Arsenal’s £12.6m-rated flop is surely at risk of ruining his career if he continues Emirates hell

It’s a new dawn for Arsenal fans with the Unai Emery era set to begin soon much to the delight of many of the fans in the Taervn. For some at the club, however, their Arsenal career could and should already be over. 

Southampton have consistently produced a great talent from their famed academy. Like other clubs in the Premier League, Arsenal have poached some of that talent in the form of Theo Walcott and more recently Calum Chambers.

The 23-year-old defender impressed during his time at Southampton but ever since making his move to the Gunners, he hasn’t been able to build on that impressive start and establish himself as an Arsenal starter. Whenever the England under-21 international has played for club, he has never looked comfortable and looks like he could make mistake at any point. Moreover, since his arrival, Arsenal have continued to splash the cash on defenders such as Shkodran Mustafi, fellow under-21 international Rob Holding and could once again be in the market having been linked with a move for Freiburg defender, Caglar Soyuncu.

Seemingly firmly down the pecking order, Chambers needs to look for a move away if he is still to have a career at the top level. The young defender only managed 12 games in the league for Arsenal last season and indeed, played his highest amount of league games (23) during his loan spell at Middlesbrough.

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At 23, it’s crucial that he gets consistent game time and if he could target a move to a club like Bournemouth or Fulham, there’s still a strong possibility that he could fulfil the talent that everyone saw when he was at Southampton.

Arsenal fans hated Mustafi’s performance in cup final defeat

Arsenal’s hopes of lifting major silverware this season took a major blow on Sunday after they were heavily defeated by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup Final.

The Premier League leaders were always going to be favourites heading into the Wembley clash, but Arsenal failed to cope with Pep Guardiola’s side from kick-off, leaving supporters bitterly disappointed with the performance.

How the Gunners respond to the defeat remains to be seen, but ten points behind fourth place in the league and their Europa League credentials in doubt, it could be a painful end to the season for Arsene Wenger’s squad.

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Sergio Aguero got the scoring underway after capitalising on Shkodran Mustafi’s error to chip over David Ospina in the 18th minute, before a second half City double put the game beyond doubt.

Fans were fuming with the performance of Mustafi, believing he directly contributed to the defeat, with some even stating they would rather not see him in an Arsenal shirt ever again.

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They took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

SIX players who could follow Darko Milanic to Leeds

After weeks of uncertainty, the vacant Leeds manager post has been filled by Darko Milanic. The Slovenian gaffer is the first non-British or Irishman to take charge of the Whites, and will be tasked with building a side to make an outside push for the play-off spots by Massimo Cellino.

Despite some big names being shipped out over the summer, Leeds managed to get a few players through the doors at Elland Road, and it’s very likely that Milanic will want to continue the business over the coming months and into January.

Here are SIX players who could follow the new chief to Leeds…

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CLICK ON MILANIC TO REVEAL THE BIG SIX

Football – NK Maribor Training – White Hart Lane, London, England – 7/11/12NK Maribor coach Darko Milanic during trainingMandatory Credit: Action Images / Peter CziborraLivepic

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It could be worse Nando, you could be one of these guys…

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Anel Hadzic

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A player being tipped to follow Milanic from Sturm Graz to Leeds is Anel Hadzic. The Bosnian midfielder is known to have a good relationship with his ex-manager, which could smooth the road for a switch to English football. The 25-year-old was linked with Middlesbrough before the World Cup, but Leeds may now have the upper hand. Industrious and hard working, Hadzic could be a wise purchase.

Chris Eagles

After being released by Bolton over the summer, Eagles is available on a free transfer at any time. Despite never quite living up to the billing he received as a youngster at Manchester United, the wide-man is a proven player in the English game and could add some flair to Leeds’ attack if he can prove his fitness. Milanic may be tempted if he’s scouring the British transfer market.

Diego Lugano

Experienced and proven at the top level, Lugano is one of the very best freebies on the market. Leeds may have options at the back, but few are of the level of the former Copa America winner, who represented Uruguay at this summer’s World Cup. Lugano may no longer have the pace he once had, but he’s certainly got the know-how.

