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Tag: Alexandre Lacazette

  • Magnificent Lacazette free-kick sends Arsenal into Europa League semi-finals

    A magnificent Alexandre Lacazette free-kick sent Arsenal into the 2018/2019 UEFA Europa League semi-finals with a comfortable 1-0 win away to a toothless Napoli on Thursday.

    Arsenal’s win ended Serie A’s interest in European competition this season.

    The Frenchman struck in the 36th minute to earn Arsenal a tie against Valencia.

    Napoli were trailing 2-0 from the first leg, and they were threatening to take control of the game.

    Carlo Ancelotti’s team lost their way after that.

    Arsenal were then able to sit out the second half to reach the semi-finals for the second season in a row with a 3-0 aggregate win.

    In a lively opening half hour, Napoli threatened to make a breakthrough as Jose Callejon’s effort was saved by Petr Cech’s legs.

    Arkadiusz Milik also had a goal chalked off for offside.

    The Pole should have put Napoli ahead minutes later when compatriot Piotr Zielinski’s cross found him unmarked in the penalty area, but he headed wide.

    Arsenal also lost Aaron Ramsey to an apparent hamstring problem.

    But just as it seemed things were going against them, they went ahead as Lacazette curled his free-kick around a poorly-organised wall from 25 metres.

    Arsenal should have wrapped up the game four minutes into the second half.

    But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with only Alex Meret to beat, placed his shot too near the goalkeeper.

    The second half petered out after that as Arsenal sat back and Napoli enjoyed most of the possession but did little with it.

    Lorenzo Insigne shot weakly at Cech after getting clear of the Arsenal defence and was immediately substituted.

    It was a decision which infuriated the forward who watched the rest of the match on the touchline with his arms folded.

    Fabian Ruiz summed up their evening by firing their last chance wildly over the crossbar in stoppage time.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Arsenal climb to third with victory over Newcastle United

    Goals from Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal a 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday.

    The win lifted the north London side to third place in the Premier League above rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.

    Ramsey found his way through a packed defence on the half-hour following a sweeping move.

    The Welsh midfielder found Lacazette and raced forward into the area to meet the return pass with a sweetly timed left-foot shot that went in off the far post.

    Lacazette put the game to bed in the 83rd minute when Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles failed to clear a header into the area from Arsenal substitute Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    The Frenchman nipped in behind Lascelles and chipped an inch-perfect ball over keeper Martin Dubravka to seal the win.

    Read also: Premier League January transfer spending fell for first time since 2012

    The result put Arsenal on 63 points, two ahead of Spurs and Manchester United, with London rivals Chelsea a further point behind.

    The win ensured that Arsenal keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish and qualification for Champions League football next season.

    Newcastle remain in 14th place on 35 points. (Reuters/NAN)

  • Suffering is part of my job – Wenger

    Suffering is part of my job – Wenger

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says suffering is all part of being a manager and admits he has had his fair share of late.

    Yet the smile returned to the Frenchman’s face on Friday after his side snapped a four-match losing streak to beat AC Milan 2-0 in the San Siro the previous evening.

    Arsenal closed in on the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.

    “Any manager will tell you that when you don’t get results the first thing affected is the mood, the lack of sleep,” Wenger said.

    “I’ve managed in 820 or so Premier League games and 200 odd European games but there is no possibility not to suffer. You have to suffer. You have to be capable to go through periods when it’s very difficult.”

    Wenger’s future at Arsenal, where he has been in charge since 1996, has been a source of constant debate.

    His team are down in sixth place in the English Premier League, having suffered a 3-0 thrashing by Manchester City in the English League Cup final.

    He says he has had messages of support from past and current managers, even old adversary Alex Ferguson, and that finding solutions to problems remains an addictive part of the job.

    “The desire to find solutions is interesting as well,” he said. “When you are a young manager you think you can win every game but it’s not like that. It is to survive the disappointments. It can make you a better manager.”

    Wenger says money and ‘starification’ has become too important in football.

    “At the end of the day I have to stand up for what is important for the club,” he said. “I am thankful that I have respect in the game. Football is first about values but my regret is that has gone underwater.”

    Wenger says some of the recent criticism aimed at himself and his players have been over the top.

    “We have to have a little perspective. We got to a Cup final and we fight to be in a Cup final,” the 68-year-old said. “We played against the best team in the country.

    “We have been in four finals in the last five years and lost once, against Man City who is the best team in the country. So, it’s surprising the intensity the storm the players have faced.”

    Arsenal face Watford on Sunday with their hopes of a top-four finish hanging by a thread, as they trail fourth-placed Tottenham by 13 points.

    They will be without injured Alexandre Lacazette and Hector Bellerin against Watford while Sead Kolasinac is a doubt with an ankle problem.

    NAN

  • Wenger to take late call on Aubameyang for Everton clash

    Wenger to take late call on Aubameyang for Everton clash

    Arsenal will assess Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s fitness before deciding if the striker can make his debut for the club in Saturday’s premier league clash with Everton, the club’s Manager Arsene Wenger has said.

