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Tag: Arsenal

  • Ozil, Ramsey to miss Arsenal’s Europa League tie

    Ozil, Ramsey to miss Arsenal’s Europa League tie

    Arsenal midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil will miss the 2017/2018 UEFA Europa League last 32 clash against Swedish club side Ostersunds on Thursday.

    However, manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful they will feature in this weekend’s English League Cup final versus Manchester City.

    Wenger took close to a full strength squad to Sweden for the first leg which his side won 3-0 last week.

    He will now be looking forward to giving his younger players some game time on Thursday.

    Ozil and Ramsey were involved in first team training on Wednesday but Wenger said the German playmaker had struggled with illness this week.

    He added that the Wales international needs more time prove his fitness after returning from a groin injury.

    “He (Ozil) was in bed Monday and Tuesday for sickness,’’ Wenger told a news conference. “I would certainly have used him, but because he was sick he will have to work hard tomorrow and will not be involved.

    “Ramsey’s not in the squad tomorrow, he had a good training session. We will see how his evolution goes between now and (the League Cup final on) Sunday. I don’t rule him out.”

    Wenger confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be given the responsibility of producing chances going forward in the absence of Ozil, and Danny Welbeck will start upfront.

    Goalkeeper David Ospina, who has been picked for the majority of Arsenal’s matches in Cup competitions this season, will keep his place ahead of first-choice Petr Cech.

    Arsenal are sixth in the English Premier League, eight points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.

    They need to finish the season in top four or win the Europa League to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.

    When Wenger was asked whether he would prioritise the Europa League as Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho did last term, the Frenchman replied: “He did that much later, once they were in the semi-finals.

    “We have to focus on the Premier League. It (Europa League) is one of the priorities we have. We are focused to do well. But ideally we want to come back to the Champions League through the Premier League.”

  • Arsene Wenger confident of seeing out 2-year contract at Arsenal

    Arsene Wenger confident of seeing out 2-year contract at Arsenal

    Long-serving Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful of seeing out his current two-year contract at the English Premier League club amid speculation about his future.

    The Frenchman signed a new contract at Arsenal at the end of last season but the club have shown little progress this term.

    They sit sixth in the league, knocked out of the English FA Cup and unsure of UEFA Champions League qualification for next season.

    The club’s inconsistent performance has led to speculation that Wenger’s 22-year reign could come to an end after the current season.

    “I have always respected my contracts,’’ Wenger, 68, said.

    “I will like to recall that I said `no’ to all the biggest clubs in the world to respect my contract. So, that’s always what I try to do.

    “After that, we have as well to accept in our job that the future is the future. But, for me, that’s to win the next game.

    “We have to perform better in every single game and show until the end of the season a complete hunger to win every single game. That’s what it’s about for us.”

    Arsenal’s best chances of winning a trophy remain in the English League Cup, as they face Manchester City in the final on Feb. 25.

    They are also in the UEFA Europa League, where they recorded a 3-0 win over Ostersunds in the first leg of their last 32 tie on Thursday.

    The Europa League is also Arsenal’s most viable option to qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season.

    The eight-point gap to fourth-placed Chelsea in the league appears insurmountable with 11 games left to play.

    Reuters/NAN

  • Europa: Arsenal edge past Ostersunds FK in a comfortable win

    Arsenal as good as guaranteed their place in the last 16 of the Europa League with a comfortable away win over Swedish side Ostersunds FK.

    Gunners left-back Nacho Monreal scored from close range when Ostersund goalkeeper Aly Keita fumbled Alex Iwobi’s strike.

    Then the home side’s centre-back Sotirios Papagiannopoulos diverted Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s cross into his own net after the Armenian seized on a loose pass.

    Ostersund improved after the break but any revival was ended by Mesut Ozil, who made a well-timed run into the area and squeezed his shot past Keita for the third, before the hosts had a late penalty saved.

    The Swedish club’s English manager Graham Potter, who has led them to three promotions since 2010, could at least reflect on a bright performance from Iran international striker Saman Ghoddos, who forced Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina into a couple of saves and led the line with pace and determination.

    Arsenal host the second leg of the last-32 tie at Emirates Stadium next Thursday

  • Arsenal striker Lacazette will be out for six weeks due to knee injury

    Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette has been ruled out for up to six weeks after having knee surgery on Tuesday.

