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Tag: Arsenal

  • Liverpool thrash Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield

    Arsenal’s early-season problems mounted at Anfield on Sunday after they were condemned to a miserable 4-0 defeat by Jurgen Klopp’s rampant Liverpool.

    Not even the return of Alexis Sanchez could inspire Arsene Wenger’s side as they fell to goals from Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge. Salah’s third goal, after 57 minutes, summed up Liverpool’s mastery of the opposition as Arsenal managed to concede from an attacking corner.

    After the ball was headed clear, Hector Bellerin misjudged the bounce and Salah sprang past him before sprinting over half the length of the field and converting clinically.

    Substitute Sturridge got in on the act with just his third league goal of 2017, completing the rout with a far-post header from Salah’s cross after yet another unstoppable counter-attack 20 minutes later.

    The opening goal had come in the 17th minute after wave after wave of Liverpool attacks.

    Finally, on a rapid break, young full-back Joe Gomez delivered a superb, hanging right-wing cross and Firmino sprinted in at full speed to head past Petr Cech from six yards.

    The warning signs had been there for Wenger, even before Firmino’s opener.

    On 10 minutes, Emre Can and Firmino had combined effectively for the former to cross to the far post, where Salah looked certain to score until Cech scurried across his goal to make a brilliant block.

    Moments after taking the lead, Liverpool should have doubled it as Firmino freed captain Jordan Henderson, whose poor touch preceded a shot that flew well off-target.

    Klopp’s decision to axe regular first-choice goalkeeper Simon Mignolet from his squad had raised eyebrows, although Arsenal made an equally significant move in dropping club-record signing Alexandre Lacazette to the bench.

  • Arsenal fan slumps, dies in Imo as club concedes goal to Stoke City

    Residents at Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State were on Saturday shocked, when a man alleged to be an arsenal fan, identified as Dominic Ejimba slumped and died while watching a football match between Arsenal and Stoke City in the ongoing English Premier League season.

    According to sources who narrated the ordeal to Punch, the deceased, a die-hard Arsenal FC supporter, could not bear it when his team conceded a goal midway into the second half of the game. He was watching the encounter at a viewing centre on the Owerri-Okigwe expressway, the source said.

    A Liverpool fan, Chuks Amaku, said, “Dom is dead. He slumped immediately Stoke City scored a goal. Before my uncle, Hezekiah Amaku, could rush him to the hospital, he died.

    “It was unfortunate because all of us were exchanging jokes. Nobody was sensing any danger. We never knew that death was lurking. He had supported Arsenal for a very long time now. He couldn’t had taken that goal very seriously.”

    The deceased’s brother, Francis Onwuka, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Sunday.

    Onwuka said, “Dom is dead. He slumped while watching Arsenal and Stoke City match on Friday and could not make it to the hospital.

    “It is unfortunate and saddening because he has left a very young wife and three little kids. His demise pains.”

    An Arsenal fan, Barrister Kissinger Ikeokwu, who also confirmed the death, disclosed that Gunners’ fans in the state mourn the painful exit.

    Ikeokwu, who described the Dominic as a great fan of the London-based football club said the thoughts of all Arsenal fans in the state were with the family.

    It was gathered that the deceased, who was in his early 40s, had supported Arsenal from his childhood.

    “He loved Arsenal passionately. He closed his shop to make sure that he watched his darling club play. He could even deny himself food if his team was beaten,” another source said.

    The late Dominic Ejimba hailed from Umufuku-Umunchi in Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State.

  • BREAKING: Arsenal defeats Chelsea to win 13th FA Cup title

    Arsenal won the FA Cup for a record 13th time in a thrilling final by beating 10-man Chelsea, who were denied a league and cup double.

    The result means Arsene Wenger is the most successful manager in the competition’s history with seven victories.

    The Gunners had controversially taken the lead in the fifth minute through Alexis Sanchez, but the linesman had his flag up for Aaron Ramsey, who was stood in an offside position. Ramsey did not touch the ball, allowing Sanchez to run through and slot in.

    Arsenal dominated the first half and could have doubled their advantage but Danny Welbeck struck the woodwork with a header and Ramsey chested the ball against the same post on the follow-up.

    Victor Moses forced David Ospina into a fine save in the second period, before the Chelsea wing-back was given a second yellow card on 68 minutes for diving in the penalty area.

