Friday, August 31, 2018

UEFA’s ignorance towards a political issue could cost Arsenal Europa League success

UEFA’s ignorance towards a political issue could cost Arsenal Europa League success
Dream Team FC
UEFA’s ignorance towards a political issue could cost Arsenal Europa League success

Football and politics mixing is never a pretty sight.

Arsenal were one of four British clubs who were handed their Europa League fates in today’s draw.

The Gunners, at first glance, were handed a favourable looking group, drawn alongside Qarabag and FC Vorksla, with only Sporting CP likely to pose a test.

Getty Images - Getty Unai Emery’s experience in the competition could prove invaluable[/caption]

The task facing Arsenal in their away clash with Qarabag and also the final, should they make it that far, has however emerged as a lot tougher than first thought.

Just moments after the draw pitted Arsenal against the Azerbaijani side, a bizarre ruling came to light.

It leaves UEFA with a lot to answer for.

Arsenal are set to be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan for their trip to Qarabag because of visa-related problems.

Getty - Contributor The playmaker will have to watch on from home[/caption]

Strained diplomatic relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, down to an ongoing conflict, has caused tensions between the two nations to rise.

The dispute has led to Azerbaijan banning Armenians from entering the country.

Mkhitaryan would only be allowed access to the country should UEFA obtain a special visa to grant the Armenian ability to travel.

Reuters Qarabag faced Chelsea in last season’s Champions League[/caption]

UEFA released a statement following the draw to try and clarify the situation:

“It is a standard procedure for Uefa to send letters of support to associations, clubs or embassies in order to obtain visa for players in order to be able to travel to another country and play in Uefa competition matches.”

Reuters Mkhitaryan has featured in all of Arsenal’s Premier League game so far[/caption]

This is not the first occasion where Mkhitaryan has found himself in such a position.

During his time with Borussia Dortmund, the playmaker was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s squad to play Azerbaijani club Gabala in 2015.

Mkhitaryan was told he would receive a visa upon landing in the country, however Dortmund decided to leave him at home after security concerns.

EPA Dortmund still managed a 3-1 without their talisman[/caption]

The situation gets worse for Arsenal with the realisation that the 29-year-old would, if Arsenal made it all the way, also miss the final.

With the competition’s show-piece event set to be staged at the Olympic Stadium in Baku, Mkhitaryan would once again be ruled out.

The situation regarding the Armenian’s availability for the final on May 29 should become clearer after the forthcoming clash against Qarabag.

The Olympic stadium in Baku will host the final

Although an isolated political problem and something that is out of UEFA’s control, they have still played their part in this.

When deciding upon a suitable venue for the final, it seems bizarre to award it to Azerbaijan with the knowledge that this might occur.

In terms of the draw, you would have thought that political tensions and how they might impact ties would have been considered.

Procedures should have been put in place to prevent sides with Armenian players travelling to Azerbaijan.

Getty - Contributor It’s the start of another European journey for last season’s beaten semi-finalists[/caption]

European football’s governing body simply discounted the possibility of this scenario occurring, especially with such a high-profile club like Arsenal.

Arsenal felt aggrieved by UEFA’s shambolic cup-tied ruling that meant Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was ineligible for selection in the tournament last season.

Although this latest blunder isn’t their sole responsibility, UEFA would have been left red-faced by the way the draw panned out.

Why aren’t we surprised.

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Thursday, August 30, 2018

Champions League draw: Liverpool and Tottenham in tough groups while Manchester United set for Cristiano Ronaldo return

Champions League draw: Liverpool and Tottenham in tough groups while Manchester United set for Cristiano Ronaldo return
The Independent - Football
Champions League draw: Liverpool and Tottenham in tough groups while Manchester United set for Cristiano Ronaldo return
Champions League draw: Liverpool and Tottenham in tough groups while Manchester United set for Cristiano Ronaldo return
Liverpool were drawn in Group C alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Red Star, while Tottenham will have to travel to the Nou Camp to play five-time champions Barcelona

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Son and co face Vietnam and ‘Korean Hiddink’ at Asian Games

