Arsenal
25-year-old Arsenal star could leave this summer after Mikel Arteta agreement
Arsenal vice-captain Hector Bellerin could head for the exit door this summer as part of an agreement made with manager Mikel Arteta last year, ESPN reports. The Spaniard was reportedly eager to leave the north London side in the previous summer transfer window but was convinced to stay by Arteta for one more season. Bellerin has been a consistent starter for the Gunners in the right-back/right wing-back role this term registering 28 appearances, but his future is uncertain. He will enter the final two years of his contract in July this year and it is reported that the club may sanction Bellerin’s sale as part of the deal with Arteta. Sportslens view: At 25, Bellerin has made 232 appearances for the Gunners but his performances over the past few seasons have been inconsistent. Injuries hav...
‘What a player’, ‘Saved us’: Some Arsenal fans react to forward’s display vs Benfica
A selection of Arsenal fans on Twitter were delighted with Bukayo Saka’s performance against Benfica in the Europa League last night. The north London side went into the second leg of the last 32 with a 1-1 aggregate score and they opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after an incisive pass from Saka. Right before the interval, the Portuguese side pulled level on the night after Diogo Goncalves scored with a stunning free-kick which nullified the Gunners’ away-goal advantage. At the hour mark, Jorge Jesus’ side went ahead through Rafa Silva following a defensive blunder from Dani Ceballos, who gifted possession with a poor attempt to head the ball back to Bernd Leno. Silva rounded the goalkeeper before an easy finish. Kieran Tierney came up with his Europ...
Mikel Arteta ‘especially happy’ for one Arsenal star after comeback win vs Benfica
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was particularly relieved for midfielder Dani Ceballos following the club’s 3-2 win over Benfica in the second leg of the Europa League last 32. The Gunners made the trip to Piraeus with a 1-1 aggregate score and went one-nil ahead on the night through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 21st minute. However, Benfica pulled level right before the break with a sublime free-kick from Diogo Goncalves before Rafa Silva gave them a surprise lead at the hour mark. Both goals were directly scored after errors from Ceballos. The Spaniard’s poor attempt at a tackle gifted Benfica the chance to score from a set-piece in the 41st minute. He thereafter mistimed his attempted header back to Bernd Leno which gifted Silva with an easy finish as he rounded the goalkeeper before t...
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sends message to Dani Ceballos after Arsenal win vs Benfica
Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hailed the mentality of midfielder Dani Ceballos after the club secured their progress to the last 16 of the Europa League. The Gunners won their last 32 tie against Benfica with a 4-3 aggregate win but it was far from straightforward as plenty of drama unfolded at the Karaiskaki Stadium last night. The club already had an away goal advantage after the 1-1 draw in the first leg and they took the lead in the 21st minute in Piraeus through Aubameyang. However, Benfica levelled the scores through a stunning free-kick from Diogo Goncalves in the 41st minute which found the top left corner of Bernd Leno’s net. The set-piece came about from Ceballos’ needless tackle and the Spaniard had another horror moment after the hour mark of the contest. ...
Uruguayan striker ‘flattered’ by transfer interest from Arsenal and Chelsea
Inter Milan striker Martin Satriano has said that he is flattered by the Premier League interest from Arsenal and Chelsea. The 20-year-old joined the Nerazzurri from Uruguayan side Nacional in January 2020 and he has since featured for the club’s youth team. He has yet to make his debut for the Serie A leaders but made the bench on a few occasions during the first half of the campaign. Both Arsenal and Chelsea are keeping tabs on the Uruguayan and, speaking to The Mail, the youngster said: “It is always flattering (the interest from the Premier League) – yes, it is a sign that I am doing things well and that I have to continue down that path. “The Premier League is the number one league in the world in terms of competition, that I think all the players want to play – I think all ...
Arsenal star bolsters line-up, but Arteta takes big risk in defence
The Europa League takes centre stage this evening with the round of 32 second leg ties featuring some enthralling fixtures. We’ll update this story with reports, results and the latest Europa League highlights as the games are played. One tie has already been completed, with Tottenham Hotspur beating Wolfsberger 4-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the last-16. Arsenal are in early action against Benfica on Thursday and will fancy their chances of going through after drawing 1-1 in the first leg. Kieran Tierney is in the starting XI for the Gunners, but the inclusion of David Luiz and Hector Bellerin in defence is a risky move by manager Mikel Arteta. 📋 Tonight’s team news is in! 🏴 @KieranTierney1 starts🇧 ...
