According to reports, Arsenal will appoint Unai Emery as their new manager and successor to Arsene Wenger. This development is coming days after the club made a decision not to offer Mikel Arteta the role at the Emirates Stadium.
The 46 year-old led Almería into La Liga for the first time, finishing 8th the following season. He also took Valencia to three consecutive 3rd place finishes in La Liga and is a three-time consecutive Europa League winner with Sevilla. PSG won the domestic treble under him this season. He is to be announced as Arsenal’s new manager within the next 48 hours.
Reacting to Wenger’s retirement in April, Emery said, “It is impossible to talk about Arsenal, the Premier League and the coaching profession without mentioning Arsene Wenger, one of the references without doubt. Thanks Arsene!”
I'll fire Wenger if i buy Arsenal – Dangote
Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote has declared that the first thing he will do if his plans to takeover Arsenal is successful is to sack Arsene Wenger. The richest man in Africa made this known in an interview with Bloomberg Dangote and he affirmed his desire to invest in the English club once he completes a major oil refinery project in the Nigerian capital of Lagos.
“The first thing I would change is the coach, He has done a good job, but someone else should also try his luck.” The 60 year-old said.
Dangote intends to make an offer valued Arsenal at £2bn. “If they get the right offer, I’m sure they would walk away, Someone will give them an offer that will make them seriously consider walking away. And when we finish the refinery, I think we will be in a position to do that.” He added
Arsenal and Wenger agree contract extension.
Arsenal Football Club and Arsène Wenger have agreed a two-year extension to his contract as manager and has been reportedly handed a £100m budget to spend in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Owner, Stan Kroenke said: “Our ambition is to win the Premier League and other major trophies in Europe. It’s what the fans, players, staff, manager and board expect and we won’t rest until that is achieved. Arsène is the best person to help us make that happen. He has a fantastic track record and has our full backing.”
Confirming the news, the Frenchman, said: “I love this club and I am looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement. We are looking at what we do well and how we can be stronger everywhere. This is a strong group of players and with some additions we can be even more successful. We’re committed to mounting a sustained league challenge and that will be our focus this summer and next season. I am grateful to have the support of the board and Stan in doing everything we can to win more trophies. It’s what we all want and I know it’s what our fans around the world demand.”
Arsenal edge Manchester City to reach FA cup final.
Pep Guardiola’s side, Manchester City were dumped out of FA Cup race, courtesy of Alexis Sanchez’s extra-time strike. The club came from behind to secure a hard fought 2-1 victory at the Wembley.
Meanwhile Alexis Sanchez has scored more goals for Arsenal at Wembley (4) than any other player in the club’s history.
Manchester City coach, Pep Guardiola will end a season without a trophy for the first time in his coaching career.
Giroud, Coquelin, Koscielny renew Arsenal contracts
The trio of Arsenal Olivier Giroud, Francis Coquelin and Laurent Koscielny have all agreed new contract extensions with Arsenal.
Gunners boss, Arsene Wenger made the announcement on Arsenal’s official website, www.arsenal.com, saying
“We are very pleased that three important members of our team have committed to us for the long term. Francis has made tremendous technical strides over the past few years because he’s so focused every day. Olivier has big experience in the game now and has become a more and more complete player since joining us. “Laurent is of course a key part of our squad and I believe one of the best defenders in the world today. So overall, this is great news for us.” He said
Meanwhile Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez are yet to decide their Arsenal future. The duo’s contracts expire in the summer of 2018.
I am immune to excessive reaction -Wenger
If we were to make a list of top ten most slammed coaches in football in recent times, Arsene Wenger’s name will hang around top four.
The Frenchman has confessed he is unfazed by criticisms from fans over their dismal performances and chiefly their position on the log. The Arsenal coach said he will not be distracted as the team tries to contend for the title.
Wenger told the club’s official website. “I am not immune to critics. But I am immune to excessive reaction. I have been in the job long enough to put that into perspective as part of people who love the club that are really disappointed on Monday morning and get their frustration out. We have to live with that.
“You know you do not go in the season and have no disappointment. We have just lost two games, of course it is tough but City did not win for six, Tottenham for four or five, Manchester United as well, all the teams go through that.
“The teams who respond well have the most successful seasons. It is part of it. In 20 years I had very few seasons where you start on the motorway and you finish on the motorway with no car in front of you.
“The most excessive reactions get the biggest echo in the press. That is just society. We have gone that way that if you have five candidates to be elected Prime Minister you organise the vote one Sunday and people will elect one. You organise a vote for the next Sunday and you might elect somebody else.
“That is where we are today and we have to live with that and the excessive reactions.”
Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny cancel Arsenal's Christmas party
Arsenal will not be having their annual Christmas party this year.
The decision to cancel the ceremony was at the suggestion of Petr Cech and Laurent Koscielny. And it was reportedly done to avoid a backlash from irate fans. After falling nine-point back of Chelsea, the two decided that no one at the club deserves to have any fun in their lives, thus they canceled the players’ annual Christmas party.
Quote of the day: Jose Mourinho
In a press conference ahead of Manchester United’s game with Arsenal, Jose Mourinho, aimed another dig at his rival, Arsene Wenger claiming he is not shown the same respect as his Arsenal counterpart.
Hector Bellerin signs new 6-year contract to join top earners at Arsenal
Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin has put pen to paper a new 6-year deal which has seen him become one of the club’s top earners on over £100,000 per week.
The Spanish right back’s contract worth about £30million was also to fence off interests from other clubs; specifically Barcelona and Manchester City.
I have sleepless nights – Antonio Conte
Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte is losing sleep over the club’s issues.
The Blues were defeated in their last two games.; against Liverpool and Arsenal and the man at the helm has admitted the team are only good on paper and not on pitch where it really matters. And to keep his job, he’s determined to find solutions to the lingering problems.
“We must improve a lot of if we want to stay up at the top and not in the middle of the table. Conte said. “But my message is not important. The most important message is the one that arrives on the pitch. We must all understand this message, and find very soon the right solution to improve.
“I don’t sleep, sure. I don’t sleep. This is normal. After this game, this defeat, it’s normal for me not to sleep. Not only tonight, but for two nights. When I don’t sleep, I reflect. And it’s important to reflect.
On the recent London derby which ended 3-0 in favour of Arsenal, Conte added. “I got angry at half-time but I prefer to keep my words. There are rules in the dressing room. Sure I was angry but my players were also angry. We were not satisfied with our game, with our performance.
“I have to find the solution very, very soon because against Arsenal we played a very bad game.”
In other news, there are reports that the coach is planning a defensive clear-out following his side’s defeat to the Gunners. Players expected to be affected by the phase out are Ivanovic and Cahill and probably many more