Unai Emery enjoys his finest hour as Arsenal overpower Tottenham in pulsating derby December 2, 2018 If the jury has been out on Unai Emery’s ability to reverse Arsenal’s fall from the Premier League’s top four then this was the most compelling evidence yet that the Spaniard’s methods are working. His team’s deserved 4-2 win over Tottenham in Sunday’s pulsating north London derby was their first over another team from the [...]
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: Five things we learned as Pedro leads Blues to west London derby victory December 2, 2018 Eden Hazard is undoubtedly the main man at Chelsea, yet the most influential player in a slightly lacklustre west London derby was a different player in a blue shirt. Pedro has often played second-fiddle in his career, from Barcelona to Chelsea, but the Spaniard underlined his importance with the opening goal and involvement in the [...]
Germany could face a tough draw in the Euro 2020 qualifiers after being demoted to pot two following abysmal year November 29, 2018 With the inaugural Uefa Nations League campaign over for the majority of countries, attention this weekend turns back to the more familiar European Championship qualification process. The Nations League has handed some countries an advantage for the Euro 2020 qualifiers, with group winners Holland and Switzerland now guaranteed to be seeded, but others have dropped [...]
Outgunned: Arsenal head into North London derby with dismal Big Six record and now Tottenham could cement their dominance November 29, 2018 Tottenham’s victory over Chelsea last weekend served as a timely reminder to the red half of north London of the challenge that awaits them when Spurs visit the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Long gone are the days of Tottenham being pushed aside by their neighbours from N5, or any of the Premier League’s top clubs. [...]
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke has seen his biggest teams rejuvenated this season, hinting at a change in approach November 29, 2018 Stan Kroenke has had to become accustomed to criticism from supporters of his under-performing sports teams on either side of the Atlantic. For years, Kroenke’s outfits – among them Arsenal, NFL side the LA Rams and the NBA’s Denver Nuggets – have fallen short of competing for the top prizes, while the 71-year-old has shown [...]
Europa League: What Chelsea and Arsenal need to do to win their groups November 28, 2018 Chelsea and Arsenal may have already guaranteed their progress to the knockout rounds of the Europa League, but there is still something to play for in both of their fixtures on Thursday evening. What Chelsea need The Blues can clinch top spot in Group L and, in theory, an easier draw in the last 32 [...]
Paris Saint-Germain v Liverpool: Cash-rich French giants on the precipice of costly Champions League group exit November 27, 2018 The fact Paris Saint-Germain commissioned Nike and their Jordan Brand subsidiary to create a new kit for the Champions League this season tells you a lot about the club. But the fact the French giants are one game away from exiting the tournament which acts as a catwalk for their marketing efforts tells you everything [...]
Trevor Steven: Claudio Ranieri’s experience and personality has given Fulham a fighting chance of staying up November 27, 2018 You never want to see people lose their jobs but I’m happy that Claudio Ranieri is back in the Premier League, tasked with lifting Fulham off the bottom of the table. I felt sorry for Slavisa Jokanovic, the man he replaced last week, who got off to a difficult start and never managed to adapt [...]
Champions League: What do Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool need on matchday five? November 26, 2018 English clubs return to Champions League action this week in the hope of securing their places in the last 16, although that task is looking a good deal easier for some than others. Here is what is at stake for Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool on Tuesday and Wednesday. Man City: The Premier League [...]
Second-half stars Arsenal find a way to win again – with a little help from Bournemouth’s Jefferson Lerma November 25, 2018 It can be hard to know what to make of Arsenal’s performances since the summer arrival of Unai Emery and Sunday's 2-1 Premier League win at Bournemouth was no different. On the one hand, an own goal from Jefferson Lerma and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s close-range strike extended an unbeaten run that stretches back to August to [...]