Connect with us

Sport

‘I want to wear flip flops in the rain’ says Mikel Arteta as Arsenal boss gives bizarre analogy in response to critics

Published

on

'I want to wear flip flops in the rain' says Mikel Arteta as Arsenal boss gives bizarre analogy in response to critics

TRYING to attack Manchester City with 10 men would have been as idiotic as wearing flip flops in the rain, according to Mikel Arteta.

And the Arsenal boss has remained defiant amid criticism over his tactics and suggested he will continue to do whatever it takes to win.

Mikel Arteta made a bizarre analogy when discussing team tactics

1

Mikel Arteta made a bizarre analogy when discussing team tacticsCredit: Getty

The Gunners have come off the back of a gruelling run of three away games on the spin – Tottenham, Atalanta and City – before their mid-week Carabao Cup home win over Bolton.

Advertisement

Five points from a possible nine is no mean feat, but the manner in which they acquired those points has come under immense scrutiny from fans, pundits and rival players alike.

The Battle of the Etihad saw an enthralling contest end 2-2 after John Stones’ last gasp equaliser as Arsenal almost pulled off a famous win having played over an hour with 10 men following Leandro Trossard’s sending off just before half time.

In the aftermath, Stones labelled Arsenal and Arteta’s methods of time wasting and so-called ‘dark arts’ as “dirty” while Bernardo Silva raged: “There was only one team that came to play football.”

Roy Keane piled in by calling the North Londoners “dinosaurs” with just 22 per cent possession and three shots on target, while Graeme Souness believes Arsenal have an “inferiority complex” when it comes to big clashes.

Advertisement

But ahead of welcoming Leicester to the Emirates today, Arteta has hit back by telling his doubters to remember the “context”.

Asked about the criticism, he said: “That is a war you cannot win, no? On one side: ‘I don’t like it’. On another side: ‘I don’t like it.’ So where do I go?

“Don’t get involved in it. It doesn’t make any sense. It is very clear.

BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS

Advertisement

“I want to win. The way we prepare the games and the way we want to play, for sure. In our way. But understanding the context.

“I want to wear flip flops, shorts and a t-shirt, but with [rainy] weather?

Ethan Nwaneri’s rise at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta’s guise

“I think I would be very silly to do that. ‘I am very brave’ — yeah but tomorrow you are sick.

“I don’t want to be on YouTube because we’ve been so silly.

Advertisement

“I want to be on YouTube because we’ve done the right thing in May, and for the right reasons and lifting what we want to lift and achieve.

“So, in order to do that we have to be very efficient in what we do. I did what I believed was the right thing to be as competitive as possible to win the game.

“We get negative criticism. Where we are, after what we’ve been through in the last three games… that tells you the expectations. So, we have to raise the level, that’s it.”

Arteta insists relationship with Guardiola can’t be damaged

Advertisement

By Jordan Davies

MIKEL ARTETA insists nothing can damage his relationship with Pep Guardiola – not even the spiciest of title fights.

The Battle of the Etihad last weekend saw Arsenal and Manchester City produce a Prem epic that ended 2-2 after John Stones’ 98th minute equaliser.

There is no love lost between these two English juggernauts right now – yet Guardiola this week said the “relationship doesn’t change” with his old friend Arteta.

Advertisement

And Arteta – who worked under Pep at City between 2016 and 2019 – said: “In sport it will never get in my way a personal relationship. That’s for sure.

“If our relationship was damaged because one draws and the other one wins or the number of times that they’ve beaten us, I would not talk to him anymore.

“They have beat us… they won the last four Premier League titles and our relationship continues to be the same, so what has to change for that relationship to be over?

“That’s not our relationship, especially the relationship that I consider both of us have.

Advertisement

“Because I love him, I respect him, I admire him and I admire his team and everything that he does. This is sport. One thing is our profession another is our personal relationship.”

Arteta’s Arsenal were accused of playing “dirty” and using the ‘dark arts’ to frustrate City – something that Pep said was not a problem, calling it “brilliant… more than perfect”.

