Arsenal fans hit out at Mesut Ozil

Arsenal fans hit out at Mesut Ozil after Arjen Robben scores for Bayern Munich

On the eve of tonight’s Champions League clash between Bayern Munich and Arsenal at the Allianz Arena, Mats Hummels claimed he was shocked by suggestions Mesut Ozil could be dropped for the match.

But after watching his compatriot stroll through the game this evening, the reports must make more sense to the Bayern defender.
Ozil, not for the first time in his Arsenal career, went missing when the team needed him most. He wasn’t the only poor performer in the visitors’ squad but can he really be called a world class footballer if he rarely turns it on in the biggest matches?

The former Real Madrid playmaker, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium for £42.5 million back in the summer of 2013, has been heavily criticised for his performance against the German champions this evening.

 

CR7 Almost Got His Sefl Yellow Card

How Cristiano Ronaldo avoided a yellow card for kicking ball away v Osasuna

Cristiano Ronaldo kept himself within touching distance of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi in the race for the Pichichi by scoring the opening goal in Real Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Osasuna in Pamplona on Saturday.
The Portuguese superstar put the ball past Salvatore Sirigu after being picked out by Karim Benzema to notch his 14th goal of the 2016-17 La Liga campaign.
He remains three league goals behind Lionel Messi, who scored for Barcelona in their emphatic 6-0 demolition of Alaves, but now finds himself two behind Luis Suarez after the Uruguayan struck twice against the same opponents.

However, you sense that - for once, anyway - Cristiano won’t be overly concerned if he doesn’t win the Pichichi, as long as Real Madrid secure the title.
The former Manchester United star has only won La Liga once since arriving at the Bernabeu back in 2009, but Los Blancos are the overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy, with a one-point and two-game advantage over second-placed Barça.

Ronaldo somehow avoids yellow card v Osasuna

Ronaldo didn’t just avoid a blank at the Estadio El Sadar, he also avoided a yellow card - much to the confusion of the home supporters.
The 32-year-old had been flagged for offside but couldn’t resist chipping the ball over Sirigu into the back of the net.
 
You could tell by Ronaldo’s body language that he knew he was offside.
Referee Ignacio Iglesias blew his whistle and walked over to the four-time Ballon d’Or winner, presumably to brandish what would have been a deserved yellow card, but Ronaldo avoided punishment by insisting he didn’t hear the whistle.
Incredibly, Iglesias bought Ronaldo’s excuse and let Madrid’s No. 7 off.
The Osasuna fans were outraged by the decision and took it out on Ronaldo, who reacted like this…

If that’s not the face of a man who knows he’s been let off the hook, we don’t know what is.
Fair play, Cristiano!

Ian Wright sends Arsenal fans crazy with big inside info about Arsene Wenger's future

The pressure on Arsene Wenger is at an all-time high after his Arsenal side suffered a defeat at the hands of Chelsea last weekend.
The manner of the loss was just as important as the loss itself. Arsenal were, yet again, pathetic in a big game and the fans are tired of seeing their troops fall short for what seems like an eternity.
Of course, the last time they won the Premier League was with the 'Invincibles' back in 2004, but that 13-year gap feels like a lifetime now as the Gunners continue to make the same mistakes time and 
time again.

Wenger's resistance to spending big, the running joke about Arsenal's fourth place occupancy and their inability to challenge in the Champions League - despite always qualifying for it - have left the red half of north London frustrated and divided.
It's worth noting that Wenger has heightened the expectations that the fans now exude during his 20 years 
with the club. The success during his first decade was phenomenal, and, despite criticism about the club's methods to do so, he should be applauded for driving the club to a new, impressive stadium during his tenure.
Club legend Ian Wright - who was Arsenal's record goalscorer before a certain Thierry Henry came along - told Radio 5 Live today he was with the Gunners boss last night, and he thinks the end is near.
“I was with the boss last night and if I’m going to be totally honest I get the impression that that’s it,” Wright said on BBC 5 Live Sport.
“I genuinely believe, I was with him for a few hours last night and we’re talking and obviously he didn’t say to me ‘I’m leaving at the end of the season’ but you get that feeling simply because I just get the impression in him and looking at him that’s it. I think that’s it.
“He actually mentioned while we were talking last night that it’s coming to the end - I’ve never heard him say that.
“I feel if someone’s going to ask me ‘do you think he’ll go at the end of the season?’ I would say I think he will.”
Is this just what Arsenal fans were hoping to hear? Let us know in the comments below.

