Defender Victor Lindelof Joins Manchester United for £31m

Manchester United have completed the signing of Swedish international
defender, Victor Lindelof from Benfica on a four year deal with an
option for a fifth year. The 22 year old joins the Old Trafford club
for a fee of £31m. The pricely sum makes him the most expensive
defender in the club's history. That accolade was previously held by
Rio Ferdinard when he was signed from Leeds United for £29m in 2002.

The 22 year old Lindelof arrives on the back of playing an
instrumental role in helping Benfica win a domestic league and cup
double last season. He played 47 games across all competitions for the
Portuguese champions.
Standing at 6ft 2in he is expected to add some montrosity to
Manchester United backline alongside Eric Bailly who excelled in his
first season at Old Trafford.

With this signing, the future of Chris Smalling is now clearly
uncertain as the England international has been linked with a move
away from the club. However, other there are reports that the club is
looking to add more defensive cover. But, the futures of Phil Jones
and Daley Blind remains unclear.

Jose Mourinho had this to say about his first signing of the summer.

"Victor is a very talented young player, who has a great future ahead
of him at United. Our season last year showed us that we need options
and quality to add depth to the squad and Victor is the first to join
us this summer,"

While the player had his say about his move:

"I'm thrilled," he said.
"I have enjoyed my time at Benfica enormously and I have learned a lot
there. But I'm looking forward to playing in the Premier League at Old
Trafford and for Jose Mourinho. I'm keen to get started and make my
contribution to the team's efforts to win more trophies,"

Old Trafford is expected to see more high profile arrivals this
summer. With Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata reported close to
joining the club for another huge outlay.

Arsenal Confirms Signing of Defender Sead Kolasinac

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Bosnia international Sead
Kolasinac on a free transfer from Bundesliga side Schalke where he has
been for the last five years.
The 23 year old who plays as both a left back and a wing back is
reported to have signed a five year deal until 2022.
The 6ft defender was part of the Bundesliga eleven of the just concluded season.

His arrival is expected to put more pressure on Kieran Gibbs who has
been linked with a move out of the club. With Newcastle United
reported to be interested in the English left back.

With Nacho Monreal now 30 years, the Bosnian is expected to be his
long term replacement in that role. With Arsene Wenger deploying a
3-4-3 system to finish the recent season, and Sead Kolasinac adept at
playing as a wing back due to the system Schalke played last season,
he won't be new to the playing as wing back should Arsene Wenger
persist with three at the back next season.

This is expected to be the first of several arrivals already planned
by the club with a bid of £95 already reportedly for made and
rejected for Monaco teenage sensation Mbappe.

The players expected to leave Arsenal this summer includes Matthieu
Debuchy, Joel Campbell, the aforementioned Gibbs, David Ospina, Carl
Jenkinson, Yaya Sanogo has confirmed he is leaving at the end of his
contract this month and Lucas Perez's future is still up in the air.

It promises to be a busy summer at Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger's new contract: More of the same or there would be changes?

Arsene Wenger signed a two year extension to extend his stay at Arsenal to 2019 during the week.. The Frenchman faced arguably his most difficult season as manager of the North London club after a terrible run of form from the end of January to early April culminated in seven defeats from twelves matches in all competitions. Yet as it common with Arsene Wenger's Arsenal over the years, they always seem to end the season with a flourish after the usual mid season loss of form. An untypical change of formation for the first time since September. 1996 which saw the manager adopt a 3-4-3 formation meant Arsenal won nine out of its ten matches to finish the season. The high of winning the FA Cup against champions Chelsea culminated in another contract extension. The cup win at Wembley made Arsenal the most successful club in the history of the competition with its 13th win, while Arsene Wenger became the most successful manager in FA Cup history with its seventh win. Its a feat that would take some beating to overcome.

The familiar failings of Arsenal were all on display for all to see this season in the just concluded season. The usual starting a season in a flourish, which inevitably lures the fans to a sense of false security and excitement. But when push comes to shove and the pressures goes up, the team collapses. Yet, the manager attributed this year's collapse to unusual circumstances which had to do with uncertainties over his future which he claimed unsettled his players.
The way Arsenal overcome bogey teams such as Southampton and Stoke City away from homes in matches they had to win, must make its fans wonder why they can't show such enthusiasm for a title race the way they do for a top four finish. Now after the glorious failure of settling for a Europa league spot, which was rewarded with a new contract, something has to give.
The contract extension was followed by the usual official line and assertion that there would be changes in the transfer market in the off season. Such lines have been heard before, but where never backed by actions. which is why whether this contract extension would end up being more of the same or there would be genuine change would be known in the weeks and months to come.