On if it is hard to remain friends with the outside noise and intense rivalry between the Gunners and City, Arteta continued: “If those accusations effect you it’s because maybe they’re true.

“If they don’t and you know and you do what you believe is right and you show your integrity it doesn’t have to be.

Advertisement

“There are opinions and if you don’t like opinions then you shouldn’t be sitting in the position that I am. It’s quite simple. Don’t take it personal. It’s part of our job.

“The things that you really care about make sure you handle them in the right way. That relationship [with Pep] I really care about.

“The same with a lot of people in that staff and players that I spent really important years of my life with.

When you get to know those people in the good and the bad, when things go your way, and they don’t go your way, then you understand them much better.

Advertisement

“For me it’s not a surprise and I’m very comfortable with that.”

In Arteta’s first season in charge of Arsenal in the 2019/20 campaign, they finished 35 points off of Pep’s City – but have closed the gap having finished two points behind them last term.

On whether he is now enjoying the fact there is now a real rivalry between the two clubs, Arteta added: “I prefer this reaction much more than someone clapping my back after the game and saying: ‘Well done, you guys are in the right direction’. This is why I do what I do.

“This is an emotion I cannot control but I have to be as competitive as possible, the reaction of someone else is different.”

Advertisement

Arsenal have the longest average delay time of any side in the Prem this season with 31.8 seconds, and have picked up 14 yellow cards for time wasting since the start of the 2023/24 campaign – only Wolves [15] and Chelsea [17] have more.

On if you need a nasty streak to win titles, Arteta added: “You have to control and dominate every scenario if you want to compete at the level that we are aiming for and the opposition that we have.

“The best in the world are doing almost everything in football. That’s the level and that’s what we have to try to do.”

Arsenal now face the Foxes, Southampton and Bournemouth in their next three Prem outings, but Arteta has his methods for ensuring the intensity of previous games continues.

Advertisement

On their preparation to face Leicester, he explained: “I asked the players the question [on Thursday], to write it: ‘What are the difficulties and the challenges here?’

“And they were very clear about it, so they know what is coming, and they know this league so far is so good, and they know that we’re going to need to be at the top level to beat them.

“[The notes] are in the dressing room, on the walls.”

No.1 David Raya remains a doubt after seen limping following the City draw and missing Wednesday’s 5-1 third round thrashing of Bolton.

A late fitness test is required, with summer signing Neto potentially set to make his debut for the club after joining from the Cherries.

Advertisement

Ben White and Jurrien Timber will be available after also being rested this week, but Mikel Merino [shoulder] and Martin Odegaard [ankle] remain missing.

Arteta said: “If you put me in this scenario before the season with the fixtures that we had, I would be very pleased with how we got out of that.

“We have an exceptional group. A lot of players are taking a role in their leadership of the team. They embraced the challenge and I’m really happy for that.”

Arsenal player ratings vs Bolton

Advertisement

ETHAN NWANERI will remember this night for the rest of his life after scoring twice on his full Arsenal debut.

The Gunners eased to a 5-1 victory over Bolton in the Carabao Cup third round.

See how their players, young and old, rated at the Emirates.

Jack Porter – 6

He may be 16 years old but he did not show it tonight. Had one scare when his pass was blocked by Aaron Collins and the ball flew over but other than that he did not put a foot wrong.

Advertisement

Josh Nichols – 6

Encouraging signs from the right-back although he was not really tested in a defensive capacity.

Jakub Kiwior – 6

Dealt with Bolton’s many crosses into the box but was far too high up the pitch, along with Calafiori, which allowed the visitors to break and score.

Advertisement

Riccardo Calafiori – 7

A Rolls-Royce defender who carries himself a bit like David Luiz, minus the erratic decision-making. Defended well and went close with a long shot.

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 7

Looked very comfortable in possession and saw plenty of the ball. Excellent composure for a young head and linked with Sterling well.

Advertisement

Jorginho – 6

Kept things ticking over but in truth it was quite an easy night for the Italian.

Declan Rice – 7

Took his goal very well and everything Arsenal did went through him.

Advertisement

Ethan Nwaneri – 9

A night to remember for the 17-year-old as he capped his first start for the club with his first goals. Showed great poaching instincts.

Bukayo Saka – 9

Typical Saka performance and he was a constant threat with his delivery, whether in open play or from corners.

Advertisement

Raheem Sterling – 9

A threat throughout and he is back playing with a smile on his face, which is great to see. Worked hard and got his deserved goal when he poked in from two yards out.

Gabriel Jesus – 5

Plenty of energy and panache up front but without the finishing to match – a familiar tale of his Arsenal career.

Advertisement

See how the Arsenal subs rated here

Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Sport

Canada vs England: Red Roses seek to retain title in WXV1 decider

Published

on

Canada vs England: Red Roses seek to retain title in WXV1 decider

Much of the build-up to both of England’s recent games against New Zealand was as if it was a dry run for next year’s World Cup final at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium.

New Zealand have beaten England in back-to-back world finals, but the Red Roses showed their current dominance over them by comfortably winning both of their most recent matches.

Now it seems WXV1 hosts Canada, who ran England close in their World Cup semi-final in 2022, are ready to step into New Zealand’s shoes as the main challenger.

Despite their amateur status, they defeated New Zealand to win the Pacific Four Series earlier this year before recording big WXV victories over France and Ireland to set up a title showdown with England.

Advertisement

They are ranked number two in the world and are on a six-game winning run of their own.

So is Saturday’s decider the actual dress rehearsal for the World Cup final?

Canada will need to produce a near-perfect performance to end England’s winning run but their confidence is building.

Lock Tyson Beukeboom, who played in Canada’s World Cup final loss to England in 2014, this week challenged her side to win next year’s World Cup.

Advertisement

“Canada have always been knocking at that door,” said England captain Marlie Packer, who also played in the 2014 final.

“If you look 10 years ago they were in that World Cup final, they have always been threats.”

Seven players in the hosts’ starting XV play their club rugby in England, with four more named as replacements.

Prop McKinley Hunt and number eight Gabrielle Senft play for Packers’ Saracens, but unlike the England captain – who is centrally contracted with her union – spend most of their time apart from the national side.

Advertisement

“They do a lot of training off their own back because they are very driven and athletic individuals,” Packer added.

“Some of them are great rugby players and you put that with confidence then that is the Canada side we are seeing at the moment.

“They don’t play together as much as us or the other home nations, so that gives us an advantage in the type of game we want to play.”

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Football

Finland v England: Three Lions visit country where Brits are thriving

Published

on

Finland v England: Three Lions visit country where Brits are thriving


It is obvious why Finland’s most famous players – such as Sami Hyypia, Jari Litmanen and Teemu Pukki – aspired to play in a league as credible as the Premier League.

But what about British involvement in Finland – a nation that had not qualified for a major tournament until Euro 2020 – where ice hockey is typically seen as the biggest sport?

Twelve British players compares to none in the top leagues of Norway and Sweden, with eight each in France and Germany, and four in Spain.

Advertisement

IFK Mariehamn took a chance on Jayden Reid – who left Portsmouth last season after two years without making an appearance due to injury – while fellow winger Imani Lanquedoc is on loan at FC Haka from Fulham.

Luke Plange – who Crystal Palace signed for £1 million from a Derby County side battling relegation from the Championship under Wayne Rooney – has since played Champions League qualifying matches for HJK Helsinki.

HJK made a profit from selling last season’s Veikkausliiga top scorer, Bojan Radulovic, to the Championship, so might the club see an opportunity for more business later down the line?

“I think the clubs here assume that if English professionals are willing to come over, they are going to be decent quality,” said Cicale.

Advertisement

“Finnish football can be a very good platform for exhibiting your abilities – and perhaps if things haven’t gone in such a linear fashion throughout your career – it’s a good opportunity here to show what level you’re still at.”

Grieve’s view is that the Finnish league is a secure working environment for coaches – and it attracts a different type of player.

“It is not 100 mph like an EFL game, the technical level here is higher,” he explained.

“It is way more aggressive and more contact and a ‘free for all’ in Scotland or the lower leagues in England – it’s a different sport in all honesty.

Advertisement

“People who want to try and develop their career and develop a style of play might be more inclined to go somewhere like Finland.”

But Coffey has seen a chance to thrive as an unusual type of footballer in the Veikkausliiga.

“I’ve been kicked and pulled around by men in England, whereas in Sweden and Finland, the lads that I’m playing against are quite young,” he said.

“Technically, they’re very good players, but I feel like I’ve got a bit of an edge in terms of physicality and aggression.

Advertisement

“There are many good players in England, but I just don’t think a lot of them want to make the step or they’re quite comfortable living in England and maybe working and playing part-time,” he added.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sport

Andy Carroll: West Ham was a really stressful time, I was at rock bottom, just falling apart and making bad decisions

Published

on

Andy Carroll: West Ham was a really stressful time, I was at rock bottom, just falling apart and making bad decisions

ANDY CARROLL admits he hit “rock bottom” during his time at West Ham.

The 35-year-old is now playing away from the limelight with Bordeaux in the French fourth tier.

Andy Carroll has opened up on his struggles while in the Premier League

2

Andy Carroll has opened up on his struggles while in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
He is now enjoying life with fourth tier French club Bordeaux

2

Advertisement
He is now enjoying life with fourth tier French club BordeauxCredit: AFP

Carroll made the shock move in the summer after the club were relegated two divisions due to falling into administration.

While many chase a final career payday, the nine-time capped England star is enjoying a “quieter and relaxed” life in France.

He admits he is much happier now after battling injuries during his years in the Premier League with Newcastle, Liverpool and West Ham.

Carroll opened up to Foot Mercato, admitting on his days at the Hammers: “It was a really tough time in my life. It was a stressful time for me.

Advertisement

“I was at rock bottom, everything was dark.

“It was hard to get back up. I was just falling apart and making bad decisions. It was just really tough.

“As a player, you just want to be out there playing. But sometimes you hear people saying: ‘Oh, he’s still injured, he should retire.’ Things like that that are not nice.

“At that point you are in a hole, in your shell and you are just trying to get out of it.

Advertisement

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

“Luckily, I managed to get out of it and I had a positive ending.

“So now I just love playing football. I get paid to play football. I get paid to do what I love.

Watch Andy Carroll score twice in a ‘PARK’ and celebrate wildly as he tears up fourth tier of French football

“I’ve had a lot of injuries in my career. I have been on the bench, been a bit-part player and off the pitch sometimes, only playing the last ten minutes.

Advertisement

“I just want to finish my career playing as much as possible. And it is not about money. It is just about enjoying my life.”

Carroll, who recently divorced his wife Billi Mucklow and started dating Lou Teasdale, is reportedly on £750-a-week at Bordeaux.

The target man is already proving useful for the fallen giants, scoring four goals in his first two games.

Who are these famous footballers?

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Sport

Multan cricket pitch: What should England and Pakistan expect in second Test?

Published

on

Multan cricket pitch: What should England and Pakistan expect in second Test?

The placid nature of the Multan surface made batting look easy at times in the first Test – well, if you came from Yorkshire that is!

Harry Brook, who became England’s first triple centurion for 34 years, shared a partnership of 454 with Joe Root, beating the previous best of 411 made by Colin Cowdrey and Peter May 57 years ago.

It came as England posted 823-7 declared – the fourth-highest total in Test history – in response to Pakistan’s 556, before bowling the hosts out for 220 on the final day.

Former England captain Michael Atherton pulled no punches with his assessment of the pitch used for the match.

Advertisement

“It’s a shocking Test-match pitch,” Atherton said on Sky Sports.

“If you don’t have that balance between bat and ball, you’re going to get a lot of poor cricket. So not a good pitch despite the fact there was a result.”

Ex-England skipper Nasser Hussain said the surface was typical of pitches in Pakistan and that the end result “does not justify everything that went before it”.

So exactly how much of a bowlers’ graveyard was the pitch for the first Test?

Advertisement

Well, since Test cricket returned to Pakistan in 2019 there have been 16 Tests where ball-tracking has been available to Cricviz.

Of those 16 Tests, this Multan pitch produced the second-lowest amount of average swing (0.63 degrees) but was the third-highest when it came to seam (0.53°).

It is perhaps the spinners who toiled the most – certainly Pakistan’s – with the amount of drift being the lowest of all 16 Tests (1.16°) and it was the fourth-lowest amount of turn (2.86°) seen in that time.

When England were victorious in Multan on their last tour of Pakistan in 2022, the highest score in the match was made by the hosts in the fourth innings – 328 – as England wrapped up a 26-run win.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

MMA

BKFC Spain Results: Tenaglia vs. Soto

Published

on

BKFC Spain Results: Tenaglia vs. Soto

MMA Fighting has BKFC Spain results for the Tenaglia vs. Soto fight card and more from Marbella Arena in Marbella, Spain.

In the main event, Franco Tenaglia squares off against Tony Soto for the vacant BKFC lightweight title.

Austin Trout defends his BKFC welterweight title against Ricardo Franco, and David Mundell puts his BKFC middleweight title up against Danny Christie on the main card as well.

MMA media personalities Oscar Stephens-Willis and Ben Davis also clash on the main card.

Advertisement

Check out the BKFC Spain results below.

Main Card (DAZN at 1 p.m. ET)

Franco Tenaglia vs. Tony Soto

Austin Trout vs. Ricardo Franco

Advertisement

David Mundell vs. Danny Christie

Dan Champman vs. Mike Jurik

Felipe da Silva Maia vs. James Lilley

Hannah Rankin vs. Deborah Mellhorn

Advertisement

Oscar Stephens-Willis vs. Ben Davis

Yunus Batan vs. Maxine Bellamy

Prelims

Nico Gaffie vs. Radek Stadler

Advertisement

Arbi Chakaev vs. Jose Daniel

Fran Suarez vs. David Mora

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sport

Maresca becomes first Chelsea boss to be named Manager of the Month for THREE YEARS and one of his stars also honoured

Published

on

Maresca becomes first Chelsea boss to be named Manager of the Month for THREE YEARS and one of his stars also honoured

CHELSEA boss Enzo Maresca has been named the Premier League’s Manager of the Month for September.

The 44-year-old led his new team to successive wins over Bournemouth, West Ham and Brighton last month.

Enzo Maresca has been named the Premier League's Manager of the Month

3

Enzo Maresca has been named the Premier League’s Manager of the MonthCredit: Getty
Chelsea Women manager Sonia Bompastor was also named WSL Manager of the Month

3

Advertisement
Chelsea Women manager Sonia Bompastor was also named WSL Manager of the MonthCredit: Getty

He also took a point from Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea now sit fourth in the Premier League table with 14 points from seven games.

And the club’s impressive form has seen Maresca take home the coveted Premier League Manager of the Month trophy.

The Italian is the first Chelsea manager to win the award since Thomas Tuchel in 2021.

Advertisement

He told the Premier League: “We had a very good month.

“We all need people around us to make things better. I’m very grateful to have all of them.

“We are always looking at new things and how we can improve from different football and different countries.”

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer also won a Premier League award for September.

Advertisement

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Cole Palmer has been named Player of the Month

3

Cole Palmer has been named Player of the MonthCredit: Alamy

He was named Player of the Month after scoring five goals and assisting two.

Palmer impressed fans after netting four against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.

Advertisement
Cole Palmer labelled ‘aura personified’ as Chelsea ace stars in nine-minute Burberry ad without saying a word

His season hit another positive note earlier this week when he was named England’s Player of the Year.

Chelsea also enjoyed a successful start to the WSL season with new manager Sonia Bompastor.

The former Lyon boss won both of her opening two games in England.

She claimed the WSL Manager of the Month award this week as a result.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 WordupNews.com