discussions with him, it…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta cut a proud figure despite his side’s 1-0 loss at Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday. The Gunners were undone by a penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu in first half stoppage time after Mikel Merino saw the ball ricochet off his arm in the 18 yard area. Arteta’s charges could not find a way back into the contest despite controlling most of the second half as they were left with their first loss of the Champions League campaign and the end of their clean sheet streak in this season’s competition. “The worst thing is…
Paris Saint-Germain are currently placed 25th in the 36-team Champions League standings following their 1-2 home defeat to Atletico Madrid. Head coach Luis Enrique attributed the loss to bad luck, while admitting the Ligue 1 giants’ qualification chances are in danger. The Parisians were put in front by Warren Zaire Emery’s goal but Nahuel Molina equalised and a late goal from Angel Correa stole it for the Spanish outfit. Although PSG had a handful of chances through Achraf Hakimi, Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele, they could not convert without a recognised poacher leading the line. “There are no words. I…