    The London club bolstered their forward line by signing the Gabon international from Borussia Dortmund for a club-record fee on Wednesday, but Aubameyang, 28, did not fully participate in Thursday’s training session due to a fever.“ I have to assess how well he is physically today and how well he feels. He had a fever, so he could not practise a lot.

    Read Also: Party Claims: Wenger  opens Iwobi investigation

    “He started yesterday; he was still not completely well. I have to assess with the medical department how fit he can be,” Wenger told a news conference on Friday.

    The manager said that he would take a late call on midfielder Jack Wilshere, who is also unwell.

    “We hope he is capable of being in the squad; he is better. He will practise with the team today, and we will see how he feels,” Wenger added.

    The manager said that Armenian midfielder, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, another of Arsenal’s recruits in the January transfer window, is in line to start against ninth-placed Everton.

    Wenger, however, kept his cards close to his chest when asked if the attacking quartet of Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette could play together on Saturday.

    “It’s always possible. Will I do it? Maybe; I don’t know, but it is possible; yes.

    “You need at least two top strikers to play in the premier league because if one gets injured, you have a problem,” he said.

    Arsenals are sixth in the table with 42 points from 25 games.

    NAN

  • Chelsea complete Giroud signing

    Chelsea complete Giroud signing

    Chelsea have reinforced their attacking line with the signing of French striker Olivier Giroud from Arsenal FC on an 18-month contract, the English Premier League clubs confirmed on Wednesday.

    “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the Premier League,” the 31-year-old said in a statement.

    “They have won maybe the most trophies in the last six or seven years. It’s a massive club and I am proud to sign for Chelsea, and I’m looking forward to playing.”

    Giroud has found it difficult to cement a place in the Arsenal starting line-up this season, with manager Arsene Wenger preferring to start Alexandre Lacazette as a lone striker.

    Giroud has made 16 appearances in the league, with 15 of them coming as a substitute.

    He joined Arsenal from French side Montpellier in 2012 and his goal tally has hit double figures in each of his last five seasons.

     

  • EPL: Sterling stunner keeps City clear, as chasing pack gets wins too

    EPL: Sterling stunner keeps City clear, as chasing pack gets wins too

    Just when the chasing pack thought the Manchester City juggernaut was suffering a misfire Raheem Sterling scored a stunning stoppage-time winner to give the English Premier League leaders a lift.

    They earned a 2-1 victory over Southampton on Wednesday to move to 40 points.

    With Manchester United having cut the gap to five points and Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool winning, any City stutter would have been cause for celebration.

    But Pep Guardiola’s side thundered on with a club record 12th successive league victory.

    Former Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu had cancelled out Kevin De Bruyne’s opener in the 75th minute.

    But six minutes into stoppage time Sterling, for the third match running, snatched City’s winner, this time with a sublime curling shot.

    Manager Antonio Conte was sent to the stands after a verbal meltdown at Stamford Bridge as his Chelsea side laboured to a 1-0 defeat of struggling Swansea City at Stamford Bridge.

    Antonio Rudiger’s first Premier League goal sealed victory.

    “I have apologised because I did the wrong thing,” Conte said of his angry reaction to a fourth official when his side were denied a corner kick in the first half.

    “I have been in to see them after the game. It’s right to speak and apologise with them.”

    Arsenal struck three goals in four second-half minutes as they thrashed Huddersfield Town 5-0 with Mesut Ozil scoring one and supplying assists for Olivier Giroud, who scored a brace, and Alexis Sanchez.

    Alexandre Lacazette’s early goal had separated the sides before the interval although the French striker went off with a suspected groin injury.

    He will probably miss Saturday’s home clash against Manchester United.

    Arsenal have won 12 consecutive home matches.

    Liverpool moved into fifth place with Mohamed Salah taking his tally for the season to a chart-topping 12, thanks to a double in a 3-0 victory at Stoke City.

    After 14 games City have 40 points, with United on 32, Chelsea 29, Arsenal 28 and Liverpool 26.

    Burnley are now sixth, ahead of a sliding Tottenham Hotspur, as Chris Wood and Robbie Brady scored in a 2-1 victory at Bournemouth — their fourth win in five league games.

    “Where we are in the league, everyone will be surprised by that,” Burnley boss Sean Dyche said.

    Wayne Rooney scored a hat-trick, the third with a wonder goal from inside his own half, as Everton thrashed West Ham United 4-0.

    It was a horrible return to Goodison Park for David Moyes whose West Ham side remained in the bottom three.

    Sam Allardyce, who will be named shortly as Everton’s new manager, watched on from the stands as caretaker boss David Unsworth signed off with a victory that lifted Everton to 13th.

    Whatever happens below them, City are looking unstoppable and with 40 points from 14 games and a goal difference of 35 they have recorded the best start in Premier League history.

    They were not at their fluent best and Southampton came closest to scoring before the break with Wesley Hoedt striking the woodwork for the visitors.

    But Sterling’s effort sparked wild celebrations at the Etihad as the former Liverpool player struck yet another late goal to take his tally for the season to 13.

