PREMIER LEAGUE

23Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Mikel Arteta sends warning to Liverpool ahead of Premier League clash

Mikel Arteta has insisted the Arsenal will be at their best when they face off against Liverpool on Sunday in a crucial Premier League clash.   The Gunners head into the game on Sunday off the back of two rather disappointing performances both in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Arteta's side were well below par on Saturday at the Vitality Stadium, losing 2-0 to Bournemouth after going down to ten men - William Saliba received a straight red in the first half. They were similarly poor against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday evening at the Emirates Stadium, but managed to scrape a win thanks to an own goal from Dmytro Riznyk. Following two sub-par outings, manager Arteta has admitted that he was expecting a slight dip in form following a strenuous inte...

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21Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea: Three talking points

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on October 20, 2024 in Liverpool, England. Liverpool edged out Chelsea to return to the Premier League’s summit. Mohamed Salah broke the deadlock shortly before the half-hour mark from the penalty spot after Levi Colwill had tripped Curtis Jones inside the area. The visitors drew level early in the second half through Nicolas Jackson firing beyond Caoimhin Kelleher after VAR overturned the initial offside decision. But Curtis Jones restored the Reds’ advantage just three minutes later when he met Salah’s cross to the far post and guided it past Robert Sanchez. Arne Slot’s side consolidated their one-point cushion as league leaders following Manchester City’s late win over W...

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20Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham keeping tabs on 20-year-old Serie A midfield whizkid

The coach of Italy Luciano Spalletti and the Italian footballer Niccolo Pisilli during the UEFA Nations League match between Italy and Belgium at the Olympic stadium. Rome (Italy), 10 October 2024. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly tracking the progress of 20-year-old Italian midfield whizkid Niccolo Pisilli at Serie A club AS Roma. According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Niccolo Pisilli has piqued the attention of several high-profile clubs across Europe, especially in the Premier League. Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur are closely monitoring the progress of the 20-year-old AS Roma midfield whizkid at the Serie A club. Niccolo Pisilli is the latest highly-rated prospect to rise in prominence in his homeland. A native of Rome, the young mi...

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19Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ten Hag: We have to meet the standards

Manager Erik ten Hag of Manchester United speaks during a press conference at Carrington Training Ground on October 18, 2024 in Manchester, England. Erik ten Hag says Manchester United must shrug off any absentees in the 15:00 BST kick-off with Brentford. There was mixed news on the fitness front in training, with Kobbie Mainoo joining Harry Maguire on the sidelines, but recent recruit Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte are among those available. The Bees are certain to be awkward opponents but, during his pre-match interview with club media, the boss was full of expectation that the selected XI will deliver the three points required at Old Trafford. “It’s always about the players who are available,” Ten Hag told MUTV’s Mark Sullivan. “Because it’s what you have to work with and those ar...

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18Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Lopetegui admits he admires Tottenham man ahead of West Ham showdown

West Ham United manager Julen Lopetegui during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Ipswich Town FC at London Stadium on October 5, 2024 in London, England. West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui believes Ange Postecoglou has made Tottenham one of the best teams in the Premier League. The Hammers are preparing to make the short trip to North London to face Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday 19 October. It is clear that the Spanish head coach has plenty of respect for his opposition boss, as shown by his kind prematch comments to The Mirror on 18 October (Page 57). He said: “They are one of the best teams in the Premier League. They have a big intensity and very good players. We have to be ready with an answer. “I think Ange changed a lot of things in their tea...

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18Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd faces injury blow ahead of Brentford clash

Erik ten Hag Manager / Head Coach of Manchester United with Kobbie Mainoo of Manchester United as he is subsituted off during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Manchester United FC at Villa Park on October 06, 2024 in Birmingham, England. Premier League giants Manchester United have been dealt a fresh blow on the injury front. This comes amid confirmation that midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is set for an incoming spell on the sidelines. Youngster Mainoo, for his part, has continued to cement himself as one of the first names on the team sheet of manager Erik ten Hag over the early weeks of the new campaign. All told, across Man United’s seven Premier League fixtures, the England international has featured from the off in each and every one. Safe to say, then, that news of his i...

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17Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Traore says Guardiola gave him some pointer

Kyle Walker of Manchester City battles for possession with Adama Traore of Fulham during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Fulham FC at Etihad Stadium on October 5, 2024 in Manchester, England. Fulham winger Adama Traore has revealed that Pep Guardiola gave him ‘some pointers’ about how to finish the one-on-one opportunities he missed at Manchester City. The winger was disconsolate after spurning three good opportunities to get on the scoresheet at the Etihad Stadium before the international break as the Whites went down to an agonising 3-2 defeat at the home of the champions. The Spaniard told El Larguero: “I’ve known him for a few years, but it’s always appreciated. He is the best coach in the world, without a doubt. After the game he came up to me to tell it was ...

