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Tag: Arsenal

  • Xhaka puts rock-solid Arsenal in League Cup final

    Arsenal fought back from a goal down against old foes Chelsea to reach the League Cup final as Granit Xhaka poked home to complete a 2-1 second-leg win on Wednesday.

    The result meant Arsenal set up a Wembley showdown with Manchester City.

    Nothing separated the sides after the semi-final’s first leg at Stamford Bridge ended goalless two weeks ago.

    But the stalemate was swiftly broken as Chelsea took the lead through Eden Hazard after seven minutes at the Emirates Stadium.

    Yet question marks about Arsenal’s steel in the face of adversity were swept away as they levelled five minutes later through a fortuitous Antonio Rudiger own goal.

    They then turned the match on its head, with midfielder Xhaka turning predator 15 minutes after halftime to finish from close range.

    Arsenal stayed rock-solid at the back for the rest of the game to set up an enticing final against Manchester City on Feb. 25

  • Feyenoord to unveil former Arsenal striker, Robin van Persie Monday

    Feyenoord to unveil former Arsenal striker, Robin van Persie Monday

    Robin van Persie will officially sign for Feyenoord on Monday after agreeing to rejoin his boyhood club.

    The former Arsenal striker has sealed a move back to where his senior career began after Turkish side Fenerbache allowed him to terminate his contract, which was set to expire in June 2019.

    Feyenoord announced the Van Persie deal in style, by posting a video on their Twitter page of the striker’s best moments for the club

    Van Persie joined Eredivisie outfit Feyenoord back in 1999 when he was just 16, going on to make 78 appearances for the first team before signing for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal in 2004.

    The Dutch striker has enjoyed a fine career since leaving Feyenoord, netting 132 goals in 278 appearances for the Gunners before making the unfamiliar move to rivals Manchester United, where he won the Premier League in his first season.

    However, since leaving the English top flight to join Fenerbahce, Van Persie’s career has failed to reach the same heights.

    The 34-year-old failed to win any silverware in Turkey and has fallen down the pecking order at Fenerbahce.

    But now, the former Premier League man has been given another chance to showcase his abilities once again with Feyenoord.

    The reigning Eredivisie champions will be hoping that the return of Van Persie, Holland’s all-time top goalscorer, can revitalise their season after a disappointing campaign to date.

    Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side currently sits fifth in Eredivisie, 14 points behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven.

     

  • Theo Walcott: Everton sign forward from Arsenal

    Everton have completed the signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal in a deal worth more than £20m. Walcott, 28, becomes Sam Allardyce’s second signing of the January transfer window following the £27m paid for striker Cenk Tosun from Besiktas.

    The move brings to an end Walcott’s 12-year stay at Arsenal, where he scored 108 goals in 397 appearances.

    His former club Southampton, who he left for £5m to join Arsenal in 2005, were also interested in a deal.

    But Walcott, who has not started a league game for Arsenal this season, believes Allardyce can reignite his career.

    Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted he did not want Walcott to leave but said he could not guarantee the England international game time and admitted that was a “sensitive subject” in a World Cup year.

    Walcott, who has 47 England caps, has not featured for his country since the friendly against Spain in November 2016.

    Arsenal plan to reinvest the funds, with concrete interest in Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bordeaux forward Malcom.

    They are also hopeful of signing Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a deal that would involve Alexis Sanchez going the other way.

  • Arsenal forward, Walcott set for medical in Everton

    Arsenal forward, Walcott set for medical in Everton

    Arsenal forward Theo Walcott is edging closer to a £20 million ($28 million, 23 million euros) move to Everton after he travelled to Merseyside for a medical as Toffees coach Sam Allardyce bids to boost his attacking options.

    Britain’s Press Association reported that the 28-year-old was due to attend the club’s Finch Farm training ground on Tuesday to undergo his physical examination and finalise terms.

    “His pace is one of his key strengths which we lack in this squad,” said Allardyce last week. “We are short of goals so to add power in our goalscoring ability would be very important for me.”

    Walcott, who has scored 108 goals in 397 matches for Arsenal, is surplus to requirements at the Emirates Stadium having made just 16 appearances this season. He has not made a Premier League start since April.

    Providing there are no last-minute hitches, within the next 24 hours Walcott, Arsenal’s longest-serving player, should become Allardyce’s second signing of the transfer window.

    Striker Cenk Tosun, a £28 million arrival from Besiktas, made his debut at the weekend, playing an hour of the 4-0 defeat at Tottenham for mid-table Everton, whose progress under Allardyce has stalled after a promising start following his arrival in late November.

    “Theo’s not as risky (as Tosun) because he’s proven,” added Allardyce. “He’s scored 100 goals for Arsenal from wide positions as well as many assists.”