    He has now earned City nine extra points this season with his timely interventions and his latest effort was arguably his best, picking out the top corner with an unstoppable effort.

    “Raheem is a match-winner, I am so happy for him. He is special, it was an amazing goal. It is more than important, it is beautiful,” Guardiola, whose side have dropped only two points this season, said.

    City are now two wins away from matching Arsenal’s record 14-match winning run in the Premier League.

    NAN

  • Lacazette vows to bring Griezmann to Arsenal

    Lacazette vows to bring Griezmann to Arsenal

     

    Alexandre Lacazette has vowed to ask close friend Antoine Griezmann to join him at Arsenal in an interview with Match of the Day magazine.

    Griezmann has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester United over the past year but signed a new contract at Atletico Madrid this summer in light of the Spanish club’s transfer ban.

    Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid have also been linked with the 26-year-old, with Lacazette hoping his friendship with his France international team-mate could give the Gunners a chance at what would be a stunning transfer coup.

    “We are very good friends and have lots of fun,” Lacazette said. “Our nicknames for each other are Griezzy and Lacaz.

    “If Griezzy visits me in London, I’m going to ask him to sign for Arsenal!”

    Arsenal’s £52.7million record signing, Lacazette has adapted swiftly to the demands of the Premier League, scoring four goals in his first four home games.

    He may be firmly settled in the Emirates but for now the move from Lyon to London has brought a few teething problems for Lacazette.

    “I like London, but the weather isn’t great! I’m having English lessons at the moment,” he added.

    “Someone told me to avoid English food as it’s not very good for footballers.

    “The main difference between here and France is there are A LOT of very good strikers here – Kane, Lukaku, Aguero, Jesus, Vardy, Morata. It’s going to be a challenge!”

    Griezmann in June 2017, amid speculation that he could leave Atlético after the conclusion of the 2016–17 season, he extended his contract at the club by one year, until 2022.

  • lacazette to begin Arsenal show  against Sydney FC 

    lacazette to begin Arsenal show  against Sydney FC 

     

    Fresh Emirates Stadium import Alexandre Lacazette was included in the 25-man squad jetted out to Australia and China for pre-season tour. Also included is Olivier Giroud, an indication that he is not eyeing a move out of Emirates.

    The 30–year-old striker, a target for Everton and Marseille, boarded the flight to Sydney with the Gunners’ travelling party on Sunday.

    Giroud’s future is in doubt after Lacazette’s arrival but his inclusion is a strong indication that the Frenchman wishes to stay and fight for his place.

    Alexis Sanchez, who has been linked with a switch to Premier League rivals Manchester City, and Shkodran Mustafi have both been given extended leave following their participation in the Confederations Cup while Lucas Perez has stayed behind to continue negotiations with Deportivo La Coruna.

    Arsenal’s other new arrival, Sead Kolasinac, boarded the Emirates flight via Dubai, but there was no place in the group for Mathieu Debuchy, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson, which signals their likely departures.

    The full touring squad include; Petr Cech, Emi Martinez, David Ospina, Krystian Bielik, Cohen Bramall, Francis Coquelin, Mohamed Elneny, Olivier Giroud, Alex Iwobi, Sead Kolasinac, Laurent Koscielny, Alexandre Lacazette, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Donyell Malen, Per Mertesacker, Nacho Monreal, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Joe Willock, Granit Xhaka.

    Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers and Rob Holding have also been given extra time off following the European Under-21 Championship while injury victims Jack Wilshere and Gabriel have both stayed behind as they continue their recoveries.

    The party includes a number of youngsters with Wenger keen to give them a taste of life as a first-teamer.

    Joe Willock, Krystian Bielik, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and Donyell Malen have all made the 12,000-mile trip.

    Arsenal will go on to play Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium on Thursday before taking on Western Sydney Wanderers at the same venue on Saturday.

    The group will then depart on Sunday for China, where they will take on Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

  • Arsenal ready to top £50million for Lacazette

    Arsenal ready to top £50million for Lacazette

     

    Arsenal are poised to shatter their transfer record by paying more than £50million to sign French striker Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.

    Sources in France say the 26-year-old, who scored 37 goals in 45 games last season, has told friends he believes a deal worth more than £50m including add-ons is close to being agreed.

    Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas had claimed earlier this week that Lacazette, who has spent his entire career with the club, was not likely to move but Arsenal, whose transfer record is the £42.5m they spent on Mesut Ozil, have refused to give up the chase.

    Meanwhile Alexis Sanchez claims he knows whether he will stay at Arsenal or leave this summer – but the Chile forward is refusing to make his decision public.

    The 28-year-old has one year left on his deal and has yet to commit his future to the Premier League club amid interest from the likes of Manchester City.

    He is on international duty at the Confederations Cup with Chile, who face Germany in the final on Sunday. When asked whether his future remains uncertain, the forward said: ‘It’s clear but I can’t tell you.’

    Sanchez was ready to quit Arsenal this summer after being dropped for the defeat at Liverpool as his relationship with Arsene Wenger and his team-mates became strained.

    However he scored 24 Premier League goals last season and the Gunners are determined to keep hold of him.