Smith Rowe and Ceballos start, Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Benfica
Arsenal will play hosts to Benfica in the second leg of the Europa League last 32 on Thursday night. The game is scheduled to be played at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece due to coronavirus restrictions. The north London side have a disappointing record at the ground with four defeats and just one win from five European games. However, their sole victory came during the previous campaign against Olympiacos and they will be aiming for another positive result. Mikel Arteta’s side have the precious away goal advantage after the 1-1 draw against Benfica in the first leg which was played at the Stadio Olimpico. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: Bernd Leno is an automatic choice in goal for the Gunners. The German had a comfortable game in the reverse leg until the penalty scored ...
Is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang past his best?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s performance against league leaders Manchester City was a testament that footballers, especially those in their 30s, tread on thin ice. Put one foot wrong and social media is filled with posts stating the player is out of his depth. In Aubameyang’s case, people who were being critical of the striker completely forgot the impact the player had on the team just a week ago. Aubameyang is too often a passenger when playing as a striker. His hold up play has been horrific. — Bhavs (@bhavss14) February 21, 2021 The 31-year-old has had an underwhelming campaign this season, netting just five goals in the Premier League prior to the game against Leeds United last week. Having handed out another long-term contract to a player in his thirties, Arsenal will be hoping that i...
Is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang past his best?
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s performance against league leaders Manchester City was a testament that footballers, especially those in their 30s, tread on thin ice. Put one foot wrong and social media is filled with posts stating the player is out of his depth. In Aubameyang’s case, people who were being critical of the striker completely forgot the impact the player had on the team just a week ago. Aubameyang is too often a passenger when playing as a striker. His hold up play has been horrific. — Bhavs (@bhavss14) February 21, 2021 The 31-year-old has had an underwhelming campaign this season, netting just five goals in the Premier League prior to the game against Leeds United last week. Having handed out another long-term contract to a player in his thirties, Arsenal will be hoping that i...
‘They lacked charisma’ – Arsenal legend sticks the boot in
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has issued a damning verdict on Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat against Everton on Saturday. Goals by Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson condemned the Reds to their fourth successive home reverse and Wenger was far from impressed with their display. “They are on a bad run and this result tonight will deepen, a little bit, the doubt they have,” he told beIN SPORTS. “They lack belief in everything they do. “It affects you and goes quickly through the ranks, but again tonight, they put the effort in, they were focused, motivated, but they lacked charisma around the team. “We have seen again tonight, at the top level, you pay for your weak points. “Overall, they question themselves now, Liverpool, but tonight I’d say they produced the desire and the quality of the per...
Rodgers ‘in the hunt’ to sign West Ham and Arsenal target
Leicester City have been tipped to make a summer move for Brentford forward Ivan Toney. The 24-year-old has been sensational in the Championship this season, scoring 24 goals in 30 appearances for the Bees. The former Peterborough United star has already been linked with Arsenal and West Ham United, but they could face competition from the Foxes this summer. Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers is searching for a long-term replacement for Jamie Vardy, and the Mirror has claimed that he is ‘in the hunt’ to sign Toney this summer. SL View It is no surprise that Toney has been attracting interest from Premier League clubs given his performances for Brentford this season. However, his potential suitors will have to dig deep if they want to prise him away from the Championship outfit. In addition to ...
‘He’s doing really, really well’: Mikel Arteta raves about Manchester City star
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League clash against the Cityzens. Gundogan has been in exceptional form over the past few months, registering 11 goals in his last 12 games in the top-flight. His form recently saw him named as the Premier League Player of the Month for January. He should also be the favourite for the award this month after scoring braces against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. Arteta worked with the German closely when he was the assistant manager at the Cityzens and he has raved about him ahead of Sunday’s game. He told Football.London: “Well I think now he’s playing a higher role in the team.” “He’s always had the ability to arrive in the box and has great timing and great qualities ...
