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‘Helped me so much’: Emile Smith Rowe heaps praise on 29-year-old Arsenal star
Arsenal attacker Emile Smith Rowe has talked about the influence of Alexandre Lacazette on some of the younger players at the club. The 20-year-old made his first Premier League appearance of the season on Boxing Day against Chelsea and he has since been a regular starter when fit. The youngster has four assists in his 13 league games and his reputation has improved on a game-by-game basis with the Gunners. In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Smith Rowe spoke about the influence that Lacazette has had on him since he became a regular. The former Hale End graduate said that the Frenchman has helped him so much and gives confidence to the young players by praising their qualities. He said: “Alexandre Lacazette has helped me so much since I’ve come into the side.” “Laca gives so much of u...
Graham Roberts reacts to reports how some Spurs players feel about Mourinho’s training methods
According to reports from The Telegraph, Jose Mourinho is fighting an uphill battle to keep his Tottenham Hotspur job past this season. After Tottenham’s disappointing Europa League exit, his position at the club has once again come under threat. It has been claimed that even success in the final of next month’s Carabao Cup final will not guarantee his safety. The 3-0 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb was a crushing blow to Mourinho’s hopes of surviving the threat of the sack. The report claims that players are divided over Mourinho’s training methods. Mourinho retains the support of some of Tottenham’s key players, but there are others who have questioned his training methods and his handling of various situations. Former Spurs player, Graham Roberts, has shared his reactio...
Europa League flashback: Man Utd massive favourites, Arsenal on track for dream final
After an enthralling round of Europa League ties, we’ve reached our final eight. Dinamo Zagreb pulled off an incredible comeback to eliminate Tottenham Hotspur, Paul Pogba proved his worth with a fantastic winner at the San Siro, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers crashed out – it’s been an eventful week in the Europa League. What’s up next? The quarter-finals and there are some tidy looking fixtures. Ajax face Roma, Arsenal compete with Slavia Prague, Dinamo Zagreb oppose Villarreal, and Granada are up against Manchester United. In anticipation of these fixtures, here are the previous meetings between these clubs. Ajax vs Roma A 20-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores against Roma Back when the Champions League was really strange and had two group stages, Ajax and Roma faced each other in the second ...
Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for West Ham United vs Arsenal
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson has stated his prediction for the Premier League clash between West Ham United and Arsenal this weekend. The Hammers recently suffered a 1-0 league defeat at Manchester United, but they are still within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea with a game in hand. David Moyes’ side are scheduled to host the Gunners on Sunday, and Lawrenson feels the club will be determined to avoid a second-straight defeat. The Gunners are currently seven points behind the Hammers in the 10th spot, but they are unbeaten in the last three games in the top-flight (two wins and one draw). Lawrenson has predicted a share of the spoils (1-1) in the London derby. He told BBC Sport: “This feels like a big game for West Ham, as a test of their top-four aspirations, and I think the u...
Barcelona legend comments on Lionel Messi situation
Former Bulgarian striker Hristo Stoichkov has given his opinion on Lionel Messi’s situation at Barcelona. Last summer, Messi shook the world of football by announcing his desire to leave Barcelona – the club he had been at since his youth team days. However, after a long-running feud with former president Josep Maria Bartomeu, the Argentine stayed at Camp Nou. Since then, a lot has changed at the club. Bartomeu resigned and was replaced by Joan Laporta, who has vowed to make keeping Messi his number one priority. However, it is unclear whether this will change his stance. Messi’s future at Barcelona is still unclear The six-time Ballon d’Or winner is out of contract in the summer and is supposedly being eyed up by Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City. Barcelona legend Hristo Stoichkov h...
Predicted Newcastle XI vs Brighton: Steve Bruce to make one change, 26-yr-old to start
Newcastle United take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League tomorrow, and the Magpies are under pressure to pick up all three points. Steve Bruce’s team have failed to win their last five league matches and are in danger of losing their top-flight status. The Magpies have failed to score in six of their last eight away league games and are missing key attackers like Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin for this fixture. The visitors will need a bit of luck the score against a well-organised Brighton defence, especially without their top forwards. Brighton have an impressive record against Newcastle, keeping a clean sheet in six of their last seven matches against the Magpies in all competitions. The home side will be hoping for another shut-out given how poor Newcastle have be...
