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Tag: Arsenal

  • Arteta still love ‘players more than ever’ after Southampton draw

    Arteta still love ‘players more than ever’ after Southampton draw

    Mikel Arteta says he “loves” his Arsenal team “more than ever” after they rallied to earn a 3-3 draw against Southampton.

    After falling down by two goals inside of the first 14 minutes of Friday’s game at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal was forced to settle for a point.

    Before halftime, Gabriel Martinelli gave the Saints hope after Carlos Alcaraz had scored one and helped Theo Walcott on another. But, Duje Caleta-Car headed in the third goal for the Saints.

    But Martin Odegaard curled in an impressive goal in the 88th minute and Bukayo Saka had Arsenal on level terms in added time to deny the Premier League’s bottom side.

    The Gunners have now dropped points in three successive matches, but Arteta was pleased with the way his side fought back against Southampton.

    “We made it very difficult again for ourselves – mistakes are part of football, but the way we reacted, I love my players more than ever,” he told Sky Sports.

    “It is incredible. We were on the way back, we conceded again with a sloppy goal but in the end we should have won the game. 

    “We created enough chances and opportunities, but it didn’t happen and we are disappointed. 

    “You can’t concede three goals in this league. If you concede three like we did in a sloppy way it is very difficult to win matches.

    “This young team reacts in a way that is incredible. When it is against the odds but the chances they created and the spirit they had it was a joy to watch. 

    “The message is clear that I love them. We are down and they are more willing than anybody to win it. You can see that spirit and fight in the dressing room.”

    Arsenal are five points clear of second-place Manchester City, but they have played two games more than their in-form title rivals and travel to the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

    “It hasn’t changed,” Arteta said. “Obviously the task is even bigger but now we have to do the simple things better and cut out mistakes and then you will win games.

    “The [Man City game] is not a final because there are still six games to go. The concern is turning around these moments especially if the players in some moments are in doubt. 

    “In football you go through moments when you make errors and are not in a good moment but you have to come away from that. 

    “I have not seen anybody hiding – the opposite. They are willing to do more and more.

    “Today is a good example of the level they can show, how capable they are to play against a different type of opponent. The spirit is incredible and we have to try and do it again.”

  • Gabriel Jesus blames ‘lack of experience and focus’ for crushing Arsenal title win hope

    Gabriel Jesus blames ‘lack of experience and focus’ for crushing Arsenal title win hope

    Despite their strong start to the season, Gabriel Jesus has outlined two major factors that are jeopardising Arsenal’s title hopes.

    After a remarkable run of results under Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal have become the clear favourites to defeat Manchester City to the Premier League title this season.

    That fantasy, however, is set to come crashing down after Arteta’s team lost three of their most recent games.

    The north Londoners have suffered three damaging draws in all those matches, with the most recent ending in a 3-3 epic draw at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

    The Sun reports Arsenal had to come from two goals down to secure the point after Carlos Alcaraz and Theo Walcott handed the Saints an early lead.

    The result still has the Gunners topping the charts with a five-point advantage, with only six games left to end the season.

    However, Man City do have an edge over them as they have two games in hand, with both teams also scheduled to face off at the Etihad in what has been touted as a potential title decider.

    Why Arsenal’s title bid is crumbling

    Jesus, who has won the Premier League title on four occasions, has now assessed Arsenal’s title bid as the season enters a critical stage.

    Speaking after Arsenal’s draw against Southampton, the Brazilian striker highlighted two key reasons why the north Londoners have stuttered in recent weeks.

    According to the former Man City striker, lack of experience and focus has contributed to Arsenal’s recent struggles.

  • Arsenal emotional after Southampton draw breaks their hearts

    Arsenal emotional after Southampton draw breaks their hearts

    After the final whistle of their Premier League match against Southampton on Friday, April 21, Arsenal’s stars struggled to contain their emotions.

    During the game, the Gunners lost for the third time in a row, dealing Mikel Arteta’s team yet another setback in their title defence.

    The north Londoners were looking to bounce back after dropping points in their most recent match against West Ham United by defeating the relegation-threatened Saints.

    However, The Telegraph reports the league leaders faltered yet again, with two late goals from Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard rescuing a point for them at the Emirates.

    Carlos Alcaraz opened the scoring for the visitors just seconds into the kick-off before former Arsenal ace Theo Walcott doubled the advantage for the Saints in the 14th minute.

    While Gabriel Martinelli went on to draw one back for the hosts in the 20th minute, Southampton restored their two-goal advantage in the 66th minute via Duje Caleta-Car.

    The visitors looked on course to sink Arsenal, only for Odegaard and Saka to score late on to earn their side a 3-3 draw.

    Arsenal stars in tears

    Emotions got the better of Arsenal stars after the full-time whistle, as they were spotted in tears shortly after the match.

    Odegaard was among the Arsenal stars who were pictured dejected as it dawned on them they were on the verge of bottling the league.

    According to The Sun, substitute Reiss Nelson also collapsed to the ground in despair, while Gabriel Magalhaes was also on his knees in frustration.

    Whereas Arteta’s men have a five-point advantage over second-placed Man City, they still have to contend with a trip to the Etihad and a clash against rivals Chelsea before the season ends.

    Additionally, City, who are the defending champions, now have two games in hand as the campaign enters its homestretch.

  • Haaland’s tweet suggests he covertly watched Arsenal vs Southampton With Cheeky

    Haaland’s tweet suggests he covertly watched Arsenal vs Southampton With Cheeky

    Arsenal’s Premier League match against Southampton is believed to have been watched secretly by Erling Haaland, according to supporters.

    The Gunners and the Saints had an entertaining game at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, April 21.

    Mikel Arteta’s team was eager to get back to winning ways during the game after dropping points in two of their previous matches.

    However, The Telegraph reports the league leaders faltered yet again as they settled for a 3-3 damaging draw in what was a huge blow to their title bid.

    The hosts had to rely on two late goals from Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard to salvage the point after Carlos Alcaraz and Theo Walcott had put Southampton ahead.

    Haaland shares foretelling tweet

    Haaland sparked reactions among fans with his foretelling tweet shortly after Arsenal’s epic draw against Southampton.

    The Manchester City attacker posted a cheeky tweet with photos of him in training kits with the caption: “Mood Still.”

    Haaland’s tweet sent fans into a meltdown, with many convinced the Norwegian hotshot had been watching the Emirates showdown.

    One replied:

    “What perfect tweet timing!”

    A second noted:

    “Posting it after Arsenal bottling another game.”

    While another reckoned:

    “You definitely watched the Arsenal game lol.”

    Arsenal are scheduled to take on reigning champions Man City in their next Premier League outing.

  • Caicedo optimistic about upcoming transfer prospects following his unsuccessful move to Arsenal

    Caicedo optimistic about upcoming transfer prospects following his unsuccessful move to Arsenal

    Moises Caicedo of Brighton and Hove Albion is optimistic that he will have more opportunities to sign with a Premier League elite team, although admitting that his failed January transfer to Arsenal was “tough.”

    In the most recent transfer window, Brighton reportedly turned down offers from Arsenal that may have reached £70 million, despite the 21-year-old player publicly declaring his desire to sign with the league leaders.

    However, Caicedo ultimately decided to stay, and in March he even reached an agreement on a new, long-term contract with the Seagulls.

    Arsenal were initially expected to make another approach for Caicedo at the end of the season, while Liverpool have also been linked with a move as they look to rebuild their midfield.

    While Caicedo struggled amid Arsenal’s overtures, he does not believe he has missed his chance to play at the top level.

    “I’m sure I’m going to have many more opportunities,” Caicedo told The Telegraph. “That’s why I continue to do things well. 

    “I’d seen a lot of Arsenal before knowing that there was a possibility of me signing for them. I watched them and I liked them because they have very young, talented players and some stars, but they always have that mindset of wanting more.

    “It was tough. When I didn’t end up going, lots of people would make fun of me on Instagram. I didn’t check my social media because it would hurt me to see things.”

    Roberto De Zerbi has led Brighton to seventh in the Premier League table and into an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United, and Caicedo says the Italian’s intervention was key to him staying at The Amex Stadium.

    “He approached me, we spoke and he told me to be calm, that it wouldn’t be the last club that would come in for me, I’d have more opportunities,” Caicedo recalled.

    “He told me to keep on doing what I was doing and that I’ll see in the future I wouldn’t be sorry about staying.

    “I just want to have a really good season with Brighton now, and then we’ll see what happens next season.”

  • Karim Benzema injury may cost him as Real forges into UCL semis

    Karim Benzema injury may cost him as Real forges into UCL semis

    Following Karim Benzema’s injury, Real Madrid’s victory over Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League has come at a significant cost to the Spanish powerhouses.

    After an easy 4-0 aggregate victory over Frank Lampard’s team, Los Blancos eliminated the Blues from the Champions League quarterfinals for the second consecutive year.

    Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has reportedly acknowledged that he replaced Benzema in Tuesday’s 2-0 victory at Chelsea because the French forward sustained an injury.

    “Karim had a blow, a stomp on his foot, it started to bother him at the end and we changed him.”

    Benzema has been a thorn in Real Madrid’s side this season, picking up various knocks in a hectic campaign which has seen him already miss 13 games due to injury.

    Chelsea mascot excited to meet Benzema

    Meanwhile, Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema was quick to meet an outstretched hand of an excited Chelsea mascot with his own before their Champions League game at Stamford Bridge, Daily Star reports.

    A huge smile spread across the face of the youngster before a delighted shocked face that looked like disbelief after Benzema had shook his hands

    Benzema’s gesture towards the mascot has provided a heartwarming reaction across England following the backlash Arsenal stars faced after refusing to talk to the mascots in their Premier League game against West Ham.

    Chelsea crash out of Champions League

    Earlier, it was reported Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge as poor finishing cost them any chance of turning the quarter-final first-leg result around.

    A brace from Brazilian sensation, Rodrygo de Goes dumped the West Londoners out of the Champions League, compounding what has been a catastrophic campaign, to say the least.

    Wednesday night’s result means the Londoners’ woes in front of the goal continue unabated, scoring just once in four games under Frank Lampard.

  • FIFA 23 EA Sports Team of the Season: Thomas Partey missing from nomination list

    FIFA 23 EA Sports Team of the Season: Thomas Partey missing from nomination list

    The FIFA 23 EA Sports Team of the Season nominations left out Ghanaian and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey.

