Ostersunds 0-3 Arsenal: Advantage Arsenal after dominant Europa League round-of-32 first leg
Arsenal took a huge stride towards the last 16 of the Europa League with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Ostersunds at the Jamtkraft Arena. Nacho Monreal's first ever European goal (13) and a Sotirios Papagiannopoulos own goal (24) got the Gunners off to the perfect start before Mesut Ozil (58) wrapped things up with the third after the break. Ostersunds could have grabbed a late consolation but captain David Ospina saved Tom Pettersson's tame stoppage-time penalty to ensure Arsenal hold the advantage ahead of next Thursday's return at the Emirates. With sub-zero conditions and a 4G pitch to contend with in Sweden, Arsenal's ability to adjust to their surroundings was questioned ahead of kick-off, but the Gunners settled immediately on their way to a dominant start. Ostersunds' last competitive game was in December and it showed against a slick Arsenal attack, who would have taken a 12th-minute lead had Papagiannopoulos not blocked Henrikh Mkhitaryan's goal-bound effort off the line. But the Arsenal pressure told a minute later as goalkeeper Aly Keita fumbled a tame Alex Iwobi shot into the path of Monreal, who stroked home from six yards.
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2018-02-16 02:00:00
Luis Enrique has been approached by Chelsea and PSG, says Guillem Balague
Guillem Balague runs through five things coming out of Spain this weekend, explaining that former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique has had calls from both Chelsea and PSG. In the La Liga title race, Atletico Madrid are now seven points behind leaders Barcelona after their win over Malaga, while Barca could only draw with Getafe. Real Madrid saw off Real Sociedad 5-2, plus there's positive news from Sevilla. The former Barcelona manager has been approached by intermediates who say they are calling on behalf of both Chelsea and PSG. It will be an interesting dilemma for him, because he of course will want to go to a team who can challenge for absolutely everything.
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2018-02-13 02:00:00
Riyad Mahrez made a mistake with self-imposed exile, says Leicester boss Claude Puel
Leicester boss Claude Puel has described Riyad Mahrez's self-imposed exile from the club after a Deadline Day move to Manchester City failed to materialise as a "mistake". The winger, subject of a
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2018-02-13 02:00:00
Antonio Conte explains Olivier Giroud's importance to Chelsea
Antonio Conte feels Olivier Giroud could become an important player for Chelsea - both on the pitch and for strike rival Alvaro Morata. Giroud provided an assist on his full debut in the Blues' 3-0 win over West Brom, and missed a good chance for a goal too when he shot straight at Ben Foster from close range. He was removed after an hour for Morata, who has not scored since Boxing Day but looked re-invigorated and perhaps stimulated by the new competition for his place. "To have two strikers in contention for us is very important," said Conte. "Giroud could become an important player and at the same time I had a good answer from Alvaro and we must be happy. "We forced Giroud to play because we had Morata injured, and it was important to have a point of reference like him on the pitch." The win moved Chelsea back into the top four, and only three points off second-placed Manchester United, easing the pressure on Conte following back-to-back defeats by Bournemouth and Watford.
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2018-02-13 02:00:00
Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry on Arsenal's away-day problems
Arsenal's north London derby defeat to Tottenham at Wembley left them seven points off the top four, and as Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry discussed on Monday Night Football, it's their away form which is the main cause for concern. Arsene Wenger's side have picked up 32 points at the Emirates this season, the third-best tally in the Premier League, but their record of 13 points from 14 away games so far has proven to be their downfall. The stark contrast between home and away form is nothing new either. Only Manchester City and Tottenham have a better home record in their last 26 fixtures. However, Arsenal have averaged only one point in each of their last 26 away matches, which is less than half than Chelsea and Manchester City have accumulated in the same period.
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2018-02-13 02:00:00
Mohamed Salah's time at Basel: The making of Liverpool
Mohamed Salah was born in Egypt and has become a star at Liverpool but he was made in Basel. Adam Bate speaks to those involved to find out why Salah got his big chance in Europe, how he seized it, and the reason why he is just like tennis legend Roger Federer
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2018-02-13 02:00:00
'Newcastle fought like animals
Manchester united coach Jose Mourinho was Disappointed as as a man after clash with Newcastle fc. He however lammented that his opponents fought like animal after 1-0 defeat
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2018-02-12 02:00:00
Manchester United searching for the right blend with Alexis Sanchez
Manchester United were beaten 1-0 at Newcastle, their second defeat in three games since Alexis Sanchez was introduced to the team. Jose Mourinho has a top-class talent but finding the right balance in attack is the challenge facing the United manager now, writes Adam Bate. "When you watch this Manchester United team, there is so much talent. Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial. It just needs five to 10 per cent more intensity. That speed in everything that they do. Every time you watch them, if they could just link together with some rhythm they are not far away. But there is something missing." The game at St James' Park was barely halfway through when Gary Neville delivered that assessment of his former team. It was even more appropriate upon the final whistle with Manchester United having been beaten 1-0 by lowly Newcastle and thus failing to find the back of the opponents' net for a second consecutive Premier League away game.
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2018-02-12 02:00:00
Sergio Aguero backed to outscore Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah by Tony Cottee
Sergio Aguero may edge both Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah in the scoring stakes this season, according to Tony Cottee. The race for the Premier League golden boot is hotting up and Kane currently leads the way on 23 strikes, with Salah one goal behind. Aguero's four goals in a 5-1 win against Leicester has pulled h With City's aggressive style of play, Cottee believes the blueprint is in place for Aguero to go on and claim the coveted accolade, providing he stays fit. "I think Harry Kane is going to go very close but if Aguero stays fit, playing in that Man City team, they're going to make lots of chances," Cottee told Premier League Daily.im straight back into contention on 21 goals.
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2018-02-12 02:00:00
Chelsea strikers Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata compared
Olivier Giroud looks set to make his first start for Chelsea against West Brom live on Sky Sports this Monday - but is the France international an effective plan B for the Blues? Under-fire Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte will be looking to avoid losing three consecutive games for the first time in his career since 2009 after suffering back-to-back defeats against Bournemouth and Watford. With