Pep Guardiola has named Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus up front in
Manchester City's opening match of the season against Brighton.
There are debuts for Kyle Walker, Danilo and goalkeeper Ederson. But
Bernardo Silva starts from the bench.
Full teams: Ederson, Walker, Kompany (c), Otamendi, Stones, Danilo,
Fernandinho, De Bruyne, D Silva, G Jesus, Aguero
Subs: Bravo, Bernardo, Sterling, Sane, Mangala, Foden, Yaya Toure
Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Premier League. Show all posts
Saturday, 12 August 2017
Chelsea line up: Morata on the bench
Antonio Conte makes two changes to the line that started against
Arsenal in Sunday's Community shield with Antonio Rudiger and Boga
coming in for Victor Moses and the suspended Pedro.
Full Line up:
Courtois, Rudiger, Cahill. Luiz, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Kante,
Willian, Boga, Batshuayi
Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Morata, Kenedy, Musonada, Tomori, Scott
Arsenal in Sunday's Community shield with Antonio Rudiger and Boga
coming in for Victor Moses and the suspended Pedro.
Full Line up:
Courtois, Rudiger, Cahill. Luiz, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Kante,
Willian, Boga, Batshuayi
Subs: Caballero, Christensen, Morata, Kenedy, Musonada, Tomori, Scott
Friday, 11 August 2017
Arsenal line up to face Leicester : Ozil, Lacazette and Kolasinac starts
The Arsenal team to face Leicester City in tonight's opening Premier
League match have been released.
There were doubts about the inclusion of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey
after they missed out on the Community Shield victory over Chelsea on
Friday, but both have been included in the squad after they trained on
Thursday. Ozil starts, while Ramsey is on the bench.
There is just one change to the starting eleven with Alex Iwobi giving
way to Mesut Ozil.
Full line up: Cech, Holding, Monreal, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Elneny,
Xhaka, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette
Subs: David Ospina, Oliver Giroud, Theo Walcott, Mustafi, Francis
Coquelin, Alex Iwobi, Aaron Ramsey
League match have been released.
There were doubts about the inclusion of Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey
after they missed out on the Community Shield victory over Chelsea on
Friday, but both have been included in the squad after they trained on
Thursday. Ozil starts, while Ramsey is on the bench.
There is just one change to the starting eleven with Alex Iwobi giving
way to Mesut Ozil.
Full line up: Cech, Holding, Monreal, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Elneny,
Xhaka, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Ozil, Welbeck, Lacazette
Subs: David Ospina, Oliver Giroud, Theo Walcott, Mustafi, Francis
Coquelin, Alex Iwobi, Aaron Ramsey
Wednesday, 2 August 2017
Can Arsene Wenger do a Roger Federer?
 |
| Arsene Wenger |
 |
| Roger Federer |
Both teams meet again in the curtain raiser to the English season when they contest the Community Shield at Wembley on 6 August.
After that attention shifts firmly to the start of the Premier league season when Arsenal open yet another campaign with Arsene Wenger in charge when they lock horns with Leicester City in the opening match on 11 August at the Emirates.
The campaign would mark Arsene Wenger's 21st season in charge of the club. And it now 13 years since the club last won the league title.
Arsenal's current situation under Wenger mirrors the situation Roger Federer was in going into the current Lawn Tennis season in January. Prior to the Australian Open in Melbourne, the Swiss maestro had gone five years without a Grand Slam title. With four Grand Slam titles up for grabs each year, it almost reminiscent of Arsenal's 13 year title drought.
Added to that, Roger Federer being 35, an old player in tennis terms, he wasn't considered as one of the favourites going into the 2017 season. Like Wenger, who at 67 is considered as an old horse in a football landscape now dominated by younger managers.
However, Roger Federer succeeded in confounding doubters, as well as himself as he never believed he could achieve the same fest he has so far attained this year.
How it all began?
Roger Federer was out for six months with a knee injury, which has added to his remarkable feat this year. Looking at his six months out, it denied him the opportunity of being in familiar surroundings in the tennis court. Just like Arsenal would have to spend a season without Champions League football. After spending upwards of 20 consecutive seasons in the UEFA's premier club competition, they would have to negotiate the lesser Europa League this season. Like Federer, Arsenal would be in unfamiliar terrain. Just like the Swiss who hadn't tasted being out that long out of the game.
