Premier League
Three Things: Shaw deserves call-up, brainless Arsenal, Tottenham star shines
Another week has flown by and it is Monday again, which means it’s time to roll out our latest ‘Three Things’ column. The latest round of matches in the Premier League provided a vast array of talking points, so let’s dive straight in. Shaw for England? Luke Shaw was undoubtedly one of the standout performers as Manchester United ended Manchester City’s long unbeaten run at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Shaw rarely looked troubled defensively throughout the game and crowned an excellent display with United’s second goal in a 2-0 victory. The 25-year-old has won just eight caps for England, but his performances this season deserve rewarding with another international call-up. Let’s hope Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate agrees. Brainless Arsenal mess up Arsenal missed a golden opportunit...
Barcelona offered chance to sign £31.5m Arsenal star through his agent
Barcelona have been offered the chance to sign Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette through his agent, a report from Calciomercato claims. The Frenchman has been with the Gunners since 2017 and has accumulated 59 goals and 28 goals from 158 appearances. Despite the impressive tally, he has struggled for consistency over an entire season, and there is speculation that he could be on the move this summer. Lacazette’s current deal expires in less than 16 months, and the Gunners have yet to open negotiations over a contract renewal. It is now claimed that the 29-year-old is open to leaving the north London club, and his representative has offered his services to Barcelona and Juventus. Sportslens view: Lacazette has reached double figures in terms of goals in his four seasons with the club, but...
‘My heart belongs to Arsenal’: Former star reportedly eyes return to the club
Thierry Henry’s declaration that he would love to manage Arsenal one day sparked plenty of amusement across the Sportslens team. In an interview with FourFourTwo, the former Gunners star admitted that he dreams of returning to the club as manager. “If you ask an Arsenal fan if they’d like to coach Arsenal one day, they’ll say yes,” he said. “If you ask an Arsenal fan if they’d like to score a goal for Arsenal, they’ll say yes. “When I speak about it, it’s a utopia. People get carried away whenever I say that it’s my club, but I have it in my blood – I’m an Arsenal fan. “So, if you’re asking me if one day I’d like to coach Arsenal, then yes. If you ask if one day I’d like to be Arsenal’s kit man, then yes. If you ask if one day I’d like to cut the grass at the Emirates Stadium, then yes.” S...
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer provides fresh injury update on Marcus Rashford
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided a fresh injury update on Marcus Rashford following the club’s 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League yesterday. The Red Devils were handed an early penalty after Anthony Martial was fouled by Gabriel Jesus within the opening minute. Bruno Fernandes converted the resultant spotkick to give the lead. They managed to double the advantage shortly after the interval after a splendid run from Luke Shaw, who found the back of the net after a lovely one-two with Marcus Rashford in the box. Aside from his assist, Rashford was lively over the course of the game with his terrific workrate, but he got himself injured in the 71st minute as he made a terrific recovery run to intercept Riyad Mahrez, who could have scored on the counter-...
‘Pure class’, ‘Determination’: Some Man United fans react to 25-year-old’s display vs Man City
A selection of Manchester United fans on Twitter heaped praise on Luke Shaw following his sublime display against Manchester City on Sunday. The Red Devils produced another impressive showing in the derby and they ended up as deserved 2-0 winners at the Etihad Stadium. Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring within the second minute through a penalty. Anthony Martial was fouled by Gabriel Jesus in the box after just 34 seconds. The Red Devils held onto the lead until the break. Shortly the interval, Shaw produced a moment of brilliance which gave the visitors a 2-0 lead. Goalkeeper Dean Henderson delivered an accurate throw for Shaw, who was at the half-way mark and the Englishman managed to ride off the challenge from Joao Cancelo. He then ran nearly 25 yards before passing to Marcus Rashford....
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: Manchester City still far ahead of others
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has downplayed suggestions his side have reignited the Premier League title race after ending Manchester City’s 21-match winning run with a stunning 2-0 derby victory. Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw struck early in each half at the Etihad Stadium as United inflicted a first defeat on their rivals since November. The result cut City’s lead over United at the top of the Premier League to 11 points and, while it may be a stretch to suggest the title race has been reignited, it has slowed what was looking like a procession. Solskjaer stopped short of claiming the victory will act as a springboard to catch City in the title race this season, telling Sky Sports: “We just take one game at a time; City are too far ahead for us to think we can catch them. Last year we caught 15 ...