    With 14 minutes remaining, the Blues got back into the game through Diego Costa’s shot that bobbled in, but Ramsey headed in the winner just two minutes later. The Welshman had also scored the winning goal in the 2014 cup final against Hull.

    Arsenal could have had another late on, but Mesut Ozil struck the post from inside the area.

    Wenger had major selection issues with Laurent Koscielny suspended and both Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel injured, so centre-back Per Mertesacker was given his first start of the season. The German defender put in a dominant display to keep Costa quiet.

    Chelsea failed to gain revenge for the 2002 final, which Arsenal won 2-0, and the result ends their run of four consecutive final victories.

  • Don’t blame me for Arsenal missing top 4 spot -Wenger

    Don’t blame me for Arsenal missing top 4 spot -Wenger

    Arsene Wenger says his “professionalism or commitment” cannot be questioned but that uncertainty over his future contributed to Arsenal failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this is the first time Arsenal, who finished fifth, have failed to qualify for the competition for 20 years.

    Wenger, whose contract expires this summer and still has a chance of winning a silverware this season, says his future will be decided after the FA Cup final on Saturday.

    “I have said `No’ to every club in the world,” the 67-year-old Frenchman said.

    Wenger has been in charge of the Gunners since 1996, and has won three Premier Leagues and six FA Cups with them.

    But he has faced protests from Arsenal supporters this season, calling for him to quit.

    “I believe since January we have played in a very difficult environment for different reasons,” Wenger said.

    “It’s very difficult for a group of players to cope with that, and then there are some other reasons we will talk about on another day.

    “Psychologically the atmosphere was absolutely horrendous.

    “It has been difficult, yes, and certainly my personal situation has contributed to that but you can never question my professionalism or commitment.”

  • Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal: Hazard ends Arsenal’s title hopes

    Chelsea 3-1 Arsenal: Hazard ends Arsenal’s title hopes

    Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal at Stamford Bridge left Antonio Conte’s side 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League.

    Only the most optimistic of Chelsea’s rivals could imagine overtaking them with 14 games left.

    Marcos Alonso scored the opening goal in the 13th minute but Eden Hazard’s classic dribble in the second half illustrated the gap between the teams.

    Conte’s Chelsea were disciplined, direct and brimming with killer instinct. The final blow came with Arsenal self-destructing. From their own corner, Petr Cech’s errant kick presented Cesc Fabregas with an easy chip for the third goal.

    Arsene Wenger’s men were shapeless, directionless and lacked fight. Oliver Giroud’s late goal provided little consolation.

    The goals told the story. Alonso gave the home side the lead with a strike that was all about appetite. Victor Moses crossed from the right and the ball seemed slightly behind Diego Costa. The striker leaned back and produced a header so powerful that it hit the bar before Cech could get a hand to it.

    The question was who would get to the ball first as it dropped. Alonso reacted quickest as the Arsenal defence stood transfixed. Hector Bellerin made a half-hearted attempt to clear but Alonso attacked the ball with aggression and hit both ball and man with force.

    The header flew into the net and Bellerin was left in a heap on the floor. The Arsenal full-back had to be taken off after suffering concussion but it was no foul.

    The ball was available and Bellerin’s rather weak attempt to contest the header left him on the back foot and vulnerable in the collision.

    The rest of the Arsenal team looked equally stunned by the goal. Costa was allowed to shoot into the side netting and Wenger’s side looked bewildered.

    Even though the visiting side had plenty of possession, they created little.

     

    ESPNFC

     

  • Shakira wants Gerard Pique, to leave Barcelona for Chelsea or Arsenal

    Singer, Shakira wants her partner and father of two kids, Gerard Pique to leave Barcelona as soon as possible and join a London club, preferably Chelsea or Arsenal.

    According to Spanish website, Don Balon, the player could leave Barcelona after damaging his reputation among Spanish supporters who dislike him because of his vocal support for Catalonia- a region in north-eastern Spain seeking independence from Spain.

    Pique, 29, has been in Barcelona since leaving Manchester United in 2008, winning 26 major trophies for club and country, but his vocal criticism of Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo, and the Spanish state has landed him in hot water, and Shakira, his partner since 2010 is tired of the whole drama.

    The report claims that Shakira wants to move to London with Pique’s comments about Spain and Catalonia having a bad effect on her singing career, as fans in Spain associate her every move with the footballer’s comments.