‘I will make a decision that is best for my career’ – 25-yr-old hints at possible Celtic exit
Celtic defender Jack Hendry has hinted that he could leave the Scottish club permanently at the end of the season. The 25-year-old is currently on loan at Belgian club KV Oostende and has produced some impressive performances. Speaking to Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws (translated by Sportwitness), the 25-year-old revealed that he has enjoyed his time in Belgium. He said: “I am grateful to KV Oostende for the platform they have offered me. In this way, I showed my abilities and kickstarted my career. I, therefore want to give the club something in return for their confidence. “I’m not going to lie: I’m ambitious and want to play at the highest possible level. We’ll see where that is – I won’t let it distract me. At the end of this season, I will make a deci...
Predicted Celtic XI vs Rangers: Kennedy to make one change, 29-yr-old to start
Celtic host Rangers in the Scottish Premiership this weekend and the Hoops will be looking to end the visitors’ unbeaten run in the league. Rangers have already won the Scottish Premiership title and they will be hoping to finish the season as strongly as possible. Steven Gerrard’s men have beaten Celtic in their last three meetings and will be hoping to extend that run of form over their bitter rivals. However, Celtic fans will demand a strong reaction and the home side will be out to fix their recent results against the Ibrox outfit. [embedded content] Rangers are in rampant form and head into the game on the back of four consecutive league wins. By contrast, Celtic have failed to win two of their last three games and will have to improve to beat Rangers here. The Ibrox outfit crashed ou...
Predicted West Ham XI vs Arsenal: Moyes to make two changes to his side, 28-yr-old to return
West Ham United host Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend and they will be hoping to extend their fine run of form with a victory. The Hammers are unbeaten in four of the last six league matches and they will be confident of picking up all three points against an inconsistent Arsenal side. West Ham are currently fifth in the Premier League and a victory would keep them in the running for a top-four spot. The last time these two sides met Arsenal picked up a 2-1 win and the Hammers will be aiming to avenge that defeat here. David Moyes’ side are full of confidence at the moment and Arsenal will have to be at their best to grind out a win this week. The home side will be without the services of Angelo Ogbonna, Darren Randolph and Ryan Fredericks due to injuries. Arthur Masuaku and...
Predicted Aston Villa XI vs Spurs: Dean Smith to make three changes, 27-yr-old to start
Aston Villa host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend and they will be hoping to get back to winning ways. Dean Smith’s side have won just one of the last six Premier League matches and they will be under pressure to turn their form around. Spurs are currently four points ahead of Villa in the table and the West Midlands club will be looking to close the gap. The home side have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven Premier League games at Villa Park and they will be hoping for another shutout against Tottenham. The likes of Harry Kane and Gareth Bale have done well in recent weeks and Villa will have to be at their best defensively to keep a clean sheet. Meanwhile, the London club have an excellent head to head record against Aston Villa and they have won eleven of...
Predicted Rangers XI vs Celtic: Gerrard to make two changes, 22-yr-old set to return
Rangers take on Celtic in the Scottish Premiership this weekend and they will be hoping to extend their fine run of form in the league with a victory over their bitter rivals. The League leaders have won 22 of their last 24 league matches and they will be full of confidence heading into this game. Rangers have already managed to secure the Scottish Premiership title and they will be hoping to inflict further misery on Celtic with a win at Parkhead. The visitors have managed to win the last three derbies and they will fancy their chances of making it four in a row. Rangers are coming into this game on the back of a disappointing defeat in the Europa League and they will be fired up to produce a positive reaction here. The visitors will be without the services of Nikola Katic and Nathan Patt...
‘Very dangerous’: Bielsa raves about Leeds player; drops hint about summer transfer plans
Marcelo Bielsa has dropped a hint that he may not look to sign a new striker in the summer transfer window. Leeds United have been heavily reliant on Patrick Bamford, and there are suggestions that Bielsa should look to add more quality in the forward department. However, the Argentine claims that he is happy with the attacking force he has got at the moment and has played down Leeds’ need to sign a new striker. Bielsa said, as quoted by The Mirror: “Tyler Roberts, Bamford and Rodrigo can all play as a centre-forward and Rodrigo and Tyler can also play behind the centre-forward. “They are all options, and throughout different stages of the campaign, they have given positive responses.” Leeds signed Rodrigo from Valencia for a club-record £26 million, but the Spaniard has mostly played in t...