    Partey wasn’t on the list of prospective midfielders despite being an important player for Arsenal and helping them to victory in the Premier League.

    With 26 Premier League appearances, 24 starts, and three goals this season, the 29-year-old has been an important player for Arsenal.

    In their quest for the top spot in the table, Arsenal is four points ahead of Manchester City thanks to his services.

    However, the FIFA 23 EA Sports Team of the Season nominations have seen the likes of Bruno Guimarães of Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion’s Alexis Mac Allister, and Palhinha of Fulham named among the potential midfielders to make the team.

    Despite the snub, Partey’s exceptional performances this season have not gone unnoticed by fans and pundits alike, who have praised his performances.

    See the full list of nominees below:

    Goalkeepers

    Nick Pope – Newcastle United

    Aaron Ramsdale – Arsenal

    Alisson – Liverpool

    Bernd Leno – Fulham

    Kepa – Chelsea

    Defenders

    Gabriel – Arsenal

    William Saliba – Arsenal

    Kieran Trippier – Newcastle United

    Sven Botman – Newcastle United

    Oleksandr Zinchenko – Arsenal

    Thiago Silva – Chelsea

    Lisandro Martínez – Manchester United

    Ben Mee – Brentford

    Luke Shaw – Manchester United

    Cristian Romero – Tottenham Hotspur

    Rúben Dias – Manchester City

    Midfielders

    Martin Ødegaard – Arsenal

    Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City

    Casemiro – Manchester United

    Rodri – Manchester City

    Bruno Guimarães – Newcastle United

    Alexis Mac Allister – Brighton & Hove Albion

    Palhinha – Fulham

    James Maddison – Leicester City

    Solly March – Brighton & Hove Albion

    Kaoru Mitoma – Brighton & Hove Albion

    Rodrigo Bentancur – Tottenham Hotspur

    Pierre-Emile Højbjerg – Tottenham Hotspur

    Attackers

    Erling Haaland – Manchester City

    Bukayo Saka – Arsenal

    Harry Kane – Tottenham Hotspur

    Gabriel Martinelli – Arsenal

    Jack Grealish – Manchester City

    Marcus Rashford – Manchester United

    Mohamed Salah – Liverpool

    Miguel Almirón – Newcastle United

    Ollie Watkins – Aston Villa

    Kai Havertz – Chelsea

    Riyad Mahrez – Manchester City

    Darwin Núñez – Liverpool

  • Saka to stay with Arsenal as long as Arteta does – Joleon Lescott

    Saka to stay with Arsenal as long as Arteta does – Joleon Lescott

    Bukayo Saka, in Joleon Lescott’s opinion will remain an Arsenal player for as long as manager Mikel Arteta does.

    Saka has been a key player in his team’s surprising Premier League title challenge, despite missing a penalty when the Gunners lost a two-goal lead in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with West Ham.

    He has already established himself as a regular for England and has attracted the attention of several major European clubs after being named one of the game’s most promising young players.

    But two-time Premier League winner Lescott only sees Saka, 21, leaving North London if Arteta departs the Emirates. 

    Speaking during a visit to LiveScore HQ, Lescott said: “Saka could play for anyone. 

    “I don’t think any club would not take him and it wouldn’t surprise me if he went on to play for a Real Madrid or Barcelona.

    “But I don’t see it any time soon, if at all. He’s an Arsenal fan and he loves it. 

    “I think as long as Arteta is manager there, he won’t think about leaving.

    “The moment Arteta leaves, then maybe, because I think he’s probably the only manager that could convince him to go elsewhere.”

    Surprising start

    Lescott, 40, played alongside Arteta for three years at Everton and has been pleasantly surprised by the Spaniard’s successful transition to the dugout. 

    Asked if Arteta was proving himself to be a world-class manager, he said: “Well, certainly as a coach. I think they’re slightly different things.

    “But definitely, he’s got to be regarded up there because Arsenal haven’t been real contenders for so long and we’ve seen how hard it is for other coaches to do that.

    “I think to create that environment takes time and obviously Arsenal were right to believe in the process.”

    Lescott admits he did not expect the Gunners to still be fighting for league glory this late in the campaign.

    The former England ace added: “I knew Mikel had the abilities to be a coach but I didn’t see it going the way it has so early in his managerial career.

    “The consistency Arsenal have shown throughout the season is amazing. I was sceptical as to whether they could maintain it when Gabriel Jesus got injured.

    “But Eddie Nketiah came in and did exceptionally well, while the team found a way to win — and I think that’s been key.”

  • Thierry Henry-Haaland difference: ‘Henry has got something, Haaland’s not amazing – Kolo Toure

    Thierry Henry-Haaland difference: ‘Henry has got something, Haaland’s not amazing – Kolo Toure

    Kolo Toure, a former defender for Manchester City and Arsenal, has explained the distinction between Erling Haaland, a hot-shot striker, and his former teammate Thierry Henry.

    The Norwegian attacker tied Mohamed Salah’s record for most goals in a single season with his 32nd Premier League goal against Leicester City.

    Haaland, who scored twice against the Foxes, needs two more goals to tie the 34 goals per season records held by Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.

    The 22-year-old’s performances has seen him draw comparisons with some of the greats to ever play in the Premier League, including Thierry Henry.

    While analyzing the qualities of the Man City forward, Toure revealed where Haaland lacked in comparison with Henry.

    “For me when I look at him he is strong, powerful. Technically, he is not unbelievable. You can see his feet is not amazing but what he does is that when he is in the box, he always makes sure he is in the right position, very aggressive and makes double movement in his run.

    He fakes you to go forward and stays back and sometimes fakes you to stay back and he moves upfront,” Toure told Sky Sports.

    “For me Thierry Henry had something, if you feed him great. If you don’t, he will come back take the ball, dribble one or two players and score. I don’t think Haaland has that. Very rarely, you see him take the ball and attack tow players and score.”

    Toure and Henry were part of the Arsenal invincible team that won the league title in 2003/04 season.

    Haaland equals Salah’s record

    Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Erling Haaland continued with his fine goalscoring form after he bagged a first-half brace against Leicester City on April 15.

    The Manchester City striker scored from the penalty spot before chipping the ball over Daniel Iversen to add to John Stones’ early opener.

    Haaland’s goals took him to 32 goals for the campaign, equalling Mohamed Salah’s best season goal tally that he set in the 2017/2018 season.

  • Arsenal could win the Premier League if they do these 5 things

    Arsenal could win the Premier League if they do these 5 things

    Despite having an outstanding season, Arsenal is in danger of losing the Premier League title this year.

    The Arsenal have been the overwhelming favourites to win the league this season for weeks, with defending champions Man City being forced to play catch-up.

    The team led the championship race by eight points, giving Mikel Arteta’s men the appearance of seizing control.

    However, two damaging draws against Liverpool and West Ham United are threatening to extinguish their hopes of conquering the English top flight for the first time in close to two decades.

    In both fixtures, the north Londoners surrendered a two-goal advantage to settle for a 2-2 draw.

    Arsenal’s latest stalemate came at the hands of West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, April 16.

    The visitors raced to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes before the Hammers sprung a comeback via Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen to settle for a draw.

    The result left Arsenal just four points above second-placed Man City, who still have a game in hand.

    What Arsenal must do to win EPL

    For the Emirates dwellers to be crowned Premier League champions this season, a couple of things need to go their way.

    With only seven games left to end the season, Arsenal fans will be keeping their fingers crossed as the campaign enters its homestretch.

    Sports Brief now takes a look at five things that must happen for Arsenal to cart home the coveted crown.

    1. Avoid further slip-ups

    At this point, Arsenal cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to win the Premier League.

    Arteta’s men must hit the ground running in their subsequent matches, starting with their upcoming clash against relegation battlers Southampton.

    2. Hope for Man City to falter

    Man City often have the scariest run towards the end of a Premier League campaign.

    For the longest time, especially during Pep Guardiola’s tenure, City do not drop as many points during the run-in.

    But with the side still competing in the FA Cup and the Champions League, it is almost likely they could drop some points on the way.

    3. See off Man City

    Arsenal’s trip to the Etihad Stadium has been touted as a possible decider for this season’s EPL title race.

    For context, Pep Guardiola has already described the cracker as a final.

    One thing Arsenal must have on top of their agenda is to pick points in the encounter.

    4. Avoid mental breakdown

    Arsenal stars are bound to suffer a mental breakdown in the coming days.

    This is especially so due to their recent outings where they have dropped points from winning positions.

    Mikel Arteta and his backroom staff will have to find a way to keep the squad motivated and in high spirits ahead of the run-in.

    5. Arteta’s tactics with the squad

    Mikel Arteta has an almost fully fit squad to select from in the upcoming matches.

    The Spaniard’s biggest headache is perhaps how to line up in his attack after the return of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.

    Arteta’s squad rotation and tactics are expected to play a key role in how the remainder of their campaign pans out.

    Haaland appears to troll Arsenal

    In news related to Arsenal’s draw with West Ham, Sports Brief reported on Erling Haaland’s reaction to the result on social media.

    The Norwegian posted a photo of himself on Twitter moments after the cracker with the caption ‘Mood’ in what is seen as a jibe at his team’s title rivals.

  • That is the end of it for us if we loose – Pep Guardiola warns players

    That is the end of it for us if we loose – Pep Guardiola warns players

    In order to catch title challengers Arsenal, Pep Guardiola has cautioned his Manchester City players that they cannot afford to lose against Leicester.

    City joined the six points train of Premier League leaders Arsenal last week after the Gunners’ 2-2 draw at Liverpool but they face a potential banana skin on Saturday against struggling Leicester in Dean Smith’s first match since succeeding Brendan Rodgers. 

    Guardiola said they have to treat every match from now until the end of the season as a do-or-die fixture.

    “The only impact I believe is the fact that everyone knows that if we lose it is over. It is the best way to compete. This is when you have the best,” Guardiola told a news conference. “I have doubts that experience. I need more years like [Roy] Hodgson.

    The reality is we are six points behind no guarantee we will win the games ahead. There is no team better than Brighton in modern football. Arsenal is no guarantee. We need to win our games, that is the reality. At the end of the games we will see the reality.”

    City will win the league if they win their remaining nine matches and Guardiola stressed they have little margin for error as Arsenal have just the league to focus on, while his side are gunning for a treble of the title, FA Cup and Champions League.