Son and co face Vietnam and ‘Korean Hiddink’ at Asian Games
Football – Inquirer Sports
Son and co face Vietnam and ‘Korean Hiddink’ at Asian Games
Son and co face Vietnam and 'Korean Hiddink' at Asian Games

If South Korea’s national team is to reach the final of the Asian Games and win an exemption from military service for its players, then it will have to get past Vietnam and the “Korean Hiddink.” Korean coach Park Hang-seo, a member of Guus Hiddink’s coaching staff at the 2002 World Cup when South Korea […]

The post Son and co face Vietnam and ‘Korean Hiddink’ at Asian Games appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Monday, August 27, 2018

Santi Cazorla’s performances for Villarreal are making Arsenal fans want to curl up and cry

Santi Cazorla’s performances for Villarreal are making Arsenal fans want to curl up and cry
Dream Team FC
Santi Cazorla’s performances for Villarreal are making Arsenal fans want to curl up and cry

Feel like pure sh*t, just want Santi back.

Life is a cycle which is often filled with regrets.

Be it not taking *that* job, or wishing you never dumped *that* old girlfriend, Arsenal fans can relate to any pain right now.

Getty - Contributor I’m not prepared to accept that he’s gone[/caption]

Santi Cazorla was released by Arsenal at the end of last season after his contract with the club expired.

The decision ended an 8-year long love affair between Gunners fans and the little Spaniard, but it seemed to be a mutually beneficial one.

That old saying has however proved true… you don’t know what you have until it’s gone.

News Group Newspapers Ltd Arsenal fans right now[/caption]

How about this?

Carl Jenkinson is the Premier League survival expert who we can’t help but respect

Just when we all thought the 33-year-old was never going to get back to his spellbinding best, he’s proving everyone wrong with Villarreal.

Cazorla seems to have well and truly put his injury woes behind him and looks a player reborn in La Liga this season.

Getty - Contributor The world is a better place when this man is on the pitch[/caption]

The Spaniard’s recent performance in a 0-0 draw against Sevilla has got Arsenal fans uncontrollably weeping into their Cazorla shirts from 2013/14.

The magician back to his best is our new oxygen…

Here’s a comp of Cazorla vs Sevilla (A), for anyone interested in how he’s doing with Villarreal. #AFC @19SCazorla pic.twitter.com/FMuK3X0x0x

— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) August 27, 2018

There will be no ill-feeling from Arsenal fans at the sight of Cazorla’s success, only happiness at seeing the maestro back doing what he loves most.

Unai Emery’s side have looked short of creativity so far this season.

Mesut Ozil has unsurprisingly failed to impress so far this season. If only they kept hold of Cazorla?

Reuters No doubt he would work harder than this guy…[/caption]

Arsenal fans are having Cazorla based withdrawal symptoms…

 

 

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WATCH: Love Of The Game: Leyton Orient (Episode 1)

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Juve win on Ronaldo’s home debut, Ancelotti’s Napoli edge Milan

Juve win on Ronaldo’s home debut, Ancelotti’s Napoli edge Milan
Football – Inquirer Sports
Juve win on Ronaldo’s home debut, Ancelotti’s Napoli edge Milan
Juve win on Ronaldo's home debut, Ancelotti's Napoli edge Milan

Cristiano Ronaldo is still waiting for his first competitive goal in Italy but the Portuguese superstar made a 2-0 winning home debut with Juventus as Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli came from two goals down to beat AC Milan 3-2 in the second round of Serie A action. Ronaldo, 33, unintentionally played a role in Mario Mandzukic’s […]

The post Juve win on Ronaldo’s home debut, Ancelotti’s Napoli edge Milan appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Friday, August 24, 2018

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Fantasy football tips: Joe Gomez is the best performing bargain defender on the Premier League game

Fantasy football tips: Joe Gomez is the best performing bargain defender on the Premier League game
Dream Team FC
Fantasy football tips: Joe Gomez is the best performing bargain defender on the Premier League game

Premier League fantasy football is well underway and the cream is starting to rise to the top.

There are however a few surprise heroes of the season so far, none more so than Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

The 21-year-old put in a monstrous performance against Crystal Palace at the heart of the Reds defence, where, alongside Virgil van Dijk, he helped Liverpool to back-to-back clean sheets.