Also, in beating Rafa Nadal in January's Australian Open, Roger Federer did what he had not done for a long time. He had lost in six Grand Slam titles to the Spaniard, losing the last four in a row. But he pulled off a remarkable first title since 2012 by beating his fiercest rival in the court. Like Arsenal, Arsene Wenger would have to overcome key rivals to win another Premier league title. In his first decade as manager at Arsenal, he mostly had to deal with Manchester United, before a change in the financial landscape made other clubs contenders. A bit like how it was just Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal dominating the tennis scene until Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray finally broke the duopoly.
Wenger would have to overcome several rivals to land Arsenal another title they have craved since the move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006.
Roger Federer made a tactical decision to skip the clay court season to rest his knee as he claimed. But many might describe that decision to rest differently, but the end was that he landed him the Wimbledon title for a record eight time.
In the same vain, Arsene Wenger would have to find tune a rotation mechanism that would suit his squad for the season ahead as they negotiate the tough terrain of the Europa league. The decision by the Swiss to skip the clay court season landed him a record 8th title at the All England Club.
Arsene Wenger would have to use his squad the way he has never done to achieve the club's goal for the season, one of which inevitably includes a quick return to the Champions League. This is necessary as the Frenchman isn't adept at rotating his squad something he seem to loathe. But with the Europa league on Thursday nights before negotiating a league fixture on Sunday, especially when it involves traveling away to far places in Eastern Europe, he has no option than to manage his squad through rotation.
The decision to manage his body wisely by opting to miss the clay court season paid off for Federer. Wenger's decision in how he manages his squad would go a long way in that regard.
The Swiss legend wasn't given much of a chance going into 2017 season, he was largely written off. His injury lay off made it easier for the pundits to make a decision. Some had written his tennis epitaph prior to that, declaring that he was an old war horse who was apparently struggling to reprise past heights.
The same can be said of Arsene Wenger, the Frenchman has been long in the Premier league scene. He has been continually derided in some quarters as lacking what it takes to recapture his glory years when he won the Premier League title three times in eight years during his first decade as Arsenal manager. Just like Federer did while in his twenties.
Like Federer who still won other ATP titles during his Grand Slam drought, Arsene Wenger has led Arsenal to three FA Cups in four years, but the league title has proven difficult in the Emirates era. That could be about to change?
Going into the Australian Open in January, Roger Federer was seeded 17th. But that wasn't an impediment in winning what was his 18th Grand Slam title.
Now, going into this new season on the horizon, some pundits are already marking Arsenal down as potentially finishing in sixth position in the league. But prediction and reality are two different things just as Leicester City showed in 2016.
Whether Arsene Wenger and his Arsenal team can defy the odds and to a Roger Federer, is in the realm of time.
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Conte: Chelsea must avoid finishing 10th
Chelsea ended their pre-season tour of Asia with a 2-1 defeat to Seria
A side Inter Milan.
The defeat followed a 3-2 reverse against Bayern Munich earlier in the week.
Following these defeats, the Chelsea manager has come out to say that
the club must avoid a poor defence of the title they won last season
by not finishing in 10th position, which was where Chelsea ended up
the season after they won the title under the tuteluge of Jose
Mourinho, who was sacked half way through that season.
Oblivious of the fact that he could go the way of other managers who
had been sacked a season after they won the title, the Italian has
declared that they must start strong.
"Two years ago Chelsea finished 10th; that cannot happen again," he
asserted after the match in Singapore
"We know the difficulty and for sure we want to avoid the Mourinho
season with Chelsea," Conte continued
"The coaches of the previous two champions [Chelsea and Leicester]
both lost their jobs [the next season] and we are working very well to
find the best solutions and use them,"
"We have a lot of young players and it is necessary to try and develop them."
The Premier League champions are due back in London on Sunday. They
will play Arsenal in the season's curtain raiser, the Community Shield
match at Wembley stadium on August 6th.
A side Inter Milan.
The defeat followed a 3-2 reverse against Bayern Munich earlier in the week.
Following these defeats, the Chelsea manager has come out to say that
the club must avoid a poor defence of the title they won last season
by not finishing in 10th position, which was where Chelsea ended up
the season after they won the title under the tuteluge of Jose
Mourinho, who was sacked half way through that season.
Oblivious of the fact that he could go the way of other managers who
had been sacked a season after they won the title, the Italian has
declared that they must start strong.
"Two years ago Chelsea finished 10th; that cannot happen again," he
asserted after the match in Singapore
"We know the difficulty and for sure we want to avoid the Mourinho
season with Chelsea," Conte continued
"The coaches of the previous two champions [Chelsea and Leicester]
both lost their jobs [the next season] and we are working very well to
find the best solutions and use them,"
"We have a lot of young players and it is necessary to try and develop them."