Tottenham legend blasts Arsenal star: ‘I don’t know whether he’s prepared to put himself out’
Former Tottenham Hotspur star Gary Stevens has claimed that Martin Odegaard lacks the desire to become a truly top-class player. Odegaard signed for Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January but has yet to make much of an impact with the club. He has failed to register a goal or an assist in eight appearances in all competitions since joining the Gunners. In an interview with Stadium Astro, Stevens questioned whether the Norwegian playmaker has the appetite needed to perform in the biggest leagues. “When he was 16, just about every club in the world of football wanted him,” said Stevens. “He’s gone to Real Madrid and been there for six years but hasn’t played too many games. “He’s been on a whacking great big contract, and I don’t know whether he’s prepared to put himself out. “You know ...
Former Arsenal defender questions club’s interest in rising star
Nigel Winterburn has questioned whether Arsenal should sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey this summer. The 20-year-old has been strongly linked with the Gunners as they strive to improve their defensive options. Current right-back Hector Bellerin looks set to leave the club, but Winterburn is unsure whether Lamptey is the right man for the job. “He’s very pacey, but is he a better wing-back than he is an out-and-out full-back?” Winterburn told Stadium Astro. “I haven’t seen him play enough in the right-back position to give that judgement. I do believe that Mikel Arteta wants to play with a back four. “In the modern game, you have to be good or better defensively than a lot of full-backs are in the Premier League at the moment.” SL View Lamptey has emerged as one of the...
Haaland may have to alter Chelsea stance after Dortmund defeat
Erling Braut Haaland. At 5.39 pm on Saturday, his transfer value was at an all-time high. Two goals for Borussia Dortmund at Bayern Munich showcased his quality in front of goal. Step forward Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker demonstrated just who is the number one striker in world football with a hat-trick as Bayern secured a 4-2 victory. Despite the defeat, having averaged a goal-per-game during his time with Dortmund, it is no surprise that Haaland has been linked with all of Europe’s top clubs. However, the reports earlier this week that 20-year-old will only consider a move to six clubs in Europe smacks of someone who is getting ahead of themselves a little. Despite Haaland’s scoring exploits, Dortmund have won just half of their games in the Bundesliga this season. Scoring for f...
Top Four Twists: Can Chelsea Finish Above Man United?
It doesn’t seem too long ago that Manchester United were being mentioned as potential winners of the Premier League title this season. A combination of Manchester City’s imperious form and a drop off in United’s performances over the past few weeks has quickly dispelled that notion. The Red Devils are still in pole position to finish as runners-up to City, but they are now under pressure from the teams behind them. Just four points separate United from fourth-placed Chelsea with 11 games remaining, with Leicester City sandwiched between that pair. Everton and West Ham United are also pushing for a place in the top four and have a game in hand on each of the teams above them. One of United’s biggest concerns at the moment is Chelsea’s resurgence, with Thomas Tuchel sparking a revival in the...
Kovacic and Pulisic start, Predicted Chelsea line-up (3-4-2-1) vs Everton
Chelsea host Everton in Monday’s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge. The Blues recently ended a two-match winless league streak with a comfortable 1-0 triumph over holders Liverpool on the road. With the victory, they have gone unbeaten for eight league games since Thomas Tuchel took charge as the manager in January. Their next challenge will come up against the Toffees, who have beaten them in three of the previous four top-flight encounters. The Blues are currently fourth in the standings with 47 points, just one ahead of the Toffees, who have a game in hand. Formation: 3-4-2-1 Predicted Line-up: Edouard Mendy had a comfortable game in goal against the Reds with just one shot on target. The Senegalese will be aiming for his 13th clean sheet of the campaign. The back three has remain...
Granit Xhaka sends message to Arsenal fans after howler vs Burnley
Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka posted an apology on his Instagram account after he cost the Gunners a victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday. The Gunners made a fantastic start against the Clarets in the early Premier League kick-off and scored after just six minutes through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. They were handed a couple of chances to double their lead through Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka, but were unable to make the most of those opportunities. The Clarets eventually levelled the scores in the 39th minute and it was a pure gift by Xhaka, who was the centre of the attention against Sean Dyche’s side again. The Swiss was sent off during the reverse meeting at the Emirates Stadium in December before the Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat via an Aubameyang own goal. This time around, X...