 

Dele Ali Named Player Of The Month

The Tottenham star edged out the likes of Harry Kane and Alexis Sanchez, with West Brom boss Paul Clement and Andy Carroll also recognised

Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli has been named Premier League Player of the Month for January after scoring five goals to maintain the Londoners' title push.
'Only Alexis would make Spurs team'
England international Alli beat off competition from team-mate Harry Kane as well as Everton full-back Seamus Coleman, Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez and Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson after helping Spurs to three wins and two draws last month.
Alli, whose team are second, nine points behind Chelsea, said: "The team's done very well this month, not just me individually.
"We've had lots of players in form so it's an honour to win it."



Swansea boss Paul Clement landed the manager gong in his first month in charge at the Liberty Stadium.
After taking over on January 3, with the Swans four points adrift at the bottom of the Premier League table, Clement halted a run of four straight defeats with nine points from 12 in January, including a memorable 3-2 win at Liverpool.
Swansea are now a point clear of the bottom three although it remains tight at the foot of the table.
"It was a nice surprise," Clement said of the award. "Also because of the other managers who had very good results and teams this month.

"I was absolutely confident in my ability to do this job, and I haven't done the job. There's a long way to go."
Andy Carroll's spectacular volley for West Ham against Crystal Palace saw him net the goal of the month award.
"I'm delighted to have won the Goal of the Month competition, especially given how good some of the other goals were," Carroll told whufc.com.
"As soon as I hit it I knew it was in, I got a good connection and knew it would hit the back of the net. It's definitely the best goal I've ever scored, one I'm very proud of."

Kurt Zouma explains how Chelsea players mocked N'Golo Kante after Liverpool match

Kurt Zouma explains how Chelsea players mocked N'Golo Kante after Liverpool match

When Leicester did the unthinkable and won the Premier League last season, it was Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez that earned the majority of the plaudits.
However, it doesn’t take a football expert to work out exactly who was Leicester’s most important player last season after what has occurred this campaign.
Mahrez and Vardy have remained at the King Power Stadium and the Foxes are embroiled in a relegation battle. Whereas a certain N’Golo Kante moved to Chelsea and his performances have seen them take the league by storm.

And only now, with him set to become the first player to win Premier League titles with two different clubs in consecutive seasons, is he getting the praise he deserves.
Kante’s best performance of the season probably came at Anfield at the end of January. The Frenchman made a quite ridiculous 12 tackles as Antonio Conte’s side earned a 1-1 draw.

But just because he’s getting all the praise from the pundits, it doesn’t mean he’s not safe from being mocked by his teammates.
And Kurt Zouma has revealed how the players teased the midfielder after re-watching their match against Liverpool during a video session.

How Chelsea players mocked Kante

"He won 14 of 16 tackles (against Liverpool), and the next-best in the game won three," he told L'Equipe.

“The following day, during our video session, you could only see him. The guys said to him, 'You're doing it on purpose. Losing the ball so you can tackle and win it back again.'

"We make fun of him, but it's because we love him, and that he impresses us. For me, he's been incredible in every game this season."

ile we all know how incredible Kante is on the pitch, we don’t know too much about him off of it. That’s because his English isn’t great and is rarely seen giving interviews.

Kante off the pitch

However, Zouma explained what he’s really like in the dressing room.
"Off the pitch, he's very simple, very timid, the others rarely hear his voice. He's not someone who'll come and talk, you have to go to him to hear his little voice. He's next to me in the dressing room, I often bother him, make fun of him a little bit. He makes me laugh so much," he said.

