Spain sack manager Lopetegui a day to World Cup appoints Fernando Hierro

The president of the Spanish Football Federation Luis Rubiales has announced the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui as coach just 48 hours before the country opens it's World Cup campaign against Portugal.

The reason for the dismissal of the 51 year old former Porto coach was down to the manner of his appointment as Real Madrid manager on Tuesday. A decision, the SFF president claimed, they were not aware of until five minutes before it was announced. And attempts made to delay the announcement didn't yield the desired result.

The decision to sack Lopetegui has left the Spanish national team in disarray. He leaves the job without suffering a defeat in 20 matches played over a two year period, having initially been appointed to the job after Euro 2016.

Former international and captain, Fernando Hierro would take charge of the team at the World Cup. Leaving his director of football position at the Spanish FA for the task.

Man United v Arsenal teams; Eight changes for Arsenal, United at full strength

Its Arsene Wenger's last game at Old Trafford as Arsenal manager as the club face Manchester United. The Frenchman makes eight changes with an eye on the Europa League semi final return leg in Madrid. Jose Mourinho makes one change tp his team.


Full teams:

Man United XI: De Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Herrera, Matic, Pogba, Lingard, Lukaku, Alexis

Subs: Pereira, Rojo,Felliani, Mata, McTominay, Martial, Rashford

Arsenal XI: Ospina; Bellerin, Chambers, Mavropanos, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Nelson, Mkhitaryan, Aubameyang

Subs: Cech, Holding, Monreal, Osei-Tutu, Willock, Welbeck, Nketiah

Arsene Wenger to leave Arsenal at the end of the season

Arsene Wenger has today announced through a statement released on Arsenal's website that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. This would bring his near 22 year stay with the club to an end. The 68 year old was appointed Arsenal manager in September, 1996 when the club was still at it ancestry home of Highbury. In his time, the club moved from it old home to the 60, 000 capacity Emirates stadium in the 2006. Ten years after he initially arrived at the club.

In what has been a difficult season for the club, several fans have clamoured for him to end his stay at the club, that reached a new height last season after series of protest by fans. Despite ending last season with another FA Cup win to placate some sections of the fan base, the malaise of last season spilled over to this, and Arsenal have struggled in the league all season, as they are now prime to end in sixth place, which would be the lowest position Arsenal would end a season under the stewardship of the Frenchman. The Europa League is now an opportunity to end his time at the club on a high.

He had this to say in the statement announcing his departure from the club;

“After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me  to step down at the end of the season.

 I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years.

 I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.

 I want to thank the staff, the players, the Directors and the fans who make this club so special.

 I urge our fans to stand behind the team to finish on a high.

 To all the Arsenal lovers take care of the values of the club.

 My love and support for ever.”

-Arsene Wenger

The club has indicated that they would make an appointment to replace Arsene Wenger as soon as possible. 

The Frenchman's time at the club has fetched Three Premier League titles (1998, 2002, 2004), Seven FA Cups, (1998, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2014, 2015, 2017) and Seven Community Shields, The Europa League could be part of that collection, if Arsenal can win it at the end of the season. 

Arsenal v Man City teams II: Welbeck, Mkhitaryan in, Wilshere out

Arsenal face Manchester City for the second time in four days after
the League Cup final defeat. Danny Welbeck, Sead Kolasinac, Petr Cech
and Mkhitaryan are given starts. While Ederson is back in goal for Man
City in place of Claudio Bravo.

Full teams.

Arsenal:

Cech, Bellerin, Koscielny, Mustafi, Kolasinac, Xhaka, Ramsey, Ozil,
Mkhitaryan, Welbeck, Aubameyang

Subs: Ospina, Holding, Chambers, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Iwobi, Nketiah

Man City:

Ederson, Walker, Danilo, Kompany, Otamendi, Gundogan, De Bruyne,
Silva, Bernardo, Sane, Aguero

Subs: Bravo, Stones, Laporte, Jesus, Zinchenko, Toure, Foden

League Cup Final: Arsenal v Man City teams: starts for Ramsey and Chambers, Kompany in for City

Its the League cup final at Wembley as Arsenal trade tackles with Man City.

Full Teams

Arsenal:

Ospina; Bellerin, Mustafi, Chambers, Koscielny, Monreal; Xhaka,
Wilshere, Ramsey; Özil; Aubameyang

Subs: Cech, Kolasinac, Mertesacker, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Iwobi, Welbeck

Man City:

Bravo, Walker, Kompany (c), Otamendi, Danilo, Fernandinho, Silva,
Gundogan, De Bruyne, Sane, Aguero

Subs: Ederson, Stones, Laporte, Bernardo, Zinchenko, Foden, Jesus

Man United v Chelsea teams: Pogba and McTominay starts, Morata and Drinkwater in

Its second against fourth in the Premier League as Manchester United
host Chelsea at Old Trafford. Jose Mourinho brings in McTominay and
Paul Pogba in midfield. While Antonio Conte brings in Danny
Drinkwater in place of Fabregas, while Alvaro Morata starts for the
first time in weeks.

Full Teams:

Man United:

De Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, McTominay, Matic, Pogba,
Alexis, Lukaku, Martial

Subs: Eric Bailly, Juan Mata,
Jesse Lingard, Michael Carrick, Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Joel Pereira

Chelsea:

Courtois, Azpilicueta Christensen, Rudiger, Moses, Drinkwater, Kante,
Alonso, Willian, Morata, Hazard Alvaro Morata

Subs: Wilfredo Caballero
Juan Mata, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro Rodriguez, Olivier Giroud Davide
Zappacosta, Gary Cahill. Emerson

Chelsea v Barcelona line up: Morata on the bench

Chelsea host Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League round 16 clash at Stamford Bridge. Alvaro Morata, Oliver Giroud starts on the bench. Hazard Leads the line. Kante returns after being rested last weekend. Lionel Messi spear
heads Barcelona's starting line-up.

Full Line up:

Chelsea:

Courtois, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Ruediger, Moses, Fabregas, Kante,
Alonso, Pedro, Hazard, Willian

Barcelona:

Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Busquets, Paulinho,
Rakitic, Iniesta; Messi, Suárez