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Tag: wenger

  • Arsenal forward, Alexis Sanchez likely to join Man Utd – Arsene Wenger

    Arsenal forward, Alexis Sanchez likely to join Man Utd – Arsene Wenger

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says it is “likely” forward Alexis Sanchez will join Premier League rivals Manchester United.

    Sanchez, 29, is out of contract in June and is thought to have agreed personal terms with the Old Trafford club.

    “I worked on transfers for 30 years so it is likely to happen, but at any moment it can break down,” said Wenger.

    Wenger also said it was a “possibility” United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan will be a part of the deal.

    “I like the player,” added Wenger. “We played many times against him when he was at Dortmund. He appreciated the quality of our games. The wages would not be a problem.”

    Armenia international Mkhitaryan, 28, has not agreed terms on a move but was left out of the league win over Stoke on Monday, with manager Jose Mourinho confirming the decision was not tactical.

    At a news conference on Thursday, Wenger said Chile international Sanchez will feature against Crystal Palace on Saturday if he does not complete a transfer.

    “As long as it’s not over the line you have to accept it may not happen,” added the Frenchman. “These kind of things are not guaranteed.

    “I have no problem with Sanchez’s attitude. He was in training yesterday fully committed. He is 29 years old and the next contract will of course be very important to him.”

    Arsenal sold forward Theo Walcott to Everton on Wednesday and Wenger has been linked with moves for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bordeaux forward Malcom to bolster his squad.

    He said the club were not close to completing a deal for 20-year-old Brazilian Malcom but added that Aubameyang, 28, would “fit in”.

    Asked about any deal for the Gabon international, Wenger said: “This kind of thing is better when it’s secret and when you don’t comment before announcing it when it’s over the line.

    “Would he fit in? Yes, because character can be a very positive note and negative – but overall you look at the achievement of a player over his career.

    “When it’s been positive the character has been used in a positive way.”

    Dortmund, however, reacted angrily to those comments, with a club statement describing Wenger as “disrespectful”.

    “There is no contact on our part to Arsenal,” sporting director Michael Zorc is quoted as saying. “Arsene Wenger certainly has enough currently to do so to deal with the performance of its own players.”

    BBC Sports

  • Decision on Sanchez future is imminent-Wenger

    Decision on Sanchez future is imminent-Wenger

    The future of Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez will be decided imminently after he was left out of the squad to face Bournemouth on Sunday.

    The 29-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a January move to Manchester City.

    However, Manchester United and Liverpool have also been linked.

    “He’s being vague at the moment. The situation is not completely decided one way or the other, so I left him at home,” said boss Arsene Wenger.

    Asked if a decision was imminent, Wenger said: “Yes. Don’t read too much in it because even I don’t know which way it will go.”

    City are unwilling to match the Gunners’ £35m asking price, while United boss Jose Mourinho said on Friday that Sanchez is a “phenomenal player”.

    He added: “What we believe is there are some players in the football world, if you have the chance to sign them in January, March or July, you have to try. And that’s it.”

    French giants Paris St-Germain have also been linked with Sanchez, but the player’s preference is to join City.

    It is understood Arsenal’s hierarchy have accepted that Sanchez is likely to depart after three and a half years at Emirates Stadium.

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

    If a deal cannot be agreed with any club, 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.

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

  • Wenger gets three-match touchline ban ‘abusive’ behaviour

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been given a three-match touchline ban and fined £40,000 for his behaviour in the referee’s changing room after Sunday’s game against West Brom.

    A Football Association statement said the Frenchman admitted “his language and behaviour was abusive, improper and questioned the integrity of the match referee”.

    Wenger was angered by referee Mike Dean after his side’s draw at The Hawthorns, where Calum Chambers conceded a late penalty for handball.

    BBC Sports

  • George Weah invites Arsene Wenger to inauguration as president of Liberia

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told the BBC that he has been invited by the new Liberia president George Weah to his inauguration later this month.

    Wenger was Weah’s manager at French side Monaco between 1988 and 1992 but he is not sure he will able to attend.

    “I have been invited by George to come to the day where he will be the President,” he said.

    “I believe I will be busy but if I am suspended (for his comments on referees) I will have time to go.”

    Wenger is facing a Football Association disciplinary hearing for various comments he made about referees in recent weeks.

    The Arsenal boss admits he still finds it hard to believe what Weah has achieved.