"He's really funny. I like him a lot, and everyone loves him in the dressing room. When he scored against Manchester United, everyone was so happy for him and went to jump on him, pat him on the head."
"He's so timid, but so impressive on the pitch! He deserves everything he gets."

 

Antoine Griezmann has one condition if he joins Man

Antoine Griezmann has one condition if he joins Man Utd this summer

We're only in February yet I can already tell you who this summer's big transfer saga will involve: Manchester United and Antoine Griezmann.
Rumours of a world-record move for the Frenchman continue to circulate in the press, with Jose Mourinho reportedly identifying him as his top target.
And he's prepared to sacrifice some big names to get his man.
We're only in February yet I can already tell you who this summer's big transfer saga will involve: Manchester United and Antoine Griezmann.

Rumours of a world-record move for the Frenchman continue to circulate in the press, with Jose Mourinho reportedly identifying him as his top target.
And he's prepared to sacrifice some big names to get his man.
Indeed, the idea behind Griezmann's arrival would be to eventually replace Ibrahimovic, who was brought in as a short-term solution.
Money isn't the only potential stumbling block for Mourinho in his pursuit, though, with any move for Griezmann hinging on one important factor.
And no, contrary to reports, it's not the famous No.7 shirt.
The Sun claim that Griezmann will reject a move to United this summer if they fail to secure Champions League football for next season.
A £300,000-per-week wage packet is said to be on the table, but the France international is motivated by silverware, not money.
Simply put, competing in the Europa League isn't good enough, and Griezmann would only join with Champions League football guaranteed.
This latest update reinforces a notion previously explained by Steven Gerrard who, speaking on BT Sport, said Griezmann snubbed a January move to United because Atletico are still competing in Europe's elite competition.
"He's playing in the Champions League for Atletico Madrid," Gerrard said. "He's got a chance of competing for that, which they have done for the past couple of years.

"And he's probably thinking: 'Yeah, Manchester United probably is a good move, but it's still going to be there in the summer'."

Griezmann's demand only adds more pressure on United, who are currently sixth in the Premier League and two points off a Champions League spot.
The Red Devils want Griezmann for his goalscoring exploits, but they need to sort out their own before that can happen.
 

Leicester 3-1 Derby (AET)

Wilfred Ndidi and Demarai Gray wonder strikes seal extra-time win for Foxes

Cheers at the start of the night for Claudio Ranieri and something approaching a hero’s reception at the end of a thrilling and deserved victory over local rivals.

This was a good night for the Leicester City manager — capped off by a terrific goal from Demarai Gray — even if some will argue it was not a good night for the credibility of the FA Cup.

First to Ranieri. A day after public support from Leicester’s owner, the Italian received likewise from the rank and file. Five minutes in to what amounted to a fourth-round replay between two reserve teams, the home crowd stood to show their appreciation for the man who realised their Premier League dream last season.

Too much of modern football is pre-planned and orchestrated. Pre-match music, fireworks, men in the centre circle with hunting horns. All very well if it keeps the TV companies and the children happy.

What matters most, though, hasn’t changed. Supporters can get managers sacked. Equally, they can still the directors’ hands as they reach for the panic button.

So as Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha watched this nervy but eminently watchful game in the King Power Stadium, he will have noticed the love for Ranieri that still exists.

Is it mirrored by the Leicester players? We will find out more at Swansea on Sunday. Unfortunately, few of those that really matter played here as Leicester eventually saw off Derby with two brilliant goals from Wilfred Ndidi and the superb Gray in extra-time.

With Leicester making 10 changes from Sunday and Steve McClaren’s team from the Championship featuring eight, it would be interesting to know what visiting royalty from the FA made of it. Both chief executive Martin Glenn and chairman Greg Clarke were here.

As it turned out, it was a perfectly decent game and a personal view is that this not an occasion to berate Ranieri and McClaren.

Plenty will and it is understandable. There are too many games in this competition now played between weak teams. One day something will give and it was probably be the removal of replays from the calendar. A sad day that will be.

