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Friday 15 November 2013
Wednesday 13 November 2013
How Arsenal FC can bounce back from Man Utd defeat
particularly considering they have now lost their last eight
fixtures there in all competitions and haven’t picked up a
victory at Manchester United since 2006.
Flying high in the league, Sunday’s 1-0 loss allowed other
title challengers to gain some ground on The Gunners – not
least the opponents themselves, Manchester United.
But it’s by no means the end of the world for Arsenal. They
must remember that despite the loss, they are still leading the
way in the Premier League. It’s their first loss in the league
since the opening day defeat at the hands of Christian Benteke
and Aston Villa, and they still look like the team to beat in the
top division. There’s no shame in losing to the Champions.
It’s also vital that the supporters remember that this Arsenal
squad was without many key players. Had Per Mertesacker
been on hand to organise the defence as he does so well on a
weekly basis, Robin Van Persie may not have had the chance
to score that goal from a set piece. Had Tomas Rosicky been
available to attempt to create something from nothing as he
so often does, Arsenal may not have been so frustrated in
their attempts to unlock the Manchester United defence.
Then there are players like Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-
Chamberlain, who The Gunners have been missing for the vast
majority of the season so far. Even players like Mesut Ozil and
Jack Wilshere weren’t fully fit and so weren’t able to
contribute the way we know they can during Sunday’s clash.
When these players are fully fit and Wenger finally has a full
squad at his disposal, players will be able to fit into their
positions more comfortably also. Ramsey was pushed out
wide on Sunday’s match simply due to the lack of players
who could play out there, despite the fact he has been so
effective in the centre of the park this season. Wilshere has
had to do the same earlier on in the season.
Arsenal really struggled to get anyone behind Manchester
United’s defence – there was nobody making runs from
midfield beyond the lone frontman Oliver Giroud. Ramsey and
Wilshere can do this from midfield, whereas Ozil and Flamini
are less likely to make those driving runs forward into the
space, as they both like to receive the ball into feet and make
the creative pass themselves.
Arsene Wenger has claimed that nerves contributed to
Arsenal’s performance too. He said himself: "We were too
nervous in the first half. We haven’t won for a long time here
too."
Such nerves and such stats will not apply for Arsenal in other
games. The nerves will ease as the confidence arrives, and
the confidence will come with winning more games, and
playing more games against top opposition. Arsenal still have
a relatively inexperienced squad, and those that do have
experience at top level, such as Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil
generally have the majority of it playing away from the
Premier League. They’ll get used to these big game occasions
in time.
Arsenal have come through their toughest patch of fixtures so
far this season with two disappointing results and two
excellent ones, and can now look forward to a run of winnable
fixtures. Four of their next five games in all competitions come
at The Emirates stadium.
If they rebuild some momentum with another run of victories,
they can still head into a difficult Christmas period high in
high spirits and looking to challenge for that elusive Premier
League title.
Man Utd goalkeeper David De Gea says criticism has made him stronger
shaky start at the club has helped him become a better
player.
De Gea firmly established himself as United's No. 1 last
season after a tough start at Old Trafford following his move
from Atletico Madrid in 2011, and although David Moyes' side
have been less than convincing so far this season, the
Spaniard has been one of their most consistent performers.
"They were difficult times. It was hard for me," he told The
Sun .
"It wasn't easy hearing criticism but I tried to use it to
motivate me and make stronger.
"I like to think that from bad things you can derive good
results."
De Gea also admitted that he found it difficult to move away
from Madrid at such a young age, revealing that he felt the
weight of expectation following his £17.8million move to
United.
"I was very young," the 22-year-old added.
"I had arrived at a new club from another country, I was
learning a whole new language, I was adapting to a new style
of football and new team-mates.
"That's a lot to take in and I think it's natural that it will take
a little bit of time to settle."
Man Utd target Marco Reus has buy-out clause admit Borussia Dortmund
reportedly a January target for Manchester United, has a buy-
out clause in his contract.