Jack Collison

His career has been ravaged by injury, but the ex-West Ham man could be an option. Collison was released by the Hammers over the summer after a period at Wigan, where he once again failed to play regularly. A pay as you play deal may be a wise option, with the Welshman still only 25.

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Zan Benedicic

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Although already at the club, Benedicic could be set for an increased role under Milanic. The young defender, on loan from AC Milan – has only a few minutes of first-team action under his belt at Elland Road, but, due to his Slovenian roots, there’s talk that his compatriot will gamble on handing him more opportunities. Benedicic is highly-rated in Slovenia – whom has has represented at youth level – and could prove to be a success at Leeds in the long-term, due to a view to a permanent deal next summer.

Bostjan Cesar

This one may be a long shot, but with Milanic’s contacts and influence in his homeland, Slovenian captain Cesar might be a remote option. The big defender spent some time earlier in his career at West Brom, but is best known for his successes in Italy with Chievo. At 32 he has experience and could be tempted by a move to the Championship.

QPR v Aston Villa – Match Preview

Two struggling sides will meet in the Premier League on Saturday when rock-bottom QPR host Aston Villa at Loftus Road.

Newly appointed manager Harry Redknapp was pleased with what he saw in a goalless draw with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday but the fact remains his side are winless from 14 Premier League games. The former Tottenham boss has worked wonders in the past but his task at QPR, who sit eight points adrift of safety will be the most difficult of his managerial career.

Luckily for Redknapp there is plenty of quality in the squad with captain Park Ji-Sung returning against Sunderland for his first game in over a month and Adel Taarabt a constant spark in the heart of midfield.

Rangers will likely be without shot-stopper Julio Cesar, who has been in sensational form, but are lucky previous manager Mark Hughes purchased two quality keepers in the off-season, as inexplicable as it was at the time. Cesar came off at half-time with a groin injury and was replaced by Robert Green who will start against Sunderland if the Brazilian fails to prove his fitness.

Aston Villa are starting to string together some positive results and were good value for their 1-0 win over Reading but remain only a point above the drop zone. Manager Paul Lambert has somewhat of a dilemma on his hands having left England international Darren Bent out of the match-day squad for the Reading clash. Rumours have since surfaced suggesting Villa will be liable to fork out a further instalment on the 24-million-pound deal agreed with Sunderland in 2011 if Bent plays three more games of the required 50 to trigger the clause. Lambert has insisted Bent is battling an ankle injury but he continues to start impressive Belgian signing Christian Benteke ahead of him, suggesting the conundrum may well persist until the January transfer window opens.

Villa may have to do without defender Ron Vlaar (calf/shin) after he was injured against Reading, while Charles N’Zogbia, Chris Herd, Richard Dunne and Stiliyan Petrov all remain sidelined.

QPR strikers Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson are both out with long-term injuries until next year.

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Prediction: QPR 2 – 1 Aston Villa

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Grealish has a more natural role at Liverpool than he would at Tottenham

Liverpool have joined Tottenham in the race to sign Aston Villa talisman Jack Grealish this summer, according to reports in the Sun. 

What’s the story, then?

The Sun claim that Daniel Levy is trying to play hardball with Villa due to their poor financial situation and refusing to pay more than £20m for Grealish.

They say that the Reds are hoping to capitalise and sneak ahead in the race for the man that Mauricio Pochettino has made his top summer transfer target.

They report that Levy is not prepared to budge or up the ceiling of his bid and that could allow Jurgen Klopp to swoop in.

There is a clear role for Grealish at Liverpool

In Liverpool’s 4-3-3 system, there is scope for a playmaker to come from deep, especially against deep defences that the Reds sometimes struggle against.

It is the role that Philippe Coutinho could have taken up on a regular basis but for his bumper January move to Barcelona and potentially where Nabil Fekir could have come in as well.

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With Naby Keita and Fabinho behind, Grealish would be free to drive from deep. At Spurs, he could move into one of the attacking midfield slots but that is not the role in which he has undergone such stark improvement at Villa this year.