    “Everyone knows if we lose those games we will not win the title that is why our intentions and details are higher.

    It is the same tomorrow, if we lose the game we will not be champions,” Guardiola added. “If we win we could still be there because we cannot forget we are six points behind Arsenal a team that has dropped few points throughout the season and play one game a week with a lot of time to recover, analyse.

    It will be difficult to win and drop points, that is why we have to be there as much as possible.”

    City play against Leicester on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium before travelling to Germany for the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Bayern Munich.

  • Old Liverpool gradually creeping back – Alexander-Arnold

    Old Liverpool gradually creeping back – Alexander-Arnold

    Trent Alexander-Arnold agrees it was probably too late for a top-four drive, but he saw glimpses of the old Liverpool in Sunday’s comeback victory over Arsenal.

    Liverpool battled back from a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with the Premier League’s top team at Anfield, and they probably should have finished the comeback in stoppage time.

    Although Arsenal was completely dominant at the stage of going up 2-0 and was perhaps unlucky not to have scored more themselves, a favourable ending did not always appear likely.

    The turning point seemed to come in the 41st minute when an altercation between Granit Xhaka and Alexander-Arnold sparked a fiery atmosphere in the stadium, and Mohamed Salah pulled one back shortly after.

    Liverpool looked the bigger threat from that point and inexplicably failed to get a late winner after Roberto Firmino’s equaliser, with Darwin Nunez and Ibrahima Konate passing up gilt-edged opportunities.

    The point did not do much for the Reds’ Champions League hopes, but Alexander-Arnold felt the performance showed Liverpool are not a lost cause even during a difficult season.

    “We showed a different side to us, one that we’ve had in previous seasons, where we get past disappointment and are able to get back into games – and we showed that, so that’s a decent sign,” he told Liverpool’s official website.

    “But we need to be getting three points. No matter whether we’re playing top of the league or bottom of the league, three points is our aim and we know we could have got that [on Sunday].

    “We showed a different side to us. We showed that we really wanted to go out there and put a good performance in.

    “Even though you’re playing probably the best team in the league, we still showed our quality and dominated them for the whole second half and should’ve won the game.”

    However, the Reds remain 12 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United with nine matches remaining.

    Alexander-Arnold accepts overturning such a deficit looks a tall order.

    “We take the point and try to improve it next week,” he continued. “We’ve got a full week to go and train, and that’s what we need to go and do.

    “We have our targets and it’s going to be difficult to get Champions League football now I think. But it’s still mathematically possible, so as long as that’s possible then that’s what we go for.

    “We’re not in the position we want to be in at all but there’s still nine games to go. That’s where our heads are at – let’s go and try to win all nine.”

  • Arsenal could win the Premier League – Fmr Utd star Gary Neville

    Arsenal could win the Premier League – Fmr Utd star Gary Neville

    Gary Neville, a former player for Manchester United, has identified the crucial moment that might give Arsenal the Premier League championship.

    The Gunners are aiming for their first EPL championship in nearly two decades, and the team is in a strong position to win the trophy after a strong season.

    Under Mikel Arteta, the north Londoners have been unstoppable this season, winning three of their previous 30 games to take the lead in the standings.

    However, Arsenal’s title bid appeared to suffer a blow on Sunday evening after they were forced to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.

    According to The Sun, Liverpool staged a thrilling comeback from 2-0 down and were threatening to win the match, only to be denied by Aaron Ramsdale, who pulled off epic saves late in the match to earn his side a precious point. ]

    The result cut Arsenal’s lead at the top to six points, with Man City, who sit second, having a game in hand.

    Neville speaks on Arsenal’s title chances

    Be that as it may, Neville has suggested the north Londoners are still firmly in control of the title race.

    According to the former defender, Ramsdale’s moment of magic in the dying minutes of the Anfield cracker could actually be the moment that could win Arsenal the league. Nevill told Sky Sports: “That could win Arsenal the title.” “I think today is a really good point for them.

    Things happen out there in this stadium [Anfield] that just do not happen in any other stadium,” he added.

  • Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson readies for trial after dog’s attack on massage therapist Saeid Motaali

    Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson readies for trial after dog’s attack on massage therapist Saeid Motaali

    In 2020, a massage therapist allegedly suffered injuries at the hands of Reiss Nelson’s dog.

    After being charged with “being in charge of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control,” Arsenal star Nelson will go on trial in September.

    On December 2, 2020, at the player’s home, Tiago, the forward’s dog, who is thought to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, injured massage therapist Saeid Motaali.

    Nelson denied the charge on October 31 last year and has been granted unconditional bail before his trial on September 4, 2023.

    The 23-year-old has made 11 appearances for the Gunners this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists.

  • Man City thrash Liverpool to stay in the hunt

    Man City thrash Liverpool to stay in the hunt

    Manchester City overcame Erling Haaland’s absence to thrash rivals Liverpool 4-1, maintaining pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

    In the start of the second half, City took a commanding lead thanks to goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan. Jack Grealish then sealed the victory in Saturday’s thrilling match at the Etihad Stadium.

    Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool an early lead; they are accustomed to being City’s main rivals for the championship. Nevertheless, Julian Alvarez, who replaced Haaland, promptly equalized, and the visitors were fatigued after the half.

    With champions City now 22 points ahead of the team who pushed them to the wire last season, the final score highlighted the distance that has grown between the clubs this season.

    The prolific Haaland, who has scored 42 goals for City this season in all competitions, had received a lot of attention in the run-up to the game regarding his physical condition.

    The Norwegian struggled to heal from a groin issue in time, but he undoubtedly watched from a private box with joy as his teammates succeeded in his absence.

    Early on, the hosts made their intentions clear. Gundogan got into a fantastic position but mishandled a volley, Rodri shot at Alisson Becker, and Riyad Mahrez curled a free-kick just wide.

    Yet Liverpool showed fight at first and, although Darwin Nunez was only deemed fit enough for a substitute role, were a danger on the break.

    Salah served warning when he had a shot blocked and then made no mistake after another quick counter-attack in the 17th minute.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold launched a ball to Diogo Jota from deep and the Portuguese held it up in the area for Salah to race onto and thump a shot into the top corner.

    It could have quickly got worse for City but they survived another scare and then levelled after a brilliant, and game-changing, couple of minutes from Grealish.

    irstly he was the only City player to get back as Salah broke clear again and he made a timely interception as the Egyptian looked to play in Jota.

    Moments later Grealish was involved at the other end, this time laying off a neat first-time cross for World Cup-winner Alvarez to turn home at close range.

    Tensions threatened to boil over in the closing stages of the first half after Rodri was booked for pulling back Jota but not for repeating the offence on Cody Gakpo. Manuel Akanji and Jordan Henderson also got involved in a running battle.

    The interval brought a refocusing on the football and City were quickly into their stride as Mahrez found space on the right and centred for the inrushing De Bruyne to turn in.

    Gakpo was brilliantly denied by Ederson at the other end but City were relentless and took a firm grip on the game by grabbing their third after 53 minutes.

    Alexander-Arnold stretched to block Alvarez’s initial shot but the ball rolled to Gundogan and the German could hardly miss from close range.

    The double blow took the wind out of Liverpool’s challenge and a dominant City eventually grabbed a fourth when Grealish combined with De Bruyne to slide home and cap a fine individual display.

    It was a thoroughly professional performance by City from a potentially difficult fixture but they will hope the wounded Reds can rally against Arsenal next week.

  • Arteta says he copied Guardiola’s tactics in Zinchenko’s deployment

    Arteta says he copied Guardiola’s tactics in Zinchenko’s deployment

    As the competition between Arsenal and Manchester City for the title in May heats up, the Premier League title race is down to the final 10 games.

    The second leg of their matchup will take place at the Etihad Stadium on April 26.

    The Gunners are eight points ahead of City, who have a game in hand.

    At the Emirates Stadium, City prevailed 3-1 in the first leg.

    Since Mikel Arteta served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant in Manchester for three years before leaving to take over at his old club, there is a unique connection between this year’s title race and Arteta.

    Arteta received some assistance from his former coaching staff when he signed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus and Ukrainian star Oleksandr Zinchenko for a combined £82 million in the summer, as reported by Caught Offside.

    Arteta is copying Guardiola’s tactics

    Jesus and Zinchenko have been pivotal for Arsenal.

    While many fans have slammed Guardiola for selling them to a rival, Arteta revealed he has taken more from his former boss than two important players.

    Zinchenko is a versatile player who can play as a full-back, midfielder, or winger.

    Arteta has exploited this advantage at Arsenal by using him as a floating full-back in a move traced back to his compatriot.

    “It started when I was in Barcelona; we used to play a 3-4-3 diamond and one of the full-backs used to play there.

    But Pep did it at Bayern for the first time with Phillip Lahm and then that was developed at City with many different ways of doing it with different players,” Arteta told Mirror UK.

    ”So that is the great thing, that you can take all the time things from other sports, other coaches to make yourself better and that curiosity is necessary to evolve and be better,” he added.

    De Bruyne’s message to Guardiola

    Speaking of Guardiola, there are reports of dressing room rifts between him and some players including João Cancelo, who departed to Bayern on loan in January.

    Sports Brief reported on Kevin De Bruyne sending a message to Guardiola to express his dissatisfaction over the reduced playing time given to him this season.

    While KDB said he will do his best when called on, his manager believes the Belgium captain must return to the basics to regain his position on the first team.

  • FA charges technical staff of Arsenal, Aston Villa

    FA charges technical staff of Arsenal, Aston Villa

    The Football Association has filed charges against members of the coaching staff of Arsenal and Aston Villa for an altercation that occurred during their Premier League matchup last month.

    On February 18, the Gunners pulled off a spectacular 4-2 comeback at Villa Park, which was capped off by a thrilling own goal from their former goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

    The visitors had previously tied the score thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Gabriel Martinelli added a fourth goal in stoppage time.

    Victor Manas, the head of performance analysis at Villa, and Miguel Molina, the technical analyst at Arsenal, got into a fight during the celebrations, and the FA has now charged both men.

    “Aston Villa’s head of performance analysis, Victor Manas, and Arsenal’s technical analyst coach, Miguel Molina, have been charged following their Premier League game on Wednesday 18 February,” read a statement.

    “It’s alleged that Miguel Molina’s behaviour and/or language during the 94th minute was improper and/or abusive and/or insulting, and that his behaviour in the tunnel after the final whistle was also improper.”