Reus has been linked with Arsenal and Real Madrid
throughout 2013, but on Tuesday, The Times reported that
United boss David Moyes is weighing up an ambitious move
for the midfielder, as part of a deal that could lead to Shinji
Kagawa returning to the Bundesliga club.
And Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke has confirmed the
highly-rated 24-year-old does have a release clause his
contract at the Westfalenstadion.
"Marco Reus possesses a release clause option in his current
contract at our club," Watzke told SPORT1media .
"He could leave our club due to that. He is, however, the only
player in our first team squad that has such a contract
clause."
Reus, who is under contract with Dortmund until 2017, is
believed to be available for around £30million.
Dortmund recently confirmed their interest in re-signing
Kagawa, who has had little opportunity to operate in his
preferred central position under Moyes this season.
Chelsea FC midfielder Ramires plays down talk of Real Madrid CF move
he continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid.
Former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, now in charge at Real, is
rumoured to be keen on luring the Brazil international at some
point next year.
However, Ramires has reiterated that he is happy at Stamford
Bridge, and maintains any transfer would come as a result of
Chelsea's desire to sell, rather than his own desire to leave
west London.
"I see the interest of Real Madrid as recognition of my good
work in Europe, but I'm under contract with Chelsea and it
would be unethical of me to comment," Ramires
told Sambafoot .
"For the moment, these are only rumours.
"I am very happy here. I am respected and part of the club's
history.
"If I leave, Chelsea would have to make the decision. Chelsea
are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I have realised
my dream here."
Ramires did admit, however, that a return to his homeland at
some point in his career is on the cards.
"Everyone knows my admiration for Cruzeiro. Along with
Joinville, they are my favourite team in Brazil," he added.
"I watch their games from London and the team has played
very well this season. I hope it will continue like that.
"I hope to wear the new Cruzeiro jersey before ending my
career."
Ba to Arsenal FC? Gundogan to Man Utd? Dembele to Liverpool FC? Tuesday's transfer round-up
24 hours...
- Arsenal could make a shock £15million bid for Chelsea
striker Demba Ba in January, according to the Daily Star .
- Chelsea's interest in Max Meyer has been confirmed by
Schalke, with the club's sporting director Horst Heldt
telling Kicker : "There is no official offer from Chelsea. But I
have heard of the interest."
- Liverpool have joined the chase for Fulham’s emerging
French striker Moussa Dembele, according to the Daily Mirror .
- Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has emerged
as a target for Arsenal and Manchester United, according to
the Daily Star .
- Porto have admitted that Eliaquim Mangala could be sold
for the right price as Chelsea and Manchester United continue
to be linked with the defender.
- Thiago Motta, who has been linked with Chelsea and
Juventus, has refused to rule out leaving Paris Saint-Germain .
"I'm fine in Paris but I want to be seen as important," Motta
was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.
"If not, we'll look for an alternative solution."
- Barcelona star Lionel Messi could move to the Premier
League in the next few years, according to Manchester City
striker Alvaro Negredo.
"I could see someone like Messi coming to England and
following players like David Silva, Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla,
David De Gea and myself. He could play well in any league in
the world," Negredo was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.
"Maybe in two or five years he will get bored with La Liga,
want a change and come over here. The Premier League is the
best place to be for the world's top stars. Having been here
for a few months, it is better than I thought it would be. Your
expectations go up here."
Chelsea FC renew interest in Radamel Falcao
Radamel Falcao next year.
Falcao was a target for a number of top clubs from across
Europe, and was widely believed to be Chelsea's top transfer
target, before he signed for Monaco during the summer in a
deal worth around €60million.
The last transfer window also saw Manchester United linked
with the 27-year-old, along with Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Real are still believed to be keen on signing Falcao, but
according to the Daily Mirror, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
will watch the forward in action for Colombia against Belgium
on Thursday night as he considers tabling a bid at some point
next year.