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16Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Scott McTominay: What’s happened since he left Man Utd?

Six weeks have passed since Scott McTominay bid a permanent farewell to Manchester United, the club where he'd spent 22 of his almost 28 years on this planet. Despite scoring ten goals across all competitions last season, McTominay wasn't a regular starter for Erik ten Hag and his contributions weren't enough to convince the manager to keep him at Old Trafford. Even though Ten Hag later said he would have ideally preferred not to let McTominay go, United knew they needed to sell during the summer transfer window if they were going to bring new players in and home-grown sales are much more valuable when it comes to the Premier League's increasingly strict financial regulations. McTominay, who was the subject of a rejected £30m bid from West Ham in 2023, was earmarked as someone who could b...

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15Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City target Rúben Amorim as next manager if Pep Guardiola leaves

Manchester City are strongly considering the Sporting Lisbon head coach Rúben Amorim as their next manager if Pep Guardiola leaves when his contract expires at the end of the season. Guardiola said last weekend that “anything can happen” in terms of his future. The importance of City having a succession plan is clear and the link with Amorim, regarded as one of the best young managers in Europe, is understandable. The 39-year-old is a close ally of Hugo Viana, who will take over from Txiki Begiristain as City’s director of football next summer. The desire for a smooth transition means Viana, who has been at Sporting since 2018, will collaborate with Begiristain before the 60-year-old retires at the end of the season. There is the prospect of an immediate recruitment challenge given that G...

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15Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United have three transfer options to fund January rescue act

It has been five years since Manchester United spent money on a permanent signing in the January transfer window, and the new football structure at Old Trafford will aim to keep the chequebook closed again this winter. Bruno Fernandes was the last mid-season transfer at Old Trafford in January 2020, and if you were making a case for business in that window, you would certainly have Fernandes front and centre of your proposal. He is United's best signing of the last decade and has proved outstanding value for money at £47m. Since then, United have done all their major business in the summer, as the most well-run clubs always aim to do. The winter window in Erik ten Hag's first season was notable for some stop-gap loan deals, in Jack Butland, Marcel Sabitzer and Wout Weghorst. Ralf Rangnick ...

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15Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Neymar responds to transfer claim as Mikel Arteta suffers another injury setback

With the international break nearing an end, Arsenal will be able to fully focus on a huge run of fixtures. The Gunners have enjoyed an unbeaten start to the season and will be hoping to continue that when they travel to Bournemouth on October 19. That match will be followed by a midweek game against Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League and a blockbuster clash against top of the table Liverpool on Sunday. However, they will be sweating on the fitness of a number of key players, including Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Arsenal news. Neymar responds to transfer question Neymar has joked he is ready to join Arsenal after boxing promoter and Gunners fan Frank Warren urged him to move to the Emirates. Neymar, who currently plays for Saudi Pro...

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14Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins eyeing England start

The Villa striker, who memorably sent his country to the Euro 2024 final with a last-minute semi-final winner against the Netherlands, endured a frustrating Nations League camp over the last week. Despite Harry Kane being injured, Lee Carsley chose not to field a recognised striker in last Thursday’s match against Greece, instead opting to play Jude Bellingham as a false nine, and it backfired as England lost 2-1. Watkins came on as a substitute and teed up Bellingham but was again consigned to the bench when Kane returned against Finland on Sunday. The 28-year-old replaced the captain in the second half in Helsinki and got another assist as he created Declan Rice’s third goal. “People know what I can do,” Watkins said. “Whenever I come on I always try to grab that chance with both hands a...

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14Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola responds to England job speculation with intriguing remark

Pep Guardiola has left the door open to one day become manager of England after suggesting “anything can happen” in his future. Guardiola’s contract with Manchester City runs out at the end of the season, adding to the uncertainty around the four-in-a-row champions amid a legal case brought on by the Premier League alleging more than 100 financial breaches, which City deny. ITV pundit Roy Keane suggested England should “go for Pep” while interim manager Lee Carsley admitted: “The job deserves a world-class coach that has won trophies and has been there and done it.” Guardiola recently stressed his love for City is “deep” and has not ruled out signing an extension, but has yet to make any definitive decisions amid links to succeeding Gareth Southgate as permanent England manager. “Leaving C...