    “The life of this guy is a real film. It is unbelievable. It can make a fantastic film,” said an excited Wenger.

    “I remember when I saw him the first time at Monaco, coming in a bit lost, not knowing anybody, not being rated by anybody as a player and becoming the best player in the world in 1995 and today becoming the president of his country.

    Wenger also recalled the passion and love Weah had for Liberia.

    “I went with George during the period when there was war in Liberia and I have seen how much he suffered for his country,” Wenger added.

    “That was the thing which was continuous in his country, the love for his country and for his people.

    “Today when I look back I see him crying when war was on in Liberia so it’s a happy story.

    “I wish he has a happy presidency and I would like to say this guy is an example for everybody who plays football today.”

    Weah won a presidential run off poll last month beating Joseph Boakai with more than 60% of the vote.

    He will succeed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president.

    BBC Sports

  • Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger charged by FA after West Brom draw

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger charged by FA after West Brom draw

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been charged by the Football Association over comments made to match officials after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at West Brom.

    The Frenchman was angry after referee Mike Dean gave the Baggies a last-minute penalty, which they scored.

    It is alleged the 68-year-old’s conduct in the match officials’ changing room was abusive and that he questioned the integrity of the referee.

    Wenger has until 18:00 GMT on Friday to respond to the charge.

    With just a minute remaining at The Hawthorns, Calum Chambers was penalised after Kieran Gibbs pushed the ball onto his arm, but Wenger felt his player had not deliberately handled.

    Football’s laws state handball must be a “deliberate act” and the distance between the opponent and ball should be considered. Chambers was standing about two metres from Gibbs.

    Speaking on Tuesday, before the charge was announced, Wenger said: “It was very disappointing.

    “What is more frustrating for me is it happened many times this season – at Stoke, Watford, Man City, now West Brom.

    “It is a concerning coincidence for me. That is why as well I was not at all happy with the movement the referee made as to why he gave the penalty. It did not correspond at all with what happened.

    “On that front, it’s a bit worrying.”

    Last January, Wenger was given a four-match touchline ban by the FA after being found guilty of misconduct after an incident with fourth official Anthony Taylor during a league game against Burnley.

    Wenger’s side, who are fifth in the Premier League, host third-placed Chelsea on Wednesday (19:45 GMT).

    BBC Sports

  • ‘Nobody knows what will happen’ – Wenger on Sanchez

    ‘Nobody knows what will happen’ – Wenger on Sanchez

    Manager Arsene Wenger says he cannot guarantee that striker Alexis Sanchez will remain at Arsenal long term, after the forward scored twice in the victory at Crystal Palace on Thursday.

    The Chile striker can leave for free this summer when his contract expires and he has been linked with a move to league leaders Manchester City,who failed in their bid to sign him on deadline day.

    When asked about the 29-year-old’s future, the Frenchman said: “Nobody knows what will happen. It’s difficult to speculate.

    “We are focused on short term, that means the next game with the players committed and ready to fight. It’s not a guarantee of how long you stay somewhere.

    “They are questioned, always, when people don’t have long contracts. The best way to show they are committed is to give that kind of performance.”

    His comments come only a month after he said that both Sanchez and German midfielder Mesut Ozil, whose current deal also expires in the summer, want to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

    On Thursday, Sanchez struck twice in four minutes after Andros Townsend had cancelled out Shkodran Mustafi’s first-half opener.

    The forward squeezed a clinical strike in at the near post to make it 2-1 before bringing Jack Wilshere’s superb ball from his own half under control and flicking into the net.

    James Tomkins headed in late on but Sanchez’s double was enough to secure a win that keeps sixth-placed Arsenal level on points with Tottenham, who are fifth, and one point behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

    Most games managed in the Premier League
    Manager Games Wins Draws Losses Goals for Goals against Win %
    Sir Alex Ferguson 810 528 168 114 1,627 703 65.2
    Arsene Wenger 810 468 197 145 1,524 780 57.7
    Harry Redknapp 641 236 167 238 818 846 36.8
    David Moyes 508 198 138 172 664 627 39
    Sam Allardyce 494 168 134 192 586 670 34
  • Sanchez double ensures Wenger can enjoy landmark night

    Sanchez double ensures Wenger can enjoy landmark night

    Arsene Wenger celebrated another landmark night in his garlanded Premier League career as an Alexis Sanchez double inspired his Arsenal charges to a pulsating 3-2 win at Crystal Palace on Thursday.

