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ARSENAL 2— 1 TOTTENHAM

March 14, 2021 No Comments

Arsenal came from behind to secure a fully deserved north London derby win and inflict damage on Tottenham’s hopes of a place in the Premier League’s top four.

The Gunners were vastly superior until a Spurs rally in the closing stages but fell behind to a piece of genius from Erik Lamela – on for the injured Son Heung-Min – when he curved a magnificent rabona finish beyond Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno in the 33rd minute.

Arsenal, who had seen Emile Smith Rowe’s long-range shot smack against the bar, then suffered more ill-luck when Cedric Soares hit the post, but were level on the stroke of half-time when Martin Odegaard’s effort was deflected out of the reach of Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris.

Mikel Arteta’s side continued to dominate a largely dreadful Spurs and took the lead from the penalty spot after 64 minutes when Alexandre Lacazette missed his kick but was fouled by Davinson Sanchez.

Lacazette recovered to send Lloris the wrong way for his 12th goal of the season.

Spurs’ day got worse when Lamela was sent off for a second yellow card, shown by referee Michael Oliver for a hand-off into the face of Kieran Tierney with 14 minutes left.

But they almost snatched a point in the closing moments when Harry Kane’s free-kick bounced off the post, with Arsenal defender Gabriel heading Sanchez’s goal-bound shot off the line from the rebound.

Arsenal, who dropped captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for the game for disciplinary reasons, stay in 10th place but Spurs are now six points adrift of Chelsea in fourth, although with a game in hand.

Football

Wenger reveals why he would never be Arsenal’s director of football and his one piece of advice to Arteta

October 11, 2020 No Comments

The Frenchman has said he would consider a boardroom role, while he has tipped the current Gunners squad to have a fine season in the Premier League

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed why he would never take a role as a director of football – either at the Emirates Stadium or anywhere else.

The 70-year-old, who is now FIFA’s head of Global Football Development, left day-to-day management in 2018 after more than two decades in charge at the Gunners, and while there has regularly been speculation that he could return to club football since then, he does not believe that such a position would suit him.

Wenger did, however, confess that he may consider a different role.

“I would have considered being on the board at Arsenal as an adviser,” he told The Guardian in response to a question asked by long-time rival Jose Mourinho.

“I believe that honestly there is a deficit of knowledge in the big clubs of top, top-level competition and games of top-level sport. And I believe we have seen recently that there are many ways to be successful in football.

“For example, there’s the Bayern [Munich] way, where the whole success and continuity relies on people who know the values of the club, and they transfer that from generation to generation: Franz Beckenbauer, Uli Hoeness, Karl-Heinze Rummenigge.

“Or there are models in England of quick money and quick success. Both can work. I like the fact that a club is first an identity and has knowledge that is transferred from generation to generation. So that’s why I saw things that way.”

Meanwhile, Wenger was asked what advice he would pass on to Mikel Arteta, who is present in charge of first-team affairs with the north London side.

“To continue to have a grip on the team, as he has at the moment. And to go to the end of his beliefs,” he said. “I think there is a good team spirit and they have a good chance to do well. I believe it will not be very difficult to improve on the number of points they got last season, but I’m convinced Arsenal can be in the top four, if not more. Why not more?

“They can be the surprise package for me this year: they bought well, they strengthened the defence well, and they kept the players who were already there. In my last year I bought Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, they kept him. They have every ingredient and no real weakness.”

Football

Arsenal sign Atlético Madrid’s Thomas Partey after paying £45m release clause

October 6, 2020 No Comments

Arsenal have met Atletico Madrid’s £45m release clause for Thomas Partey as they look to secure a Deadline Day deal for the midfielder.

Partey has been linked with Arsenal throughout the window and although his £45m release clause has been an issue.

The Gunners have been attempting to free up wages and space in the squad before the window shuts at 11pm – with Matteo Guendouzi first out the door on Deadline Day, joining Hertha Berlin on loan.

Lucas Torreira is set to sign for Atletico Madrid on loan, Bayer Leverkusen’s move for Sead Kolasinac fell through at the 11th hour and the Gunners are listening to offers for Sokratis Papastathopoulos. They have not received any bids for Mesut Ozil, despite Mikel Arteta casting doubts over his future.

Arteta said at the weekend Arsenal were doing what they can to finalise transfers ahead of the deadline – and was confident deals can be done – while Sky Sports News reporter Dharmesh Sheth has confirmed that a Deadline Day move is on the card.

“Look, throughout this whole transfer window we know that Arsenal have been after a midfielder,” he said on Monday. “The one that never went away was Thomas Partey.

“We know that Arsenal have been interested in him for the whole window, the issue was the release clause as Atletico will not negotiate with any club on the release clause, so if someone wants to sign him they must pay £45m.

“Now, it is our understanding that Arsenal are pushing once again for Thomas Partey. There is an expectation – not 100 per cent – but there is an expectation that they will meet that £45m release clause.

“All of the talk during the window was how they generate that money. Well today, they are looking to offload players to fund that move for Partey.

“Torriera [to Atletico] is only a loan. They would get some sort of loan fee for that, but more importantly they get his wages off the bill. Guendouzi is the same.

“The other one is Kolasinac. Leverkusen want to buy him and Arsenal want to sell him. We think it’s around £10m. Leverkusen can’t afford that fee with the wages, so they are looking into a loan with an obligation-to-buy option.

“All of that put together – plus with the sale of Emiliano Martinez – it looks like Arsenal are getting those funds together, and we expect them to meet Partey’s £45m release clause.

“Time is running out, 11pm is the deadline, they are looking to get it sorted so Partey can become an Arsenal player.”

The Gunners were previously interested in Chelsea midfielder Jorginho. A deal for the Italy international is thought to be unlikely, but not impossible.

Houssem Aouar, meanwhile, is no longer thought to be a target after he declared his desire to stay with Lyon. “I want to continue the adventure with the club who raised me,” Aouar told Telefoot over the weekend.

“I think Thomas Partey is a top draw player,” Merson said. “I nearly fell off my chair with £45m, I don’t think that’s a lot of money at all for the quality of player.

“One thing he brings as well is discipline. Atletico Madrid are probably one of the most disciplined teams in Europe and he will do that. He’s not a midfielder that goes running all over the place, he’s very disciplined and plays in a disciplined team and I think he will be a great signing.

“I think what Mikel Arteta is doing, he’s trying to get rid of the players who aren’t involved, he doesn’t want them hanging around and he wants them out. Fair play, I like what Arsenal are doing.

“The likes of Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Sead Kolasinac aren’t playing at the moment and he doesn’t want them around the club. I like that kind of business. You look at Manchester United and the likes of Phil Jones are still there, but they’re not going to play so what’re they doing there still? Do they want to play football?

“Fair play to the lads at Arsenal, they want to play football so they want to go, they’re not digging their heels in. It’s a short career, play football.”