    Manas and Molina have until Friday to provide a response to the FA.

  • Arsenal is concerned about Partey’s fitness after he missed Ghana game

    Arsenal is concerned about Partey’s fitness after he missed Ghana game

    Following his absence from Ghana’s match against Angola, Thomas Partey‘s fitness is a question heading into Arsenal’s return to Premier League action the following weekend.

    The 29-year-old was fully involved in Tuesday’s 1-0 victory over the same opponents in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, but he was not needed for Monday’s 1-1 draw in Talatona.

    Partey missed two Arsenal games in February due to a back injury; Ghana head coach Chris Hughton later explained that Partey was not risked because of a minor issue.

    “Thomas has some small issues,” Hughton said at his post-match press conference. “We felt it was too big of a risk to start him.”

    Partey, who was accompanied on Ghana duty by Arsenal physio Simon Murphy, has played in 30 of the Gunners’ 39 games this season.

    Premier League leaders Arsenal are back in action on Saturday with a home match against Leeds United, before travelling to Liverpool eight days later.

  • Premier League: Bukayo Saka, best player at the moment? Hear teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko opinion

    Premier League: Bukayo Saka, best player at the moment? Hear teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko opinion

    Bukayo Saka, an Arsenal teammate, is “one of” the best players in the Premier League right now, according to Oleksandr Zinchenko.

    What happened?

    There are currently a number of shining stars in the English top division, with players like Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford shining for Manchester rivals City and United, respectively, in 2022–23.

    Saka, 21, has joined that esteemed company after assisting Arsenal in maintaining a title challenge and posting personal-best totals of 13 goals and 10 assists this season. Saka also scored for England in a 2-0 victory over Ukraine in the Euro 2024 qualifying match.

    Zinchenko, who was on the wrong end of that result at Wembley Stadium, has told reporters when asked if Saka is the best player around at the moment: “In the Premier League? I’m not the guy who is going to judge but he is one of them for sure.

    I hope he is on this form for the rest of the season because he is such an important player for Arsenal as we have 10 more finals to go.”

    Saka helped England to get the better of Ukraine when taking their latest step towards the next European Championships, with Zinchenko admitting that friendships had been put on hold for 90 minutes.

    He added: “He is an amazing player, we know that.

    He is on fire at the moment, there are no friends on the pitch and unfortunately he beat me. In these kind of games, big players decide the game.”

    Zinchenko and Saka will be club colleagues again on Saturday when Arsenal – who hold an eight-point lead at the Premier League summit – return to domestic action with a home date against Leeds.

  • Robin van Persie believes Arsenal is the next Premier League Champions

    Robin van Persie believes Arsenal is the next Premier League Champions

    Robin van Persie believes his old team, Arsenal, will win the Premier League this year. 
    After an incredible run of play under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have become strong favourites to win the title.

    With only 10 games remaining, the north Londoners currently hold an eight-point advantage at the top of the standings.

    They appear to be a game away from winning the Premier League for the first time in nearly 20 years, but they will be wary of Man City, a team with a history of success who are currently sitting second on the log with a game remaining.

    Van Persie speaks on Arsenal winning the EPL

    Van Persie, who spent eight years at the Emirates Stadium, has insisted he would be happy to see Arsenal secure the crown.

    The former Dutch forward is not in good books with Arsenal fans after his controversial summer move to rivals Man United in 2012, where he went on to win the Premier League title.

    However, the legendary striker has appeared to suggest that there is no bad blood between him and the Gunners, with the 39-year-old making clear his feelings about his former side’s potential title triumph.

    “They’ve got [had] a couple of difficult games. They got the three points there, so that is what a champion’s team is made of. They’ve been proving that.

    But the last stretch is always the difficult one, so it’ll be interesting to see,” Van Persie told Sky Sports. “But my personal feeling is that they will go for it – that they will win the league. It’s been a while, so I’m happy for them to win it,” he added.

  • Arsenal supporters upset at Man City Ace Rodri’s dreadful tackle that eliminated Martin Odegaard

    Arsenal supporters upset at Man City Ace Rodri’s dreadful tackle that eliminated Martin Odegaard

    A part of Arsenal supporters have criticised Man City star Rodri for a terrible tackle he made on Marting Odegaard during a Euro match between Spain and Norway.

    On Saturday, March 25, the two Premier League players were competing for their respective teams during the international break.

    Odegaard, according to Metro UK, had a great chance to start the scoring in the opening minutes of the game after he received a pull-back and fired a left-footed shot.

    The Arsenal captain was taken out by Rodri’s late tackle after his shot was blocked before it could reach the goal.

    Footage from the incident showed Odegaard immediately rolling around in agony, clutching his ankle before getting up to his knees and appealing to the referee to give a penalty.

    The referee, who was not referred to the monitor by VAR, opted against awarding a spot-kick as Spain went on to take a lead moments later via Dani Olmo.

    Arsenal fans fume at Rodri Rodri’s awkward challenge on Odegaard did not go down well with Arsenal fans, who quickly hit out at the Man City star for ‘attempting to kill’ the Norwegian midfielder. One wrote: “Absolutely horrible foul from Rodri on Odegaard.

    Incredibly, no penalty given! Rodri under Pep’s orders to injure our captain?”

    A second noted: “Odegaard denied a clear penalty. Rodri trying to end Arsenal’s title run with a nasty red card challenge. Fuming.”

    Another posted: “Rodri’s on a mission to hospitalise that Kevin De Bruyne wannabe.” A fourth raged: “Was Rodri trying to end Odegaard’s season with that tackle?”

  • Balogun, in Turner’s opinion, would be a “great addition” to the USMNT

    Balogun, in Turner’s opinion, would be a “great addition” to the USMNT

    Folarin Balogun would be a “great addition” to the American team, but Arsenal’s Matt Turner only wants the striker to switch if it “comes from the heart.”

    Balogun, an Arsenal forward, has performed admirably while on loan with Reims this year, scoring 17 goals in 27 Ligue 1 games, second only to Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David (both 19).

    With the New York-born star eligible to represent England, the United States, and Nigeria, the 21-year-stellar old’s play has sparked talk of a fight for his international allegiance.

    Balogun has been a pillar of the England Under-21 setup, but he withdrew from the team for this month’s international matches due to injury.

    That development has led to fresh hope Balogun will pledge himself to the USMNT, and Turner confirmed he had spoken to his Gunners team-mate on the matter.

    “I spoke to Flo. We obviously had most of our preseason together, and I knew going into it he had some roots in the USA,” the goalkeeper said on Wednesday.

    “So, he and I developed a relationship pretty quickly. That’s pretty much the extent of it. We check in on each other here and there.

    “He’d be a great addition to our national team. I think he’s done really well, obviously, for his club on loan, and we’ll see.

    “The decision has to come from the heart, because it’s not necessarily an easy task to come and play in these CONCACAF games. It’s a tough region at times.

    “So, for us, we’d be really grateful to have him, but his heart needs to be in it.”

    Earlier in the week, Balogun told Sky Sports he was yet to decide on his future but has aspirations of playing at the highest level.

    “My international future is not decided yet in terms of who I’ll play for,” he said. “But of course I want to play international football at the highest level, in the World Cups, and I want to compete at the highest level.

    “I want to put myself in positions where I’m performing in front of millions of people.”

  • Mesut Ozil ex-Madrid, Arsenal player retires from football

    Mesut Ozil ex-Madrid, Arsenal player retires from football

    Mesut Ozil, a former midfielder for Germany, Real Madrid, and Arsenal, has retired from football at the age of 34.

    During his time with his club, Ozil won nine awards, including four FA Cups and the 2012 La Liga championship in Spain.

    Additionally, he played for Germany on 92 occasions and was a member of the squad that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    “It has been an amazing journey filled with unforgettable moments and emotions,” Ozil said in a statement on social media.

    “I’ve had the privilege to be a professional football player for almost 17 years now and I feel incredibly thankful for the opportunity.

    “But in recent weeks and months, having also suffered some injuries, it’s become more and more clear that it’s time to leave the big stage of football.”

  • Arsenal’s super defender, Takehiro Tomiyasu falls out of rest of season over knee injury

    Arsenal’s super defender, Takehiro Tomiyasu falls out of rest of season over knee injury

    The injury of Takehiro Tomiyasu has caused the Premier League’s top team, Arsenal, a devastating blow.

    This season, Tomiyasu has been a core part of Mikel Arteta’s team, contributing significantly to the team’s title-winning effort.

    After suffering a serious knee injury that required surgery, the Japanese defender will now likely miss the remainder of the season.

    The development was confirmed by Arsenal on Tuesday, with the club saying in an official statement:

    “Following his substitution during last Thursday’s Europa League match, subsequent assessments have confirmed that Takehiro Tomiyasu sustained a significant injury to his right knee.” “Tomi has had successful surgery in London on Tuesday and will be ruled out for the remainder of this season,” the statement continued.

    When did Tomiyasu suffer the injury?

    According to Metro UK, Tomiyasu picked up the injury while in action for Arsenal during their Europa League round of 16 clash against Sporting Lisbon.

    The Japan international slipped awkwardly and was forced off the field after just nine minutes of the continental tie played at the Emirates Stadium.

    The defender was later seen in a brace and on crutches when he left the pitch shortly after the match.

    Some of the matches Tomiyasu is set to miss are Premier League fixtures against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester City.

    Did ten Hag curse Arsenal?

    Sports Brief previously reported on Arsenal suffering two key injuries only days after Manchester United coach, Erik ten Hag called the team ‘lucky’ with availability.

    While being interviewed ahead of the Europa League clash against Real Betis, the Dutch manager compared the Red Devils to the Gunners in terms of the season.

    Some believe ten Hag ‘cursed’ Arsenal, following his comments about the Premier League leaders always having all members of the squad available for each game.

  • MLS All-Stars to face Arsenal with Rooney as coach

    MLS All-Stars to face Arsenal with Rooney as coach

    In a friendly match in July, Arsenal will take on the MLS All-Stars, who will be coached by Wayne Rooney.

    A team made up of players from all over the league assembles for the annual MLS All-Star Game to play a rival.

    The MLS All-Stars have faced a Liga MX All-Stars team for the past two years, with the American top division’s team winning both times.

    The MLS All-Stars will, however, play a European club once more in the 2023 edition when Arsenal makes a second appearance in the exhibition match.