One reason why the stasis can't continue is because there are actually questions that needs to be addressed. Since Arsenal only deploy a weapon of reactionary activity, they would do well to react to the numerous players that their contracts have been allowed to run down to just one year left. Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Oxlade Chamberlain's contracts have to be addressed. The likes of Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs would have to be sold with just a year left in their contracts. Carl Jenkinson, Matthieu Debuchy, Yaya Sanogo and Lucas Perez, who is looking for a move a way after growing frustrated at a lack of playing time.

Arsene Wenger would have to be more ruthless in his approach to dealing with players. it;s an indictment and pure negligence that a player like Yaya Sanogo was in Arsenal's books for four years, and yet the club is reluctant to meet the wage demands of the likes of Alexis and Ozil. If non performing players are removed from the wage will, it would go a long way in adequately fixing wage demands of key players.

It remains to be seen how Arsene Wenger approach the summer's business. he, more than anybody else would know that, things can't possibly continue the way they have been before. He has shown he can change with that change of formation for the first time in twenty years, and now, he has to replicate that in his transfer business this summer.

Jose Mourinho and Manchester United: Strange Birds Methods

The Premier League season has lurked between the mundane and at times moment of brilliance for Jose Mourinho's Manchester United. Yet, it’s the mundane moments that has dominated most of the Portuguese first season at Old Trafford. Known for his methods since he hit the big time at Porto, he hasn't shifted on that grounds since he came to limelight more than a decade ago.

However, after he was sacked last time out Chelsea, following a disappointing defence of the title they won three seasons ago, the Portuguese methods have been questioned in some quarters this season following the club's inconsistent performances in the league.

The club's history which is known for the brand of attacking and exhilarating football built from the Matt Busby era and perfected by Alex Ferguson has been missing all too frequently this season.

Manchester United have drawn more matches at home this season in the league than any other team. A little more attacking flair would have translated most of those draws to wins, which would have seen them fighting for the title instead of the battling for a top four finish.

By any club's standard, winning a trophy is considered a successful season, but the standards in which Manchester United are judged is different from most clubs, because of its size and following. Yet the size of a club has never been suddenly become a birthright of automatic success.

The club has never been lacking in ambition, going by the huge sums it has spent in the transfer market in recent seasons. The record signing of Paul Pogba was a testament to that ambition. But the French international has largely been underwhelming in his first season back at Old Trafford. Rather it is the Bosman signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic that has become a success this season.

The Swede has shown that age is not a barrier to his abilities, and he is well on his way to thirty goals this season. A remarkable achievement when that happens.

He was the difference between the league cup win against Southampton in February. As they were largely second best to the Saints at Wembley.

If he decides to call time on his stay at Old Trafford at the end of the season, he would have proved what he can do in the English league.

Jose Mourinho's method of antagonising and criticising his players publicly hasn't stopped at Old Trafford. Instead he has continued the trend. His victims have ranged from Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial, the now departed Bastian Schweinsteiger, (a player he apologised to, now in the MLS) and Memphis Depay (now at Lyon) but he seems to pick the players he criticises in his team, he has seldom picked on Paul Pogba despite his inconsistent displays, rather he has praised him.

The criticism of Luke Shaw is churlish. The England international was out for a year after he broken his leg in two places. The player might still be feeling the effects of that nasty injury which explains his niggling injuries.

Jose Mourinho is always quick is always quick to receive adulation for any success of his team, whereas when the opposite is the case, he has tended to shift the blame to the players.

Most coaches chose to have a method of sticking to in-house criticism, while deflecting questions on a particular player.

Most coaches have evolved their methods in handling players as well as their methods in varying tactics. But the Portuguese hasn't change or evolve his methods on that two fronts.

He remains a defence first manager. which is not a criticism as this served him well in the past in his trophy laden managerial career. But its an approach that has negated most of Manchester United's branding of attacking football built on over the years. Take Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of the United team, and they would struggle to score goals as the Swede has accounted for most of the goals scored this season.

His team has struggled to develop steam in terms of adequately controlling a game especially by possession. Most are long passes, and others lack incisiveness. It’s more a reliance of moments of brilliance rather than an assured display of flowing football. And most of those moments have come of Zlatan Ibrahimovic  .

Manchester United are well known for developing and using young players for achieving it aims. It’s a tradition they are proud of. Alex Ferguson's core players all came through the club's youth system.

Whereas, Jose Mourinho has seldom have a track record for developing young players, rather he has always shown a preference for signing big players. In spite his several protestation to the contrary, the records are clear.

Manchester United's greatest find of season Marcus Rashford has failed to hit the heights of last season. He was arguably the find of last season, but he has failed to kick on from what was a huge season for the 18 year old. Instead, he has struggled this season largely due to how he has been managed by the Portuguese.

