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Arsenal round-up: Wenger sympathises with fans, Gunners plan Bundesliga triple swoop
Arsenal recorded only their seventh Premier League win of 2016 on Saturday evening when they beat Norwich City 1-0 at the Emirates.
A Danny Welbeck goal was enough to separate the two teams on the day but the game was overshadowed by fan protests about the lack of progress the club has made this season under Arsene Wenger.
However, there was some voice of support from the stands for the long-serving Frenchman but he will now be looking towards next weekend’s all-important clash with Manchester City.
Attention has already turned to next season at the Emirates and the club are being linked with moves for a number of players from around Europe. On that note, here are the biggest stories currently doing the rounds in north London.
Arsene Wenger is eyeing a move for Bayern Munich
defender Mehdi Benatia as he is eager to reinforce his defensive options
this summer. The 29-year-old has struggled with injuries in Germany
this season and is also unhappy with the Bavarian’s interest in Mats
Hummels. (Daily Star)
Villarreal are considering a move for their former midfielder Santi Cazorla and are monitoring his situation at Arsenal. The Spain international has had his career curtailed by injuries this season and the Yellow Submarine want to bring the 31-year-old back to El Madrigal. (Daily Star)
Following the protests at yesterday’s game, Wenger has admitted that he sympathises with the fans but feels that Arsenal are moving forward. “We were warned about the protesters. You want to make the fans happy. I’m sorry if I don’t achieve it. I’m irritated and frustrated if I cannot keep people happy. I have respect for the club and gave so much for the club – I want to make people happy. We have Man City now. We have to give a special game next Sunday. Our job is to do the best. This season we hoped we could win the league – it didn’t happen and that’s why people are frustrated. I can share that frustration. The aim is to come back and do what is needed to do it next year. The last three years the club has moved forward.” (Sky Sports)
Arsenal will enter the race for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski if the Polish international decides to leave the German giants this summer. The £50m price tag is unlikely to deter Arsenal who are also interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Julain Weigl. (Mirror)
Jamie Redknapp believes that Alexis Sanchez’s visible frustration after being substituted against Norwich shows a sign of disharmony in the squad. “It’s not happened too many times in Arsene Wenger’s reign. It’s not ideal. I wouldn’t want that to happen to me. But what I will say is he (Sanchez) was extremely average today. He performed really badly and I don’t think he’s got much of a complaint. I said before the game I expected him to be the main man today but he didn’t do enough. He didn’t play well enough today to have that sort of reaction. It just shows a disharmony in the camp.”
A Danny Welbeck goal was enough to separate the two teams on the day but the game was overshadowed by fan protests about the lack of progress the club has made this season under Arsene Wenger.
However, there was some voice of support from the stands for the long-serving Frenchman but he will now be looking towards next weekend’s all-important clash with Manchester City.
Attention has already turned to next season at the Emirates and the club are being linked with moves for a number of players from around Europe. On that note, here are the biggest stories currently doing the rounds in north London.
The Arsenal players at risk of being sold
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Villarreal are considering a move for their former midfielder Santi Cazorla and are monitoring his situation at Arsenal. The Spain international has had his career curtailed by injuries this season and the Yellow Submarine want to bring the 31-year-old back to El Madrigal. (Daily Star)
Following the protests at yesterday’s game, Wenger has admitted that he sympathises with the fans but feels that Arsenal are moving forward. “We were warned about the protesters. You want to make the fans happy. I’m sorry if I don’t achieve it. I’m irritated and frustrated if I cannot keep people happy. I have respect for the club and gave so much for the club – I want to make people happy. We have Man City now. We have to give a special game next Sunday. Our job is to do the best. This season we hoped we could win the league – it didn’t happen and that’s why people are frustrated. I can share that frustration. The aim is to come back and do what is needed to do it next year. The last three years the club has moved forward.” (Sky Sports)
Arsenal will enter the race for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski if the Polish international decides to leave the German giants this summer. The £50m price tag is unlikely to deter Arsenal who are also interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Julain Weigl. (Mirror)
Jamie Redknapp believes that Alexis Sanchez’s visible frustration after being substituted against Norwich shows a sign of disharmony in the squad. “It’s not happened too many times in Arsene Wenger’s reign. It’s not ideal. I wouldn’t want that to happen to me. But what I will say is he (Sanchez) was extremely average today. He performed really badly and I don’t think he’s got much of a complaint. I said before the game I expected him to be the main man today but he didn’t do enough. He didn’t play well enough today to have that sort of reaction. It just shows a disharmony in the camp.”