    The Gunners beat an All-Stars side that included Andrea Pirlo, Kaka, Didier Drogba and David Villa 2-1 in San Jose in 2016.

    This year’s match will be held at Audi Field in Washington, D.C, with England’s joint-record goalscorer Rooney – who coaches D.C. United in MLS – set to take charge of the All-Stars.

    “I’ve had a front-row seat to watch the growth and development of Major League Soccer, first as a player and now as a manager,” said Rooney in a statement.

    “The opportunity to lead the best our league has to offer against a top Premier League club like Arsenal will be a highlight for me personally and an unforgettable experience for our passionate fanbase here in D.C.”

    Mikel Arteta said: “It’s great that we’re playing against the MLS All-Stars in Washington D.C. in July.

    “Our US tour [in 2022] was very good preparation for the season, and we’re looking forward to once again visiting our amazing supporters in the US. The match against the MLS All-Stars will be a good test ahead of the 2023-24 season.”

    On July 18, 10 Arsenal players will also go up against 10 MLS players in the Skills Challenge, which will again be held at Audi Field.

    Arsenal are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League with 10 games remaining, while Rooney’s D.C. United are 11th in the Eastern Conference in MLS with four points from as many games this season.

  • Emmanuel Adebayor retires from football at 39

    Emmanuel Adebayor retires from football at 39

    Former striker for Manchester City and Arsenal, Emmanuel Adebayor, has announced his retirement at the age of 39.

    Throughout a professional career that began in 2001 with Metz, the former Togo international also spent time with Real Madrid, Tottenham, and Crystal Palace.

    In 2003, Adebayor moved from Metz to Monaco, where he caught the attention of legendary Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who brought him to the Premier League in January 2006.

    He was reportedly paid a reported £25 million by City in July 2009, and in September of that same year, he made headlines for sprinting the length of the pitch to celebrate a goal in front of Arsenal fans.

    He joined Real Madrid for a short loan spell in January 2011 after falling out of favour under Roberto Mancini and then moved to Tottenham – initially on loan – in August that year.

    After having his contract terminated by mutual consent in September 2015, Adebayor had a nomadic end to his career, featuring for Palace, Istanbul Basaksehir, Kayserispor and Olimpia before returning to Togo with Semassi in July 2021.

    Announcing his retirement with a video on Instagram, Adebayor said: “SEA, from the highs to the lows, my career as a professional athlete has been an incredible journey. 

    “Thank you to my fans for being there every step of the way. I’m feeling so grateful for everything, and excited for what’s to come!”

  • Roy Hodgson back from retirement to hold up Eagles

    Roy Hodgson back from retirement to hold up Eagles

    To prevent Crystal Palace from being relegated, Roy Hodgson has come out of retirement.

    With just five points from their previous 12 games and no victories since December 31, the Eagles are in last place in the Premier League’s form table.

    Palace lost 4-1 to league-leading Arsenal on Sunday, leaving them in 12th place, three points above the relegation zone, just days after Patrick Vieira was fired as interim manager.

    After Watford was demoted to the Championship at the end of the previous season, Hodgson, 75, hung up his clipboard. However, the team where he started his playing career in 1965 has persuaded him to return to the bench for the remainder of the campaign.

    The former England boss said: “It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me, and to be given the important task of turning the team’s fortunes around. 

    “Our sole objective now is to start winning matches and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status. 

    “Crystal Palace is known for its fighting spirit and I have no doubt that all our supporters will fight with us, beginning with the visit of Leicester a week Saturday.” 

    It will be Hodgson’s second spell in the Selhurst Park hotseat after keeping the Eagles in the top flight from the 2017-18 season to the end of the 2020-21 campaign before stepping down from his role to be replaced by Vieira.

    Eagles chairman Steve Parish added: “I would like to welcome Roy and Ray back to the club. 

    “We are obviously in a very challenging period but we believe that Roy’s and Ray Lewington’s experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping us in the league.”

    With McCarthy joining Hodgson’s first-team coaching set-up as assistant manager, Darren Powell will become head coach of Palace’s Under-21s. 

  • Chris Hughton speaks about Thomas Partey’s future in Black Stars

    Chris Hughton speaks about Thomas Partey’s future in Black Stars

    Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey, has been identified by Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton as an important player.

    Following a string of disappointing game performances, Thomas Partey’s future with the Black Stars has come into focus.

    Partey has been criticised for his commitment to his club rather than the national team, and there have been calls for Chris Hughton to remove the midfielder from the squad.

    Chris Hughton said Partey is an important team member when asked about the situation on Monday, March 20, 2023, during his unveiling.

    The 29-year-old, according to him, is the link between the midfield and the defence, and he claimed that because he does not consistently score goals and provide assists, people tend to criticise him.

    “Partey’s role in the team is as a continuity player…he is not that guy who is going to dribble past multiple players. His role is important to what the team does even if he doesn’t always standout.”.

    He urged Ghanaians not to compare Partey’s performance for Arsenal and for the country as he plays distinct roles for both entities.

    “Sometimes as football fans, we assume a player must necessarily fit the frame we have of him in an A team in a B team. Partey’s roles are both club and country are different from each other, but key.”

    Chris Hughton also disclosed during his unveiling that he will pay attention to the Ghana Premier League and give selections to players who impress.

    Another issue of concern was his contract and Chris Hughton disclosed that he is impressed with the two-year contract he agreed on with the FA.

    The contract is expected to expire in December 2024 with Chris Hughton billed to win qualify Ghana to the 2023 AFCON and win it.

  • Arsenal or City? Sir Alex Ferguson gives smart response to interviewer question

    Arsenal or City? Sir Alex Ferguson gives smart response to interviewer question

    When asked who he would prefer to see win the Premier League championship between Arsenal and Manchester City in an interview, the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson responded bluntly. 

    With the Gunners holding a five-point lead after 27 rounds of games, Arsenal and City are engaged in a fierce two-horse race for the championship.

    Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are on track to win their first championship since 2003/04, though a lot can still change between now and May.

    In attendance at the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday, Fergie ran into an Itv interviewer who quizzed him about the championship race.

    Asked to pick between Manchester City and Arsenal for the title, Ferguson, who won the Premier League 13 times with United, gave a wry smile and said: “Not interested”, as quoted on The Mirror.

    His response will surely have delighted Manchester United fans, who last tasted Premier League title success in 2013, when Ferguson was managing in his final season with the club.

    Arsenal have chance to establish distance

    As far as the title race is concerned, Arsenal will have the chance to move eight points clear of Manchester City, who will not play in the Premier League this weekend.

    The Gunners will come up against Crystal Palace on Sunday, while Manchester City will be in FA Cup action.

    How many points do Arsenal need to win PL?

    Sports Brief also reported on the number of points Arsenal needs in order to win the Premier League with 11 matches to go.

    Historically, the most competitive title races have seen the winners accrue an impressive number of points, but 90 has always been the magic number.

    According to Premier League’s official website, Arsenal currently have 66 points after 27 games and they need a maximum of 25 points out of a possible remaining 33 to ensure they are champions.

  • Arsenal see new co-chairs, Kroenke and son Josh

    Arsenal see new co-chairs, Kroenke and son Josh

    As part of a major restructuring at Arsenal, Stan Kroenke and his son Josh have been named co-chairmen.

    Arsenal announced the changes on their official website on Wednesday, with Tim Lewis becoming executive vice-chair.

    Josh Kroenke was appointed as a non-executive director in 2013, but in recent years he has taken on a much more hands-on role.

    Lewis, a lifelong Arsenal fan, has been in the same position since 2020.

    An Arsenal statement read: “The appointments are a recognition of how our leadership structure has evolved over the past several seasons since Kroenke Sports & Entertainment assumed 100 per cent ownership of Arsenal Football Club in 2018.  

    “Stan, Josh and Tim have worked together to drive our club forward and their appointments bring clarity to our structure that reflect their roles and responsibilities and will ensure we continue in our pursuit of progress and success.”

    Commenting on the structural changes, owner Stan Kroenke said: “This is a simple evolution as part of us all driving Arsenal forward and further reaffirms our family’s long-standing commitment to this great club.  

    “Stability in football has never been more important as we move past the pandemic, and we believe this is the perfect time to formalise these roles.  

    “Our objectives and ambition will never waver – to field teams that compete for trophies at the highest level and lead our club in a way that inspires our passionate supporters around the world.  

    “Supported by our director, Phil Harris, and together with our executive team and all our wonderful people, we have an incredible opportunity to build on the values and traditions of Arsenal Football Club.”

  • Arsenal’s Thomas Partey expected to break the league’s appearance record

    Arsenal’s Thomas Partey expected to break the league’s appearance record

    Thomas Partey, a member of Ghana’s national team, is on pace to surpass his previous season high for appearances in the English Premier League.

    The highly regarded midfielder transferred from Spanish La Liga team Atletico Madrid to the Gunners during the summer transfer window of 2020.

    Thomas Partey made 24 Premier League appearances in his first season, making two assists but not scoring.

    The aggressive midfielder went on to match his first season’s total of 24 league appearances in his second season.

    Thomas Partey made an impression for the Gunners over the course of the two seasons, but injuries plagued him and forced him to miss several games.

    This season, although he has suffered injuries, he has been able to stay consistent and is now on the verge of surpassing his appearances from the last two seasons.

    With 27 matches played this season and more than 10 matches before the season ends, fully fit Thomas Partey looks set to set a new personal record as an Arsenal player in terms of the number of appearances in the English Premier League per season.

  • Arsenal clean up at London Football Awards

    Arsenal clean up at London Football Awards

    Arsenal, who are vying for the Premier League championship, swept the London Football Awards with an amazing four wins.

    As a result of his crucial contribution to the Gunners’ establishment of a five-point lead at the top of the English top flight, Martin Odegaard was named the Premier League Player of the Year.

    The 24-year-old Norwegian captain won the prestigious award ahead of teammate Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane of Tottenham, and prolific Fulham scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic.

    Odegaard said: “I just want to say thank you so much for this award, thanks to everyone who voted for me. 

    “[There were] a lot of great candidates and I think within the team [Arsenal] there were a lot of worthy winners. I just want to share it with the whole team.

    “It’s great to see the club being recognised here tonight with all the awards. 

    “I think it shows how far we’ve come as a club and what we’re doing here is really special so I’m happy to be a part of that.

