Category: EPL

Breaking: Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gives Paul Pogba and David de Gea injury update

by Ato Orseer Johnson, posted in Fixtures, Uncategorized

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that both Paul Pogba and David de Gea have been ruled out of contention to feature against Liverpool in the
Premier League on Sunday.
Pogba has been recovering in Dubai during the international break and posted various pictures of his sessions on Instagram but Solskjaer confirmed he isn’t available for selection against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
“Paul had an injury, he came back, he worked really hard,” he told Sky Sports .
“He came back and played a couple of games, maybe played through the pain barrier.
“He had a scan after the Arsenal game and maybe needed a few weeks’ rest in a boot so hopefully he won’t be too long, but he won’t make this game, no.”

De Gea added to Solskjaer’s injury woes after being substituted for Spain against Sweden on Tuesday night.
The goalkeeper was forced off with a suspected groin problem after kicking the ball and the United manager confirmed the Spaniard won’t be fit to play with Sergio Romero taking his place between the sticks.
Solskjaer added: “David needs a scan.
“I think he’ll be out. It certainly looked like it anyway judging on last night so it’s just one of those things.”

The United boss did have some positive news for United fans, revealing he is optimistic on the fitness of Anthony Martial, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for the Old Trafford clash.
“I can’t tell you 100 per cent [who] is going to be fit as something might happen,” he said.
“But hopefully Aaron and Anthony will last the training this week and be available for selection. If it’s for half a game or 30 minutes I don’t know but let’s see where they’re at.”

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Unleashing the real Nicolas Pepe and the Arsenal defensive fixes already in Unai Emery’s sights

by Ato Orseer Johnson, posted in EPL, Transfers

Returning to Premier League action after the international break, Unai Emery will have more time to lay out his game plan for Sheffield United which should see Arsenal become more pro-active in their approach.
Although the Gunners sit third place in the Premier League performances so far haven’t been convincing. This could be their chance to bring style back to the way they play football.
Arriving as Arsenal’s record signing this summer, Nicolas Pepe is yet to show the brilliance that brought him to north London.
However, coming back from the international break with the confidence that his goal against DR Congo should bring him may help Emery’s record-breaking forward.
So far, the Ivorian has shown glimpses of what he can do. Coming up against a Sheffield United side that will look to attack Arsenal rather than defend for 90 minutes, this could give him the space he needs to express himself.

Facilitate the front three
Emery needs to give his forwards the platform to attack and a change in the midfield three he chooses could be the way to do this.
Of late, the Spaniard has favoured the trio of Lucas Torreira, Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi. This leaves Arsenal without a link between the varying thirds of the pitch, somebody that can get the ball into the front three quickly and accurately.
One of the club’s five captains, Xhaka has often been used at the base of the midfield with Torreira in a more advanced position. With Xhaka’s form dipping, and Torreira looking out of his depth higher upfield, moving the Uruguayan back to anchor the midfield may work well.

Transfers: Manchester United may sign five new players

by Ato Orseer Johnson, posted in EPL

Ryan Giggs says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs five new players to revive Manchester United.
United, who visit Newcastle, live on Sky Sports on Sunday, have taken only nine points from seven games to make their worst start to a top-flight campaign for 30 years.

Solskjaer’s side have not scored more than one goal in a match since an opening-day win over Chelsea – and hopes of a top-four spot at Old Trafford appear a distant prospect.

Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James were recruited this summer at a cost of £145m, but United legend Giggs says much more is needed for the club to recapture past glories.
“They need another four or five players,” the Wales manager said.
“He (Solskjaer) has bought in three players but he probably needs seven or eight (altogether).

“But you can’t do that over one transfer window, so you have to be patient because it will be slow.
“The culture has changed and what he is trying to do was much needed. He needs time.”
Steve Bruce, another one of Giggs’ former United team-mates, has his own problems at Newcastle with the Magpies in the relegation zone.

‘He’s doing incredibly’ – Azpilicueta says he knew Abraham was ready for Chelsea

by Ato Orseer Johnson, posted in EPL, Fixtures, Uncategorized

With his latest goal against Southampton taking him to nine for the season, the young striker has earned high praise from his club captain

Cesar Azpilicueta says that he knew Tammy Abraham was ready to make an impact for Chelsea this season, with the young striker taking his tally to nine in all competitions after scoring against Southampton on Sunday.

Though Frank Lampard’s side have made a mixed start to the campaign and are currently fifth in the Premier League, Abraham has been a source of optimism in testing circumstances.

Chelsea are currently under a transfer embargo imposed by FIFA after they were found guilty of breaching rules relating to signing overseas players under the age of 18, leaving them with an uneven squad and an unfamiliar reliance on academy graduates.

With his latest goal against Southampton taking him to nine for the season, the young striker has earned high praise from his club captain

Cesar Azpilicueta says that he knew Tammy Abraham was ready to make an impact for Chelsea this season, with the young striker taking his tally to nine in all competitions after scoring against Southampton on Sunday.

Though Frank Lampard’s side have made a mixed start to the campaign and are currently fifth in the Premier League, Abraham has been a source of optimism in testing circumstances.

Chelsea are currently under a transfer embargo imposed by FIFA after they were found guilty of breaching rules relating to signing overseas players under the age of 18, leaving them with an uneven squad and an unfamiliar reliance on academy graduates.

That has represented a huge opportunity for Abraham, however, along with the likes of Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who made his first Premier League start against Southampton after a long lay-off with a ruptured Achilles.

The Blues ran out 4-1 winners at St Mary’s, Abraham opening the scoring with an improvised lob from long range.

Club captain Azpilicueta talked up Abraham’s contribution, saying: “I had confidence in him because I have known him since he was quite young.

“Every time I saw him his work ethic was very good. Last season he had an amazing spell at Aston Villa, he was a key player for them, he scored a lot of goals. 

“I knew he was ready for us and for the Premier League. As soon as he arrived he worked hard and wanted to help the team.

“Strikers live for goals so it’s great for him. He’s doing incredibly well and he scored an amazing goal. I’m very happy for him and I’m sure he can give us a lot more happiness in the future.”