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I’m an enormous fan of Mikel Arteta’s challenge at Arsenal, and sit up for seeing if they’ll proceed their very good begin to the season at the moment. The Spaniard was extremely rated when he was a part of Pep Guardiola’s teaching workers at Manchester Metropolis, and now he’s rising as the primary challenger to his outdated boss on this season’s title race!
For certain Guardiola has had an enormous affect on Arteta’s concepts and strategies, they usually have some similarities. I believe Arteta is doing a wonderful job on techniques, he’s bettering so much as supervisor; however I’m additionally advised that his relationship with the gamers is now nice and this can be a key issue for Arsenal. The ambiance on the membership is basically optimistic proper now, and Arteta deserves large credit score, but additionally Edu for his work as technical director.
Douglas Luiz has signed a brand new contract with Aston Villa, legitimate till June 2026. They’ve been in negotiations since Arsenal did not signal him on Deadline Day. The Gunners had three bids rejected, as a result of Villa at all times noticed him as untouchable, and now his future has been secured.
The state of affairs is tense as a result of Joao Felix needs to play extra, whereas Diego Simeone is trusting different gamers on this second. Atletico Madrid insist they don’t have any intention to promote Joao, as there’s a €350m launch clause.
I’m conscious there was some hypothesis about Manchester United in the summertime, however there was nothing superior or concrete with United. Nonetheless, I believe he’d be a incredible signing for a lot of European golf equipment as a result of his potential is big, this has been apparent since his days as a teenager at Benfica, so I hope Atletico will maintain and belief Joao for current and future.
Barcelona
Xavi: “I’m nonetheless optimistic and optimistic about our challenge. I’ll maintain working and pushing — however I’ll by no means be an issue for Barcelona in any other case I’d go dwelling. I wish to be an answer for Barcelona in order that’s why I’m right here — by no means an issue.”
Barcelona president Joan Laporta: “The boldness in Xavi stays intact, after all. He is aware of the membership, the system, he is a superb individual and an important coach. Xavi will give us a number of success.”
Laporta on signings: “We’re engaged on January market. We’re discussing internally with the board, Xavi and his workers. We’ve the intention to enhance our squad, as at all times.”
Bayern Munich chief Oliver Kahn: “Sadio Mane solely needed to return to Bayern from Liverpool and to not some other membership. He’ll do nice issues right here. It was the identical for Matthijs de Ligt – a participant whom nearly each prime membership in Europe needed to signal, however solely needed to affix us.”
Chelsea have launched a press release on Reece James’ damage: “Following the knee damage, Reece James visited a specialist this weekend. After session, Reece will now bear a rehabilitation programme and is predicted to be out for eight weeks.”
I don’t at present have any data on workforce choice, so that is simply an opinion, however I believe Trent Alexander-Arnold is a incredible proper again, greater than a proper again… I agree with Jurgen Klopp on TAA – I believe he deserves to have more room within the England workforce; however for certain, dropping James is an enormous blow as a result of regardless of England having many prime right-backs, James has been one of the best Chelsea participant in 2022, for my part. You wish to see one of the best gamers at tournaments just like the World Cup, so it’s a disgrace he now appears set to overlook out.
Graham Potter on N’Golo Kante’s damage: “It’s a setback, it’s not excellent news. He’s because of see a marketing consultant on the weekend. It’s not optimistic information… I can’t offer you anymore.”
Juventus vp Pavel Nedved on the way forward for Massimiliano Allegri: “The President was very clear on Allegri’s future — he acknowledged that the supervisor is staying. We all know there’s a protracted street forward, and it’ll take some time to get out of this example.”
