The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arsenal

  • Arsenal boss Wenger criticises Premier League’s VAR delay

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said the Premier League’s decision to delay the implementation of the video assistant referee (VAR) system means the English top flight is being left behind.

    The 20 top-flight teams voted against introducing the system for the leagues 2018-19 seasons after trial runs in the cup competitions received mixed reviews.

    “The Premier League has been created with people who had a progressive mind…,” Wenger told reporters after Arsenal’s 2-1 league defeat by Newcastle United on Sunday.

    “Overall, I believe that with that decision we are behind the rest of the world.

    Read Also: Arsenal’s Wenger understands Mertesacker’s wish to retire

    “The young generation is used to (VAR) and worldwide they might move away from us because they see that in other countries they do it.

    “Unfortunately the Premier League has again decided not to go for VAR and personally I believe that is a very, very bad decision,” Wenger added.

    “Every big game this season has been decided by mistakes that could have been avoided with VAR, especially in the Champions League with Manchester City and Liverpool.”

    Arsenal host West Ham United on Sunday.

    NAN

  • Arsenal wary of rejuvenated Musa

    ENGLISH Premier League club, Arsenal is reportedly disturbed about CSKA Moscow’s rejuvenated forward Ahmed Musa, who is on loan from Leicester City, as both sides clash in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday, AOIFootball.com reports.

    Musa, who has found his form following his return to the club where he won three Russian Premier League titles, knows the Arsene Wenger-tutored side in and out, having played against them, while at Leicester, and will be the main man to watch on Thursday night.

    The Nigerian forward has scored two goals since returning, including an important one in the second leg against Lyon that saw his team qualify for the quarterfinals.

    Arsene Wenger’s side is brimming with confidence following their 3-0 victory over Stoke City at the weekend but will be battle ready at the Emirates when they host CSKA.

    Meanwhile, Musa is among the four strikers in the Army Men’s traveling party, and will compete for one of the attacking positions with Vitinho, Timur Zhamaletdinov and Fedor Chalov.

    The Leicester City loanee will be hoping to play his 36th game in a European club competition against the Gunners.

    Fellow Nigeria international Alex Iwobi, who was benched in Arsenal’s 3-0 win against Stoke City last weekend, is in contention to play his fifth game in the Europa League against the Muscovites.

    CSKA Moscow Squad

    Goalkeepers: Igor Akinfeev, Ilya Pomazun.

    Defenders: Vasili Berezutski, Kirill Nababkin, Aleksei Berezutski, Sergei Ignashevich, Georgy Schennikov.

    Midfielders: Pontus Wernbloom, Aleksandr Golovin, Alan Dzagoev, Bibras Natkho, Konstantin Kuchaev, Khetag Khosonov, Georgi Milanov,Kristijan Bistrovic.

    Forwards: Vitinho, Timur Zhamaletdinov, Ahmed Musa, Fedor Chalov.

  • Mohamed Elneny extends Arsenal contract

     

    Egypt midfielder Mohamed Elneny has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal  The 25-year-old joined from Basle in January 2016 and has since made 65 appearances for the Gunners. The length of his new deal was not disclosed.

    ‘We’re pleased to announce that Mo Elneny has signed a new long-term contract with the club,’ Arsenal said.

    After penning his new deal Elneny took to twitter, writing: ‘Officially we will be together for a longer time, in order to reach what we started, and to put Arsenal in its deserved spot in Europe and the whole world.’

    Boss Arsene Wenger said at the start of the season: ‘He is a fantastic boy, we love him here. His best years are in front of him.

    ‘It took him some time to adapt to the intensity of the games and I think he was not aggressive enough for the Premier League (initially). But now he has added that to his game.’

    Officially we will be together for a longer time, in order to reach what we started, and to put arsenal in it’s deserved spot In Europe and the whole world

    Elneny began his senior career with El Mokawloon in Egypt’s top flight before moving to Switzerland with Basle in 2013.

    He was in the Egypt squad which qualified for this summer’s World Cup for the first time in 28 years.

    He has scored two goals for the Gunners, in his first campaign in a 3-1 loss at Barcelona, and this season in December’s 6-0 win over Bate Borisov.

    Elneny helped the National Under-23 team qualify for the 2012 Olympics where he played in all four games as the team reached the last eight, and were knocked out by Japan.

    He Was in The Egypt Squad in Africa Cup of Nations 2017 in Gabon, Which finished as Runner-ups.