Tom Davies looks like a rock star

Everton's newest talent loves Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra

Tom Davies shakes his head and laughs, still trying to take it all in. This has been a whirlwind month for the Everton teenager, one defined by a question of four short words.

With Everton having a blank weekend when the FA Cup fourth round was being staged, manager Ronald Koeman gave his players a few days off. So Davies, a keen traveller - 'I like to open my mind,' he says - took the opportunity to visit Barcelona with his older brother Liam.

The break was well-deserved. The previous fortnight had featured a goal and man-of-the-match midfield display in a 4-0 rout of Manchester City, then, crucially, an assist for Seamus Coleman in a tough 1-0 win at Crystal Palace. This, though, was no time to party. 

Davies, more than anything, wanted to see the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's iconic cathedral. There was also a chance to see Barcelona play Real Sociedad in the Spanish Cup and it was outside the Nou Camp, the 18-year-old reveals, that he realised how much his life is changing.

'This lad from America comes up to me and says, "Are you Tom Davies?",' he says. 'I honestly couldn't get my head around it.

'It was a bit of a shock, really. He wasn't even an Evertonian. He told me he had seen the goal (against City) on the internet.

'So we had a little conversation but after it had happened, me and Liam just started laughing. I'd gone to see (Lionel) Messi and 

(Andres) Iniesta, to look for inspiration from those brilliant players. So for someone to come up to me? Outside there? It was a bit strange!' 

In these circumstances, it would be easy to get carried away by the first whiff of fame, but you can tell from spending time in Davies's company that he is not motivated by that and his family would not allow him to head down that path anyway. 

 

Oscar embarrassed linesman

The funny moment Oscar embarrassed linesman during Shanghai SIPG match

It took Oscar just 34 minutes to open his account for Shanghai SIPG on his competitive debut against Sukhothai in the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.
The Brazil international, who completed his shock £60 million move to the Chinese Super League club from Chelsea last month, produced a composed finish in front of 25,000 spectators inside the Shanghai Stadium to break the deadlock.
Oscar’s new employers went on to score two more goals before he was subbed off with 10 minutes remaining. 3-0 the final score. A job well done.

But it could be argued that Oscar’s goal wasn’t his best moment during the match.
The South American playmaker has uploaded a funny video, which is bound to go viral, of one of the assistant referees (or linesmen, if you’d prefer) failing to keep up with Oscar’s skills.
"I think in China they are making a great project for me and all the good players that are coming to the league. I am pretty sure that in the future the Chinese league will be one of the best leagues in the world."

Arsenal fans unhappy with the role Mesut Ozil

 Arsenal fans unhappy with the role Mesut Ozil

While Arsenal were fully expected to be beaten by Chelsea on Saturday, the manner in which the defeat occurred angered their supporters.
At the ground of the best team in the league, work-rate and desire are the minimum if you want to get a result. But for Arsene Wenger’s side, both of those couldn't be seen as they were comfortably beaten 3-1.

While the German is one of the best playmakers in world football with the ball at his feet, he’s not quite as useful when he doesn’t have possession.
That could be identified on numerous occasions at Stamford Bridge but none more so than during Eden Hazard’s wonderful solo goal.

While we don’t want to take anything away from the Belgian’s mesmerising goal, Arsenal fans were furious with the role Ozil played in the goal.
As Hazard collected the ball on the halfway line, there were plenty of Arsenal players surrounding him. However, when he shrugged off Francis Coquelin, Ozil was just a matter of yards away.

However, the former Real Madrid star continued to casually jog back and didn’t put any pressure on Hazard. His efforts were made to look even worse when Nacho Monreal was seen sprinting past him in an attempt to stop the Chelsea star.
While Ozil may not have been able to take the ball off Hazard, he certainly could have put plenty of pressure on him and maybe stopped him from scoring.