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13Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Liverpool handed major double boost ahead of Chelsea clash as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk return early

Liverpool have been handed a major double fitness boost ahead of their clash with Chelsea after Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were released from international duty early. Salah and van Dijk will both return to Liverpool from the start of next week to begin preparations for the Chelsea game at Anfield on Sunday. Egypt have allowed Salah to sit out Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Mauritania on Tuesday due to concerns over playing on their artificial pitch. Van Dijk has also been released from the Netherlands squad following his red card in their 1-1 draw with Hungary in the Nations League on Friday. Given Van Dijk is suspended for their trip to Germany on Monday, the Dutch have allowed him to return to Liverpool. A statement from the Egyptian FA read: “The technical staff of Egyp...

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12Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

PREMIER LEAGUE

Curtis Jones departs England camp

Curtis Jones has departed from the England camp amid the ongoing October international break due to a personal matter. The Liverpool midfielder was a late addition to Lee Carsley’s senior squad for this month’s round of UEFA Nations League fixtures, and was an unused substitute in Thursday’s meeting with Greece at Wembley. Jones, however, will not travel to Finland for the Three Lions’ second game of the break on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Netherlands have announced Reds captain Virgil van Dijk is to depart their camp. A red card against Hungary on Friday night means he is suspended for the next Dutch fixture.

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11Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Real Madrid eye William Saliba transfer as Mikel Arteta mistake identified

Arsenal are in the midst of another international break and the Gunners will be hoping they can pick up where they left off when they return to action. Since their dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester City last month, Arsenal have won their last four games across all competitions and scored 14 goals in the process. They will travel to Bournemouth on October 19 when the break is over, before hosting Shakhtar Donetsk and Liverpool the following week. And while many of Arsenal's stars are now focused on their international fixtures, there is still plenty of news coming out of the Emirates. Here, Football Flame takes a look over the latest headlines. Real Madrid eye Saliba Real Madrid have made William Saliba their "top priority" ahead of the summer transfer window, according to French outlet Le...

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10Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Man Utd defender Noussair Mazraoui undergoes heart procedure after Aston Villa substitution

Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui is expected to be out for a few weeks after undergoing a minor heart procedure, club sources have said. Mazraoui was substituted at half-time of United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday after feeling unwell and subsequently pulled out of Morocco’s squad ahead of the international break after complaining of heart palpitations. The 26-year-old, signed by United from Bayern Munich for around £15 million this summer, has since successfully undergone a corrective procedure to address the irregularity. United described Mazraoui’s condition as “relatively common” and said they expected him to make a full recovery and be available for selection again within the next few weeks. This is not the first time that Mazraoui has been affected by a heart con...

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9Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola contract boost, De Bruyne extension, Messi reunion – Man City Club World Cup latest

In normal circumstances, a chance for Manchester City to defend their title as world champions in a major showpiece tournament would be one they would relish. However, the expansion of the FIFA Club World Cup from seven teams to 32 has been beset by delays, controversies and criticism. Pep Guardiola has insisted City will travel to the USA with a full squad and with the intention to defend their crown - but he has been equally critical of the new format that will extend City's season into 12 months. Guardiola is out of contract midway through the tournament, while Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne are in the same position. FIFA recently introduced rules to account for such situations, handing City a potential triple contract boost - although Guardiola reacted angrily when he learned of ru...

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7Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester United’s worst start, Ten Hag walks on thin ice after draw against Aston Villa

Manchester United ground out a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa on Sunday in an English Premier League game steeped in speculation about the future of the visitors’ under-fire manager Erik ten Hag amid the team’s worst start in the Premier League era. The draw sends Unai Emery’s men into the international break in fifth in the table on 14 points after seven games, while United are languishing in 14th with eight points and still searching for their third win of the season. Their points tally is United’s lowest in their opening seven matches of a Premier League campaign and their lowest in any league season since 1989-90 (seven points), when they went on to finish 13th under Alex Ferguson — his lowest league finish. “It wasn’t perfect, we didn’t probably pass the ball as well as we would have liked t...

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6Oct By Silver Emmanuel4 Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa 0-0 Man United: Highlights, man of the match, stats from goalless draw

Aston Villa and Manchester United played out an uneventful goalless draw in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with both teams struggling in the final third of the field. Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag (left) speaks with Marcus Rashford during a break in play during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Sunday October 6, 2024. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images) Man United started well, with Marcus Rashford drawing a smart save from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, while Morgan Rogers and Jaden Philogene had decent attempts for the hosts inside the first 20 minutes. It was much better from the Red Devils in possession of the ball, but there were still concerns through the middle, with Villa having a number of opportuniti...

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