TheNewsGuru

Tag: Sporting Lisbon

  • Arsenal’s season now has clarity after Europa League exit – Arteta

    Arsenal’s season now has clarity after Europa League exit – Arteta

    Arsenal’s exit from the 2022/2023 Europa League has brought “clarity” to their season and the squad must now focus on their English Premier League title charge, manager Mikel Arteta says.

    Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon drew 1-1 in London and finished 3-3 on aggregate in the tie before the Portuguese club advanced to the quarter-finals with a 5-3 penalty kicks shootout.

    Arsenal have been eliminated from all three Cup competitions they were involved in.

    But they are five points clear in the league and in position to win a first English title since 2004.

    They have 11 games left to play, starting with the visit of Crystal Palace on Sunday.

    “It’s a huge blow, but it brings clarity to the season,” Arteta told Arsenal’s website.

    “It’s 11 games to play for, 11 Premier League games, and a big final against Crystal Palace. The focus has to be there, the energy has to be there and learn from tonight.

    “… we have to learn from it, but the best thing is now the reaction and show the same commitment, more quality and play better against Crystal Palace to beat them.”

    Arteta was dealt a double injury blow on Thursday when Takehiro Tomiyasu had to be substituted early on and fellow defender William Saliba limped off shortly after.

    “Tomiyasu looks pretty serious, from his reaction straight away and what he said to me,” Arteta told reporters.

    “Obviously, it’s very early and difficult to know. William, I don’t know. He had some discomfort and could not carry on. So, we had to take him off.”

  • West Ham and Sporting Lisbon resolve William Carvalho dispute

    West Ham say the dispute with Sporting Lisbon over their summer pursuit of Portugal’s William Carvalho was caused by a “breakdown in communication” and the matter has now been resolved.

    Sporting said they were going to report the Hammers to Fifa for an illegal pursuit of the 25-year-old midfielder.

    The Portuguese club also made personal comments about West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold.

    “Friendly relations between the clubs will resume,” said a Hammers statement.

    In September, West Ham said they made a bid for the Portugal defensive midfielder and released emails that claim to show their official approach.

    But Sporting’s communications director Nuno Saraiva questioned the validity of the leaked emails, which purport to show a 25m euros (£22.8m) offer, as well suggestions Sullivan was called a “liar” and a “parasite” in a Facebook post.

    West Ham refuted the claims, called them “attention seeking”, and considered legal action.

    However on Tuesday the Premier League club said: “West Ham and Sporting acknowledge that a breakdown in communication based in contacts between representatives from both clubs in respect of a possible transfer of William Carvalho was the cause of a misunderstanding.

    “Subsequent to this, the clubs have had positive communications and the matter is now resolved. On this basis, there will be no barriers to both clubs negotiating or working together in the future.”