Playing in a deep role in a 4-2-3-1 doesn’t suit Grealish in the same way so he may well be coming in as cover at Spurs, although in truth he would not be guaranteed starter at either club.

Tottenham fans mock Kyle Walker as his mistake leads to shock Man City defeat

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Walker was partly at fault for the goal Manchester City conceded in their shock 1-0 defeat against Wigan Athletic in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the DW Stadium on Monday night, and Spurs fans were quick to mock the 27-year-old who left last summer.

The Citizens were the overwhelming favourites to progress to a quarter-final tie at home to Southampton as they faced the League One high-flyers, but a red card for Fabian Delph before half-time gave the Latics a chance.

Then 10 minutes from the end, Walker allowed a ball down the wing to go under his foot and he was then beaten in a foot race by Will Grigg, who finished brilliantly past Ederson in the City goal to take the hosts through.

Pep Guardiola’s side’s exit will certainly boost Spurs’ chances of winning the competition, although they must beat Rochdale at Wembley in their fifth round replay before they come up against either Sheffield Wednesday or Swansea City in the quarters.

Tottenham supporters took to social media to give their thoughts on Walker’s display, and while one said “Kyle Walker may have just won Tottenham a trophy and he doesn’t play for us anymore”, another simply said “what was Walker thinking”.

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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Who got the better bargain out of Man United and Arsenal?

Over the course of this summer transfer window, big name players have jumped at the chance to come to the Premier League.

Over many years, some big stars have excelled and thrived in England’s top flight while others have found it a struggle. This summer, Manchester United spent an incredible £150m on players, one of them being Angel Di Maria from Spanish giants Real Madrid. Another Premier League club that has splashed the cash is Arsenal, who in previous years have avoided making big money moves. This year the Gunners signed Alexis Sanchez and the season before smashed their transfer record to bring Mesut Ozil to the Emirates for £42.5m. With big price tags on both Di Maria and Ozil’s heads, which player will live up to their expectation in this pulsating league campaign?

Starting with Argentine wing wizard Di Maria, the club record £59.7m signing is sure to turn the Red Devils into genuine title contenders again. Despite the former Benfica man’s notable pace and skill to beat a player with ease, one other attribute that often goes unnoticed is his stamina. With new boss Louis Van Gaal favouring the 3-5-2 formation, Di Maria fits in perfectly when it comes to patrolling the wings and attacking the opposition aswell as helping his fellow full back when under pressure. With the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and most recently Radamel Falcao, these four elite players will definitely combine and provide goals and assists on Di Maria’s behalf of the highest quality.

Last season, Di Maria finished as the leader of the assists chart in the top five European leagues with 17 to his name and accumulated more assists than Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young and Nani combined. Furthermore, since the start of 2010/2011, only Lionel Messi has produced more assists than Angel di Maria in La Liga. When you have the likes of Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo in the same team as you, it’s hard to showcase what you could do to the opposition. However, now at Man United, Real Madrid could live to regret the decision to let the nippy winger leave.

On the other end of the spectrum, Mesut Ozil has already spent one season experiencing the challenges and obstacles of the Premier League. It’s safe to say that his first year in England wasn’t the best, and in some games he was all but non-existent. However, that year of experience in English football will enable him to get to grips with the Premier League this time around. Presently, he is also surrounded by better players, with the likes of Sanchez and Danny Welbeck being added to the Gunners artillery, which means he could unleash his killer through balls that can cut opposition defences in half and rediscover the form he was producing for Real Madrid.

Despite making a reasonable start to his Arsenal career in 2013/2014, making eight assists and scoring five goals before the December 10, Ozil’s permances and impact dropped dramatically, only making two assists and scoring zero goals after then in the league and Champions League respectively. But Ozil’s record at Real Madrid is something to applaud.

Since the former Werder Bremen playmaker joined the Bernabeu giants, Ozil produced 47 assists, the same as Messi, and an astonishing 14 more than Di Maria. With his fantastic technical ability and outstanding vision, Ozil has the qualities and capabilities of recapturing his form this year and could prove vital to Arsenal’s challenge for the title.