    On the night he equalled former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson’s record of overseeing 810 Premier League games, Wenger had a surprise.

    He watched the brilliant Sanchez turn an exciting match with two superb second-half goals in the space of four minutes.

    Shkodran Mustafi had given the dominant visitors a deserved lead after 25 minutes.

    But Arsenal were made to rue a host of first-half near-misses as Palace roared back soon after the break with a well-worked Andros Townsend goal.

    Then Sanchez, whose future at Arsenal remains uncertain, demonstrated his world-class talent.

    He was first with a thunderous 62nd minute snap shot and then a lovely piece of control and fine finish from Jack Wilshere’s long, precise through ball.

    James Tomkins ensured a nervy finish for the visitors with an 89th minute headed goal.

    The win left Arsenal still in sixth place but they moved on to 37 points, alongside Tottenham Hotspur and to within a point of the top four.

    Palace, beaten for the first time in nine games, are 16th on 18 points, just a point above the relegation zone.

    There must have been much satisfaction for Wenger.

    His own future at Arsenal had never been more hotly debated than when his side lost this same fixture 3-0 at Selhurst Park in April last season.

    That defeat inspired the Gunners’ successful run which ended with an FA Cup triumph.

    Wenger will now be hoping this victory could start another impressive sequence at the start of 2018 as they chase UEFA Champions League football for next season.

    What part Sanchez will play for him remains unclear.

    But the Chilean, whose name has been consistently linked with a move to leaders Manchester City, could not be faulted and neither, naturally, could his skill.

    After Townsend’s well-worked equaliser assisted by a pinpoint Wilfried Zaha cross had changed the game’s complexion, Arsenal’s nerves were settled.

    That was only when Palace striker Christian Benteke hit a poor clearance out of defence.

    It was a mistake which ended with Sanchez rifling home the visitors’ second in the 62nd minute.

    Then Wilshere, back to something near his best, picked out a delightful over-the-top, quarterback-style pass that Sanchez controlled expertly on his thigh, before sliding the ball past Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

    Sanchez’s excellence prompted the inevitable question to Wenger afterwards about whether he was fearful of losing the Chilean, especially with the striker’s contract expiring at the end of the season.

    “I am not fearful but that will be a subject that arises because of his contractual situation,” Wenger said.

    ”Overall it was a convincing win even though in the second half it was harder than the first. We found the resources to score two great goals and from then we never gave up.

    “We have come here and it is a difficult game for everyone in the league. We suffered a bit but for the biggest part of the game we played well.”

    Still, Palace, who have become a completely different proposition since Roy Hodgson took charge with them languishing at the foot of the table, pressed to the end.

    Tomkins’ header ensuring a frantic finish.

    “We showed we are a good team and we have quality players in our team. For us, it is a question of keeping fighting.

    “Even at 3-1 down to a team of this quality, there was no resignation or sign of not doing the right things,” Hodgson said.

    “Had the game been five or six minutes longer, maybe we could have got something.”

  • Arsene Wenger concern as Giroud injury sours victory

    Manager Arsene Wenger says Arsenal cannot afford further injuries over the busy Christmas period after striker Olivier Giroud suffered a hamstring problem in their Carabao Cup quarter-final win over West Ham.

    Wenger, who made 11 changes from the weekend triumph over Newcastle, saw his side struggle to break down the defensively resolute visitors in the first half.

    But England forward Danny Welbeck broke West Ham’s resistance just before the break, turning in Mathieu Debuchy’s header across goal as the hosts stayed on course for a first League Cup win since 1993.

    The Gunners’ night was soured by the loss of Giroud to an injury that could rule him out for three weeks, while Francis Coquelin also limped out of the match late on.

    With Arsenal embarking on a run of 10 games in 36 days, Wenger admitted the loss of Giroud had come as a blow.

    “It is very demanding, especially because we already have a tough schedule behind us,” he said. “We have to sit down and analyse what we can do.

    “What is very worrying is when you start to lose players, like Giroud tonight. After, you cannot afford to lose another one. I have to look how I can manage the schedule.

    “When you look at our fixtures in January and February, you cannot imagine we will always play with the same players in every game.