    The Pharaohs currently in super shape coupled with the killer form of Liverpool ace Mohammed Salah are looking forward to impressive outing in Russia, the third time they will be participating in the ‘world cup after 1934 and 1990 editions.

    In continuation of preparation for the World cup Egypt last Friday took on Portugal in an international friendly that ended 2-1 in favour of Portugal.  The team will continue the build up with another friendly against Greece on Tuesday. Other shape up matches being planned will be against Kuwait and Belgium respectively before the world cup where Egypt have been pitched against Uruguay, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

  • No stopping Aubameyang on the fast lane

     

    Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is known for his flashy lifestyle and the striker’s collection of supercars is evidence of his wealth.

    The Gabon international is starting to settle in England on the pitch and it appears that he is doing so off it as well as he has imported a selection of his cars, which are parked outside the luxury hotel that he is staying in.

    Aubameyang’s stunning array of vehicles are worth around £850,000 combined, while he has another £2million worth of cars back in Germany, where he previously played for Borussia Dortmund.

    Aubameyang’s impressive Porsche Panamera Turbo Techart is worth £140,000 and is part of the collection he has imported

    Aubameyang’s speed is his key asset and that description certainly fits some of his cars, with his collection comprised of a Porsche Panamera Turbo Techart (valued at £140,000), a Lamborghini Aventador (£270,000), a Ferrari 812 Superfast (£250,000) and a Range Rover Sport Mansory (£150,000).

    The 28-year-old has a host of other cars still that aren’t currently in England, including a Ferrari 458 Italia (£200,000), an Aston Martin DB9 Volante 2 (£140,000) and an Audi R8 V10 Plus (£128,000).

    Aubameyang is earning £180,000 a week at Arsenal after joining the club from Dortmund in the closing stages of the January transfer window.

    Aubameyang is clearly settling into life in England by bringing some of his cars with him only shortly after his move

    It has been a mixed start for Aubameyang at Arsenal as he has caught the eye in some games and appeared isolated up front in others, but his overall return of three goals in six games is quite impressive.

    Ineligible for Arsenal’s Europa League fixtures given that Dortmund dropped down into the competition from the Champions League, Aubameyang has led the line for the Gunners in the Premier League and scored in the recent victory over Watford.

    Aubameyang is currently on international duty with Gabon, for whom he is expected to feature in a friendly against Thailand on Thursday.

    If Aubameyang manages to find the net in that game then he will become Gabon’s outright all-time leading scorer; he is currently level with Theodore Nzue Nguema on 23 goals.

    Once he returns to Arsenal, Aubameyang will hope to finish the season in positive fashion as he continues to adapt to his new surroundings. Arsenal’s next game after the international break is at home to Stoke on April 1.

  • Arsenal’s Wenger understands Mertesacker’s wish to retire

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he understands club skipper Per Mertesacker’s desire to stop playing next season because of the mental and physical toll the game has taken on the German.

    The World Cup-winning defender said in an interview with German publication Der Spiegel that his “body was finished” and that he would rather sit on the bench or in the stands.

    Mertesacker has made only 11 appearances for Arsenal this season.

    Arsenal had already announced the 33-year-old would take up a role with the Premier League club’s academy next season.

    Wenger was asked about Mertesacker’s comments at a news conference on the eve of Thursday’s Europa League last 16 clash at home to AC Milan which they lead 2-0 from the first leg.

    “The quotes weren’t a surprise for me,” Wenger said.

    “To be a pro footballer is high expectations. They are very demanding of themselves and that creates stress.

    “There is huge expectation from the environment they are in and that creates stress. To play at the level they play you need a huge resistance to stress. You are depending on your body.”

    Wenger described Mertesacker, who he signed from Werder Bremen in 2011, as the model professional and said he could change his mind about playing again.

    Read Also: Suffering is part of my job – Wenger

    “I think once you stop for a few months you are ready to play again,” Wenger said. “Of course, he’s had a very long career and he puts pressure (on himself) in every single training (session).

    “He never plays one minute without being totally focussed and that demands a huge amount of effort which is why he made the career he has made.”

    Wenger’s side have had an upturn in form after a four-match losing sequence in all competitions, beating Milan away followed by a 3-0 Premier League win at home to Watford.

    However, they are 12 points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool so their most realistic hope of qualifying for next season’s Champions League is by winning the Europa League.

    Midfielder Aaron Ramsey said finishing off Milan would not be easy but the Europa League was a ‘massive opportunity’.