Sevilla lose to Espanyol after changing entire team
Unai Emery paid the price for changing his entire team as Sevilla slumped to a 1-0 Primera Division defeat at struggling Espanyol on Sunday.
Espanyol
Sevilla FC
With an eye on Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Shakhtar Donetsk, Emery made 11 changes to the side that earned a 2-2 draw in Ukraine last week.
And he watched a virtual reserve team beaten by Felipe Caicedo's second half strike which effectively if not mathematically secured the hosts' top-flight survival with two games of the season to go.
If anyone doubted Sevilla's priority for the remainder of the season it was evident in the line-up with only four of those who started in Lviv even making it to the bench.
But the points were crucial for the hosts and they came agonisingly close to opening the scoring midway through the first half when Victor Sanchez rose highest to head a right-wing cross against the post.
Caicedo grabbed the opener on the 52nd minute when he reacted quickly to steer a rebound past Sevilla keeper Sergio Rico and give his side hope in their relegation fight.
And soon afterwards substitute Gerard Moreno almost scored a second for Espanyol when a sustained period of blocked shots ended in the striker screwing his effort against the woodwork from the edge of the box.
The home side survived some nervous final minutes to secure their first win in six La Liga matches and move further clear of the drop zone, while Sevilla stay in seventh with their minds on other things.
Getafe boost survival hopes with Deportivo La Coruna win
Deportivo La Coruña
Getafe
0
2
FT
Leon's powerful finish put the Madrid side ahead in the 41st minute and 21-year-old defender Vigaray scored his first goal for the club to seal the points in the 85th, after Celso Borges was dismissed for a second booking.
Getafe are still in the bottom three but are now level on points with relegation rivals Sporting Gijon and Rayo Vallecano, with two games remaining for the three clubs to try and save themselves.
The first half was a tight affair, with both team's chances limited to distance efforts. A powerful effort from Luis Alberto was tipped over the bar by Getafe goalkeeper Vicente Guaita early on, while Depor top scorer Lucas Perez hit a free-kick narrowly wide and Getafe midfielder Pablo Sarabia also failed to hit the target.
Getafe went in front shortly before the break, though.
Alvaro Vazquez received the ball with his back to goal and gave it back to Sarabia who then spread the play to Leon on the right-hand side of the area. The Spaniard took a couple of touches and cut inside onto his left foot, drilling the ball into the bottom near corner.
Depor's hopes of getting back in the game were hit when Borges received a second yellow card in the 64th minute, although Cartabia nearly equalised with a quarter of an hour to go, firing a loose ball just wide.
Vigaray then put the game out of the hosts' sight once and for all by knocking in Leon's corner at the near post.
Ronaldo wants Zidane to stay at Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo has backed Zinedine Zidane to continue as head coach at Real Madrid beyond this season.
The former France international replaced Rafael Benitez in January and has helped to sustain their push for a Liga and Champions League double heading into the final month of the campaign.
Speculation persists that Zidane could depart the club in June, however, with the 43-year-old unable to give any guarantees over his future when questioned on rumours in March.
Ronaldo has spoken in the past of how the Madrid squad have felt more at ease under Zidane than Benitez and he has called for the coach to be given more time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I think we feel more valued with Zidane,” he told Madrid’s official website. “We feel his affection, we know it’s a process of adapting but things have flowed very quickly and I’m very happy for him.
“I already admired him as a player and now as a coach for his manner and his way of selecting the players. He’s a coach who I would like to continue at Real Madrid.”