The pair have formed a solid partnership SIGN UP – WIN £5k BY PLAYING DREAM TEAM WEEKENDER THIS WEEKEND
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HERE’S A FANTASY FOOTBALL TIP YOU WON’T GET ANYWHERE ELSE…

Fantasy football: Hardly anyone has picked this potential must-have bargain

The youngster has picked up 16 points on Dream Team so far, making him the joint fifth highest point-scoring defender, level with his teammate van Dijk.

Gomez is priced up at just £2.5m, making him an absolute steal when you consider he is likely to be first-choice for Jurgen Klopp’s side for sometime yet.

Klopp hugs all round

Either Joel Matip or Dejan Lovren were set to be the defensive partner alongside van Dijk at the start of the season, however both picked up injuries in training.

Ragnar Klaven also departed Anfield for Cagliari, which has presented further opportunity to Gomez.

The youngster has grabbed his opportunity with both hands and looks as though he has no intentions of letting it go.

You shall not pass

Liverpool are the only team in the league to have not conceded a goal so far, with Gomez’s performances playing a major part in this.

So far, just 1.8% of Dream Team managers have transferred Gomez into their teams. What are the rest of you playing at?!

The former Charlton man is expected to be one of the players who will see his price increase on Friday August 31.

We advise snapping him up, ASAP.

A questionable kit, far from a questionable defender

Even if Klopp decides to rest the youngster soon, he won’t be without first-team action for too long.

Liverpool are fighting on all four fronts this season and Gomez is likely to be a player who is called upon throughout the campaign.

Snap him up before his price increases.

READ MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL TIPS FROM OUR EXPERTS:

Fantasy football tips: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should be transferred into your team right now Fantasy football: The most creative player in the Premier League this season has been criminally under-picked Fantasy football tips: 99.9% of you are ignoring the best goalkeeper on Dream Team Dream Team Weekender: What you NEED to know

Weekender is really simple and best of all, it’s completely FREE to enter. Happy days.

The concept involves you picking SEVEN players from the Premier League’s Saturday and Sunday matches, with this changing on a weekly basis.

You even get a glimpse into the life of Pep Guardiola, as you’re not restrained by a transfer budget AND there’s no limit to the number of players you can pick from one club.

Relationship goals

If your team get the most points from the weekend, then £5,000 is yours. It’s really that simple.

If you happen to be unsuccessful, then you’ve only got to wait till the following weekend to have another go at snapping up that prize money.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Crystal Palace's Luka Milivojevic Feels Liverpool's Salah Should Have Been Honest Over Penalty Call

Crystal Palace's Luka Milivojevic Feels Liverpool's Salah Should Have Been Honest Over Penalty Call
All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min
Crystal Palace's Luka Milivojevic Feels Liverpool's Salah Should Have Been Honest Over Penalty Call
Crystal Palace's Luka Milivojevic Feels Liverpool's Salah Should Have Been Honest Over Penalty Call
​Crystal Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic believes that​ ​Liverpool star ​Mohamed Salah should have told referee Michael Oliver that the decision to give the penalty was wrong. The Reds were given a penalty just before half-time during their Premier League encounter against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, after former Red's defender Mamadou Sakho appeared to trip the Egyptian as he looked to have an effort on goal. The Merseyside-outfit went on to win the game 2-0 as Sadio Mane's...

Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Everton Place Hefty Price Tag on Young Star Ademola Lookman as RB Leipzig Step Up Pursuit

Everton Place Hefty Price Tag on Young Star Ademola Lookman as RB Leipzig Step Up Pursuit
All the latest breaking football news, transfer rumours, analysis, and match reports - 90min
Everton Place Hefty Price Tag on Young Star Ademola Lookman as RB Leipzig Step Up Pursuit
Everton Place Hefty Price Tag on Young Star Ademola Lookman as RB Leipzig Step Up Pursuit
​Everton have slapped a huge £28m price tag on their young winger Ademola Lookman after rejecting a £22m bid from RB Leipzig, with the Bundesliga side now debating whether to give the Toffees what they want.  As reported by ​Sky Sports, Leipzig are keen to be reunited with Lookman after the former Charlton man spent the second half of last season on loan at the Red Bull Arena.  The 20-year-old impressed manager Ralf Rangnick with his performances for the club, recording five goals and three...