    “I’m sure there’s more to come so I’m very excited for the future as well.”

    Saka took home the Young Player of the Year gong for the second season running in a category also featuring his colleagues William Saliba and Gabriel Martinelli.

    In further dominance for the North Londoners, Mikel Arteta was recognised as the Manager of the Year and Aaron Ramsdale scooped the goalkeeper’s prize.

    Chelsea striker Sam Kerr was another to claim back-to-back wins after seeing off competition from Arsenal duo Beth Mead and Kim Little to be named Women’s Super League Player of the Year.

    Australian star Kerr, 29, said: “It feels amazing. 

    “It has been a big year for women’s football so it is an amazing honour to win it, especially in a year where in England the Lionesses have done so well and women’s football has been on a big trajectory.

    “Chelsea have given to me as much I have given to them, it has been a crazy journey since I have been here. 

    “From the moment I signed it felt different from anything I have ever experienced and since I have been here I have loved it and it has been a great journey.”

    The Blues completed a WSL double with 21-year-old Lauren James recognised as the Young Player of the Year.

    There was also a special prize for the Lionesses, who were handed the inaugural Power of Football Award. 

    Captain Leah Williamson proudly accepted the honour after leading her country to Euro 2022 glory last summer — England’s first major tournament success since 1966.

    West Ham stalwart Mark Noble was also recognised with the Outstanding Contribution to London Football accolade. 

    The Canning Town-born Hammers legend called time on an extraordinary 18-year career with the Irons at the end of the last season.

    All money raised on the night by the London Football Awards goes to support the Willow Foundation, which helps provide special days for seriously ill young adults.

  •  Rio Ferdinand says he wanted Man Utd to sign Thomas Partey

     Rio Ferdinand says he wanted Man Utd to sign Thomas Partey

    Rio Ferdinand, a former player for Manchester United, has noted that he wanted to bring Thomas Partey to Manchester United  before the Ghanaian signed with Arsenal in the summer of 2020.

    On the Vibe with FIVE podcast, the former English international acknowledged that Partey is a top player and that he holds the midfielder in high regard.

    He referred to his earlier appearances on the show, in which he stated that he wanted Partey at Manchester United before Arsenal snatched him, in order to express how much he admires Partey.

    “I rate Partey…I’ve done clips that before he went to Arsenal, I was saying Man United should buy Partey,” he said.

    When the Partey-Casemiro debate popped up in the discussion, Ferdinand said the comparison is unfair to Partey.

    “I genuinely believe he is a top player but if you keep mentioning Casemiro, I don’t think it will be fair on him.”

    Thomas Partey has been in sublime form for Arsenal in the 2022/2023 season. He has been the masterstroke and held the Gunners down as they lead the English Premier League table.

    Arsenal are yet to record a defeat this season with him on the field. The league leaders, in total, have lost three games.

  • Stars of Matchday 27 in the Premier League

    Stars of Matchday 27 in the Premier League

    Gameweek 27 of the Premier League saw goals, red cards, and excitement as league leaders Arsenal kept a five-point lead over Manchester City at the top.

    Away from the Champions League, Manchester United and Liverpool lost ground on Tottenham and Newcastle while Manchester United and Liverpool gained ground in the race for fourth.

    Since Everton, Leeds, Southampton, Bournemouth, and West Ham all added to their total, Crystal Palace in 12th place and bottom-place Southampton are only separated by five points.

    We select five standout players who shone the brightest for their clubs after a weekend filled with drama both on and off the pitch.

    Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)

    Arsenal showcased their title credentials once again in the 3-0 win over Fulham and Leandro Trossard is proving to be a smart purchase for Mikel Arteta.

    The former Brighton winger recorded three first-half assists at Craven Cottage as the rampant Gunners maintained their gap over the current champions.

    Belgium’s 24-cap international is the first player to have a hat-trick of goals and assists in the same season since Santi Cazorla in 2012-13 and the speedster has already tallied six goal contributions in an Arsenal shirt.

    Gabriel, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli were the grateful recipients as Trossard became the first player to provide three goals for team-mates in the first half of a Premier League game.

    Harry Kane (Tottenham)

    Despite playing in a side that has fewer resources than City, Harry Kane is doing well to keep in touch with Erling Halaand in the race for the Golden Boot.

    The England skipper notched twice in the 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday to take his league tally to 20 — eight behind the Norwegian.

    His first was an excellent looping header from a Pedro Porro cross that sailed over Keylor Navas early on and the No10 later tapped home from the penalty spot to double Spurs’ lead.

    Kane could have had a third but for a smart save from the Forest stopper, who kept the North London outfit from scoring five or six on the day.

    It was a good response from Antonio Conte’s men, who were dumped out of the FA Cup and Champions League in the space of a week and will now turn their attention to a strong finish in the remaining 11 games.

    Neto (Bournemouth)

    Bournemouth’s win over Liverpool was a huge step forward for the Cherries, who are looking to retain their Premier League status.

    Although Neto did not get a hand on Mohamed Salah’s shocking penalty, the goalkeeper played his part in putting off the Egyptian finisher and was delighted when he watched the winger’s effort sail into the crowd behind him.

    The 33-year-old made five saves and kept his fourth clean sheet of the season as Gary O’Neil’s side moved to within a point of safety.

    A standout stop from Diogo Jota was the difference between one point and three for Bournemouth, who have won only six league games in 2022-23.

  • Thomas Partey tells how his parents influence his career

    Thomas Partey tells how his parents influence his career

    Ghanaian international Thomas Partey has explained that his parents have a significant influence on his life and career, much like a coach would.

    Partey, who has been in excellent form this year, has made a significant contribution to Arsenal’s success in the Premier League season thus far.

    Partey claims that his parents’ support, who serve as his coaches, is the key to his success.

    He emphasised how important his parents have been in helping him analyse games and improve as a player on the pitch.

    “Both of my parents are like a coach. They said if I have a chance to shoot, I have to shoot. They are like you have to chip this ball behind the goalkeeper. They are like a coach,” Partey told Super Sports.

    The Arsenal player disclosed that he is in constant touch with his parents, thanks to technology.
    “They’ve learnt how to send me a lot of voice notes so I listen to them every time and I call them when I am free,” he said.

  • Title drought is helping Arsenal score late goals – Guardiola

    Title drought is helping Arsenal score late goals – Guardiola

    Pep Guardiola, manager of Manchester City, asserts that the Gunners are still favorites to win the domestic championship and claims that their extended Premier League title drought has helped them score late goals.

    With 11 games remaining, Arsenal’s 3-0 victory at Fulham on Sunday allowed them to reclaim a five-point lead over City in second place.

    The Gunners’ most recent victory was less dramatic than their recent 3-2 success against Bournemouth, in which Reiss Nelson scored the game-winning goal in the 97th minute, or their spectacular 4-2 comeback win at Aston Villa last month.

    Arsenal hasn’t won the Premier League since 2003–2004, and Guardiola believed this has contributed to their lengthy title drought.

    On the contrary, the Catalan sensed City lacked that desire having lifted four of the past five league titles.

    “They have many years without winning the Premier League and that gives you a little bit extra to win games in 93, 96, 98,” Guardiola told reporters.

    “That is something they have that we don’t have because we have won back-to-back, two times.

    “That’s why when people say about your opinion on the team and the season it’s after two times back-to-back and 50 points for our opponents in the first half still we are there.

    “Normally in this country when you win something a lot and you don’t start well or someone is a bit better, you drop it. You are not consistent. Still we are there. This is the best trophy and compliment that we can have.

    “I don’t know what’s going to happen at the end of the season but still they know that we want to be there and we will fight to be there and this is great.”

    The contrasting recent states of the clubs, given Arsenal’s league title drought and City’s recent dominance, has ensured Premier League favouritism has remained reserved despite the Gunners’ lead.

    But Guardiola pushed the narrative that Arsenal were the favourites, even after City beat them 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium amid the Gunners’ three-game winless run in February.

    “Still Arsenal are the favourites because they are in front,” Guardiola said. “They made an incredible first leg, they dropped a little bit but now they’re coming back.”

    Six of Arsenal’s remaining 11 league fixtures at home, but they will travel to face City on April 26. The Gunners also have difficult trips to Liverpool and Newcastle United to come and host Chelsea too.

    City also have six home games in their final 11, including hosting Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea.

  • Arsenal supporters upset with Thomas Partey’s selection to the Black Stars

    Arsenal supporters upset with Thomas Partey’s selection to the Black Stars

    Thomas Partey’s call-up to the Black Stars for the upcoming international break has some Arsenal supporters upset.

    The said incensed fans advised Partey to decline the invitation and focus on improving his fitness instead because he had just recovered from an injury.

    Since he recovered from a muscle injury he sustained in February 2023, the Ghanaian has played 160 minutes in four games.

    Thomas Partey was selected for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations team by Ghana, which will consist of 25 players.

    The Black Stars will play Angola over two legs. They will host the Black Antelopes in the first leg on March 23, 2023, before the second leg on March 27, 2023.

    The Black Stars are tied at the top of Group E with Angola on four points each.

    Ghana began their campaign with a 3-0 win over Madagascar before being held to a one-all draw against Central African Republic.

    Unlike Ghana, Angola beat the Central African Republic and drew against Madagascar in their second fixture.

  • 3 Arsenal players miss training prior to their Europa League showdown

    3 Arsenal players miss training prior to their Europa League showdown

    When Arsenal plays Sporting Lisbon on March 9 at 8 p.m., a number of important players may be absent. The first of the round of 16 Europa League matches between the two groups is scheduled to take place at Stadio Jose Alvalade.

    The Gunners are on a scorching run of form, especially in the Premier League, where they have won 20 of their last 26 games.

    Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah, and Kieran Tierney are not expected to travel to Sporting Lisbon with the Premier League’s top team, according to Metro UK.

    Trossard is understood to be battling a groin injury suffered during his side’s 3-2 epic comeback win over Bournemouth. Nketiah, meanwhile, is said to be having an ankle problem, with Tierney out with illness. Arsenal get Jesus boost Despite the absence of the trio, Arsenal have been boosted by the return of Gabriel Jesus.

    Jesus has been out injured since the World Cup and was forced to have knee surgery to help his recovery. The Brazilian forward has missed the better part of the second half of the 2022/23 season as he worked his way to full fitness.

    However, the former Man City ace is closing in on a return to action after he was spotted in Arsenal training ahead of the Sporting Lisbon clash.

