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Tag: Mikel Arteta

  • Arteta heaps praises one Liverpool player ahead of Arsenal clash

    Arteta heaps praises one Liverpool player ahead of Arsenal clash

    Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has singled out Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold for praises ahead of the crunchy encounter at the Emirate today (Sunday)

    Arteta described the Liverpool right back as a special talent who needs no introduction.

    The Gunners will look to reclaim their place at the top of the Premier League when they host Jurgen Klopp’s men.

    Arteta’s men have won seven of their first eight league games and will move back above Manchester City if they defeat Liverpool.

    The spotlight will be on England right-back Alexander-Arnold, following a turbulent start to the season.

    While the 24-year-old has scored domestically and in Europe, pundits have largely criticised his defending.

    When asked about Alexander-Arnold ahead of the game, Arteta said: “Well, he is a very special talent.

    “What he adds offensively to the team every year is difficult to find in that position.”

    However, Arteta is yet to record a win against Liverpool after several meetings since joining the Gunners three season ago.

  • EPL: Danny Murphy knocks Arteta for his decision to play Nwaneri

    EPL: Danny Murphy knocks Arteta for his decision to play Nwaneri

    Former England and  Liverpool Midfielder, Danny Murphy, has knocked Arsenal’s coach Mikel Arteta for his decision to introduce 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri in the Arsenal versus Brentford premier League encounter over the weekend.

    Murphy reiterated that Arteta made a wrong decision by introducing Nwaneri in the game. adding that he could have introduced a far more experienced young lad who has been with the team before now.

    Nwaneri became the youngest Premier League player in history, breaking the record previously set by Harvey Elliott after coming off the bench in injury time against Brentford.

    According to the former Liverpool legend, Nwaneri has proven to be a super talent but shouldn’t have been given a wild card just like that.

    He said there are many teenagers in the team or are like three to four years older than Nwaneri and they have been with the squad for long.

    “I’m not convinced it is the best move for a young player, I’m really not,” Murphy told talkSPORT when asked about Nwaneri’s involvement against Brentford on Sunday.

    “I have seen superstars come on the scene at a young age and thrive and go on and carry on, but there have also been a lot who have fallen by the wayside.

    “He is obviously a super-talent, doing well in training and impressing everybody, but surely they have got other 18, 19 and 20-year-olds who are further ahead in their development who could have gone on the bench.

    “I think Arteta is probably trying to keep a young superstar happy, but I’m not sure about it.”

  • Arsenal thrash Chelsea 4-0, Arteta says players are fired up

    Arsenal thrash Chelsea 4-0, Arteta says players are fired up

    Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta is full of praises for his team for defeating Chelsea football club 4-0 in a pre-season friendly on Sunday in Florida, saying that his boys are fired up ahead of next season’s campaign beginning on August 6.

    In his post-match interview, Arteta said Arsenal defeated Chelsea because his players showed intensity and played well against the Blues.

    The Spaniard watched as Arsenal humbled Chelsea at the Camping World Stadium in the USA.

    Goals from Gabriel Jesus, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Albert Sambi Lokonga gave the Gunners the win over Thomas Tuchel’s side.

    “The way we played, the intensity we showed, the way we were trying to show who we are as a team. But at the same time, it’s just a test match,” Arteta said at his post-match press conference.

    “Don’t get carried away. There are still a lot of things that we have to get better at and do better.

    “But I think it’s good to get some momentum, finish the tour in the right way, give some enjoyment to our fans and everybody that’s been contributing to make this tour happen. Now it’s time to go back to London, to focus and keep making improvements and steps forward.”

  • EPL: Arteta to play Oleksandr Zinchenko in new role at Arsenal

    EPL: Arteta to play Oleksandr Zinchenko in new role at Arsenal

    Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has revealed the position Oleksandr Zinchenko will play when he eventually signs for the club side.

    The gaffer confirmed that the club is in the final stages of signing the Ukrainian left full-back from Manchester City.

    Arteta made this known after defeating  Orlando City 3-1  in a pre-season game and said there were just a few formalities left.

    The Gunners boss, however, knows the two positions he intends to play Zinchenko in.

    When asked if Zinchenko is a left-back or midfielder, Arteta replied: “Both, he can play in both.

    “He was a natural no.10 early in his career and we converted him into a left-back which can do a lot of things we want.

    “That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team.”

    Arsenal and City have agreed to a £ 30 million fee for the Ukraine international, who will sign a contract until 2026 at the Emirates.

    Oleksandr Volodymyrovych Zinchenko is a Ukrainian professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for Premier League club Manchester City and the Ukraine national team.

    Zinchenko began his career at Russian Premier League team Ufa before joining Manchester City in 2016 for a fee of around £1.7 million.

  • Arsenal coach, Mikel Arteta set to offload nine players

    Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has marked out nine players that will be offloaded at  the club in this season’s summer break.

    Arteta is looking for funds to acquire new set of players that will add bite and quality to the club.

    Arsenal were in contention to finish fourth and book a place for next season’s Champions League until the final day of the season.

    They narrowly lost the fourth place to north London rivals, Tottenham and will now settle for Europa League participation next season.

    The Gunners have a host of players currently out on loan, though almost none of those have a future at the Emirates and Arteta intends to cash in.