    The 26-year-old came off the bench and missed a couple of chances as the Gunners were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in Saturday’s north London derby.

    Lacazette had the operation on Tuesday, which Arsenal described as “a success”.

    “He will now undergo a period of rehabilitation,” Arsenal added in a statement. “It is envisaged he will return within four to six weeks.”

    It leaves the Gunners with Danny Welbeck as the only recognised senior striker for Thursday’s Europa League last-32 tie with Ostersunds FK.

    New signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is not eligible to play in the competition.

  • Harry Kane header gives Tottenham derby win over Arsenal

    Harry Kane was the scourge of Arsenal again as his fine second-half header gave Tottenham a 1-0 victory in the north London derby at Wembley.

    Kane’s 101st Premier League goal came from a superb towering header from 10 yards after 49 minutes from Ben Davies’ cross, his seventh goal in seven league games against Arsenal.
    Spurs had a flurry of chances to add a second as Kane headed just wide, Christian Eriksen hit the woodwork from a free-kick and both Erik Lamela and Dele Alli spurned one-on-one opportunities.
    Alexandre Lacazette missed a fine last-gasp chance for Arsenal, but the result means the Gunners have not beaten Spurs away from home in five attempts. Spurs go up to third, four points behind second-place Man Utd.
    During a first half lacking in opportunities, Kane came closest with a free header inside the area, nodding over Petr Cech’s bar, before Spurs came out firing after the break.
    Kane made amends for his earlier miss within four minutes, towering above Laurent Koscielny from Davies’ left-wing cross to head superbly into the bottom left corner past Cech.

    Kane came close with another header moments later, glancing wide in acres of space, before his fierce volley from 18 yards was beaten away well by Cech.

    Spurs were fully on top when Eriksen’s free-kick from the edge hit the bar via the outstretched hand of Cech, while Arsenal created a rare opportunity at the other end as Jack Wilshere’s curling effort from 20 yards forced a fine save from Hugo Lloris.
    Alli was put through on goal by Erik Lamela with 20 minutes remaining, but poked inches wide of goal as Cech came rushing out, and Cech then did well to block Lamela’s effort while one-on-one at an acute angle.
    The onslaught continued as Cech beat away Kieran Trippier’s half-volley at the far post, and as full-time approached, Lamela dragged an effort wide from an angle after again being found free behind a lacklustre Arsenal defence.
    Arsenal did have two last-gasp opportunities, but sub Lacazette first blazed over on the volley from 12 yards, before poking just wide after drifting behind the Spurs defenders.
  • Sad to leave Arsenal but Chelsea move ‘made sense’ – Olivier Giroud

    Sad to leave Arsenal but Chelsea move ‘made sense’ – Olivier Giroud

    Olivier Giroud has admitted that he was disappointed to leave Arsenal but is looking forward to a fresh challenge at Chelsea.

    The 31-year-old striker signed for the Blues for £18 million from their London rivals after Arsenal snapped up Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund, while Michy Batshuayi went from Stamford Bridge on loan to the German club.

    Having started just one of his 16 appearances in the Premier League this season after the arrival of Alexandre Lacazette, Giroud sought a move away from Arsenal in January in order to play more regularly.

    “The fact is that the coach wanted to recruit a new striker and with Aubameyang’s signing at Arsenal, there were three top strikers, and that’s why I decided to leave,” Giroud told Telefoot.

    “It made sense for me to take a new direction in my career. There was a bit of disappointment, even though I spent five wonderful years there.

    “I could have stayed, but I needed a solution to get back in. I wanted to stay in the Premier League and Chelsea was a great opportunity for me.”

    He added that France boss Didier Deschamps had hinted that he needed to move in order to win a berth at the World Cup in the summer.

    “I spoke with Deschamps,” he said. “He didn’t tell me to move to Chelsea, but he did tell me to move clubs.”

    The opportunity to work with Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge was one he did not wish to turn down and he is hopeful of challenging Alvaro Morata for game time.

    “My choice was quite clear and obvious when I knew that Antonio Conte wanted to work with me,” he added.

    “The conversation was more important, I know that Conte appreciates my profile, we will work well together.

    “[Morata and I] are the two main strikers at Chelsea. There will be good competition between us.”

    Indeed, Chelsea were far from alone in chasing the centre-forward.

    “Dortmund were interested in me, but for a loan, there was Sevilla too and at one point my agent received a call from Roma,” he revealed.