    “Will I change from Premier League game to Premier League or only in the Carabao Cup? I don’t know yet – I have to look at the fixtures to see what I do.”

    West Ham boss David Moyes also named a much-changed side but they failed to click in attack, with the belated introductions of Andy Carroll, Diafra Sakho and Marko Arnautovic unable to undo the home defence.

    Neither Joe Hart, restored to the West Ham side for the rested Adrian, nor Arsenal’s second-choice goalkeeper David Ospina were forced into much action in what was a disjointed contest.

    Moyes’ side had been content to sit back and try to catch Arsenal on the counter during a low-quality first half, but even with the attacking changes they could not muster a single shot on target.

  • Mourinho hits out at Arsenal, Koscielny after Man United win

    Mourinho didn’t park the bus away from home against a top four rival like he usually does, but he had David De Gea to thank as Arsenal had 15 shots on target and 75 percent of the possession but were caught out but ruthless United counter attacks on three killer occasions.

    United’s Portuguese boss was not happy with Arsenal and accused them of diving to try and win penalty kicks and made a sly remark about Alexandre Lacazette‘s fitness, as well as hitting out at Laurent Koscielny for his part in getting Paul Pogba sent off in the second half.

    Speaking to reporters after the game, Mourinho was asked if he was upset with Arsenal appealing for multiple penalty kicks as he lambasted their “desire to go to the grass” with the most obvious situation coming in the second half as Danny Welbeck appeared to be scythed down by Matteo Darmian in the box.

    “Look if it is not a penalty, it is not a penalty. I know the pitch is amazing and maybe it creates a desire to go to the floor. If it was hard, no. If it was mud, no. But the pitch is absolutely beautiful. I think they were a bit too much,” Mourinho said.
    He then made a point of congratulating both medical departments with his tongue firmly placed in his cheek.

    Ahead of the game Arsene Wenger, Mourinho’s arch nemesis over the years, had declared that Lacazette was completely out of the game. He started, scored Arsenal’s goal and played a full 90 minutes.

    “I don’t want to forget my congratulations to both medical departments. My medical department managed to recover [Nemanja] Matic from a maybe to a yes. But Arsenal’s medical department managed to recover a player from a no to a complete 90. Amazing. I congratulate them all.”

    Mourinho also hit out at Arsenal’s center back and captain Koscielny, who was at fault for two of United’s three goals and could have been sent off late on for hauling down Romelu Lukaku when he appeared to be the last man.

    His beef with Koscielny was how he reacted to try and get Pogba sent off following a studs up challenge on Hector Bellerin. Mourinho said that Pogba was far from impressed with his international teammate for the way he reacted.

    “The red card, I didn’t see. I was not even looking in that direction. No television yet for me. I know that Paul is frustrated. A bit disappointed with his colleague Koscielny with this kind of reaction,” Mourinho said. “Paul is frustrated because everybody knows that Paul is a clean player and it was not his intention, not at all, to be close to a red card.”

    Asked what kind of message this result (it is Mourinho’s first win as United managed in eight attempts against one of the so-called “top six” since he arrived at United) he downplayed the importance of closing the gap to Manchester City, momentarily, to five points.

    “No message. We are second in the table. We win four games in the Premier League, two at home, two away. The two away difficult teams Watford and Arsenal. We managed to win and win well and to play well. I am just happy,” Mourinho said. “There is no message. There is match after match. Now it’s on to CSKA.”

    Everything is set up for a blockbuster clash between United and City next Sunday in the Manchester derby but without the suspended Pogba and a shaky defense bailed out by David de Gea, Mourinho will still have plenty on his mind besides Arsenal’s supposed simulation.

  • FA Cup final: Wenger will stay at Arsenal – Ramsey

    Arsenal midfielder, Aaron Ramsey, has said Arsene Wenger will continue as manager, after scoring the winner in Saturday’s FA Cup final win over Chelsea at Wembley.

    Ramsey headed in to make it 2-1, after Diego Costa had cancelled out Alexis Sanchez’s opener.

    The Wales international credited Wenger’s decision to switch to a back three, as the reason why they picked up form towards the end of the season.

    Speaking on the Frenchman’s future, Ramsey told BBC Sport: “Of course I think he’ll stay. He’s been fantastic for me and the players.

    “We changed the formation and had a lot of success. Fair play, it paid off and hopefully he’ll be here next season. We owe him a lot.”