Rafinha suffers gruesome head injury vs Athletic Bilbao

Rafinha suffers gruesome head injury vs Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona were able to keep the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a win against Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
The Catalans ran riot in a comfortable 3-0 victory at the Camp Nou, which featured a record-breaking goal for Lionel Messi. He converted a free kick from a tight angle, his 27th for Barcelona, breaking Ronald Koeman's previous club record of 26 set piece goals.

Paco Alcacer made the most of a rare start for his club and scored after 18 minutes before Aleix Vidal wrapped up the three points with a wonderful solo effort.
But the victory came at a cost for Barcelona.  
Early in the second half, defender Rafinha was forced off the pitch after sustaining a head injury. He was caught by goalkeeper Ter Stegen's boot. Although a defender and goalkeeper colliding is nothing new, a graphic picture surfaced online following Barcelona's victory.  

And it's not for the faint-hearted.
The photo shows a huge gash above Rafinha's left eye that begins around his eyebrow and cuts all the way up to his forehead.    
It's not known how long the defender will be out of action, but he should be able to face Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Ray should the Barcelona medical team have plenty of bandages.    
Barcelona, who are now just one point behind Real in La Liga, are still battling on two domestic fronts this season. They have a 2-1 first leg lead against Atletico in the cup, as well as home advantage in the second game.      

Real were knocked out of the same competition by Celta Vigo last month, and would have been hoping to extract revenge this weekend when they were due to meet in the league.      
However, the weather in Vigo over the weekend has caused the game to be postponed, with strong wind and heavy rain causing damage to Celta's Balaidos stadium.
Because they are unable to play this weekend, Zinedine Zidane's side now have two matches in hand over Barcelona, meaning that the gap between the two could be extended to seven points.  
Despite the injury to an important player, it has still been a successful weekend for Luis Enrique's side. They play Alaves next in the league, a team who are also in the semi-finals of the Copa del Ray.
With the likes of Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in their ranks, there's no reason Barcelona can't catch Real at the top of the league as we head into the last few months of the season.       

Conte reveals how he convinced David Luiz to return to Chelsea

Conte reveals how he convinced David Luiz to return to Chelsea

Chelsea delivered a potentially fatal blow to Arsenal's Premier League title hopes on Saturday as they saw off their rivals 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.
The result leaves the Blues nine points clear of second-placed Tottenham, while Arsenal will drop down to the all too familiar position of fourth if Manchester City beat Swansea later today.
Passionate Chelsea boss Antonio Conte produced a magnificent celebration for Eden Hazard's wonderful solo goal, launching himself into the front row of supporters, but he was in a much calmer mood when he addressed media outlets following the convincing win.

The 47-year-old Italian gave a very engaging interview to ESPN Brasil after victory in the London derby, and in it, he commented on David Luiz's excellent form and revealed how he convinced the Brazilian to join him at Chelsea.

Luiz's 2016-17 season

The 29-year-old made a surprising deadline day return to the club back in the summer after two years and eight trophies at French giants Paris Saint-Germain, and he's been fantastic ever since.

Luiz seems mature, more focused, he hasn't produced the lapses in concentration which defined his first spell in English football, and he's been the man to replace captain and legend John Terry at the heart of the team's defence.

He's anchored Conte's three-man backline superbly well, he bagged his first goal of the campaign in the big match at Liverpool, and overall, he's brought calmness and technical quality to a side which finished tenth last season.

Conte reveals how he convinced Luiz to return

ESPN Brasil informed Conte that fans in Luiz's homeland questioned the signing, still remembering how poorly he performed in the 2014 World Cup.
However, on the centre-back's importance this campaign, the ex-Italy and Juventus manager said: "Yeah, I wanted David Luiz in my team because I always saw in him great quality as a defender, but also great personality and great technique to play the ball."

On Luiz's previous struggles in England, he continued: "I don't want to judge his past, but the first time that I spoke with him, I told him 'for me, you are one of the best in the world.
"'If you want to come back very soon to play with the national team and to be the best in the world, follow me, (let's) work together'. But he is a great worker, a great guy and yeah, I'm very pleased that David stays with us."