    It remains to be seen if the star forward will be involved in the match. Jorginho’s mum reduced to tears Earlier, Sports Brief reported that a video of Jorginho’s mother getting emotional after she spotted the midfielder’s shirt in the Arsenal dressing room has emerged.

    Jorginho sealed a sensational move to the Emirates during the January transfer window, swapping Chelsea for Arsenal.

    Jorginho’s mum, Maria Tereza Freitas, recently travelled to London from Brazil to visit her star son. It was during the visit that she was given a trip around Arsenal, Jorginho’s newest home, for weeks now.

  • I’m focused here at Arsenal – Mikel Arteta refutes Arsenal exit rumours to Real Madrid

    I’m focused here at Arsenal – Mikel Arteta refutes Arsenal exit rumours to Real Madrid

    The manager of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, has addressed rumours that he will leave the club to join Real Madrid. This season, Arteta has had a fantastic run of results with the north Londoners, and the Spaniard has put his team in a strong position to contend for the Premier League championship.

    Arsenal currently enjoys a five-point advantage over Man City at the top of the standings, making them the clear favourites to win the domestic championship.

    The team from the Emirates has reportedly won 20 of its last 26 Premier League games this season, leading the league with 63 points.

    Real Madrid and Arteta are connected. But given that Real Madrid is reportedly interested, it appears Arteta may not stay long at the Emirates Stadium.

    Speaking on the speculation, Arteta insisted that his focus is on the Arsenal job.

    “Managers and players can’t control what is written by the press,” Arteta retorted. “What I can tell is that I’m fully focused on what I’m doing here and extremely proud and grateful to do what I’m doing in this football club. That’s it,” he added, as quoted by Metro UK.

    Conte speaks on leaving Tottenham

    Earlier, Sports Brief reported Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte has addressed his future with the club following his side’s elimination from the Champions League. Tottenham were bundled out of the European elite competition on Wednesday night by Serie A giants AC Milan.

    The north Londoners had suffered a 1-0 defeat in the reverse fixture played in Italy and were hoping to overturn the scoreline when they hosted AC Milan in London.

  • Our win will raise the team’s spirit and fans’ support – Partey

    Our win will raise the team’s spirit and fans’ support – Partey

    Arsenal’s comeback victory over Bournemouth in the English Premier League has drawn a response from Ghanaian player Thomas Partey.

    On Saturday afternoon at the Emirates, Partey gave Arsenal the boost they needed to come back from two goals behind and defeat Bournemouth 3-2.

    According to Partey, “this will raise the spirit of the team and of the fans to keep on supporting. This is the football that we all want to play.”

    The former Atletico Madrid player credited the never-say-die attitude of his team with the comeback victory against their rival after the game.

    “I think it is the spirit of never giving up,” Partey said when asked if such goals prove this Arsenal team do not know when they are beaten.

    “The belief that we have in the team, the belief that the fans have in us, is pushing us game after game. I think we have deserved every win that we have had this season.

    “I think it’s another game that we were able to go down and then we are able to go up and win the game.

    The 29-year-old pulled one back for the Gunners five minutes after they went down 2-0, following goals from Philip Biling and Marcos Senesi for Bournemouth.

    Ben White pulled parity for Arsenal with 20 minutes remaining before Reiss Nelson stole victory for the Gunners late in extra time.

  • Five shocking results in Premier League history

    Five shocking results in Premier League history

    The Premier League has played host to a number of crazy games through the years.

    Fans have witnessed 11 goals in a single match, while some of the best teams in England have been on the wrong end of humiliating results.

    When it comes to the most shocking, there is a catalogue of fixtures to consider from Manchester United’s 6-3 loss to Southampton in 1996 to Arsenal beating Tottenham 5-4 at White Hart Lane in 2004.

    With the Premier League more competitive than ever, LiveScore have put together the top five most astonishing scorelines.

    1. Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal (2011)

    Manchester United humiliated Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2011
    Manchester United humiliated Arsenal at Old Trafford in 2011

    United have been involved in several high-scoring fixtures in the Premier League era, including this one in August 2011.

    After years of tense encounters between Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger’s opposing sides, this one turned out to be a thumping — the Gunners slumping to a 8-2 loss.

    Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick to take home the match ball, Ashley Young grabbed himself a brace, while Nani, Danny Welbeck and Ji-sung Park were all on target on a bleak day for the visitors — their worst defeat since 1896.

    The North Londoners were able to raid the transfer market — including the signing of now-manager Mikel Arteta — to get their season back on track, and went on to secure Champions League qualification.

    Meanwhile, the hosts ultimately lost their title to rivals Manchester City on the final day.

    2. Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool (2020)

    Aston Villa stunned champions Liverpool at Villa Park in 2020
    Aston Villa stunned champions Liverpool at Villa Park in 2020

    Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool came to Villa Park in October 2020 as defending Premier League champions but without a number of key players.

    Aston Villa, buoyed by escaping relegation on the last day of the previous season, held no punches as they provided a scintillating attacking display.

    Summer signing Ollie Watkins netted a first-half hat-trick, while Jack Grealish was involved in five goals — assisting three and netting two — as Dean Smith’s side completed a remarkable 7-2 win.

    The Reds never managed to get their title defence back on course — ending the season in third — while Villa secured a mid-table finish, with star man Grealish earning a big-money move to Man City.

    3. Southampton 0-9 Leicester (2019)

    Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick in the 9-0 battering of Southampton
    Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick in the 9-0 battering of Southampton

    Leicester equalled United’s record for the biggest Premier League victory, when they put nine past 10-man Southampton on a rainy night at St Mary’s in October 2019.

    Both Jamie Vardy and Ayoze Perez recorded hat-tricks, with Ben Chilwell, Youri Tielemans and James Maddison all adding to the Saints’ woes.

    Despite the loss, Ralph Hasenhuttl kept his job on the South Coast and even survived another 9-0 defeat at Old Trafford the following season.

    Vardy meanwhile ended the season as the league’s top scorer, firing the Foxes to Europa League qualification.

    4. Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United (2023)

    Manchester United shipped seven at old foes Liverpool
    Manchester United shipped seven at old foes Liverpool

    United’s 6-1 humbling to rivals City in 2011 will live long in the memory but Liverpool scoring six second-half goals to earn a historic win comes out on top.

    Jurgen Klopp’s position as Kop chief had come into focus after a poor campaign, while Erik ten hag’s stock was on the rise.

    But the Reds cast aside their struggles with an emphatic demolition that included braces from all of their new-look front three as Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez feasted on inept defending.

    Roberto Firmino was also on target in a win that all-but ended talk of a United title charge and reminded Liverpool’s rivals that they are more than capable of dishing out a beating.

    5. Portsmouth 7-4 Reading (2007)

    Portsmouth emerged victorious from the highest-scoring Premier League fixture
    Portsmouth emerged victorious from the highest-scoring Premier League fixture

    While other games selected in this list had great drama, none contained as many goals as this encounter at Fratton Park in September 2007.

    Portsmouth and Reading played out an enthralling 11-goal thriller, with Benjani’s hat-trick the highlight of a topsy-turvy affair.

    Six goals were scored in the final 20 minutes, with nine different players finding the back of the net.

    The result proved detrimental for Reading, who went down that season, while Pompey finished a memorable campaign by lifting the FA Cup.

  • Arsenal maintain five-point lead at top of Premier League

    Arsenal maintain five-point lead at top of Premier League

    With a last-second goal from Reiss Nelson, Arsenal overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat mediocre Bournemouth and keep a five-point advantage atop the Premier League standings.

    Mikel Arteta’s team had to come back from a deficit because Manchester City had defeated Newcastle earlier in the day. Substitute Nelson’s stunning finish made it a thrilling 3-2 victory.

    Philip Billing’s second-fastest goal in Premier League history gave the struggling Cherries, who had only won away at Nottingham Forest and Wolves this season, an early lead.

    During the break, Marcos Senesi scored a header to increase their lead before the Gunners finally mounted a comeback.

    Fit-again Thomas Partey got one back before Ben White’s maiden goal for Arsenal — and his first in 955 days — had them level with 20 minutes to go.

    They would need all of that time, and more, as Nelson — on his first league appearance since November 12 — struck with almost the last kick of six minutes of stoppage time to break Bournemouth hearts and lift the roof off the Emirates Stadium.

    The home fans had been stunned into silence earlier in the afternoon as Billing tapped home with just 9.11 seconds on the clock, turning in a Dango Ouattara cross with the home defence caught cold.

    Arsenal looked to respond immediately but Neto made a fine low stop from Martin Odegaard before leaping to his feet to keep out Bukayo Saka’s effort on the rebound.

    Bournemouth could have had a second as they broke at Arsenal, who were now dominating possession, former Cherries goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale making a crucial save from Ouattara.

    The hosts were forced into an early change as Leandro Trossard limped off to be replaced by Emile Smith Rowe with the game seemingly set as attack against defence.

    Gabriel Martinelli, moved central after Trossard’s injury, hit the outside of the post to end a frustrating first-half for the leaders, who failed to register a shot on target after Saka’s fifth-minute strike.

    White was brought on for Takehiro Tomiyasu at the break as another low Odegaard shot at least tested Neto with the game falling into the same routine as the first-half.

    Despite near-domination, Arteta’s men were made to pay for their poor attacking play as Bournemouth went 2-0 ahead when Senesi broke free from Partey to head home a corner.

    Partey made amends soon after, tucking home from a Smith Rowe header after Bournemouth failed to deal with a corner.

    Bournemouth were causing Arsenal issues every time they managed to launch an attack and Ramsdale had to be alert to save from Dominic Solanke moments after the lead had been halved.

    But the Gunners were level shortly after, White finishing a centre from fellow substitute Nelson which Neto could not prevent from crossing the line.

    Nelson was lively after replacing Smith Rowe with Arsenal chasing the game and, when a late corner was headed his way, he controlled the ball before finishing brilliantly to earn Arsenal the three points.

  • Partey’s presence stabilizes the team – Arsenal manager

    Partey’s presence stabilizes the team – Arsenal manager

    Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, thinks Thomas Partey gives the team more presence and stability.

    Jorginho was replaced by the 29-year-old as Arsenal defeated Newcastle to increase their lead atop the English Premier League standings.

    After a shaky first half, Arsenal dominated the second half thanks in large part to another masterful performance from Partey.