The Premier League champions are due back in London on Sunday. They
will play Arsenal in the season's curtain raiser, the Community Shield
match at Wembley stadium on August 6th.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Arsenal's Motions In November
For a number of years now, particularly in the Arsene Wenger era, the
month of November has always been a tricky one for Arsenal on the
pitch. For inexplicable reasons the club often suffer from a sudden
loss of form or a number of injuries to players.
Last season, the club's season technically came to an end in November
when both Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin succumbed to ligament
injuries against West Brom. Although, the club only lost one match in
December, a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton, they secured
wins in the other matches played that month. But the soft underbelly
due to a dyfunctional midfield was obvious.
Though, this season has not been different in terms of the form in
November, the only difference is that the team has remain unbeaten
going into the last match for the month which is against Southampton
in the League Cup at the Emirates today.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 matches since the opening day defeat to
Liverpool in the premier league. Though they have managed some tricky
fixtures in November, the unbeaten run has continued. Wins against
Ludogoret and Bournemouth in the Champions League and Premier League
has been unsetted by draws against Tottenham, Manchester United and
PSG in the League and Europe respectively.
The usual fluency that was the hallmark of Arsenal's attack in
September and October has been missing throughout November, with the
team having to abandon its free flowing style for more steel.
The failure of the team to adopt a free flowing style in recent weeks
is linked to the injury to Santi Cazorla. The 31 year old ambidextrous
midfielder who has been sidelined since October with an Achilles
problem has been a revelation since he was deployed as a deep lying
playmaker by Arsene Wenger. His two footed-ness allows him to keep and
recycle possession at close quarters and he is responsible for setting
the tempo of Arsenal's build up play after collecting the ball from
the centre halves. Incidentally, his presence always bring out the
best from Mesut Ozil as the German strives in the final third without
having to go searching for the ball in deeper positions whenever the
Spaniard is absent.
Besides the absence of Cazorla, the recent knock suffered by Alexis
Sanchez during the last international break meant he struggled against
Manchester United. But he was back to his best against Bournemouth
when he got a brace taking his tally for the season to ten goals.
The struggles reminiscent of November when it comes to Arsenal has
been reflected by inconsistent form, but not in results. With
different midfield combinations being deployed this month, with
Elneny-Xhaka, Coquelin-Elneny, Xhaka-Ramsey, Elneny-Xhaka as a
partnership either being deployed at the start of a match or during a
tweak as it was against Manchester United when Xhaka-Ramsey finished
that match in the middle.
One thing though, is that the closest midfielder Arsenal have to
Cazorla is Xhaka. The Swiss international brings a similar tempo
setting ability that the Spaniard has, and his ability to pick a pass
from deep prevents the likes of Ozil to fall deep to search for the
ball when there is an absence of a central midfielder who can pick a
pass inbetween the lines.
The 24 year old had one of his best games in an Arsenal shirt against
Tottenham, and his presence seem to bring out the best from Elneny
against Bournemouth last Sunday.
Though, its just 13 games into the Premier League season, the table is
already shaping up to be a four horse race, with a little gap emerging
in the table. But the hectic fixture list in December would determine
the direction the season takes.
With the League Cup, the least of Arsenal's prorities, a number of
players would want to go all the way in the competitons as the likes
of Martinez, Jeff, Rob Holding and a host of youngsters know it is an
opportunity to get more playing time for the club in a tight squad.
So its dateline Southampton as the Emirates on Wednesday with what
should be a completely different team from what obtains in the league.
Likely lineup should be:
Martinez, Jenkinson, Gabriel, Holding Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain,
Ramsey, Xhaka, Jeff, Iwobi, Lucas.
month of November has always been a tricky one for Arsenal on the
pitch. For inexplicable reasons the club often suffer from a sudden
loss of form or a number of injuries to players.
Last season, the club's season technically came to an end in November
when both Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin succumbed to ligament
injuries against West Brom. Although, the club only lost one match in
December, a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Southampton, they secured
wins in the other matches played that month. But the soft underbelly
due to a dyfunctional midfield was obvious.
Though, this season has not been different in terms of the form in
November, the only difference is that the team has remain unbeaten
going into the last match for the month which is against Southampton
in the League Cup at the Emirates today.
Arsenal are unbeaten in 19 matches since the opening day defeat to
Liverpool in the premier league. Though they have managed some tricky
fixtures in November, the unbeaten run has continued. Wins against
Ludogoret and Bournemouth in the Champions League and Premier League
has been unsetted by draws against Tottenham, Manchester United and
PSG in the League and Europe respectively.
The usual fluency that was the hallmark of Arsenal's attack in
September and October has been missing throughout November, with the
team having to abandon its free flowing style for more steel.