According to Tuesday's report, Mourinho is weighing up
bidding £60million - which would be a British transfer record -
either in January or next summer as he looks to land a top
striker after missing out on Manchester United's Wayne
Rooney during the last transfer window.
Speaking last month, Falcao insisted he is happy at Monaco,
but refused to rule out the possibility of a move after being
linked with a move to Madrid.
"All I can do is thank Florentino for his words but I have to
respect my current club Monaco, who have made me feel very
good and I am very happy," he said at a promotional event in
Bogota.
"It doesn't seem right to talk about Real Madrid's possible
interest at the moment out of respect for the institution to
which I am contracted to as of today."
Man Utd keen on Alberto Moreno to replace Patrice Evra
Sevilla's Alberto Moreno as a candidate to replace Patrice
Evra next season.
Evra, who is out of contract next summer, recently hinted that
his future may lie away from Old Trafford.
And according to Estadio Deportivo , the Red Devils are keen
on signing 21-year-old Moreno, who recently won his first cap
for Spain, as a replacement for the Frenchman.
Moreno, who has reportedly also caught the eye of Real
Madrid in recent months, is under contract until 2018 and is
rumoured to have a buy-out clause set at around £25million.
Speculation about Evra's future in Manchester has been
ongoing for several weeks after he hinted that he could be
ready to leave the club.
The France international last month revealed that "Manchester
United would like me to finish my career there, but this is
something personal."
United boss David Moyes responded by insisting he has a
very high opinion of the left-back.
"I don't know how you see Patrice in France but in
Manchester we have a very high opinion of him," Moyes
told L'Equipe .
"He has been a great figure in the dressing room since I have
been at the club."
Earlier this season, Moyes had insisted that United's
deadline-day pursuit of Leighton Baines and Fabio Coentrao
was an attempt to help Evra rather than push him out of the
Old Trafford exit door.
But the 32-year-old recently told Telefoot when asked whether
he was concerned that his contract is due to expire next year:
"No, [I'm] not at all [concerned].
"It is a personal thing.
"It is not that Manchester United do not want me to sign a
new contract. This whole thing is personal.
"Manchester United would like me to finish my career there,
but this is something personal."
FC Barcelona star Lionel Messi working hard to recover from injury
recover from injury after being ruled out for up to eight
weeks with a tear in his left hamstring.
Messi, who has been plagued by injuries throughout 2013,
limped out of Sunday's La Liga game against Real Betis, and
on Monday the Spanish giants confirmed that the Argentina
international is set to be out for between six to eight weeks
with the injury.
The 26-year-old, who had missed games towards the end of
last season with a hamstring problem, had to be substituted
against Atletico Madrid in August with a left thigh problem. He
also injured his thigh against Almeria in September.
And Messi has now revealed his disappointment at being
sidelined yet again.
"As many of you know, over the next few weeks I will be
working full-time on the recovery of this new injury, for me it
is a pity not to play with my team right now," he wrote on his
Facebook page.
"Now what is most important is to recover well to help my
team-mates and give back all the support you have given to
me in the best way I know how to do, playing football. Thank
you for your messages!"
Messi is likely to miss games against Granada, Villarreal and
Getafe, as well as both legs of the Copa del Rey clash with FC
Cartagena, and upcoming Champions League group games
against Ajax and Celtic.
He will also miss the upcoming international friendlies against
Ecuador and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ex-Mourinho understudy Karanka unveiled as Middlesbrough boss
Mowbray as the Championship side's manager, having agreed
a two-and-a-half year contract at the Riverside Stadium
Middlesbrough have appointed former Real Madrid assistant
coach Aitor Karanka as their new manager.
The former right-hand man to Jose Mourinho will begin work
at the Riverside Stadium immediately after agreeing a two-
and-a-half year deal at the club.
Karanka, who was Mourinho's No.2 in Spain, is
Middlesbrough's first-ever foreign coach and is excited to be
working at a club recommended to him by the Portuguese.