Overall, both players have the potential to be the poster boy of the Premier League, but both need to do it in a different way. Di Maria needs to hit the ground running straight away – mostly because Man United cannot afford any more time stuttering along behind their former title rivals – while Ozil needs to reproduce the form and performances that tempted Wenger to get his cheque book out..

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But, if Ozil suffers another disappointing season for the Gunners, then it won’t take long for fans to get on his back once again and he’ll be in serious danger of being handed the dreaded ‘flop’ label.

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Karren Brady Should Stick To Selling Tickets On Groupon

West Ham’s vice-chairman Karren Brady, made famous by Alan Sugar’s infamous TV series ‘The Apprentice’, has reportedly sent DVDs of Hammers stars Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble to Roy Hodgson in an attempt to prove they have what it takes to warrant a call up to the England squad.

Kevin Nolan has been in top form so far this season, scoring 5 goals and making 3 assists in 11 league games. His 5 league goals have made him the Premiership’s third-highest scoring midfielder and West Ham’s highest goalscorer overall. Nolan is not only a goalscorer but a talisman, captain and ball-winner as well.

West Ham have scored 14 league goals this season; Nolan has been involved in 8 of those and Mark Noble has scored another 2. Sam Allardyce’s side take on Stoke at Upton Park this evening and Nolan and Noble will need to be on top of their games again if West Ham want to gain all 3 points. If the Hammers do beat Stoke tonight, they will rise to 5th place ahead of the like of Everton, Arsenal, Spurs, Newcastle and Liverpool. For a newly-promoted side, this is a massive achievement and Nolan and Noble have had a massive part to play in West Ham’s success.

Whether both players deserve an England call-up, I am not sure, but Kevin Nolan probably has the most reason to feel he deserves a place in the England squad. My opinion of picking international squads has always been that places should be reserved for those players who most deserve it. With Gerrard and Wilshere being the only central midfield England squad regulars to be playing noticeably well at the moment, then I think Kevin Nolan could really be a useful addition to Roy Hodgson’s team.

I’m not sure whether a football club’s board member sending DVDs of their players to an international manager to plead their case for a call-up is a regular occurrence in the world of football but if it is successful and the two West Ham stars are in Hodgson’s next squad list then it could be a route that other Premiership clubs choose to follow.

Liverpool fans want Hirving Lozano after his performance against Germany

Liverpool supporters are interested in signing Mexico winger Hirving Lozano this summer after he scored a stunning winner against Germany in the World Cup on Sunday.

The PSV attacker netted the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over the reigning World Cup champions, giving Mexico a great chance of qualifying for the knockout stages of the summer tournament.

The 22-year-old has truly announced his arrival at the elite level and clubs are set to take notice.

Shining in Eredivisie last season, he scored 17 goals and created 8 assists in 29 league matches for the Dutch side.

Liverpool fans are certainly keen on seeing him arrive at Anfield, believing his direct, pacy style could fit perfectly into Jurgen Klopp’s system at the Reds, initially providing back-up to the likes of Sadio Mane.

Should the club make their move for him in the coming months, or is scouting at the World Cup just too risky?

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Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts…

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Ex-Tottenham Hotspur player lays into presenter over jibe

Last season, a former Sky Sports presenter made the news for reportedly quitting their job with the broadcaster after receiving abuse following a comment made about Tottenham Hotspur.

According to The Times, Rachel Riley, who supports Manchester United, walked away from her presenting roles after being subjected to vile tweets.

The Countdown star caused an uproar when she described Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham United a “bottle job” in terms of the Premier League title race.

In the last two seasons, Mauricio Pochettino’s men came close to taking the title challenge down to the wire, but they fell short, finishing third and then second respectively.

Following Saturday’s 1-0 victory over North London rivals Arsenal, former Spurs defender Graham Roberts posted a controversial reply to a fan, bringing up the Riley controversy from last year.

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Tottenham are just four points adrift of second-placed Manchester United, while Manchester City remain runaway leaders with a 16-point advantage.

Roberts’s controversial tweet may not be accurate though, as The Times claim that Sky wanted to give Riley a new contract, but she decided to leave the position due to the social media abuse.

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