    Following Partey’s performance in the second half of the 4-0 victory over Everton at the Emirates, Arteta praised his tenacious performance.

    “I’m really happy. It was a game that we had in hand against an opponent that we knew was going to make life really difficult for us, and we expected that at Goodison. We started the game with some frustration and not really understanding what we had to do, allowing them to run in certain transitions, but after 25 minutes I think we started to get much better and the timing of the two goals was key,” said Arteta after the game.

    “We needed a magic moment there and Alex and Bukayo produced that, and then I think the team grew, especially with Thomas because Jorginho wasn’t feeling good today. When he came on he really gave us some presence and stability to the team, and I think the second half was superb,” he added.

    Partey was making just his second appearance after his injury in February.

  • Thomas Partey, ‘Arsenal’s Messiah’: Fans, coach lauds player after club’s 4-0 win over Everton

    Thomas Partey, ‘Arsenal’s Messiah’: Fans, coach lauds player after club’s 4-0 win over Everton

    The Arsenal supporters are in a festive mood as they applaud Thomas Partey for the impact he had during his 45 minutes of play in Arsenal’s 4-0 victory over Everton.

    The manager of Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, substituted Partey for the Italian midfielder Jorginho in the second half.

    Before he entered the game, Arsenal had a 2-0 advantage and appeared to be in complete control. The addition of the Ghanaian, however, enhanced the performance.

    Partey takes charge and performs his duties with skill and steel as the Gunners stroll to a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League standings.

    Thomas Partey contributed the assists for both of Arsenal’s goals in the second half.

    He could have bagged two assists had Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli connected to ridiculous dinked passes.

    Partey’s return to the side is good news for Mikel Arteta as the midfielder missed three of Arsenal’s last four matches.

    Black Stars coach Chris Hughton will also be happy with his return as he is now in the frame for selection for Ghana’s doubleheader against Angola later this month.

    Saka and Martinelli got the first-half goals for Arsenal on Wednesday night before Ordegaard and Martinelli again capped off a splendid night for Arsenal with a goal each in the second half.

    Arsenal now have sixty points, five points above second-placed Manchester City, and look set to qualify for the Champions League.

    Arsenal fans have been praising Partey for his incredible performance.

  • Be relentless in title chase – Arteta urges Arsenal

    Be relentless in title chase – Arteta urges Arsenal

    As Arsenal went five points ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League standings, Mikel Arteta has urged his team to continue their unwavering pursuit of the championship, saying, “We’re not going to stop.”

    In their matchup against Manchester City on Wednesday, Arsenal defeated struggling Everton 4-0 thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli twice, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard.

    Arsenal struggled to get going against Sean Dyche’s team, but they eventually turned it on to defeat Everton and win their 100th league game.

    With a 3-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium last month, second-placed City briefly overtook the Gunners at the top. Nevertheless, the Gunners’ dominating victory puts distance between them and City.

    Asked whether Arsenal’s thrashing of Everton made them title favourites, Arteta said: “You know my answer there! 

    “What I like is that everybody has the enthusiasm to do it, and we’re not going to stop that – we have to promote that.

    “But the way to promote that is by looking at this game and understanding that we have to do a lot of things better, especially in the first half. 

    “We can play better and make sure we prepare really well against Bournemouth, because that’s going to be a tough game.”

    Asked how Arsenal could find the mental strength required to beat City to the title, Arteta said: “It is something that we have to train and discuss and build. 

    “It is not easy, but a lot of time it happens through experiences and most of the time they are experiences that you don’t want to go through, but the calendar and fixtures are going to give that. 

    “Sometimes you are where we are now, sometimes it is three points [difference], two points, minus two – it is going to happen and we have to live with that.”

    Arsenal take on relegation-threatened Bournemouth in their next game on Saturday, before switching their attentions to a Europa League last-16 tie against Sporting CP.

  • Declan Rice to be a part of huge summer overhaul by Arsenal

    Declan Rice to be a part of huge summer overhaul by Arsenal

    According to reports, Arsenal plans to make significant changes during the summer transfer window, targeting four additions and SIX exits.

    In what has been an incredible season thus far, the Arsenal currently maintain a two-point advantage over Manchester City at the top of the Premier League standings.

    Declan Rice is being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal
    Declan Rice is being heavily linked with a move to ArsenalCredit: Getty
    Moises Caicedo nearly secured a switch to the Emirates in January
    Moises Caicedo nearly secured a switch to the Emirates in January Credit: Getty

    And while the title is now their focus, it must not be forgotten that Champions League qualification is all but secured.

    The Times claims that the earnings from a top-four finish might finance a spending binge.

    At the end of the current campaign, Mikel Arteta hopes to sign two central midfielders, a winger, and a left back.

    Two players—Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo—have been specifically mentioned in the report as targets.

    With Rice, 24, an £80 million captain from West Ham, Arsenal is sure that it can defeat Chelsea.

    Also, they plan to rekindle their interest in Caicedo, a Brighton resident.

    It remains to be seen who else they will go after, but names they are linked with include Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Real Valladolid defender Ivan Fresneda and Inter Milan wingback Denzel Dumfries.

    There is also set to be a mass exodus at the Emirates come the end of the campaign.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Thomas Partey likely to play in Arsenal’s matchup with Everton

    Thomas Partey likely to play in Arsenal’s matchup with Everton

    Thomas Partey, a midfielder from Ghana, has been declared likely to be fit for Arsenal’s Premier League match against Everton on March 1, 2023, according to head coach Mikel Arteta.

    Partey will train with the team on Tuesday, and that will determine whether he can play against Everton, according to Mikel Arteta during the pre-game press conference.

    “He hasn’t trained much. He had a session & he will train today. It is what it is. He was out for a few weeks & he needs to get back into the rhythm.”

    Thomas Partey suffered an injury in the lead-up to Arsenal’s 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday, February 15, 2023.

    The Black Stars midfielder went on to miss Arsenal’s next three games and returned over the weekend with a cameo performance in their 1-0 victory over Leicester on Saturday.

    Thomas Partey has been integral in Arsenal’s chase for the title this season, with the Gunners yet to lose a game with him in the side.

    His injury record is however a cause of concern for Arsenal who are believed to be on the market for a long-term replacement.

    The Gunners were heavily linked with Brighton star, Moises Caicedo and it is believed that they will make another attempt in the summer.

    Arsenal are also said to be the preferred destination for West Ham United captain, Declan Rice, who is expected to leave the Hammers in June.

  • Thomas Partey’s return, a boost for Black Stars AFCON squad?

    Thomas Partey’s return, a boost for Black Stars AFCON squad?

    Thomas Partey’s return from injury, is believed to be a bump up for Ghana’s Black Stars as the team readies for AFCON 2023 qualifiers against Angola.

    The Ghanaian midfielder participated in Arsenal’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Leicester City after being substituted in.

    The Gunners lost three points to the defending champions because Partey was unable to play due to an injury sustained before their match against Manchester City.

    The former Atletico Madrid player did not play in Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Aston Villa last weekend.

    However, Partey came on to replace Martin Odegaard in the 82nd minute as Arsenal were leading by a goal.

    The Ghanaian played 13 minutes of action in the game and brought more stability to midfield for the Gunners.

    Partey nearly created a goal-scoring chance in added time when he sent a cross to Eddie Nketiah but the ball was intercepted.

    His injury comeback is huge boost for the Black Stars as new coach Chris Hughton prepares ahead of next month’s AFCON 2023 qualifiers against Angola.

    Partey has been a key player for Arsenal this season, making 19 appearances and scoring two goals for the Gunners in the English Premier League.

    Brazilian forward, Gabriel Martinelli scored the only goal of the match a minute into the second half with an assist from Leandro Trossard whose earlier goal was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee.

    Arsenal are currently top of the table in the Premier League.

  • Odds high for Partey’s feature in Arsenal-Leicester clash

    Odds high for Partey’s feature in Arsenal-Leicester clash

    Thomas Partey has not resumed full training since suffering a muscular injury, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.

    Partey has been absent from Arsenal’s last three matches, during which time the Gunners have won one, drawn one, and lost one.

    Partey’s ability to take part in training on February 24, 2023, will, according to Arteta, determine whether he is available for their gameday.

    “Thomas hasn’t trained much but looks like he could be available.” Let’s see how he trains today.”

    On February 26, 2023, Arsenal visits Leicester City as they continue their journey for the EPL championship.

    The North London team has 54 points after 24 games and sits atop the Premier League standings. Thomas Partey has played in every game this season without losing.

  • Arsenal’s Balogun should ‘go even higher’ – Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot

    Arsenal’s Balogun should ‘go even higher’ – Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot

    Folarin Balogun is currently on loan from Arsenal, and according to Reims president Jean-Pierre Caillot, it will be “impossible” to sign him to a permanent contract after his standout campaign.

    With 15 goals in 23 appearances, 21-year-old Balogun is tied with Lille’s Jonathan David and Paris Saint-Kylian Germain’s Mbappe for the league’s most goals.

    Although the young striker only scored three goals in 18 games while on loan at Championship team Middlesbrough this past season, Caillot told France Bleu that the club had been keeping an eye on Balogun for years.

    “We almost signed him for the club a few years ago when he was unsure whether he would have his first professional contract at Arsenal,” he said. “We clung to it, we continued to be in contact with him [and] today he is here. 

    “Everyone discovers Folarin Balogun, who was an illustrious unknown for the supporters a year ago, just like Hugo Ekitike, just like Boulaye Dia. It’s all the strength of the recruitment cell to always have a new player to take on.”

    When asked about the chances of keeping Balogun in Reims, Caillot was realistic, although hopeful of maybe one more season on loan in an environment where he is clearly thriving.

    Rodgers won’t ‘beg’ Maddison to sign new contract

    “I think [signing him permanently] is impossible,” he said. “The rules of the game are clear. These are boys that, when they join us, know that they’re here to improve and that it’s a step for them. 

    “So even if I’m not deciding for him, either Folarin will return to his club to have his chance, he’s loaned out, or he’s transferred to a very big club. He is a player who should go even higher. 

    “Obviously we’ll ask him if he feels good here, and at his club, but I think that now, he will need to take a step up. 

    “We are already working on life after Balogun, the day when he will leave our club. But if he and the club are open to another year at Reims, we’ll do everything to make it happen.”

    Reims sit 10th on the table with a league-leading 13 draws in 23 matches.