    The players include Matteo Guendouzi and Konstantinos Mavropanos, who are on loan to Marseille and Stuttgart, respectively, Hector Bellerin, Lucas Torreira, Bernd Leno, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Pablo Mari, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah.

    A decision has yet to be made about the futures of William Saliba and Reiss Nelson, who have impressed at Marseille and Feyenoord, and they could be reintegrated into the squad.

    Arteta will add three academy prospects, Charlie Patino, Miguel Azeez and Omari Hutchinson, who he rates very highly, to his squad.

  • Arteta raises Arsenal’s hopes, says they can still make top four

    Arteta raises Arsenal’s hopes, says they can still make top four

    Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta reacted to the club’s loss to Newcastle on Monday night.

    Arteta said Arsenal could still make the top 4 and qualify for champions League football next season if they win their next game and Tottenham lose.

    A Ben White own goal and Bruno Guimaeres finish saw the Magpies shock the Gunners at St James’ Park.

    The result leaves Arsenal in fifth place, two points behind rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

    However, Arteta is hoping they will beat Everton in their final league fixture and Norwich shock Spurs, for them to still make it into Europe’s top club competition.

    “Before this game it was in our hands, but it is no longer in our hands.

    “We have to beat Everton and hope Norwich beat Tottenham.

    “There’s always a chance in football and you will always have a chance,” Arteta said after the game.

  • TOT vs Arsenal: I will be suspended if I speak my mind – Arteta

    TOT vs Arsenal: I will be suspended if I speak my mind – Arteta

    Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta, has reacted to their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in an English premier League encounter (EPL)on Thursday.

    Arteta explains that if he says what’s on his mind and speak about some of the decisions that went against his team, the FA will suspend him for 6 months

    The Gunners conceded a controversial penalty, before Rob Holding was sent off after picking up two yellow cards in the first half.

    Harry Kane converted from the spot kick and scored one more as Spurs took the lead, before Heung-Min Son added one more after the break.

    When Arteta was asked about the referee decisions, he said: “If I say what I think I’m suspended for six months.

    “I’m allowed to give my interpretation of what happened but I don’t know how to lie.

  • Arteta signs three-year contract extension with Arsenal

    Arteta signs three-year contract extension with Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has signed a new three-year contract to 2025, the English Premier League club said on Friday.

    The 40-year-old took over at the Emirates Stadium in December 2019 following the dismissal of Unai Emery.

    He is close to taking the Gunners back into the UEFA Champions League for the first time in five years.

    They are currently fourth in the Premier League as the 2021/2022 season enters its final stages.

    “I’m excited, grateful and really, really happy today,” Arteta said.

    “We want to take the club to the next level and to compete really with the top teams. In order to do that, we have to be playing in the Champions League.

    “We have to be able to evolve the team, improve our players, improve all departments, generate even more connection with our fans, improve the atmosphere at the Emirates [Stadium], be able to recruit top, top talent and the best people for this club to drive this project to that level.”

    Arsenal host struggling Leeds United on Sunday before visiting North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, currently fifth, in a six-point clash in the battle for the Champions League.

    They then conclude the campaign away to Newcastle United and at home to Everton.

  • Arsenal beaten 2-0 at home by Liverpool

    Arsenal beaten 2-0 at home by Liverpool

    As Arsenal hosted Liverpool in the Premier League on Wednesday, in a game under the lights at the Emirates Stadium, the Gunners were beaten 2-0.

     

    Mikel Arteta’s side went into the game off the back of a five-match winning streak, with their latest victory against Leicester no doubt filling them with confidence.

    But they were undone by a Liverpool side with an embarrassment of riches in attack.

    Roberto Firmino came off the bench to all but kill the game after Diogo Jota had fired them ahead at the start of the second half, after an evenly matched opening 45 minutes.

     

    Ramsdale attracted criticism after the Portuguese’s important strike, with the ball evading the England international at his near post.

    Finding room on the left-hand side of the penalty area, Jota took aim and hit a well-struck shot towards the bottom right corner.

    Ramsdale had shifted just too far to his left, and despite getting a touch on the ball, could only watch it nestle in the back of the net.

    The match was crucial for Arsenal because it was a run that would have seen the club move up into fourth with three games in hand over fifth-placed Manchester United, meaning that they are well on course for Champions League qualification.

    Liverpool has been victorious in eight consecutive matches as they seek to chase down Manchester City for the league title.

    Arsenal is yet to manage a goal this season against Jurgen Klopp’s men.

  • Every game like a rollercoaster for us – Arteta

    Every game like a rollercoaster for us – Arteta

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said every game is a rollercoaster for his side.

    The Gunners had to work hard to overcome a spirited Watford team in the Premier League on Sunday.

    Arsenal went home with all three points thanks to a 3-2 win, with goals coming from Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli.

    “We are getting better and better, the understanding between the players is getting better and we should have scored more today,” Arteta said to BBC Sport.

    “I see how willing [the players] are every day to train and improve. I think they are enjoying playing together and when some days, it is not your best day, you somehow manage to win and that is important.

    “We have to be very honest with ourselves and our defensive structure was not good enough today. We allowed some chances and it is something we will work on.”

    Asked about finishing in the top-four, Arteta added: “We are there now and we’ll go game by game. Every game is a rollercoaster, we have three big games coming up in a week.”