Month: September 2019

The Gunners face an uphill task to finish in the Premier League top four after losing 3-1 at Wolves on Wednesday night, their second defeat in a row

Sokratis has blasted Arsenal’s performance at Wolves on Wednesday, insisting he and his team-mates must take full responsibility for the costly defeat.

The Gunners conceded three goals for the second successive game as they were downed 3-1 at Molineux, a defeat which leaves Unai Emery’s side relying on others to slip up to keep their top-four hopes alive.

Maximum points from their last three games will now not be enough for Arsenal to secure Champions League football next season, unless Chelsea drop points between now and the end of the campaign.

And Sokratis accepts that the performance against Wolves, who ran out comfortable 3-1 winners, was simply not good enough for a team hoping to rejoin Europe’s elite.

“We didn’t play good,” said the centre-back.

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“It was a really bad game from us. The first 20 minutes was good but we lost some easy balls and we knew that on the counter-attack they are a very good team and we paid for this.

“For 20, 25 minutes we had the control of the game, the possession of the ball but they played very good at what they do, the counter-attack, and we were not there. They had three or four chances and scored three goals.

“After that it was very difficult for us to change the game.”

When asked whether there had been an angry response to the defeat in the dressing room, Sokratis added: “Of course. The players like to play Champions League, they like to win but it is not easy.

“All the players take responsibility. We are not stupid. We know that we didn’t play good. It is not the problem of the coach, the system, it is nothing. It is just us. This was a bad moment for us. 

“It is not time to have excuses. We have to look forward: three games more. We need to win all the games and get nine points and we’ll see if we can be in the top four.”

Arsenal will look to get back on track on Sunday when they head to Leicester City.

But – just as they did at Molineux – they will run into a team who will look to hit them on the counter-attack – utilising the pace and movement they have within their frontline.

And Sokratis admits that if the Gunners produce a similar performance to the one they served up against Wolves, then there will only be one outcome at the King Power Stadium.

“If we face [it] like this, we will lose,” said the defender. “It is another difficult game. We know that we have to take the points [at Leicester]. Three games, nine points.

“I trust 100 per cent my team and the players and I think we can do it.

“It is not about mentality, it is about nothing. We won two games in the last ten days away from home [before Wolves].

“We have to be in the best four teams in the Premier League and then after to win also the Europa League. We cannot wait only for our one chance. We have two chances and we have to fight for both.”

The midfielder scored Tottenham’s winner against Brighton and Hove Albion and the club’s manager hopes he extends his contract

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has not given up hope of Christian Eriksen extending his contract despite the midfielder having only 14 months left on his deal.

Eriksen joined Spurs from Ajax in 2013 and has been a regular ever since, becoming one of the Premier League’s best playmakers.

He was decisive on Tuesday, scoring a fine late winner as Spurs took charge in the top-four battle with a 1-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Spurs and Eriksen have long been in negotiations but do not appear to be getting any closer to an agreement, with some suggesting they could look to offload him at the end of the season to prevent losing him on a free transfer next year.

When asked if he had any updates on the talks, Pochettino told reporters: “I think I was clear a few months ago.

“It is a very special situation. Christian is a special person. I think we are all special, different and we need to understand that.

“The timing for him or for the club to be agreeing something are maybe different to another player. I hope and I wish Christian can be with us in the future, but I think Christian and us, we are so open to talking and we will see what happens.

“I think it is so close to the end of the season, [there is] a lot of time to talk after and I think the most important thing now, not only for him, is for all the players to be focused and try to achieve the things we want.

“We have a lot of big things ahead and we need to be focused only to try and recover, train and compete.”

Eriksen has impressed lately and his winner against Brighton capped a strong all-round performance, with Pochettino paying tribute to his technical ability.

“He has an amazing quality,” Pochettino added. “He can shoot from outside of the box and have unbelievable shots with his left and right foot.

“Of course, it’s about mentality too, but in the end if you don’t have the quality then you can shoot 10 times without the goalkeeper and for sure you’re not going to score, but with Christian he can shoot and score.”

Brighton were agonisingly close to what could have been a pivotal point in their fight against relegation and Chris Hughton accepted it was painful to slip to such a late loss.

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“That’s very much the feeling,” Hughton told reporters when asked if it was a heartbreaking defeat. “We had a little bit of fortune go our away, they hit the post, we defended well.

“The longer it went I thought we would hold out if we had managed the game better at the end. I thought the centre-halves were both excellent.

“It’s a pressurised situation but we have put ourselves in it and we have to deal with it. We have an opportunity now at home against Newcastle [United on Saturday].”

Man City and Liverpool stars dominate the top-flight selection, with Manchester United also having one representative in the XI

Paul Pogba has joined Virgil van Dijk and Raheem Sterling in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, with the Manchester United midfielder the only non-Liverpool or Manchester City player to be included in a star-studded XI.

The World Cup winner has faced questions over his consistency during the 2018-19 season, but the Frenchman has done enough to impress his peers with 13 goals and nine assists.

He is picked alongside City pair Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva in the midfield of the latest English top-flight selection.

Silva and his team-mates inflicted derby pain on United and Pogba in their most recent outing on Wednesday night, with Pep Guardiola’s side taking another positive step towards the defence of the record-breaking title they secured last season.

England winger Sterling has starred for the Blues in that quest, with a 17-goal return seeing him become a key man for club and country.

He is a leading contender for the individual PFA Player of the Year prize alongside Liverpool defender Van Dijk.

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The Dutchman, who was taken to Anfield in a £75 million ($97m) deal back in January 2018, has been a revelation on Merseyside.

His performances are considered to have contributed significantly to Jurgen Klopp’s side being in contention for a first league crown in 29 years with just three more fixtures to take in.

The Netherlands international is partnered at the heart of the PFA team’s defence by City star Aymeric Laporte.

Liverpool also fill the two full-back berths, with Andy Robertson on the left and Trent Alexander-Arnold lining up on the right.

Behind them, Ederson gets the nod over fellow Brazilian Alisson despite the City goalkeeper boasting fewer clean sheets than his fellow countryman at Anfield.

The remaining attacking berths are also split between star players from Merseyside and Manchester.

Sterling, who is predominantly used on the left by Guardiola, is included on the opposite flank in the PFA selection.

That is because Sadio Mane lines up in his favoured position.

The Liverpool forward has been a go-to man for the Reds at times this season, registering a personal best 18 Premier League goals.

That return has him just one behind Sergio Aguero in the race for the Golden Boot.

City’s star striker leads the line for the PFA side, with the Argentine edging out the likes of Mohamed Salah and Arsenal frontman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Chelsea talisman Eden Hazard is among the other notable absentees, with the Belgian overlooked despite recording 16 goals and claiming 13 assists, with him also making the six-man shortlist for the Player of the Year award.

The Red Devils midfielder has seen his efforts recognised by his peers, but Rene Meulensteen believes the Frenchman would be overlooked by rivals

Paul Pogba may have made the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, but former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen says the Frenchman “wouldn’t get in the City team”.

The World Cup-winning midfielder was a surprise selection in the English top-flight selection for 2018-19.

His efforts have been recognised by his peers, with Pogba picked by his fellow professionals after recording 13 goals and nine assists this season.

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While the 26-year-old may have done enough to catch the eye of those around him, Meulensteen claims he would not get a look in under Pep Guardiola at title-chasing rivals if he were to cross the Manchester divide.

A man who helped to launch the France international’s senior career at Old Trafford told Training Ground Guru: “I know Pogba’s in the PFA team of the year, but he wouldn’t get in the City team, not with Pep.

“Yaya Toure could do brilliant things, but he ultimately wasn’t able to do what Pep wanted.

“He went missing for periods and couldn’t do the pressing or fast rhythm with the ball that was required.

“When Pogba gets going he’s fast, but he’s not light on his feet. With City, if you lose the ball, you have to win it back as fast as you can and then move it quickly.”

Meulensteen feels Pogba has been unable to unlock his true potential despite having tasted considerable success in Italy with Juventus and becoming a world champion with his country.

He claims United were looking for him to become a midfield general in the Patrick Vieira mould when stepping out of their academy system, with such a standing yet to be achieved.

The Dutchman added on a talented but enigmatic performer: “We always brought a lot of reserves to train with the first team and Paul was the one we were looking at for the following season.

“I worked with him in some smaller groups and we were looking to measure him up with the first-team players. Paul was on the verge of the first team and Jesse Lingard was another big hope.

“Paul had similar traits to Patrick Vieira – he’s tall, strong, can drive forward and is able to find a pass.

“That’s the type of player we thought he could become for us, but then he went to Juventus.”

Pogba returned to Old Trafford in the summer of 2016 as part of an £89 million ($115m) deal but, despite taking in League Cup and Europa League triumphs and making over 100 appearances, his future is being called into question once more amid struggles for consistency.

The Ajax defender has been linked with leading sides across Europe, but Steve Nicol is not convinced that he will be making his way to Anfield

Matthijs de Ligt would be a fine addition at Liverpool, admits Steve Nicol, but the emergence of Joe Gomez makes a move for the in-demand Ajax defender unlikely.

A scramble for the Dutch centre-half is expected to be sparked this summer.

At 19 years of age, a man who skippered his current club to the semi-finals of the Champions League – before suffering an agonising away goals defeat to Tottenham – is wanted across Europe.

Goal has revealed interest from Barcelona and Juventus, while there has been talk of De Ligt linking up with fellow countryman Virgil van Dijk at Anfield.

Nicol would welcome such a switch, but he is not convinced that Jurgen Klopp will want to invest heavily again in an area of his squad that includes plenty of alternative options.

The former Reds defender told ESPN FC of De Ligt: “If Liverpool’s got a wish list, then this guy would be on it.

“No question he is the up and coming young centre-back in world football.

“He’s only 19 years old but already he has a maturity and a class about him that belies being 19.

“So for Liverpool, would this guy fit? Can you imagine him sat beside Van Dijk? I certainly can envision it.

“However, I’m not quite so sure that Liverpool would turn round and spend the type of money that it would cost for this guy.

“The fact that they have Gomez, they’re probably looking at him as the future. So, unfortunately, I don’t think he’s going to go to Liverpool.

“But my goodness I would love to have him there.”

De Ligt will be taking a decision on his future shortly.

With Ajax having suffered a painful exit from European competition, they have just two games remaining in an Eredivisie title hunt.

Once that quest comes to a close, potentially with a domestic double wrapped up, then transfer calls can be made.

A number of heavyweight outfits will be hoping to get the nod from a much-sought-after talent, with the current holder of the prestigious Golden Boy award set to be embracing a new challenge in 2019-20.

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A former defender at Old Trafford has questioned the direction in which the current side are heading, with bemusing calls made on and off the field

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been warned “there is nothing good to say about Manchester United these days”, with Paul Parker claiming a midfield of Paul Pogba and Fred is the club’s worst since experimenting with Ji-Sung Park and Rafael.

The Red Devils had France and Brazil internationals in their engine room for a derby date with arch-rivals Manchester City on Wednesday.

Neither were able to put in a productive performance, with an inability to retain possession and take control of proceedings contributing significantly to a 2-0 defeat.

That reversal at Old Trafford has kept United stuck in sixth spot in the Premier League table and sweating on Champions League qualification for 2019-20.

Parker admits some bemusing decisions are being taken on and off the field, with United doing themselves few favours as they struggle with a rebuilding project that was first taken up on the back of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

The former Red Devils defender told Eurosport: “There is nothing good to say about United these days, because you can’t see where the next win is coming from.

“Paul Pogba, in particular, was very poor [against City].

“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s midfield of Pogba and Fred is the worst they have had since Rafael and Ji-Sung Park started for United against Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Eve in 2011.

“This is the poorest United squad in a long time, and people have been fooled over the last few years.

“The FA Cup, League Cup and the Europa Cup wins were achievements, but instead of papering over the cracks they appear to have plastered over them so that people haven’t realised just how far United have fallen behind Manchester City.

“United’s hierarchy have lost focus and it can only go on for so long.

“They keep talking about bed partnerships, tyre partnerships, and other sponsorship deals. But companies won’t want to be associated with the club if they keep losing.

“The club’s fame is a double-edged sword. When you’re down, the press and public will keep focusing on your shortcomings, which won’t attract anyone to the club.”

United remain an attractive proposition to new recruits, but they do need to start showing signs of progress if they are to land the calibre of player Solskjaer is considered to be in need of during the summer transfer window.

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The former Arsenal boss believes it will be difficult to secure top players in a highly competitive market

Arsene Wenger says Manchester United have “a big job to do” as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks to bolster his squad this summer.

The Red Devils dropped two points against Chelsea on Sunday, having taken the lead through Juan Mata’s strike, after David de Gea spilled Antonio Rudiger’s shot to allow Marcos Alonso to equalise. 

United are now without a win in their last four games and are expected to make a number of signings this summer transfer window as Solskjaer looks to put his own mark on the team.

But Wenger has warned it will be difficult to secure new names, telling beIN Sports: “They spent a lot of money. They still have a lot of money, but they have a big job to do.

“What will be interesting in the summer for me is that you have many big clubs who will be out to buy players and I think there will be more money than good players on the market so it will not be easy to get it right.

“Because you will have Real Madrid out there, you will have Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea out there on the market, so there is more money than good players. And that will be the big problem for all the big clubs.”

United are still yet to win a Premier League title since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, and Solskjaer is the fourth permanent manager at the club since the Scot retired. 

Asked why the Red Devils have struggled so much, Wenger said: “I would say it was three main factors. First of all, Alex Ferguson was a huge personality in the game. His importance at the club and his quality, of course, was dominant.

“After that, I believe when he stopped it was also the end of a generation, coinciding with Ryan Giggs retiring. Exceptional players who came to an end. 

“And the other thing is the recruitment policy was not successful, and the older generation was the spirit of Man Utd.

So they lost the quality and the spirit because all these players were willing to die for Man Utd, plus the players they bought have not all been successful. And these three things together show that it’s not easy to keep continued success.”

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The defender was forced off after a collision with Mateo Kovacic, and will not feature again this term

Eric Bailly is likely to miss the rest of Manchester United’s season after suffering a knee injury in the draw with Chelsea, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United defender Bailly made his first league start since February on Sunday, but had to be taken off after a collision with Mateo Kovacic.

Solskjaer’s side are now winless in their past four games in all competitions, and also lost Marcus Rashford to injury in the second half.

But while unable to provide an update on Rashford, Solskjaer confirmed Bailly is unlikely to feature again this term.

“Injuries? Rashy, we strapped him up before the game,” Solskjaer told a news conference. 

“You could see clearly that his shoulder got worse and worse and he could no longer run freely. Eric, I think it is a bad knee injury.

“Hopefully it is not the worst case. I am sure we won’t see him again this season, unfortunately. It just adds to what we got against Manchester City. Anyway, we will be ready against Huddersfield.”

United started well at Old Trafford, Romelu Lukaku and Luke Shaw combining to tee up Juan Mata for the opener.

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David de Gea’s calamitous error enabled Marcos Alonso to equalise before half-time, though, and neither side could make the breakthrough after the restart, and Solskjaer acknowledged that United looked tired in the second half.

“We were tired towards the end of the game, that’s for sure,” Solskjaer said when asked if his side were not fit enough to carry out his gameplan.

“We have addressed that issue before. We have to take it one step at a time. We depend on everyone being fresh and fit.

“We looked really sharp. Really good. Then for some reason, the second half we didn’t come out and play as we did in the first half. There can be many reasons.”

The draw leaves United three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with two games remaining, and Solskjaer suggested any hopes of Champions League qualification are now over.

“If you look at the league table, it is going to be difficult,” he added.

“We need to make sure we turn up, win our games and you never know because points are being dropped right left and centre in this race. There’s difficult games for all of us. You can’t do more than focus on our own performances.”

The club’s sporting director again renewed his stance that the young winger will not be sold this summer

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc has ruled out the possibility of the German club selling Jadon Sancho this summer.

The winger has been linked with a big-money move to both Manchester clubs, as well as Real Madrid, with the trio of clubs reportedly willing to spend up to £80 million ($105m) to secure his services.

Sancho has enjoyed a superb season for Dortmund and has netted 11 goals in 30 Bundesliga games, while also providing 16 league assists.

Unsurprisingly, officials at the Westfalenstadion have been asked repeatedly about the England international’s future throughout the course of the campaign.

Zorc once again faced questions over Sancho’s future ahead of Die Borussen’s crucial Bundesliga clash with local rivals Schalke, but refused to entrain the possibility that his star man could leave in the off-season.

“No, we did not receive anything [an offer],” he told Sky Sports .

“We do not expect anything and we do not want anything, because he is on our plans. He will play for Borussia Dortmund next season. Nobody needs to get in touch.”

This is not the first time the Dortmund chief has claimed Sancho will not be sold this summer, and just last month he said : “I’m far from putting a price tag on Jadon, but I will say that, even for the biggest club in the world, his transfer would be difficult right now.

“Jadon will play at Dortmund next season and we are definitely planning with him.”

Sancho joined Dortmund in 2017 after leaving Manchester City for a fee believed to be around £8 million ($10m).

After playing 12 times last season, the no.7 has established himself as one of Lucien Favre’s go-to guys in the 2018/19 campaign.

He has also become a regular on the international stage and has been included in the last three England squads.

In four appearances for the Three Lions, the attacker is yet to find the back of the net, but he did register assists in recent wins over the USMT and Czech Republic.

As for Dortmund, they are currently second in the table, one point behind leaders Bayern Munich with just four games remaining.

The Reds notched their first win of the season with a comeback 34-31 victory against the Sunwolves in Tokyo following a late penalty conversion from Hamish Stewart.

Here’s what we’re talking about after the match.

1. Winning at home becomes crucial

Victory against the Sunwolves was crucial for a Reds season that was on life support heading into the Tokyo clash.

With a morale-boosting comeback win under their belts, the Reds need to kick on in three consecutive home games against the Brumbies, Rebels and Stormers if they are to have any chance of making the finals.

Suncorp Stadium needs to be a fortress over the next month and the Reds must show they have learnt the lessons of a mixed opening month if they are to deliver on the potential they obviously have.

2. The Reds’ kicking needs to improve, and fast

The Reds kicking continues to be a concern and improved little with Lucas at flyhalf, with problems that have plagued the team all season continuing in Tokyo.

Charge downs, a failure to find relief with any distance – or find touch at all on occasions – and poor tactical kicking are causing real issues with field position and possession.

Back-to-back kick errors from Sefa Naivalu and Tate McDermott only highlighted what is a growing concern for the Reds. Stewart provided stability, especially in the second half, and has to be the frontline option even when Hegarty returns from injury.

 

3. Remember the KISS philosophy

Keep it Simple Stupid. It’s a mantra the Reds need to remember going forward.

The Reds made things seem easy at times in the second half with their dominance at the set piece as they kept the ball in hand.

And they don’t need to overcomplicate the game when a simple game plan will suffice. Maintaining possession is top of the list for the Reds but when they can hold on to the ball, their forwards will do much of the work for them.

4. McDermott must start

Moses Sorovi has worn the no.9 in each of the Reds’ four games this season but Tate McDermott’s showing in Tokyo, as well as his impact against the Waratahs when he came off the bench, show he must start if the Reds are to kick on.

While Sorovi marshalled his troops well for an early try from a rolling maul, McDermott added spark to the attack with quick ball at the breakdown that made the difference against the Sunwolves.

That delivery is a must if the Reds are to use their improved fitness to play a dominant forward game against Australian conference rivals the Brumbies and Rebels over the next fortnight.

5. Reds depth is no myth

Brad Thorn and his coaching staff have talked up the Reds’ depth as the best in a couple of years and it showed in Tokyo as the reserves led the second-half fightback against the Sunwolves.

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Already without Wallabies forwards Izack Rodda and Taniela Tupou, the Reds showed they lose little when injecting reserves into the pack, with Feao Fotuaika, Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Harry Hockings adding plenty when they were injected.

McDermott was a revelation and a late backline reshuffle allowed Filipo Daugunu to be ready to make the bullocking run in the dying minutes that put the Reds in penalty range.