The failure of the team to adopt a free flowing style in recent weeks
is linked to the injury to Santi Cazorla. The 31 year old ambidextrous
midfielder who has been sidelined since October with an Achilles
problem has been a revelation since he was deployed as a deep lying
playmaker by Arsene Wenger. His two footed-ness allows him to keep and
recycle possession at close quarters and he is responsible for setting
the tempo of Arsenal's build up play after collecting the ball from
the centre halves. Incidentally, his presence always bring out the
best from Mesut Ozil as the German strives in the final third without
having to go searching for the ball in deeper positions whenever the
Spaniard is absent.
Besides the absence of Cazorla, the recent knock suffered by Alexis
Sanchez during the last international break meant he struggled against
Manchester United. But he was back to his best against Bournemouth
when he got a brace taking his tally for the season to ten goals.
The struggles reminiscent of November when it comes to Arsenal has
been reflected by inconsistent form, but not in results. With
different midfield combinations being deployed this month, with
Elneny-Xhaka, Coquelin-Elneny, Xhaka-Ramsey, Elneny-Xhaka as a
partnership either being deployed at the start of a match or during a
tweak as it was against Manchester United when Xhaka-Ramsey finished
that match in the middle.
One thing though, is that the closest midfielder Arsenal have to
Cazorla is Xhaka. The Swiss international brings a similar tempo
setting ability that the Spaniard has, and his ability to pick a pass
from deep prevents the likes of Ozil to fall deep to search for the
ball when there is an absence of a central midfielder who can pick a
pass inbetween the lines.
The 24 year old had one of his best games in an Arsenal shirt against
Tottenham, and his presence seem to bring out the best from Elneny
against Bournemouth last Sunday.
Though, its just 13 games into the Premier League season, the table is
already shaping up to be a four horse race, with a little gap emerging
in the table. But the hectic fixture list in December would determine
the direction the season takes.
With the League Cup, the least of Arsenal's prorities, a number of
players would want to go all the way in the competitons as the likes
of Martinez, Jeff, Rob Holding and a host of youngsters know it is an
opportunity to get more playing time for the club in a tight squad.
So its dateline Southampton as the Emirates on Wednesday with what
should be a completely different team from what obtains in the league.
Likely lineup should be:
Martinez, Jenkinson, Gabriel, Holding Gibbs, Oxlade-Chamberlain,
Ramsey, Xhaka, Jeff, Iwobi, Lucas.
Tuesday, 28 January 2014
Premier League Fixtures for Tuesday & Wednesday
Tuesday 28 Jan 2014
Manchester United vs Cardiff City
Old Trafford
Norwich City vs Newcastle United
Carrow Road
Southampton vs Arsenal
St. Mary's Stadium
Swansea City vs Fulham
Liberty Stadium
Crystal Palace vs Hull City
Selhurst Park
Liverpool vs Everton
Anfield
Wednesday 29 Jan 2014
Aston Villa vs West Bromwich Albion
Villa Park
Sunderland vs Stoke City
Stadium of Light
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Stamford Bridge
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City
White Hart Lane
Manchester United vs Cardiff City
Old Trafford
Norwich City vs Newcastle United
Carrow Road
Southampton vs Arsenal
St. Mary's Stadium
Swansea City vs Fulham
Liberty Stadium
Crystal Palace vs Hull City
Selhurst Park
Liverpool vs Everton
Anfield
Wednesday 29 Jan 2014
Aston Villa vs West Bromwich Albion
Villa Park
Sunderland vs Stoke City
Stadium of Light
Chelsea vs West Ham United
Stamford Bridge
Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester City
White Hart Lane
Thursday, 23 January 2014
Arsene Wenger on Wojciech Szczesny's 100 Premier League Appearance
Arsene Wenger speaking to arsenal's official site paid tribute to Wojciech Szczesny on his 100 premier league appearances against Fulham at the age of just 23. he had this to say about his no one goalkeeper who has kept ten clean sheets in 22 league appearance this season.
"Certainly a part of his improvement is mental because he his more matured Wenger said. He went further "His decision making is cleaner, sharper, quicker. He was always a very talented boy but because he's intelligent he learns quickly from experience.
"I'm happy that i always gave him confidence because he is developing very well into a very strong goalkeeper and today certainly nobody would question that he's one of the top five goalkeepers in the Premier League."
No doubt the Wojciech Szczesny has contributed immensely to Arsenal's new defensive stability as he has made some crucial saves at key moments throughout the season. The coming months will see him tested by the big guns in the Premier League as pressure mounts on the league leaders.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)