"It's a very important day for me - it's my new job," he
enthused to reporters.
"I think it's the best thing in the world because I find a club
like a family, with a big stadium, big supporters.
"It's my time. I have worked with Jose Mourinho and he was
a great influence, I learned a lot from him. He's a person who
has helped me for months I always speak with him and he
told me to come here."
Middlesbrough's chief executive, Neil Bausor, told the club's
official website: "We are delighted that Aitor has decided to
further his coaching career with Middlesbrough as our head
coach.
"He brings with him some fantastic experience as a player and
as a talented young coach. We are all excited about working
with him."
Karanka played for Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid and Colorado
Rapids in a career spanning 15 years before becoming
Madrid's assistant in 2010.
Enyeama extends clean slates to eleven matches in Ligue 1
The Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper has remained unbeaten in goal for his French league outfit following another impressive showing at Guingamp Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama continued his inspiring run in the French club, Lille on Saturday night as they forced hosts Guingamp to a goalless draw at a rain soaked Stade du Roudourou. It was the former Maccabi Tel Aviv safest pair of hand’s 13th league appearance for René Girard's side as he thwarted clear-cut chances by the hosts to secure maximum points against his injury-depleted team. One of his biggest highlight of the night was a brilliant save in the 60th minute off Mustapha Yatabaré's header following a cross whipped by Reynald Lemaître from the left hand side of Lille’s defence before blocking Fatih Atik's attempt to break the deadlock. Last weekend, Enyeama had kept out Radamel Falcao and his team-mates time and again when his club hosted AS Monaco in a week 12 encounter. The last time he conceded a goal was against Nice which they lost 2-0 at home in a week 5 encounter. Lille are currently second with 27 points on the French league table. PSG keeper Salvatore Sirigu holds the record in the French Ligue 1 for the longest time without conceding a goal. His record lasted from November 17, 2012 to February 8, 2013.
Italy announce squad for Nigeria friendly
confront Nigeria in an international friendly billed for Fulham's
Craven Cottage stadium, London on November 18.
The Europeans will play Germany in Milan on November 15
before engaging Keshi's men who will also take on the Walia
Antelopes in a crunch World Cup qualifying play-offs in
Calabar on Saturday, November 16.
THE FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Federico Marchetti
(Lazio), Salvatore Sirigu (PSG/FRA).
Defenders: Ignazio Abate (AC Milan), Federico Balzaretti (AS
Roma), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Christian Maggio
(Napoli), Angelo Ogbonna (Juventus), Manuel Pasqual
(Fiorentina), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter), Domenico Criscito
(Zenit St Petersbourg/RUS).
Midfielders: Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Daniele De Rossi (AS
Roma), Alessandro Diamanti (Bologna), Alessandro Florenzi
(Roma), Emanuele Giaccherini (Sunderland/ENG), Claudio
Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan), Thiago
Motta (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Marco Parolo (Parma),
Andrea Pirlo (Juventus), Andrea Poli (AC Milan).
Strikers: Mario Balotelli (AC Milan), Alessio Cerci (Torino),
Alberto Gilardino (Genoa), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Pablo
Osvaldo (Southampton/ENG), Giuseppe Rossi (Fiorentina).
Netherlands can win the World Cup, insists Robben
the 2014 World Cup and will be going to Brazil next summer
determined to lift the trophy.
The Oranje were runners-up in the 2010 tournament after
Andres Iniesta's goal won the final for Spain in South Africa,
but Bayern Munich ace Robben is fully confident his side can
go one better this time around.
"Our final goal is to become world champions in Brazil," the
29-year-old told reporters.
"It's a realistic target and we won't go there with the attitude
to just see how far we can get.
"We must survive the group stage and if we progress, the
world title is our dream."
Louis van Gaal's side find themselves in a rich vein of form
after going unbeaten for 15 games stretching back over a year,
but Robben has warned their run will be put to the test in
upcoming friendlies against Colombia and Japan.
"These matches are not about getting points, but they're
important," he stressed.
