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Showing posts from August, 2022

Injuries to Thomas Partey and Mohammed Elneny a make or break for Arsenal and getting it right will be cherry on the top of a brilliant summer

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The injury to Thomas Partey and Mohammed Elneny means Arsenal are now short of options heading into the final hours of the window with Aston Villa also visiting the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. The fans have been lingering all summer to see the club bring in someone of a higher profile into the Central Defensive Midfield position but having cooled down interest in any midfielder, fans are beginning to switch focus to the positives, which is their impressive start to the season. Mohammed Elneny was handed a year extension on his contract earlier in the summer to remain with the club until 2023 so that might have also translate to the fact that the club is not looking forward to bringing in anyone for now. However, even if the Egyptian is a decent backup to Partey, it is obvious Arsenal will need more than just a backup but a competition for Partey in order to become a real contender in the Premier League. Mohammed Elneny is a different player from Partey in the sense that the

Istanbul 2023: Accessing the each team's chances in their respective groups as well as power rankings in the quest for glory in the Champions League

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The UEFA Champions League group draw for the 2022/23 season has been made and teams have known their respective rivals for a place in the next rounds. Following the draw, clubs will already be looking at how realistic is their chances of making it out of the group stages while some others who are not so lucky will still hope to at least make something happen for themselves when the games started. It is no news that the group winners and runners up progress to the round of 16 while the third placed teams move on to the Europa League, leaving the bottom team out of European competition for the remainder of the season. We take a look at each of the groups and the favourites to progress into the next round and those who will fancy their chances to upset the odds. Also those that have been unlucky and will stand no chance of progression. Group A Ajax Liverpool Napoli Rangers Liverpool are the favourites in this group albeit Napoli avoided defeat in both legs of their meeting the last time t

Eight lessons learnt from the Premier League weekend as the BIG SIX coast to victory

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Manchester United kicked off the Premier League gameweek five with a narrow win at the Saint Mary's over Southampton and that was followed up with wins for Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. From Bruno Fernandes’ strike to the historical goals for Harry Kane, we take a look at the lesson learned in the weekend as teams continue their push for success in the most competitive league... 𝟏. 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐫𝐢𝐤 𝐓𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐚𝐠 Bruno Fernandes strike six minutes into the second half to seal a narrow win for Manchester United in an evenly contested match at Southampton, who would feel let down by the match officials. With the arrival of Casemiro, United fans will be more relieved that Scott Mctominay’s involvement will become limited. The Scottish midfielder ended up being arguably the best player of the match for the visitors in what might have been oth

From capitulating under adversity to mentality monsters - It's pretty much early but Mikel Arteta's Arsenal is just getting started

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Four games into the league season and Arsenal have been flawless in the sense that they've managed to produce desired results in each of the games played so far. For the good of all connected to the club, that might be the most important of the many reasons to get excited but surely there is more attached to what makes this team look promising this early. Yes, Fulham did make it tough for Arsenal but as said by Mikel Arteta, that he was happier with the win more than he was when they convincingly beat Bournemouth 3-0 the previous gameweek at the Vitality Stadium. A come from behind win has been something that always seemed to elude Arsenal. In the entirety of last season, Arsenal won only once when they've gone behind, a 2-1 win over Wolverhampton Wonderers at the Emirates in February. In games you'd expect them to win like against Southampton, Brighton, Brentford and Everton, they've ended up losing after going behind. Which speaks volume of what the weekend win means

Jurgen Klopp; Seventh season curse. Myth or Reality ?

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No doubt, Jurgen Klopp is one of the best coach of his generation. With many trophies and individual honours he has earned over the years. The German tactician had previously coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund both in the Bundesliga before he joined Liverpool in October 2015. Klopp agreed a three-year deal to become Liverpool manager, replacing Brendan Rodgers. The contract was further extended to summer 2024, Due to the spectacular work and rejuvenation, he did with the Merseyside Giant. Before he joined, Liverpool had struggled to qualify for Europa League and missing out the Champions League (tier 1 continental Club competition) many times in previous seasons. Klopp is a renowned proponent of Gegenpressing, in which the team instantly tries to regain possession after losing it instead of retreating to regroup. He has referred to his teams' pushing and high offensive production as "heavy metal" football play. With the German incharge, Liverpool won Premier league f

Is Thomas Tuchel tactics the greatest hindrance to the team's performance?