Ronaldo returned to training on Sunday after missing Madrid’s Champions League semi-final first-leg draw with Manchester City, and the 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad.
The Portugal star is vying to be fit for City’s visit to the capital on Wednesday but has warned that they must not underestimate Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
“If Manchester City are in the semi-finals, it’s because they’re an excellent team,” he said. “Knocking out Paris Saint-Germain is no easy task, but they managed it. They are a team who have very few defects.”
Ronaldo hit a hat-trick to secure Madrid’s quarter-final win over Wolfsburg, despite them having been beaten 2-0 in the first leg in Germany.
The ex-Manchester United forward has described that victory as “a magical moment” and hopes Madrid will be inspired to go all the way and win the trophy they last lifted two years ago.
“To win it with Real Madrid was a beautiful, spectacular feeling, because the Champions League is always a special competition and to win it in Lisbon, in front of the Portuguese, was also special,” he added.
“We had to win [against Wolfsburg] by three goals and I scored the three, so it was a special night. We had to have a perfect night and that’s what happened – not only for my goals, but I think for everything. I think the team did well.
“Also, our fans played a very important role in the comeback. It was a magical moment.”
The former France international replaced Rafael Benitez in January and has helped to sustain their push for a Liga and Champions League double heading into the final month of the campaign.
Speculation persists that Zidane could depart the club in June, however, with the 43-year-old unable to give any guarantees over his future when questioned on rumours in March.
Ronaldo has spoken in the past of how the Madrid squad have felt more at ease under Zidane than Benitez and he has called for the coach to be given more time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I think we feel more valued with Zidane,” he told Madrid’s official website. “We feel his affection, we know it’s a process of adapting but things have flowed very quickly and I’m very happy for him.
“I already admired him as a player and now as a coach for his manner and his way of selecting the players. He’s a coach who I would like to continue at Real Madrid.”
Ronaldo returned to training on Sunday after missing Madrid’s Champions League semi-final first-leg draw with Manchester City, and the 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad.
The Portugal star is vying to be fit for City’s visit to the capital on Wednesday but has warned that they must not underestimate Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
“If Manchester City are in the semi-finals, it’s because they’re an excellent team,” he said. “Knocking out Paris Saint-Germain is no easy task, but they managed it. They are a team who have very few defects.”
Ronaldo hit a hat-trick to secure Madrid’s quarter-final win over Wolfsburg, despite them having been beaten 2-0 in the first leg in Germany.
The ex-Manchester United forward has described that victory as “a magical moment” and hopes Madrid will be inspired to go all the way and win the trophy they last lifted two years ago.
“To win it with Real Madrid was a beautiful, spectacular feeling, because the Champions League is always a special competition and to win it in Lisbon, in front of the Portuguese, was also special,” he added.
“We had to win [against Wolfsburg] by three goals and I scored the three, so it was a special night. We had to have a perfect night and that’s what happened – not only for my goals, but I think for everything. I think the team did well.
“Also, our fans played a very important role in the comeback. It was a magical moment.”
Ronaldo: Messi more complete than Cristiano Ronaldo
Brazil great Ronaldo described Barcelona star Lionel Messi as a more complete player than Cristiano Ronaldo.
The duo have again been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, a prize they have shared the past seven years.
Messi is a four-time winner of the illustrious individual award, while Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed it three times – including in 2013 and 2014.
Ronaldo, who clinched it three times as well, said the Argentine was his pick of the pair.
“I choose Messi,” he told Clarin.
“I see Messi more complete. He does things in a most spectacular way.”
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo return to action in La Liga on Wednesday when Barca host Real Betis and Madrid take on Real Sociedad.
The duo have again been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, a prize they have shared the past seven years.
Messi is a four-time winner of the illustrious individual award, while Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed it three times – including in 2013 and 2014.
Ronaldo, who clinched it three times as well, said the Argentine was his pick of the pair.
“I choose Messi,” he told Clarin.
“I see Messi more complete. He does things in a most spectacular way.”
Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo return to action in La Liga on Wednesday when Barca host Real Betis and Madrid take on Real Sociedad.
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