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European Leagues

Arteta ‘amazed’ Arsenal ahead of Liverpool, City

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said a contest between Liverpool and Manchester City lends even more credit that his side sit top of the Premier League title race with 10 games to go.

The Gunners, who are aiming to win a first league title in 20 years, lead Liverpool on goal difference, with third-placed City just one point behind in a thrilling title race.

Arsenal were the big winners of last weekend as they struck late to beat Brentford 2-1 for an eighth consecutive league win, while City held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

“It’s great to be top, that’s for sure –- it was an amazing game of football with two magnificent teams, with so many alternatives,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Porto.

“I think it’s an amazing situation that we are even involved, looking at the level that those two teams have and we are still there and we’re still at the top.

“So, the ambition raises, we want to continue to be there, and we have to go game-by-game.”

Arsenal are also looking to end a long drought in Europe by reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.

However, they will have to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit at the Emirates on Tuesday if they are to reach the last eight.

“That’s the opportunity that we have tomorrow, in front of our people and in our stadium,” added Arteta.

“For 96 minutes bring your energy, bring your noise and let’s do it together.”

The stunning form of Arteta’s men domestically contrasts sharply to their display in Portugal three weeks ago.

Arsenal failed to even manage a shot on target before going down to Galeno’s 93rd-minute winner.

But Arteta remains confident his side can turn things around in London.

“Every opponent has their strengths and weaknesses and the way that they approach the game and now we know them a bit better,” said Arteta.

“We’ll just focus on being ourselves and do more of the things that we can control better than we did a few weeks ago.”

Gabriel Martinelli missed the win over Brentford with a cut foot and is not expected to recover in time to face Porto.

Premier League

Man Utd Player Asked Ruben Amorim To Sell Him In January During Bournemouth Defeat

Man Utd Player Asked Ruben Amorim To Sell Him In January During Bournemouth Defeat

Ruben Amorim will have learnt plenty about his Manchester United squad during Sunday’s woeful Premier League defeat against Bournemouth. Tyrell Malacia – a surprise starter at left-wing-back – was among a handful of players essentially asking to be sold in the January transfer window.

United were beaten for a third time in four league games at Old Trafford – losing 3-0 at home to the Cherries in a second straight season.

Dean Huijsen headed the visitors ahead in the first half before a Justin Kluivert penalty doubled the advantage on the hour mark.

Antoine Semenyo added a third minutes later to inflict the latest in a string of dark days during United’s troublesome season.

Malacia’s first-half struggles summarised the Red Devils’ afternoon and sparked serious debate over his future in M16.

Is the Dutch defender still finding his feet after spending 18 months on the sidelines with multiple knee injuries?

Or is he simply one of many poor signings sanctioned by Amorim’s predecessor, Erik ten Hag?

Either way, Malacia looked like a player who won’t be starting games for United next season once Amorim dips into the transfer market.

Express

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Premier League

Ex-Man Utd star Ashley Young suffers horror ‘ripped neck’ injury in Everton draw with Chelsea

Ex-Man Utd star Ashley Young suffers horror 'ripped neck' injury in Everton draw with Chelsea

Ashley Young suffered a nasty neck injury during Everton’s Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.

The ex-Manchester United star started as a right-back in Everton’s goalless draw against Chelsea on Sunday and was substituted in the 73rd minute as Seamus Coleman replaced him on the pitch. After the game, manager Sean Dyche confirmed that Young ‘ripped his neck’ during the game and was subbed off as a precaution.

Speaking to reporters, the Toffees boss said: “Youngy is suspended anyway but he ripped his neck then he did a brilliant header at the far stick. We had to take him off for both reasons – to make sure he was OK physically and was on a yellow card.”

The 39-year-old was already suspended for the upcoming Boxing Day clash against Manchester City after he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against the Blues. The Merseyside club will conduct medical tests to find out the degree of the player’s injury and the exact time he will take to recover.

The former England international will hope that his injury is not too serious so that he can return to action at least before January 9 and take the field against Peterborough United in the FA Cup where his 18-year-old son Tyler plays.

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European Leagues

Kvaratskhelia Or Yunus Akgün? Victor Osimhen Speaks On His Preferred Teammate

Kvaratskhelia Or Yunus Akgün? Victor Osimhen Speaks On His Preferred Teammate

Super Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor James Osimhen, refused to pick a side when he was quizzed about who’s better amongst the players he has been in the same team with, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 25-year-old joined Turkish Super Lig side, Galatasaray, on loan from Napoli after he fell out with the club’s hierarchy in a bid to force an exit from the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

Since joining Okan Buru’s side, Osimhen has been in brilliant form, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists in 15 games across all competitions for Galatasaray, and has already been linked with a move Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United due to his efficiency in front of goal.

The Napoli loanee scored a brace at the Enerturk Energy Stadium yesterday evening as Galatasaray downed Kayserispor to go eight points clear at the top of the league summit heading into Christmas.

After the game, Osimhen credited his teammates for a job well done away from home, and urged them to keep building their performances so they can be crowned champions at the end of the season.

Quizzed about who’s the better player between Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Yunus Atgun, Osimhen said;

Osimhen has had a decent relationship with Atgun on the pitch, as they’ve directly combined for three goals since the ex-Lille man moved to RAMS Park. Back in Napoli, Kvara and Osimhen had great chemistry on the pitch as they won the Serie A title together. They directly combined for 15 goals during the Nigerian’s time in Italy.

Osimhen’s response to the question shows his professionalism on and off the pitch and utmost respect to both the players he’s shared the dressing room with.

soccernet

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