Arsenal
FIFA supremo urges restraint in punishing Super League clubs
FIFA president Gianni Infantino says he is not in favour of sanctions against the 12 clubs that tried to launch a European Super League, preferring “dialogue” on football reform. The plan to create a closed competition was “unacceptable” and “unimaginable”, the world football boss told French sports daily L’Equipe in an interview published on Wednesday. “Certain actions should have consequences, and everyone must assume their responsibilities,” said Infantino, who has publically joined the opposition to the project. “But you always have to be careful when you talk about sanctions. “It’s said quickly that you have to punish. It’s even popular — or populist — sometimes. “By punishing a club, for example, you are also punishing players, coaches and fans, who have nothing to do with it.” He sa...
Ex-West Ham striker claims Mikel Arteta could be sacked this week
Former Celtic and West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie believes Mikel Arteta will be sacked by Arsenal if the Gunners lose to Villarreal on Thursday. Arteta has come under immense pressure this season, with Arsenal currently ninth in the Premier League table. The Gunners are also facing a Europa League exit this week, following a 2-1 defeat against Villarreal in the first leg of their semi-final clash. Defeat on Thursday would essentially rule Arsenal’s season as a big failure, and McAvennie believes that would spell the end of Arteta’s tenure. When asked by Football Insider about whether Arteta would be sacked if Arsenal lost on Thursday, McAvennie replied: “I would think so.” “Arteta will have known – he knows the risk. He knew that when he took the job. That’s the nature of spor...
Thierry Henry confirms Arsenal takeover talks with Daniel Ek
Thierry Henry has confirmed that he is in talks with Spotify CEO Daniel Ek over launching a takeover bid for Arsenal. Arsenal’s current owners, the Kroenke family, have become increasingly unpopular during their time at the club. The fans believe that they do not have the club’s best interests at heart. Arsenal fans protest against the owners Following the recent European Super League debacle, many Arsenal fans protested against the Kroenkes’ ownership during their home clash with Everton, demanding them to sell their stake in the club. In response, Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek put forward his plans to buy the club. The Swede claims to have been an Arsenal fan since he was a child and has outlined plans to bring the Gunners back to the glory days. There were also reports that club ...
‘Not a chance’ – Peter Crouch comments of Arsenal’s winning chance vs Villarreal
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker turned popular football pundit Peter Crouch says it is difficult to back Arsenal to win the Europa League semi-final against Villarreal. Arsenal lost 2-1 against Villarreal in the first leg of the tie, but they were outplayed for large parts of the game in Spain. During a Q/A session with the Daily Mail, Crouch pointed out that the Gunners have plenty of problems but believes their victory in the Premier League over the weekend could give them a boost. Crouch wrote for the Daily Mail: “On one hand, I look and see a club where there is a lot of things wrong. On the other, I see a team who have the ability to get a win when they really need one. “Villarreal had enough chances to kill the first leg, but Arsenal being Arsenal, they could end up getting aw...
Eight changes for City, Arsenal star may miss out, Baggies winger could return
The 34th round of fixtures in the Premier League features some important matches at both ends of the EPL table. We’ll update this story with reports, results, highlights and the latest Premier League standings throughout the weekend. The action got underway on Friday evening, with Southampton and Leicester City fighting out a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s. James Ward-Prowse put the home side in front from the penalty spot, but Jonny Evans bagged an equaliser for the Foxes. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola made eight changes to his starting XI for the visit to Crystal Palace on Saturday. However, his tinkering didn’t impact the outcome as City eased to a comfortable 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park – Sergio Aguero and Ferran Torres got the goals. Pascal Gross and Danny Welbeck were on target as Br...
Mikel Arteta to make eight changes | Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Newcastle United
Arsenal make the trip to St James’ Park for a Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Sunday. The Gunners delivered a poor performance in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Villareal in midweek. They were 2-0 down in just the 30th minute, and things went from bad to worse with Dani Ceballos’ sending off before the hour mark. The club managed to salvage something from the tie with a valuable away goal and will hope to make up the deficit at home. Before that, the Gunners need to face the Magpies on the road in the league, and manager Mikel Arteta is likely to make multiple changes. The club are already seven points behind a potential European spot, and the focus is on the return leg against Villarreal on Thursday. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: Bernd Le...