"These are two countries you can end up playing against in
Brazil. Most people talk about Colombia, because they're that
high on the Fifa ranking, but maybe Japan is even an more
difficult opponent.
"I know a lot of players from the Bundesliga. Besides that,
[Keisuke] Honda and [Shinji] Kagawa are very good players."
Robin van Persie's withdrawal from the squad means Robben
is set to start the friendlies in Genk and Amsterdam as
captain, and the former Chelsea winger admits he will be
proud to take on the armband.
"It's an honour to be captain of your country," he added. "It's
the most beautiful thing.
"I don't feel extra pressure, maybe a bit of positive pressure. I
know what people are expecting from me. I won't change
because of the captaincy. I will stay myself."
Neymar, Ibrahimovic listed for best goal honour
Barcelona attacker Neymar and PSG striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic are among the 10 nominees up for Fifa’s Puskas award for the best goal of the year, Goal reports.
As part of the lead up to the annual Ballon d’Or ceremony, 10 of the top strikes over the past 12 months are available for football fans to choose from, with the options to be whittled down to the three most popular on December 9.
Neymar gets the nod for his strike against Japan for Brazil at this summer’s Confederations Cup and he could become the first player to win the award twice.
Sweden forward Ibrahimovic is also on the list for his outrageous overhead kick from over 25 yards out against England in a friendly last November.
The only major European league on the list is Serie A, which has two entrants: Antonio Di Natale for an acute volley in Udinese’s clash with Chievo in April, and Bologna’s Panagiotis Kone with his acrobatic, twisting volley against Napoli.
Mikel, Moses, others hit Calabar
Mikel Obi, Shola Ameobi, Bright Dike, John Ogu, and James Okwuosa are some of the Super Eagles players that had arrived in Calabar by noon on Tuesday for the World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes. The match is billed for the U.J. Esuene Stadium on Saturday.
A close associate of Mikel spoke with The PUNCH soon after the Chelsea midfielder arrived at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel where the Eagles are accommodated.
He said, “Yes he’s (Mikel) in town now. We just arrived at the hotel just a while ago.”
Chippa United of South Africa central defender, Okwuosa, was however the first player amongst those based outside Nigeria to arrive in Calabar. But by midday Victor Moses had joined the first set. The Liverpool attacker got in just ahead of Godfrey Oboabona and Nnamdi Oduamadi. Elderson Echejile joined his mates while they were already at training at the stadium, Eagles managers confirmed.
It is hoped that Wednesday training would record a full house of all the players called-up for the game. Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation have largely blamed flight problems as the major cause for the delay for the players heading to Calabar from Lagos and Abuja. But The PUNCH check with a Calabar-based travel agent showed that it is little better getting a seat on flights this period compared to the period Eagles played against Kenya when only one airline was flying into the city as a result of problems in the Nigerian aviation industry.
And as Stephen Keshi prepares the Eagles for the last battle on the way to Brazil 2014, Ethiopian striker Getaneh Kebede has returned to the national team. The 21-year-old Bidvest Wits of South Africa player missed the first leg in Addis Ababa, which ended in victory to Nigeria, because of a knee injury. The return of the fast attacker is seen as a boost to Wayla Antelopes.
Under coach Sewinet Bishaw the player is standing as the joint top scorer. BBC correspondent in Addis Ababa confirmed that striker Saladin Seid and midfielder Shimels Bekele are also in the squad to face Nigeria. Getaneh trained on Monday along with his team-mates, who are mostly home-based players. The Ethiopians are expected to arrive in Nigeria on Thursday although they seem not too keen giving the Nigerian FA a very definite schedule.
The Eagles had defeated the Ethiopians 2-1 in the first leg of the play-offs in Addis Ababa last month. The Ethiopians need at least a 2-0 margin win over Nigeria in Calabar to secure the ticket to Brazil while a simple draw is all the Nigerians need to book a place for the 2014 World Cup finals.
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