  • BOU 2-1 ARS: Bournemouth stun Gunners

    Bournemouth came from behind to register a 2-1 win over Arsenal, who were without Alexis Sanchez, at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

    There was a surprise omission from the the Gunners squad as Sanchez was left out amid reports of a move to Manchester United.

    The Gunners got off to a positive and hit the upright in the opening 10 minutes through Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ powerful strike.

    The visitors squandered another chance in the 35th minute when Danny Welbeck broke through on goal only to fire straight Asmir Begovic.

    That proved to be the final chance of the half as Arsenal shot-stopper Petr Cech endured a quiet opening 45 minutes.

    Seven minutes into the second half, Arsenal took the lead as Hector Bellerin found the back of the net with a close range finish although Begovic could have done better.

    Bournemouth restored parity on 70 minutes as Callum Wilson turned home Ryan Fraser’s cross to draw the hosts level, 1-1.

    Five minutes later, the Cherries took the lead courtesy of a powerful low strike from Jordon Ibe, 2-1.

    Arsene Wenger threw on Theo Walcott in place of Alex Iwobi for the final 15 minutes as they pushed for an equaliser.

    However, the Gunners struggled to carve out a clear cut opening in the closing stages as the Cherries held on for a vital win to boost their survival hopes.

  • Arsenal target Bordeaux’s Malcom as they prepare to sell Sanchez

    Arsenal target Bordeaux’s Malcom as they prepare to sell Sanchez

    Forward Alexis Sanchez will leave Arsenal in January if a suitable offer arrives and a replacement is secured.

    It is understood the Gunners hierarchy have privately accepted for some weeks that Sanchez is likely to depart after three and a half years at the club.

    However, Arsenal are reluctant to sell without replacing the Chilean and their first choice is Bordeaux’s 20-year-old Brazilian forward Malcom.

    Manchester City is 29-year-old Sanchez’s most probable destination.

    Conversations have been held between the clubs but there is as yet no agreement on a fee.

    Arsenal are thought to have asked for up to £35m, with Premier League leaders City initially suggesting they would pay around £20m. Sources anticipate a compromise of between £25m and £30m.

    It is also widely reported that Manchester United will rival City’s interest and have already made a bid.

    If a deal cannot be agreed, Sanchez will be able to leave when his contract expires in the summer – a situation Arsenal are keen to avoid as they would receive nothing.

    The Chile international almost joined City for about £60m on the final day of the summer transfer window, only for the switch to collapse when Arsenal failed to sign Monaco and France midfielder Thomas Lemar.

    Sanchez’s time at Arsenal
    July 2014 – joins Arsenal for £35m from Barcelona on a four-year deal, despite interest from Liverpool and Juventus
    May 2015 – finishes the season as Arsenal’s top scorer with 25 goals, including a goal in the FA Cup final win over Aston Villa
    May 2016 – finishes season with 17 goals, despite missing over a month with a hamstring injury, but the Gunners fail to win a trophy
    May 2017 – top scores for Arsenal again, with 30, as they win the FA Cup but fail to qualify for the Champions League
    August 2017 – agrees a £55m move to Manchester City, but Arsenal cancel the deal when they fail to sign Thomas Lemar to replace him
    January 2018 – after the forward scores eight goals in the first half of the season, City again consider signing him with six months left on his deal

    ‘It would be a coup for United over City’

    Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville said Sanchez would be an “absolutely unbelievable signing” for the Old Trafford club.

    Responding to reports that said a £25m bid had already been made, he told Sky Sports: “If you look back at Manchester United’s big signings over the decades, Eric Cantona came out of the hat, [Robin] van Persie was a surprise – and they both helped United win titles.

    “I think this could have a similar impact. He’s got the character to play at Old Trafford,” the ex-England international added.

    “It would be a coup, particularly for United fans, to have a player like Sanchez come to them over City. It would be a strong statement.

    “It’s pretty obvious he’s not going to stay at Arsenal. I think if United were going to buy him, £25m would be an absolute snip.”

    BBC Sports

  • Nottingham forest eliminates Arsenal from FA Cup third round

    Nottingham forest eliminates Arsenal from FA Cup third round

    Arsene Wenger lost an FA Cup third-round tie for the first time as holders Arsenal were stunned 4-2 by Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

    Wenger has lifted the famous trophy on seven occasions – including three of the last four years – but saw his much-changed side undone by two Eric Lichaj goals along with penalties from Ben Brereton and Kieran Dowell in a classic cup tie at the City Ground.

    The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette were all rested as Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck were afforded rare starts in an unfamiliar Arsenal XI.