Monday, August 20, 2018

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Neil Etheridge saves Kenedy’s last-gasp penalty after Hayden sees red

Neil Etheridge saves Kenedy’s last-gasp penalty after Hayden sees red
Football – Inquirer Sports
Neil Etheridge saves Kenedy’s last-gasp penalty after Hayden sees red
Neil Etheridge saves Kenedy's last-gasp penalty after Hayden sees red

Neil Etheridge was Cardiff’s hero as the goalkeeper saved a last-gasp penalty from Kenedy to salvage a 0-0 draw against 10-man Newcastle on Saturday. Rafael Benitez’s side were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when half-time substitute Isaac Hayden was sent off for an ugly foul on Josh Murphy. But it was Newcastle […]

The post Neil Etheridge saves Kenedy’s last-gasp penalty after Hayden sees red appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Friday, August 17, 2018

Spurs issue desperate plea for TEN electricians as club fear new stadium will not be ready for three months

Spurs issue desperate plea for TEN electricians as club fear new stadium will not be ready for three months
Dream Team FC
Spurs issue desperate plea for TEN electricians as club fear new stadium will not be ready for three months

Spurs builders fear the stadium will not be ready for another THREE MONTHS — after sending an SOS for more electricians.

And Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he feels “sorry” for chairman Daniel Levy and fans over the sorry shambles.

The club insist they still hope their new home will be ready to host Manchester City on October 28.

Spurs chief Daniel Levy is having the mother of all nightmare over the new stadiumGetty Images

On Wednesday an online recruitment agency posted a job saying “10 electricians required for immediate start in North London on a large commercial project” on THREE-MONTH contracts.

And a source told Sunsport the agency confirmed it was for work on Tottenham’s new stadium.

Its opening has already been delayed indefinitely due to construction problems, forcing the North Londoners to switch the home games against Liverpool and Cardiff to their former temporary home at Wembley.

And Pochettino also wants to play Pep Guardiola’s City there if White Hart Lane is not ready – even though there is an NFL game at the National Stadium on that date.

The only way Spurs’ match clash can be played at Wembley that weekend is if it is switched to Monday night, which breaches the Premier League’s own ground-sharing rules.

But Pochettino, whose side host Fulham at Wembley tomorrow, has ruled out the option of playing at a THIRD venue – which also breaks rules.

Spurs fear their new ground will not be ready for three monthsAlamy Live News

He said: “If our stadium is not ready we need to find a way to play at Wembley because three stadiums in one season would be too much.

“Maybe the day after the NFL game the pitch is not in the best condition.

The new White Hart Lane’s opening has already been delayed indefinitely due to construction problemsAlamy Live News

“But we need to make the effort and try to play in the end because maybe to find another date will be difficult.

“We all feel disappointed with the announcement from the club this week.

“I feel so sorry for myself first of all, for players, fans, everyone.

“I feel sorry for the chairman – he tried with everyone to arrive on time, he made a massive effort, I feel it every day.”

Mauricio Pochettino admits he feels ‘sorry’ for Spurs fans over the shamblesReuters

Spurs’ original planned stadium opener against Liverpool on September 15 had to be scrapped after construction chiefs admitted to Levy that crucial safety systems had not yet been put in place.

Poch added: “Not having it ready for Liverpool match is massive disappointment for everyone. But most of all for Daniel.

“The first thing we can do is try to help, to be positive to adapt ourselves. But now we’re going to play at least two games more at Wembley, that is for sure.

“I hope we can finish the work in that moment and we can play in our new home. If not, we are going to give our best to win games and give good performances.

Spurs had hoped to face Liverpool next month in their new homeAlamy Live News

“This is another disappointment but we need to be all together and that this is a massive project that will be there forever.

“I understand the problems about tickets and the money, I feel sorry for the fans.

“I want to say thank you to them, apologise and try to reward them by winning games. That is the only way we can pay back all the work they have been doing for club.”

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