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Since 2003 that Chelsea was sold to the Russian billionaire, The Club has enjoyed considerable amount of achievement. Infact they're the most successful English Club trophy wise in the last decades. Aside being the owner of the club, Abrahamovic is a proven lover of the game and die hard fan of the club. He invested tirelessly to make it a competitive one each season and The Club is known for it strict principle of relieving managers of their duties once they underperform. Couple of managers who achieved the unthinkable with the football club were sacked when they had bad stints: Roberto Di Matteo is the first manager to have won the UEFA Champions League for Chelsea in 2012. Was eventually sacked the following season when the club was on verge of not qualifying for the UEFA Champions League knockout stage in 2013. Jose Mourinho, Claudio Ranieri, Rafa Benitez and Many big names had been shown the exit out of the club in recent years. Frank Lampard, A Club legend, was the last manag

Real Madrid appears decided on Casemiro’s exit but a trip to Celta might come with a lesson of the Brazilian's importance

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While Real Madrid have signed Aurélien Tchouameni in a big money move this summer, it still doesn't limit the importance of Casemiro in the team, at least for the next 12 months. While Carlo Ancelotti has tried to push the French midfielder into the starting spot to see if he can really get started on the go, so far, it is only fair to say the results has not been encouraging. Carlo Ancelotti recently confirmed that both Tchouameni and his countryman, Edouardo Camavinga will need more time before they reach that stage of becoming regular starters in the Real Madrid team, hence, the importance of retaining Casemiro. On Monday against newly promoted Almeria, Real Madrid looked lost in the absence of Casemiro although were able to get the desired result late on but not until after the replacement of Tchouameni and Camavinga. The decision not to start Casemiro could be related what now looks like an imminent move to Manchester United but nonetheless, he will be a huge miss for Los Blan

Chelsea's quest for a return to winning ways clashes with the form of Rodrygo as Elland Road dreams first win in 20 years

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There can only be one goal for Thomas Tuchel-less Chelsea side when they travel to Elland Road on Sunday to take on Leeds United and that is a return to winning ways. Following their controversial draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the London derby on Sunday evening, which saw their German manager shown a red card at full time due to a brawl with former Chelsea and now Spurs manager, Antonio Conte. Both Tuchel and Conte have been suspended for the upcoming Premier League games and for Chelsea, who would feel hard done in the match, all eyes will be on the three points as they travel without their manager.. Chelsea were able to beat Everton 1-0 at the Goodison in the opening weekend, ending run of five visits to the Blue side of Merseyside without a win and will be looking to build on that away form at Leeds. Leeds United are on four points from their opening two games, same as Chelsea. Jesse Marsch’s side kicked off the season with a 2-1 home win against Wolverhampton Wonderers thanks to a

Revenge couldn't have come at a better time but Man United in the worse they can get to take advantage at Old Trafford

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Winless after two league games so far, Liverpool are on their worst start to a season under Jurgen Klopp and are currently not in a state they want to be heading to Old Trafford for their third game of the season. Record signing, Darwin Nunez is suspended following a red card on his Anfield debut against Palace on Monday night, which ended in a draw, the first time the Reds have failed to win against The Eagles, ending a run of 12 games winning run against them. Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Ibrahima Konaté, Kurtis Jones, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and Caoimhin Kelleher are all on the sidelines, while Naby Keita returned ahead of the Monday night draw but was an unused substitute. Liverpool have conceded first in nine of their last ten games, including shootout and look as vulnerable as they can ever get under their current German manager and many teams will see no better time to take them on but presented the chance, Manchester United are still not in the state to take anythi

Arsenal have showed up but also need to step up to continue impressive start and equal an 18-year club record at the Vitality Stadium

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Mikel Arteta might be pleased with the result of their first home game of the season in the 4-2 win over Leicester City last weekend but in the same vein, the Spaniard will be furious how his side had allowed Leicester a way back into the game twice. Though not so much can be done to avoid the first Leicester City goal but being a very demanding man, Arteta will see they could have done better anyways. Arsenal have kept just one clean sheet in their last twelve league games and despite looking more assured in defence with the addition of William Saliba and Oleksandr Zinchenko, that is another part Mikel Arteta will look to improve. Arsenal never conceded in all the preseason games when William Saliba had been on the pitch but unfortunately, the Frenchman was the first to put the ball in his own net against Leicester City. Mikel Arteta will have his eyes set on a club record when they travel to the Vitality Stadium, home of newly promoted Bournemouth on Saturday evening as a win will se

Manchester City to test Newcastle United’s progress as the moneybags clash at the Saint James Park

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Manchester City travel to Saint James' Park on Sunday evening looking to continue their 100 per cent start to the season having beaten West Ham United and Bournemouth in their opening two games. The Citizens have enjoyed a good start and fate has also been kind on them as their main rival for the title, Liverpool are still without a win after two games while also have a number of first team players unavailable. Pep Guardiola will be hopeful of establishing an early lead in the title charge, to make it almost impossible for chasers to catch up once they are back to their best, and winning at Newcastle on Sunday will be another step forward. Eddie Howe’s side have shown massive improvement since the turn of the year, with only Liverpool and Manchester City the only two teams in the league to have won more points than them in the league. The second half of last season saw Newcastle United produced some astonishing results to stay in the topflight following a poor start to the season w