    According to the report, Pique could favor a move to Chelsea due to his close friend, Fabregas’ presence at the club, and Shakira will prefer London, as it’s a good place to also help with her musical business plans.

     

  • Tottenham determined to stop Chelsea’s consecutive wins

    Tottenham determined to stop Chelsea’s consecutive wins

    Harry Kane and his Tottenham team-mates are determined to halt Chelsea’s winning streak.

    Chelsea’s pursuit of history has made Tottenham doubly determined to defeat them today.

    If Chelsea win at White Hart Lane, they will equal the Premier League record of 14 consecutive victories, established by Arsenal from February-August 2002.

    Whereas the Gunners’ run spanned two seasons, all Chelsea’s wins have come in the current campaign.

    Chelsea’s target adds spice to a derby that is becoming increasingly heated. Before last season’s meeting at Stamford Bridge, Tottenham were angry to hear Eden Hazard say Chelsea wanted Leicester to win the title ahead of Spurs.

    That ill-feeling contributed to a stormy 2-2 draw in May, a result that handed Leicester the crown and ended with nine Tottenham players booked. Eight months later, Tottenham are desperate to reduce the 10-point gap to Chelsea, while denying them that 14th victory.

    Pochettino has a plan to stop Chelsea’s 3-4-3 formation – Vertonghen
    “We don’t want to be the team who lets them equal that record,” said Kane. “That is in our minds and we were talking about it in the changing room after the Watford game (which Spurs won 4-1 on Sunday), so we are fully focused.

    “We are a better team than we were last season, 100 per cent. We have probably not played as well as we did last season, but we still have four more points than we did at the same stage. It shows we are on the right track.

    “A lot of us are bigger, stronger, better and more experienced, so hopefully we can continue that form through the second half of the season.”
    Tottenham expect to welcome back right-back Kyle Walker and centre-half Jan Vertonghen after both missed the win at Vicarage Road through suspension.

    Mousa Dembele is also likely to be restored to the starting XI, while Heung-min Son and Moussa Sissoko are expected to compete for one place in attacking midfield.

    Even though Spurs have won their last four matches, defeat to Chelsea would make it extremely difficult to keep alive their title ambitions. However well Mauricio Pochettino’s team play, a 13-point gap may prove too great for them.

  • Liverpool plans Ox bid

    Liverpool will make a bid for Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain when the transfer window opens, Sky sources understand.

    The England international joined Arsenal from Southampton in August 2011 but has struggled to hold down a first-team place due to form and injuries.

    However, the 23-year-old made an encouraging start to this season, scoring six goals in 23 appearances before another injury setback.

    The player’s current contract expires at the end of next season but he could be on the move earlier than that, with Liverpool understood to be preparing an offer when the window opens on January 1.

    Oxlade-Chamberlain was a guest on Goals on Sunday in October and revealed he is at the stage of his career where he may need to move away from the Emirates in order to play more.

    He has not completed 90 minutes for Arsenal this season as he has competed with players such as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez for attacking midfield roles.

    Liverpool, who declined to comment on interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain, have also been linked with a move for Spartak Moscow’s Netherlands international winger Quincy Promes.

  • Wenger: Chelsea NOT title favourites

    Wenger: Chelsea NOT title favourites

    Arsene Wenger believes Chelsea are candidates to win the Premier League, but does not feel any team has earned the right to be called favourites.

    Chelsea sit top of the table after 15 matches, three points clear of Arsenal and on a winning streak of nine consecutive top-flight matches.

    But Arsenal themselves have not suffered a league defeat since the opening day against Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp’s side, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United making up the rest of the top six.

    And Gunners boss Wenger thinks the title race remains wide open, with consistency over the busy festive period vital to any side’s hopes of glory.

    “What I believe is they [Chelsea] will be one of the candidates,” Wenger said ahead of his side’s trip to Everton on Tuesday.

    “They are of course one of the teams doing extremely well, but there is no super favourite in there at the moment.

    “They will have to maintain that like everybody else at the top. When you look at the league it is down to consistency.

    “It is very open, very interesting. Every time a team is the favourites to win, they struggle.

    “When you look at the teams around us, you can see the margin of difference between the teams has shrunk a lot.

    “The way you respond in every game is absolutely vital. It’s a very important period where everybody has to be absolutely focused on our results and the way we want to play.”