    “We saw how good they are and we can’t take our foot off the gas,” the Welshman said. “We’ll treat it as 0-0 and go out to try and win the game, that’s the right mentality.

    “It’s a massive opportunity for us. This game is very important for us and our season.”

    NAN

  • Iwobi lectures Auba,Mkhitaryan on Arsenal sojourn

    Iwobi lectures Auba,Mkhitaryan on Arsenal sojourn

     

    Experience cannot be bought in the market and only those who have it can share it.

    That is the best way to capture assignment given to Super Eagles and Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi to share his thoughts on what it means to be an Arsenal player with new teammates Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan

    Mkhitaryan swapped Manchester United for Arsenal in a sensational swap deal involving Alexis Sanchez while his former

    Borussia Dortmund team-mate Aubameyang quickly followed him through the Emirates Stadium door.

    It usually takes a while for new players to bed into their new environment but Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi have made sure they settle into life in north London.

    Bellerin and Iwobi ask the new boys what the fans have been singing about them and they respond by flexing their vocalchords.

    The quartet then jokingly discuss who has the worst dress sense with right back Bellerin teased for his flamboyant style while Aubameyang also explains why he wore a white fur coat to a Dortmund game back in February 2016.

    Their discussion then turns to the players’ WhatsApp group where midfielder Mohamed Elneny is shamed for constantly sending messages.

    Iwobi then names Danny Welbeck as the biggest joker when it comes to sending banter in the messaging group.

    They then explain who the club’s biggest rivals are with the duo highlighting games against their London rivals as the ones to look out for – with Tottenham given special attention.

    The video ends with Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang learning London slang with ‘peak’ (bad), ‘peng’ (nice) and ‘madting’ (crazy)all explained to the January additions.

    Arsenal who have had a rough ride in recent times losing back to back to Manchester United, will be hoping wake on the right side bed on Thursday when the Gunners face AC Milan in the first leg of their last-16 tie in Italy.

    Arsene Wenger’s side then hosts the Italian giants at the Emirates next week.

    Aubameyang is ineligible to play in the Europa League but Mkhitaryan is available for selection.

  • Everton ready to offer Wenger soft landing

    Everton ready to offer Wenger soft landing

     

    EVERTON are set to offer Arsene Wenger an immediate return to Premier League management if he is sacked by Arsenal.

    Wenger’s Arsenal reign hit its lowest point as his side crashed to defeat at Brighton, the first time they have lost four games on the trot in 16 years.

    The ‘Wenger Out’ banners were out in force at the Amex Stadium while sections of Arsenal’s travelling fans chanted for the axe to fall.

    But the under-fire boss is wanted by Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, who feels Wenger is the ideal candidate to revive the Merseyside club’s fortunes.

    Asked if he feared his long reign as Gunners boss was coming to an end, Wenger replied: “I don’t want to talk about my future today. At the moment, my future is not my main worry.

    “My worry is to get Arsenal winning football games. Then we’ll see where we go from there. I’ll try and give my best as long as I am here.”

    It remains to be seen whether Arsenal’s board are ready to show Wenger the door, either before the end of the season or in the summer when his contract will still have one more year to run.

    But Iranian billionaire Moshiri is already preparing for life without Sam Allardyce, who looks on borrowed time at Everton after they slumped to their sixth successive away defeat at Watford on Saturday.

    And Wenger is top of Moshiri’s list for the rebuilding job at Goodison Park.

    Prior to Moshiri’s Goodison investment he was involved in Arsenal, owning 15% of the club alongside Uzbek-born Russian business magnate Alisher Usmanov.

    Despite Everton’s interest, Wenger, 68, maintains he is still the man to rejuvenate Arsenal.

    “I’ve done it before,” he said. “I believe a quality of manager is to try and shorten a crisis, and I believe I can do that.”

    Those Arsenal supporters calling for his head will take some convincing, while Arsenal skipper Laurent Koscielny claimed Wenger must take his share of the blame.

    “The player has responsibility on the pitch and the boss has responsibility too” said Koscielny.

    “We need to be together. It’s difficult to say it’s his fault or our fault. It’s everyone in the club.”

  • Wenger:My focus is on City match not season review

    Wenger:My focus is on City match not season review

     

    Arsene Wenger has fired back over doubts surrounding his future as Arsenal manager

    Wenger has refused to confirm he will be Arsenal manager next season as uncertainty over his future mounts.

    In an intriguing press conference, the Frenchman grew tetchy at questions about his job, ultimately declining to confront assertions that his time at the club is drawing to a close.