Jose Mourinho's methods could still be vindicated. In spite of the league cup trophy in the cabinet, it could still end as an outstanding success if he adds the Europa league to the league cup, it would mean qualification for the Champions League. In what would be resounding first season for the Portuguese.

Could Europa League Benefit Arsenal?

It was another disappointing season in the Champions League for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger's side crashed out in the last 16 for the seventh consecutive season. But this season was unlike others, as his team suffered a scandalous 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich.

In previous seasons, Arsenal have impressed in the group stages only to fall at the first knock out stage. However, despite finishing top of the its group in this season's competition, the last couple of seasons has seen them struggle at the group stage. Last season, it took a last gasp 3-0 win over Olympiacos in Athens for it to qualify for the knock out stages, after suffering three defeats at the group stage.

However, in spite of that, in previous seasons, Arsenal have gone on to successfully qualify for the champion league even after it continuous struggles in the competition, but this season is looking different so far.

Arsenal are currently fifth, four points behind Manchester City, with two games in hand, though Pep Guardiola’s side also have a game in hand.

While the other teams currently occupying the top four are largely in form and have been winning matches, Arsenal recorded their first win in the league since February after a 3-0 win over West Ham United. A victory that took them to fifth. This was after four defeats and a draw in five league matches which has resulted in them not just losing ground completely in the title race, but the top four.

Arsenal's record in the Champions League in Arsene Wenger's 21 years at the club reads:

One Final in 2006: (defeat to Barcelona)

Two Semi Finals in 2006 & 2009: (win over Villareal and defeat to

Manchester United)

Four Quarter Finals: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010,

Last 16: (2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)

Arsenal's place in the Champions League has largely been reduced to participation as they have struggled to compete with the top clubs when they get to the knock out stages.

With the possibility of qualifying for the Europa league now a visible option with their place on the table with a third of the season gone, the club could benefit from playing in it.

First the Europa league have often been derided by English clubs because of the riches of the Premier League, and the difficulty of having to cope with playing on Thursday and weekends in the league, but clubs in Spain have used the Europa league has a launch pad to a successful campaign in the Champions League. Atletico Madrid's recent consistent displays in the Champions League was built on winning the Europa League, a triumph that enabled them to develop a winning mentality in Europe. This has translated to two final appearances in the Champion league which has been defeats to city rivals Real Madrid.

Arsenal could benefit from such. The club is in need of a winning mentality in Europe. And a change of competition could spark that into being. They have struggled to build any steam in the Champions League.

The Europa League could just be the place to build that steam. Last time they played in it in the old UEFA Cup, in 2000, they got to the final where they lost to Galatasaray.

However, some could point to the fact that same failings that have plagued Arsenal in the Champions League could still be evident in the Europa League if they play in it. Arsenal have struggled against teams like Dinamo Zagreb, Anderlecht and Olympiacos, sides that have similar standings with most teams in the Europa league. Which is to say it is not a giving that they could actually benefit from playing in it.

Still, a change of competition could actually make Arsenal break it hoodoo in struggling in the early stages of knock out football in Europe. Having the nous and experience to play under a different pressure, but in the same stage of a European competition and qualifying beyond that stage could only aid in building confidence in dealing with the pressure of Europe.

With a few games left of this season, and with it looking likely that champions league place finish is out of it hands, a Europa league placement could just be it for the coming season.

Video: EPL Highlights: Chelsea 2 Man City 1

Chelsea got their title challenge back on track after a hard fought win over Manchester City at Stamford Bridge. Antonio Conte's side had suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend. A defeat that saw their lead cut to seven points in the race for the title. But they got an important victory in their quest to win the title. A brace from Eden Hazard was enough to secure all three points as it helped Chelsea to maintain their seven points lead over Tottenham. The North Londoners staged a late comeback to beat Swansea 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium after trailing for virtually the entire match.
The win keeps Chelsea within touching distance of winning the league again with just eight matches left, they are in pole position to claim it.

Video Highlights below:

                                                                     

Video: EPL Highlights: Arsenal 3 West Ham 0

Arsenal returned to winning ways in the premier league, after they posted their first win in the Premier League since February. Goals from Mesut Ozil, Theo Walcott and Oliver Giroud sealed a 3-0 win over West Ham at the Emirates for Arsene Wenger's side. The under pressure Arsenal manager saw his side record only their first win in just six premier league matches after defeats against Watford, Chelsea, Liverpool, Chelsea and West Brom with the 2-2 draw against Manchester City, the only time the Emirates side avoided defeat during that run of matches.

They next face Crystal Palace on Monday next week as they continue their quest to finish in the top four for another season.

Video Highlights is below: