Tag: Pires

BAYERN BACK OUT OF SANCHEZ DEAL

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German champs Bayern Munich have reportedly backed out of the deal for Arsenal playmaker Alexis Sanchez due to spiralling costs involved.


The Chilean would have been a great addition to the ranks at the Allianz Arena but his wages and transfer costs, especially in the face of serious competition for the player, has deterred the Bundesliga side.

Sanchez has barely a year on his deal with the Gunners. He seems reluctant to continue at the Emirates. At the moment, Manchester City are leading the race for his signature. Pep Guardiola is keen on the former Barcelona forward. The Spaniard employed him at the Nou Camp and remains in awe of the talented player that he wants to bring him to the Etihad.

Arsene Wenger had vowed to retain Sanchez or sell him abroad to avoid helping the competition. However, there are rumours that a swap deal is in the pipeline, Sanchez for Sergio Aguero. For now, nothing is concrete. Continue reading “BAYERN BACK OUT OF SANCHEZ DEAL”

Pires on Arsenal

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Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires believes that Arsenal should be investing massively next season if they want to challenge for the title.


He thinks that the team is paying the price for not investing in new players during the past years and that they will need to consider their ambitions.

The French legend said that it is unfair to blame Arsene Wenger solely for this situation as the board has not been providing funds for new players. He believes that the management should rethink about their ambitions and consider giving their manager a solid backing in the transfer market.

He believes that the team needs a new defender, a world-class midfielder as well as another striker in front.

He said that a lot of the current players have failed to deliver the goods this season and they should not be surprised if the manager brings in some new players during the transfer window. Continue reading “Pires on Arsenal”

SUMMER TRANSFER RUMOUR: ARSENAL TO SWOOP CARRICK

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There is news in the rumour mill that Arsenal could make a move for Man United legend Michael Carrick during the summer transfer window.


The Sun claims that the North London outfit could give Carrick more playing chances than the player is getting at Old Trafford as he falls in the pecking order of United coach Jose Mourinho.

Carrick’s contract is set to expire at the end of the summer. With United not going as expected, Mourinho would be forced to make changes during the summer that might not favour Carrick. This is likely one of the reasons why reports link the player with a move away from Old Trafford.

With Mourino saying: “Look, let’s be honest, I see many positive things in Carrick but I cannot go to his identity cards and delete five years. He is not 35, he is not 30,” it seems Carrick does not have much to hope for at the Theatre of Dreams. Continue reading “SUMMER TRANSFER RUMOUR: ARSENAL TO SWOOP CARRICK”

WENGER DEFENDS GUARDIOLA

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has raised an opposing voice against those of critics bashing Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola after his side’s disgraceful performance at the King Power Stadium against defending champions Leicester City.


The Blue Mancunians conceded 3 goals in the opening 20 minutes and would go on to finish the game at a 4-2 deficit with Aleksandar Kolarov’s and Nolito’s late consolation goals serving as nothing more than papering over a shameful night.

The Spaniard, aside being mocked as majority of EPL fans quietly lurk behind his shadows waiting for him to fail his Abu-Dhabi masters so the drums of the English league’s superiority to others could be rolled out, was specifically singled out for saying that he was not “a coach for the tackles.”

For Wenger though the criticisms shelled out on top the former Bayern Munich coach’s head is “unfair.”

“Pep Guardiola, like myself, we are for offensive football. And when you don’t win, people question that. And that’s as simple as that. I believe that he doesn’t forbid his players to tackle,” said the 67-year-old.

Claudio Ranieri’s men increased doubts surrounding the likelihood of Pep Guardiola delivering to the Etihad faithful what both Roberto Mancini and Manuel Pellegrini failed to during their reign and most especially the trophy that’s time and again proved to be out of their reach –the UEFA Champion League title. Continue reading “WENGER DEFENDS GUARDIOLA”

Pires wants new striker

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Former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires has stated that Arsenal needs to sign a new striker to help Olivier Giroud.


Although he believes that Giroud is capable of leading the Arsenal attack, he believes that the team needs a backup just in case the French striker is injured. Robert Pires thinks that the team has a great chance to win the title this season, but it will not be easy.

He said that the Premier League has become more competitive nowadays and that it might be quite difficult for a team to win it. When asked whether Arsene Wenger should remain as the Arsenal manager, he stated that he still believe in the French manager. He said that Wenger is one of the best managers he has played with, and he thinks that he is the right man to bring the club forward.

He has urged fans to stay behind the team if they want the team to succeed. He said that it is normal for a team to lose a match here and there but it is important that fans remain behind the team. He stated that it would not help the team if at each game somebody is asking for the manager to be sacked. It is important that the fans remain behind the team and provide unconditional support.

Robert Pires admits that it is becoming more difficult for a club such as Arsenal to win the title because the other rivals are investing massively in new players. Although Arsenal has some resources, it is not unlimited as some of the other big clubs, and this can make it difficult for them to attract new players.
However, he believes that Arsene Wenger has a good team this year and that they will be able to compete for the title.

Robert Pires had a different view on it when he had the opportunity to make a choice

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Normally when you have two or three offers as a Footballer and one of them is from Real Madrid, you dump the other offers in favour of that because it’s a perfect place for your aspirations.

But, Robert Pires had a different view on it when he had the opportunity to make a choice. One of the Europe’s top playmakers that he was back in the day preferred the Gunners’ outfit to that of the Whites. But, now after so many years, he is repenting the move a little bit.

It’s the failure to land the European Cup home which might be grieving the France legend, otherwise, there was no such ambition which he was not able to satisfy at the Emirates. There were enough accomplishments from the perspective of domestic soccer. The continental conquest, however, didn’t eventuate leaving it as a small remorse for him.

Revealing his feelings a fortnight ago, Pires said, “I had an approach from Madrid, but, for me to tilt towards Arsenal, it was because of Wenger ringing me up personally.”

“For the manager to make the offer to me himself; it gave me positivity and almost conveyed to me that I was going to be at the core of the club. Regarding Madrid, what I always had to consider was how much of playing time I could get. I was unsure. Continue reading “Robert Pires had a different view on it when he had the opportunity to make a choice”

Robert Pires Of Arsenal To Join Champions Game

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A match of the Arsenal legends is being planned. Figures like Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry are being considered for the match at the Emirates Stadium.

There are other stars who are being considered for the match which will be held in September.


Among the legendary players Robert Pires is among the names being considered who would play the match. It would be the beginning match of the 2016-17 season of the Premier League. The others would be Cafu, Filippo Baresi, Paolo Maldini and others. They are all expected to be part of the match to be held on 3rd September. London would be the venue for the match.

The tickets are already on sale, being priced around 20 Euros or at a concession rate of 10 Euros where the net proceeds of the game would go towards Arsenal Foundation. This is an organization formed in 2012 which aims to help young people who are disadvantaged in many ways.

Pires has won about five trophies while he played at Highbury. He had helped the club during the 2006 finals of the Champions League. He stated that he is looking forward to the game. It would be a chance to meet up old friends and to play for a cause. Pires, a Frenchman, stated that, he and others were excited about the match. The hone would be great to play in front of the fans of Arsenal, those who would love to see them back on the field. They would be playing with old friends and teaming up against legendary players of Milan. The chance to raise funds for the Foundation would also be a great honor. The chief executive of Arsenal also voiced his opinions. He stated that the match would be excellent to bring back legendary players on the field for the fans, for whom it would be a treat indeed.

  • 1/14 Player Ratings

Who impressed at the Etihad?

  • 2/14 Petr Cech: 5

Once more Cech was beaten low at his near post by an effort that it would certainly be generous to describe as venomous. Just a few weeks on from his mistake at Palace this is becoming a worrying trend for Arsene Wenger.

  • 3/14 Hector Bellerin: 6

He may not always have got the better of Kevin De Bruyne, but Bellerin consistently looked like giving City’s star Belgian a thorough examination. That was until he failed to stay with him as the midfielder burst through to drive in a low effort.

  • 4/14 Gabriel: 5

Not convincing in the air, and rarely composed with the ball at his feet. Another with serious questions to answer over De Bruyne’s goal, where he gave the scorer far too much space.

  • 5/14 Laurent Koscielny: 6

Seemed to be in place whenever Navas got to the byline, cutting out a string of well-placed low crosses. Hard to remember an occasion when he put a foot wrong, not something that could be said of his team-mates.

  • 6/14 Nacho Monreal: 5

Particularly struggled with the pace and running of Jesus Navas on a rare on-day for the City winger. What should have been an easy task for the Spaniard turned into a hellish afternoon for Monreal.

  • 7/14 Mohamed Elneny: 5

Arsenal spent most of the game without possession, and it really didn’t suit Elneny. He is not entirely convincing when called on to win the ball back though he did earn an assist for Giroud’s goal.

  • 8/14 Aaron Ramsey: 7

Made a string of impressive tackles in his own half as City poured men forward in the opening minutes and was often the man kick-starting Arsenal’s counters.

  • 9/14 Danny Welbeck: 6

Did his fair share of diligent work in defence over the 24 minutes he managed on the field, tucking in neatly, stealing the ball and providing a threat on the counter. Another knee injury will be a source of serious concern to Wenger.

  • 10/14 Alex Iwobi: 5

Rather too blase in possession, hardly the most helpful of attributes when Arsenal had so little of it to work with. One kamikaze pass in the direction of Aguero summed up a disappointing day for the youngster.

  • 11/14 Alexis Sanchez: 7

Sanchez was full of the drive and purpose Arsenal needed, consistently forcing the impressive Gael Clichy to make a decision. Nowhere was this more apparent than his goal, when he dovetailed impressively with Giroud in a way many Arsenal followers doubted he ever could, driving on to the Frenchman’s lay-off and slotting home.

  • 12/14 Olivier Giroud: 8

His ongoing inclusion after his recent travails constituted something of a surprise at kick-off but his robust physicality was exactly what Arsenal needed on a day when they were forced to play on the break. Showed intelligence for a well-taken goal but his touch for Sanchez’s strike was nothing short of sumptuous. Continue reading “Robert Pires Of Arsenal To Join Champions Game”

Aston Villa to face Bournemouth during the weekend game

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Aston Villa will be without several players in the game that could see them get relegated. Players such as Alan Hutton will be suspended for this game while Ciaran Clark will face a late fitness test to determine whether he can play a part in the match.

On the other hand, Aston Villa will be able to get Gabriel Agbonlahor back in the team after he was suspended for a breach of club’s discipline.

In a difficult season for Aston Villa, they will want at least to make a double over Bournemouth. Indeed, Aston Villa won at Bournemouth on the opening day of the season and up to this date remains their only away win.

Aston Villa fans will be expecting, at least, a response this season from their team before they are officially relegated from the Premier League. They will want at least to see some qualities that will give them hope that they may make an immediate return to the Premier League. But with their current management problems, it is more likely that they may stay in the Championship for quite some time unless there is a significant change at the top.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, will be without their star striker BenikAfobe, who will be absent because of a hamstring injury. Harry Arter is also expected to be out of the team because of an Achilles injury while Adam Smith will face a late fitness test. Continue reading “Aston Villa to face Bournemouth during the weekend game”

Chelsea’s task of defending their Premier League title is extremely tough

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Chelsea emerged as the champions of the 2014-15 Premier League season in a dominating fashion as Jose Mourinho and his team collected 87 points while their nearest rivals which were Manchester City had to settle with 79 points.

During that season, Chelsea only lost 3 matches. Only 3 lost games from 38 games, this is an impressive feat for any club and it was no doubt whatsoever that Chelsea deserved to be crowned as the champions of England.

Things have taken a huge in a short period of time as the new season of the Premier League kicked off on August and Chelsea are now struggling to replicate their form of the previous season.

From the 4 initial Premier League matches, Chelsea has already sustained 2 defeats and have only managed to collect 4 points from the possible 12. It has become clear that Chelsea is not going through their best start of the season as it could be going much better. Continue reading “Chelsea’s task of defending their Premier League title is extremely tough”

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Alexandre Lacazette

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Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Alexandre Lacazette, who was one of the top players in the French league last season.

The Lyon forward finished the campaign with 27 goals, which put him above the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani in terms of the top goal scorers. This impressive campaign has led to enormous transfer interest surrounding the player. At just 24 years of age, he is at a perfect time to complete a move to a big club. Even though Lyon appeared to be in contention for the league title for much of the campaign, they will struggle without a player likeLacazette.

Since Olivier Giroud is still seen as the only main striker at Arsenal capable of scoring goals regularly, the club would want to strengthen his position with another striker to compliment him.Lacazette appears to be the perfect fit for this position, but Lyon are not ready to sell him right now. In fact, the club president has gone on record to say that they are ready to extend his contract and offer him around € 4 million per year. These are impressive wages for a club that has not been in the hunt for top prizes over the last five years. Continue reading “Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Alexandre Lacazette”