    Giroud spent five and a half years at Arsenal after signing from Ligue 1 side Montpellier and went on to win three FA Cups with Arsene Wenger’s side.

  • Ozil signs new long-term Arsenal deal

    German playmaker Mesut Ozil ended speculation over his future at Arsenal by agreeing a new three-year deal with the Premier League giants on Thursday.

    “It’s been one of the most important decisions of my footballing career and that’s why I had to think hard and talk with everyone who’s important to me,” Ozil, 29, posted on his Instagram account.

    “Good things take time! In the end I let my heart decide. As I always said, I feel at home here and I’m highly motivated to achieve big things in the next few years.”

  • Arsenal suffer 3-1 defeat at rejuvenated Swansea

    Arsenal suffer 3-1 defeat at rejuvenated Swansea

    Arsenal suffered another painful English Premier League defeat on Tuesday as Swansea City capitalised on some glaring errors to win 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium.

    The result boosted the Welsh side’s survival hopes and dented the visitors’ top four chances.

    Arsenal took the lead through Nacho Monreal after 33 minutes, but their advantage lasted just seconds as Mesut Ozil gave the ball away and Sam Clucas finished for the home side.

    Worse was to come for Arsenal in the second half as goalkeeper Petr Cech sliced an attempted clearance, leaving Jordan Ayew to fire home after 61 minutes.

    Clucas finished with a right foot effort to grab his second of the night with four minutes remaining.

    The defeat leaves Arsenal in sixth place, eight points adrift of Liverpool in fourth, while Swansea, who have been rejuvenated by new manager Carlos Carvalhal, climbed out of the bottom three.

    They moved above Stoke City on goal difference.

  • Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal dealing with losing great player in Sanchez

    Arsene Wenger has praised his players for their spirited display which saw them beat Chelsea 2-1 in the second leg semi-final of the Carabao Cup at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

    The Arsenal boss,Wenger also says that The Gunners are dealing with the challenge of losing a great player‎ in Alexis Sanchez who has joined Manchester United

    Despite conceding early following Eden Hazard opener, an own goal by Antonio Ruediger and a Granit Xhaka strike, secured Arsenal’s place in the final where they will face Manchester City.

    Speaking in his post-match analysis of the game, Wenger admitted they struggled in the early part of the game but still managed to pull through.

    “In the first half we gave Chelsea too much respect and distance. We were a bit scared to go for it and we suffered from that.

    “We were not playing in the right position but we amended that in the second half and took control of the game. We knew we could perform better in the second half and that’s what we did. In the first half we watched them play a bit but we were tighter after the break.

    “We lost a great player in Alexis Sanchez but when a team doesn’t know what’s going on in the dressing room there is less clarity and focus on performances. We know we have to deal with it now.”

    Wenger went on to express delight that Arsenal will be heading back to Wembley Stadium.

    He said:”We have some time to prepare for the final but we are happy to take our fans to Wembley. We’ve been there a few times now and we’re happy to be going again.”

  • Chelsea unlucky to lose Carabao Cup clash to Arsenal – Conte

    Antonio Conte claims Chelsea were unlucky to be knocked out of the Carabao Cup following their 2-1 second leg semi-final defeat to Arsenal at the Emirates on Wednesday night.

    Eden Hazard opened the scoring for Chelsea but Arsenal drew level after Nacho Monreal’s header from a corner bounced off Marcos Alonso before deflecting off Antonio Rudiger into the net.

    And in the second half, a cross from Alexandre Lacazette deflected off Rudiger and fell kindly for Granit Xhaka who then poked the ball past Willy Caballero.

    “My thoughts are there is disappointment for the final result,” Conte said in his post-match interview.

    “I think my players must be pleased with their effort, we tried to reach the final, we conceded two goals and we were unlucky, two deflections.

    “It is a pity because we had a good run in this competition, it is a pity for me, the players and fans.

    “We started very well, played a good first half and in the second half I saw a lot of balance.”

    Conte lamented the loss of Willian to injury which saw the introduction of new signing Ross Barkley.

    “When there is an injury to one of your best players it is not simple, especially when on the bench the only substitue is Ross Barkley,” Conte said.

    “Barkley has a lot of space for improvement, he is working with us only two weeks but for sure today I was forced to make this substitution, but he can improve a lot.

    “I don’t need anything, I’m a coach and I continue with my players.”