Predicted Newcastle XI vs Arsenal: Bruce to make one change, 29-yr-old to start
Newcastle United host Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday and will be aiming to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation. The last time these two sides met earlier this season, the Gunners recorded a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners have an exceptional head-to-head record against Newcastle, winning 15 of their last 17 meetings. However, the Magpies will be eager to upset the odds this weekend as they strive to pull clear of the relegation zone. Newcastle head this game on the back of three draws and two wins in their last six Premier League matches, and Arsenal cannot afford to underestimate them. Steve Bruce’s side bagged a 1-1 draw at Liverpool last weekend, and they will fancy their chances of defeating the Gunners on Sunday. Predicted Newcastle starting line-up: Dub...
Villarreal vs Arsenal – Europa League Match Report
Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie on Thursday. A tense encounter in the province of Castellon saw both sides finish the match with ten men, as Villarreal boss Unai Emery managed to upset his former employers. Five minutes into the game, Manu Trigueros propelled his side to a flying start, latching onto a rebound to squeeze the ball under Bernd Leno and into the bottom right corner. Despite dominating possession, Arsenal struggled to create a single clear-cut chance as Villarreal dropped deep and tried to catch the visitors in transition. Former Real Madrid defender Raul Albion doubled the home side’s lead just before the half-hour mark. The experienced Spaniard was in the right place at the right...
Newcastle keen on £30m-rated defender, six other Premier League clubs keen
Norwich City defender Max Aarons has been linked with a move away from the Championship club at the end of the season. The 21-year-old defender has been outstanding for the Canaries, helping them secure promotion back to the Premier League. According to 90min, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Everton have all asked Norwich to keep them informed of the defender’s situation ahead of the summer transfer window. The report further states that Arsenal are also keeping tabs on the youngster as a potential replacement for Hector Bellerin, who has been linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain. Aarons is valued at around £30 million and could prove to be a superb long term signing for any of the aforementioned clubs. SL View: Would be the ideal...
Lacazette and Aubameyang return, Predicted Arsenal line-up (4-2-3-1) vs Villarreal
Arsenal travel to El Madrigal for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Villarreal on Thursday night. The Gunners have not had an ideal preparation for the game after a disappointing 1-0 league defeat to Everton. A Bernd Leno howler gifted the points to the Toffees. However, Villarreal are not in the best of form either. The Spanish outfit take on the Gunners on the back of successive defeats in La Liga. The game will see the reunion of the Gunners with former boss Unai Emery, who is now the head coach of the Yellow Submarines. Formation: 4-2-3-1 Predicted Line-up: Leno cost the club dearly with an own goal last week, and he will be aiming to make amends. Mikel Arteta is unlikely to drop him for Mat Ryan despite the latter impressing in his two appearances for the clu...
Spotify CEO outlines plans for Arsenal takeover bid
Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek has spoken to CNBC about his plans to buy Arsenal. The North London club have been majority-owned by American billionaire Stan Kroenke since 2011. In that time, they have won four FA Cups but have struggled to compete for the Premier League or in Europe. Arsenal won last season’s FA Cup final thanks to a brace by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Kroenke has become an unpopular figure at the Emirates Stadium, with many fans believing that he has no interest in the club. Following the recent European Super League debacle, fans protested outside the ground, calling for him to sell his stake in the club. This prompted Spotify co-founder Daniel Ek to declare his interest in purchasing Kroenke’s stake. The Swede wrote on Twitter that he had been a fan of Arsenal sin...
Swedish billionaire ‘very serious’ about Arsenal takeover bid, has already secured funds
Spotify founder and Swedish billionaire Daniel Ek has said that he is ‘very serious’ about buying Arsenal, and he has already secured funds for a potential takeover bid. Ek declared his interest in buying the north London club last week, when they were fierce protests from the fans voicing their disapproval against owner Stan Kroenke. Kroenke and his son Josh have since released a joint statement that they are ‘100% committed‘ to the club, and have no plans of listening to any offers. In an interview with CNBC, Ek has now said that he is very serious about buying his favourite club Arsenal, and he has already secured funds for a potential takeover. He said: “I’m very serious (about the offer to buy Arsenal). I have secured the funds for it and I want to bring what I think is a very compell...