    But Wenger’s plan backfired against a Forest side who are still without a permanent manager following the sacking of Mark Warburton last month.

    Lichaj’s headed opener was swiftly cancelled out by Per Mertesacker but the American restored the hosts’ advantage with a stunning volley just before half-time.

    Forest had a cushion when 18-year-old Brereton showed composure beyond his years to beat David Ospina from the spot following a Rob Holding foul on Matty Cash, but a late Welbeck strike threatened to make it a tense last 10 minutes for the home side.

    However, Gary Brazil’s men were awarded a second penalty when Mathieu Debuchy brought down Armand Traore from behind, allowing Dowell to convert from the spot, and Joe Worrall’s red card mattered little as Forest held on for a famous win.

    The result represents Arsenal’s first third-round defeat since they lost in a replay to Sheffield United eight months prior to Wenger’s appointment in 1996.

     

     

  • EPL: Bellerin earns Arsenal 2-2 draw with Chelsea

    EPL: Bellerin earns Arsenal 2-2 draw with Chelsea

    Hector Bellerin made amends for conceding a penalty kick with a superb stoppage-time equaliser to earn Arsenal a 2-2 draw with Chelsea in a scintillating English Premier League game on Wednesday.

    There were chances galore for both sides but it was not until the 63rd minute that Jack Wilshere blasted Arsenal ahead with a superb finish past Thibaut Courtois.

    Bellerin tripped Hazard four minutes later and Hazard tucked away the penalty kick and Chelsea appeared to be heading back into second spot when Marcos Alonso struck from close range.

    Bellerin made sure Arsenal earned the point they deserved, however, with a sublime half-volley in the second minute of stoppage time.

    There was still time for Chelsea substitute Davide Zappacosta to hit the crossbar but a draw was a fair result.

    Chelsea remained in third place with 46 points, 16 behind leaders Manchester City, and Arsenal stayed sixth.

  • Antonio Conte plans to stick with rotation policy ahead of Arsenal clash

    Antonio Conte says he will continue his policy of rotating the Chelsea team ahead of facing Arsenal in the first of three meetings against their London rivals in January.

    Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas were both left on the bench for the Premier League defending champions’ resounding 5-0 victory over Stoke last Saturday with Danny Drinkwater and Willian given the chance to impress.

    “When you play against Arsenal every game is very important,” Conte said in his pre-match press conference.

    “Now Wednesday’s game is very important for the league.

    “We want to try to do our best. We want to try to get three points, to give satisfaction to our fans.”

    Conte’s Chelsea face a busy January which includes a two-legged semi-final against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup.

    “In my plan, it’s very important to involve all my players,” Conte added.

    Eden Hazard is set to return to the Chelsea line-up against Arsenal on Wednesday after missing the Stoke victory

    “I think we are doing a really good job in this situation. We are making many rotations, but at the same time our results are positive.

    “It means all my players are working very well.”

  • Controversial penalty earns West Brom draw with Arsenal

    Controversial penalty earns West Brom draw with Arsenal

    Arsenal were denied victory on their manager Arsene Wenger’s big day as West Bromwich Albion snatched a dramatic late point in a 1-1 Premier League draw on Sunday.

    In Wenger’s record 811th game in charge, Alexis Sanchez’s 83rd-minute free kick, deflected home by James McClean, seemed to have secured an Arsenal win.

    But Calum Chambers was adjudged to have handled in the penalty area and Jay Rodriguez converted an 89th-minute spot-kick to help his side climb off the bottom of the table.

    The Arsenal players were furious with the decision and Wenger was spoken to by referee Mike Dean but his team did climb above Tottenham Hotspur into fifth place in the table.

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in his post match comments said he believed referee Mike Dean “did not see” the incident that led him to award the late penalty to West Brom at The Hawthorns.

    “Many years ago [former Arsenal vice-chairman] David Dein and myself fought hard for referees to become professional and they do a good job, but don’t work enough,” Wenger said.

    “We have a very difficult schedule and I believe we fought hard to win the game, but didn’t because of a bad decision.

    “[Dean] didn’t see it. There was a player in front of him. That’s why I questioned his decision, he didn’t see it.”

    West Brom boss Alan Pardew on his part noted that even though it was a tough decision against Arsenal, his team deserved at least a point from the game.

    “It is a tough decision on Arsenal, but we deserved a break.

    “If we keep going with that level of commitment, we will get the breaks to win.

    “Liverpool was better, Everton was better, but we went toe-to-toe at times with Arsenal as much as we could, and they have got their rewards.

    “We need to win a game, but we have not won, we have another point on the board but we need to turn them into wins by getting a second and third goal,” he said.