    The under-pressure boss claimed he is ‘amazed’ his job is under such scrutiny given he has ‘turned down the world’ to remain in north London.

    Wenger has rejected approaches from Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich during his tenure at Arsenal.

    But Sportsmail revealed this week that the club will review Wenger’s position this summer with the prospect of ending his 22-year reign emerging as a genuine option.

    And in response to the scrutiny over his job and the pending review, Wenger said: ‘My position is my position.

    ‘Honestly, that’s the last worry I have at the moment. My worry is to focus, to get the team ready for tomorrow’s game (against Manchester City).’

    When asked to confirm whether he has been informed of the end of season review, Wenger continued: ‘I just told you, I just gave you the answer of what my way of thinking is.

    ‘It’s the next game. We are in that kind of situation where you want to focus on the next game. I don’t ask you if your position is reviewed at the end of the season.

    ‘My job is to focus on performing and my job is to perform. It’s for other people to judge me; it isn’t for me to evaluate that.

    Meanwhile the club have  announced that they made a huge profit from their summer transfer dealings, as the club struggles to make the Premier League top four.

    The club sold Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wojciech Szczesny, Kieran Gibbs and Gabriel in the summer, leaving the club with a massive financial surplus.

    In their financial results for the six months until the end of November 2017, Arsenal revealed they have made ‘profits on sale of players, amounting to £58.4million’.

  • It’s a golden affair for Aubameyang!

    It’s a golden affair for Aubameyang!

    Life must go on is probably the best way to capture the action of former Dortmund and Gunners new buy  Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

    Arsenal may have suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Manchester City in Sunday’s EFL Cup final.

    But Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang didn’t let their embarrassing 3-0 loss by Pep Guardiola’s side prevent him from enjoying himself on Monday night.

    The striker, who became Arsenal’s record signing when he arrived from Borussia Dortmund for £56million in January, was seen leaving Nobu Berkeley Street alongside his girlfriend Alysha Behague.

    Aubameyang is famed for his flashy lifestyle and he and Behague were pictured heading away from the restaurant in an incredible gold Range Rover.

    The striker, who wore a sparkling jacket and high-top trainers, was enjoying some down time a day on from Arsenal’s crushing defeat by Manchester City

    Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva all got on the scoresheet as Guardiola picked up his first trophy since taking over the Premier League club.

    Arsene Wenger’s players came in for heavy criticism for their display on Sunday. But Jack Wilshere claimed that two of City’s goals should not have been allowed to stand and that City should have been reduced to 10 men.

    Writing on Instagram, Wilshere made a case for Aguero’s opener being disallowed for a foul on Shkodran Mustafi, before suggesting that Kompany’s strike should have been ruled out because Leroy Sane was offside and interfering with play.

    ‘City are a good team and deserved to win yesterday. A lot of people have had their say on us and we have to accept criticism when we lose that being said I can’t accept some of the decisions that went against us.

    ‘Whatever you say about the first goal it was a foul. The second goal is offside. There should have been a second yellow in the first half.

    ‘Yes this happens in football but it’s still hard to accept. And people will say we are looking for excuses but these are facts.’

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Ramsey demands raise in £110,000 a week wage

    Ramsey demands raise in £110,000 a week wage

     

    Arsenal are concerned that midfielder Aaron Ramsey could follow the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez by running his contract into its final year.

    Ramsey’s current deal expires in the summer of 2019 and Arsenal are eager to retain the services of the Welshman, who has made more appearances, 318, for the club than any other current member of the first-team squad.

    As reported by The Times, Ramsey wants a significant increase on his current wages of £110,000 a week, especially with recent signings Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang earning around £170,000 a week each.

    Arsenal want to avoid a repeat of the situation that saw Ozil and Sanchez, as well as Jack Wilshere, enter the last year of their contracts with their futures still uncertain.

    Ozil eventually signed a new deal earlier this month that saw him up his wages to around £300,000 a week, while Sanchez joined Manchester United and Wilshere has yet to commit to a new contract.

    Ramsey has scored six goals and provided eight assists in 18 Premier League appearances for Arsenal this season but has missed several games through injury.

    The 27-year-old’s representative recently left his agency and set up a new company, which has delayed negotiations over Ramsey’s new deal, but isn’t expected to be a significant problem going forwards.

    Ramsey, having recovered from illness, will hope to start when Arsenal take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

    Arsenal’s next Premier League game is also against City, with the sides meeting at Emirates Stadium next week.