Tag: Title race

Salah Refuses To Play Down Severity Of ‘Fiery’ Touchline Spat With Klopp, Reveals There Will Be “Fire” If He Speaks

Liverpool forward Mohammed Salah declined to play down his heated exchange on the touchline with manager Jürgen Klopp in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at West Ham.

In a game which saw the Red’s title hopes take another severe blow, Salah and Klopp were seen having a fierce argument, with the Egyptian star needing to be restrained back by Darwin Nuñez.

The 31-year-old, who started the contest from the bench, claimed there would be “fire” if he spoke about the clash.

Desperate to recover from their Merseyside derby loss in midweek, Klopp opted against starting Salah even as Liverpool recovered to comeback into a 2-1 lead after conceding the opener, however, Michail Antonio played the role of a spoiler to equalise in the 77th minute.

Salah had been poised go come on as a substitute into the game, alongside Nuñez and Joe Gomez before the goal.

Speaking about the controversial scenario, Klopp said: “We spoke about it in the dressing room and that is done for me.”

Quizzed if Salah was also satisfied with things, Klopp responded: “That was my impression.”

However, when Salah made his way past pressmen and was questioned about the situation, he stated: “There’s going to be a fire today if I speak.”

The attacker has recently struggled to hit top form in the last weeks, netting once in his previous six games.

Salah has been linked with a transfer away from Anfield at the end of the current season, with Saudi Arabian clubs reported to be interested in his signature.

Arteta Outlines Havertz Importance To Arsenal’s Setup, Credits Him An Impact Player

Kai Havertz has kept critics muted following his recent performances for Arsenal – which has led manager Mikel Arteta to sing words of praises for his summer signing.

The 24-year-old was named the man of the match as the Gunners moved to the top of the Premier League following their 3-0 triumph at Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday evening.

The German who had a tough start to life in North London, needing 10 games to net his first goal, has now recorded double-figures for goals in all appearances for Arsenal.

The former Chelsea player is also having his best season in the English top flight in terms of numbers and Arteta had nothing but accolades for his attacker while also maintaining the necessity of him keeping on with this form.

“He’s certainly having a huge impact on the team,” Arteta told the press.

“His overall performances have been really good and now his numbers for goal contributions are really high.

“He needs to maintain that.

“I think his understanding with the attacking players was superb. I think they had real purpose and connection and a lot of clarity on where to attack and we created many chances.”

Havertz who was termed as one of the most underwhelming signings of the summer at the commencement of the campaign, is now earning plaudits from pundits and also Arsenal fans alike.

“Obviously he is in a very different moment. He has some fantastic players around him and we have tried to create the right environment for him,” Arteta added.

“I think it’s very important for any player, that they feel confident and we hopefully give him the love he needs. He has the admiration of the rest of the players and staff at the club and now the supporters of our club, for sure.”

“We Both Want To Win. I Will Prepare The Game To Win It” – Arteta Speaks On Friendly Rivalry With Guardiola Ahead City Clash

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed his admiration for Pep Guardiola while also admitting his sentiments will not get in his way of charging his troops to victory when Arsenal visit Manchester City in a crucial Premier League clash on Sunday.

The Gunners boss also stated he would want his side to enjoy the moment in the game against a City side, whom he insists have raised the bar in world football.

Arteta, who was Guardiola’s assistant at City before becoming Arsenal boss in 2019, spoke highly of his relationship with the former Barcelona manager while also citing that sitting in opposite dugouts would alter their relationship for 90 minutes.

Arteta was an assistant under Guardiola at City before taking the managerial reins at Arsenal, and the two Spaniards’ friendship goes back to their days as players. Sitting in opposing dugouts, however, has meant a change in their relationship.

“It has to change, [but]my admiration for him certainly not,” Arteta said of Guardiola in his pre-match press conference.

“My opinion is he is the best coach in the world by a mile and he’s one of the nicest people I have met in football.

“But our roles at the moment are where they are and it has to adapt to the situation. Probably I would prefer to [beat] somebody else that I don’t have those feelings [of friendship], but it is not a choice.

“We both want to win. We know each other very well and I will prepare the game to win it.”

Triumph at the Etihad will see Arsenal end a nine-year winless run at the home of the defending champions and boost their hopes of claiming the title.

The North London outfit have been in fine form, winning their last eight games on the bounce and scoring 33 goals.

However, Arteta maintains that his charges have to keep up with City, encouraging them to “enjoy the moment” on Sunday evening.

“We’ve done a lot already to be in the position that we are and now we have to embrace and enjoy the moment and go for it,” Arteta told reporters.

“City have raised the bar in this league, I think in football in general, to a level that hadn’t been seen before.

“And that’s the beauty of the sport, that makes you better, that challenges you more and you have to keep up with that pace. And that’s what we are trying to do.”

In what is looking like a title race for the ages, with 10 games to go, Arsenal sit top of the standings on goals difference as they have amassed an equal 64 points with second placed Liverpool and Man City sit third with 63 points.