Mesut Ozil is a massive player for Arsenal, according to new boss Mikel Arteta, who warned players to show passion and energy or risk being shown the door.
Ex-Gunners captain Arteta was appointed Unai Emery s successor after signing a three-and-a-half-year deal at Emirates Stadium, ending a protracted recruitment process.
Arteta was reportedly close to taking charge of Arsenal in 2018, when Arsene Wenger s reign ended, but he was overlooked in favour of Emery, who lasted 18 months in a forgettable spell.
Ozil found himself sidelined frequently by Emery but has featured under interim boss Freddie Ljungberg and Arteta highlighted the former Germany playmaker s qualities.
He is a massive player for this club, Arteta told a news conference.
What I…
Atlanta United are yet to receive a serious offer for star midfielder Miguel Almiron, according to president Darren Eales.
Almiron starred as Atlanta won the MLS Cup last week in just their second season, the Paraguay international having been a key figure since signing as a Designated Player ahead of the club s debut year.
His fine form in MLS has led to links to several European clubs, most notably Newcastle United, with the speculation ramping up ahead of the January transfer window.
However, despite reports on Wednesday that Almiron was closing in on a move to England, Atlanta insist they are yet to agree a deal.
Asked by Omnisport if the club had received an acceptable offer, president Eales replied: No, absolutely not.
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Already punching their Champions League knockout stage ticket with time to spare, Manchester City will make the trip to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday night.
Borussia Dortmund
Starting with the hosts, managing to pick up a much-welcomed victory on Bundesliga duties over the weekend, Borussia Dortmund will be desperate to build off of that display. Eventually cruising their way to a 5-0 romp at home against Stuttgart, that was the first Bundesliga victory that the German giants have recorded from their last four domestic showdowns. Likewise, showing some extended issues at the back on either side of September s international break, Edin Terzic will know that his side faces a huge challenge on Tuesday night. Hit with a 2-1 loss away at th…
Rob Page has hit back after Cardiff manager Erol Bulut complained over the lack of communication from Wales about including Aaron Ramsey in their Euro 2024 play-off squad.
Wales captain Ramsey has not started a game for six months and had played only 72 minutes in that time when Page named him in his squad for Thursday’s semi-final against Finland.
Bulut was unhappy Wales did not contact Cardiff before recalling Ramsey, saying he had expected to speak to Page or a member of his management team.
Ramsey returned from a calf strain to play 18 minutes at Swansea last Saturday, and the 33-year-old midfielder is expected to be on the bench against Finland.
Asked about Bulut’s comments, Page said: “I don’t know what all the fuss is about to be honest.
Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dejphon Chansiri has claimed manager Darren Moore left the club after asking for a new contract four times bigger than his existing one.
Moore surprisingly departed the Owls earlier this month having guided the club to League One promotion via the play-offs.
Speculation, which Chansiri has called “damaging”, suggested the pair had fallen out over the transfer budget for the forthcoming Championship campaign, but the Thai businessman has now broken his silence, having agreed to initially keep quiet on Moore’s behalf.
Dejphon Chansiri club statement
— Sheffield Wednesday (@swfc)
Moore is understood not to want to engage in a back-and-forth public debate over his exit out of respect for the Hillsborough club and …
An improved defensive discipline has been the key to Costa Rica s success in Brazil, according to assistant coach Paulo Wanchope.
Costa Rica secured a round of 16 berth at the FIFA World Cup with a shock 1-0 win over Italy in Recife on Friday, having already stunned Uruguay 3-1 in Group D.
While Italy had over 60 per cent possession at the Itaipava Arena Pernambuco, they only managed four shots on target, while Costa Rica were always threatening on the counter-attack, producing five efforts that tested Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Captain Bryan Ruiz scored the winner for Costa Rica just before half-time and Wanchope said with the talent in the forward third of their skipper, plus Joel Campbell, Christian Bolanos and Marco Urena, the CONCACAF nation can al…
Manchester United and Milan are keen on Benfica midfielder Javi Garcia, according to Metro.
The Spaniard has been in impressive form for Eagles since arriving from Real Madrid in 2009, and managed to attract interest from big European clubs.
Manchester United have reportedly made the 24-year-old a target in January transfer window, as Sir Alex Ferguson looks to add more steel to the midfield department.
Serie A champions Milan are also keen on the highly regarded midfielder, with the Rossoneri looking to add some fresh blood to their ageing squad.
Garcia is considered a key player for Benfica and could be difficult to acquire, although the Eagles might not be able to resist a big money offer.
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Watford and Southampton are set to tussle for Reading midfielder Hal Robson-Kanu, .
The Wales international is out of contract in the summer and could be set for a return to the Premier League, having racked up twenty-five top-flight appearances for the Royals in the 2012/13 campaign.
The twenty-six year old has racked up over two hundred and twenty appearances in all competitions while he also has had loan spells with Southend United and Swindon Town.
Having represented England at U19 and U20 level, the former Arsenal youth product played for Wales U21’s four times before winning thirty caps to date for their senior side, scoring twice.
After the weekend’s results, Reading sit sixteenth in the Championship, and could finish the season anywhere b…
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski said he is looking forward to the special atmosphere for Saturday s DFB-Pokal final against Borussia Dortmund.
Lewandowski scored three goals in five games to help Bayern qualify for their fourth Pokal final in the last five years.
The Poland international scored in the 2012 decider as Dortmund defeated Bayern 5-2, but was on the losing side when the two teams met again in 2014.
However, Lewandowski will contest his first final in Bayern colours on Saturday at Berlin s Olympiastadion, coincidentally against former club Dortmund.
The Bundesliga top-scorer said he is hoping Bayern can add to their league triumph this season as the two best sides in Germany go head-to-head.
Every championship is sp…
James Rodriguez s father Wilson has fuelled rumours linking the Colombia international with a move to Juventus.
It was reported by Marca this week that Cristiano Ronaldo phoned James in an attempt to convince his former Real Madrid team-mate to join him at the Serie A champions in the off-season.
James is in the second year of a loan spell at Bayern Munich and has only started six Bundesliga matches under Niko Kovac this term, leading to suggestions the club are unlikely to exercise their option to purchase him outright.
The 27-year-old has many offers on the table ahead of next season, according to his father, who believes a switch to Italy would be a good choice.
I see him as very quiet, monosyllabic, not so happy, he told Sport Bild. A top player has …