Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had hoped to gain winning momentum into Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg at Paris Saint-Germain but has now urged his players to use the anger felt in the 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday. Midfielder Declan Rice netted the opening goal of the contest, on his 100th Arsenal appearance, to give the hosts a lead at the interval. But the Gunners conceded two goals in the second half, with Dean Huijsen and Evanilson netting in the space of eight minutes, to hit the North Londoners with a low boost ahead of the crucial…
Author: Somto Isaac
Enzo Maresca has revealed that his Chelsea side will give a guard of honour when they host newly-crowned Premier League Liverpool on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. Liverpool clinched a record-equalling 20th English top-flight crown last weekend when they stretched their point-gap over second-placed Arsenal to 15 points with four games left to execute. Although, no rule or duty states clubs must give a guard of honour to the champions, Maresca insisted his players would line up to make welcome the Reds in Sunday’s clash. “I think it’s a tradition, it’s something you have to do and we want to do.…
Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted he will use the final four games of the Premier League season as an opportunity to players who have not featured much – after his side captured a 20th Premier League title last weekend. The Reds, who have a 15-point lead over second-placed Arsenal at the top of the standings, make the trip to West London to face Chelsea on Sunday in a big game for the hosts who sit fifth and are chasing a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. “It’s nice we play some strong teams with Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Palace,…
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta congratulated newly-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool but admitted a feeling of pain after his side fell short in their bid for the top-flight crown for a third consecutive season. Liverpool thumped Tottenham 5-1 on Sunday to extend an unassailable lead at the top with four games left. After pushing Manchester City to the limit in the last two seasons, it is yet another blow for Arsenal, as Arteta stated Liverpool deserved their triumph. “I understand that [Liverpool] are a team that is being more consistent and they have a lot of ingredients that you need to…
Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso revealed there is no new development regarding his future and talk of being the next coach of Real Madrid. Reports in Spain have circulated that Alonso is the leading candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu if the Italian leaves his current role after an underwhelming season. Alonso previously played under Ancelotti at the Spanish capital when spent five years, helping Los Blancos to the Champions League trophy for the first time in 12 years – before he moved to Bayern Munich. “My future? Nothing new to say, the answer remains the same. We…
Bayern Munich head coach Vincent Kompany remains level-headed, blocking talk of celebrations on ice in view of Saturday’s Bundesliga battle against fifth-placed RB Leipzig, as an opportunity to claim a record-extending 34th German league title presents itself. The Bavarians have an eight-point lead over last season’s winners Bayer Leverkusen, who sit second with 67 points and three games to spare. A victory on Saturday would secure the title but also, matching Leverkusen’s result at Freiburg on Sunday would also be enough for Kompany’s side to celebrate domestic triumph. “We want to win tomorrow and be champions,” Kompany spoke to reporters…
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed Ballon d’Or winner Rodri has returned to training for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in September. The midfielder has been absent since undergoing surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament – an absence which many has highlighted could be a major reason for City’s disappointing campaign. Despite the return of the 28-year-old coming at a point in the season which many feel could be late, Rodri’s return to the turf sounds a huge boost for City. Guardiola also revealed the return to training of striker Erling Haaland, having not featured…
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca insisted that “money does not win titles” ahead of Thursday’s Conference League last four first leg clash against Djurgarden on Thursday. The Stockholm outfit have been put together at a fraction of the more than £1 billion spent on recruiting players to the Blues in the last three campaigns at Stamford Bridge by co-owner and US billionaire businessman Todd Boehly. Two-time Champions League winners Chelsea have been on a cruise in Europe’s third-tier competition this season, suffering just one loss in the quarter-final second leg against Legia Warsaw. “You don’t win games and titles with…
Ruben Amorim understands that winning the Europa League does not signify a successful season for Manchester United, however, he believes it could be important to the club’s immediate future, on and off the pitch. The Red Devils – who are gearing up for their first leg semi final clash at Athletic Bilbao in Europe’s second tier competition – sit 14th in the Premier League with 39 points after 15 losses. And Amorim is of the opinion that success in Europe could help with momentum for rebuilding plans after a disappointing campaign. “Everybody knows [the game against Bilbao] it is really…
Arne Slot has stated that his Liverpool side will not relax with expectations high following the stylish win of their 20th Premier League title. The Reds defeated Tottenham at a jubilant Anfield — as a 5-1 win confirmed league success with four games left to play. A remarkable achievement for Slot, who guided Liverpool to move level with same number of league titles as arch rivals Manchester United, in his first season after taking over from legendary manager Jurgen Klopp. With this being their second league crown in the Premier League era, the last time the club conquered the division…