Football Lovers

It’s Coming Home With the 2020 European Champions delayed until 2021, football fans will be able to enjoy two straight years of international football tournaments. However the World Cup in 2022 will be the first of its kind. With the exceedingly hot temperatures in Qatar, the event will be run during the winter. Even though the Euros has not begun, World Cup qualifying is inbound and some country’s Nations League and Friendly performances are having a serious impact on the way in which they will be seeded. The draw for the 10 groups is set to take place on December 7th, the 55 nations will be split into 5 groups of six and 5 groups of 5. Group winners will qualify automatically for the tournament. 📰 CONFIRMED: The @UEFA Preliminary Draw for the FIFA #WorldCup Qatar 2022 will take place on 7 December 📺 Ceremony will be live-streamed on https://t.co/zJTWWlvUsi ℹ️ More info 👉 https://t.co/IKkR0AaasO pic.twitter.com/vkFIti5igq — FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) October 22, 2020...

Pepe’s Arsenal stint Arsenal secured Nicolas Pepe’s services in the summer of 2019 for a club-record £72m . Despite having an outstanding season the campaign prior with Lille, Pepe’s first year in England was pretty underwhelming. The Ivorian struggled to hold down a regular starting spot last term, as well as failing to produce anywhere near the numbers we saw he is capable of with Lille. 2020/21 has seen a similar tale unfold for the 25-year-old. Pepe has scored two and assisted two in just three Europa League outings so far this season. In the Premier League, though, the story is very much different. LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League group F match between Arsenal FC and Vitoria Guimaraes at Emirates Stadium on October 24, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images) Pepe wants to find a smile again Pepe has featured in seven of the north Londoners’ eight league outings this season. However,...

Rashford rally Marcus Rashford, whilst scoring hat-tricks for Manchester United, set upon a journey to provide free school meals (FSM) for students and families struggling through the pandemic. Typically, a student can claim a free school meal if their family’s financial income falls below a set figure. However, this is only feasible during the school term. For more than 10 weeks of the year, children are on half-term, Christmas, Easter or summer holidays. These times can be very difficult for families who would typically have 5 meals a week provided for their children by the school. Provided the additional pressure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, families have faced even further financial struggles through redundancies and wage cuts. Rashford earned an MBE for his campaigning of the 1.3 million children who would have gone without FSM for the summer holidays. “This is not about politics; this is about humanity,” Rashford said . “Looking at ourselves in the mirror and feeling l...

Initial Ings concerns In a collision with Egyptian midfielder Trezeguet, Danny Ings, who already has 5 goals in his 7 Premier League games, landed awkwardly damaging his knee. The England international could be heard crying out “my knee” upon impact and had to be replaced late on against Aston Villa. Speaking after the game, Ralph Hasenhuttl was not in an optimistic mood regarding the injury. “Ingsy, I don’t know, hopefully it’s not too bad – but it didn’t look good to be honest.” Ings goal proved significant despite the Saints taking a 4 goal lead away at Villa Park. A goal and two assists from Jack Grealish gave a glimmer of hope for Dean Smith’s side but Southampton held on to take the win. “That’s the Premier League, no team gives up, especially not a strong side,” Hasenhuttl added. “Credit to them, they always believed in what they were doing. I knew it could get tight in the end and they made it the tough game I expected.” Good news Despite the Austrian coach’s initial ...

Arteta’s thoughts Arsenal’s victory at Old Trafford was a historic moment for both clubs. It signified the first victory at the ground since 2006. Every game against a ‘big 6’ side would be given the narrative that Arsenal had not won an away tie since 2015. The relief from the game was not just evident on social media through the fans but in Mikel Arteta’s post-match press conference. “I think we merited the points. I’m really happy that after 14 years without a win, we were able to come and do what we’ve done today. As well I asked the players, ‘Please, let’s be who we are and play with our identity and our style’. I think we did it from the first minute against a really difficult opponent.” “Obviously they have a lot of quality and we deserved to win the game,” said the Spaniard. “We have to beat the top teams if we want to be fighting with them. It’s something we haven’t been able to do in the last few years, especially away from home. We have to improve. There is that gap and...

Manchester United vs Arsenal Manchester United’s start to the season has been nothing short of up and down. Huge losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at home yet beating PSG and RB Leipzig in the Champions League. Yet history is solidly on the Red Devils’ side as they host Arsenal at Old Trafford. The last time the Gunners won in the famous ground it was 2006. Arsenal’s last recorded victory against a ‘big 6’ side was in Manchester in 2015 against City but their last 28 attempts have turned up winless. Manchester United will be without Anthony Martial through suspension and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may be tempted to field the midfield diamond which helped put away Leipzig. Bruno Fernandes is expected to return and replace Donny van der Beek. But Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay could make up the midfield with fred also vying for a spot. Meanwhile, Arteta has a selection headache. Does the Spaniard decide to go defensive with the 3-4-3 which saw success against C...

Winning is a habit Eden hazard returned to score an absolute screamer against Huesca. The away side were yet to pick up a win this season despite drawing 5 of their opening 8 games. Madrid meanwhile, fresh off the back of the El Classico victory and comeback against Gladbach, were happy to have their Belgian talisman back in the side. Picking up the ball and turning 25 yards from goal, Hazard struck the ball with his weaker left foot into the left-hand side of the Huesca net. Karim Benzema continued his fine form, a Lucas Vazquez cross found the Frenchman on the left and his low drive beat Fernandez. Benzema turned creator as his left sided cross found young Uruguayan Federico Valverde and the midfielder slammed a low shot in to make it 3. David Ferreiro scored a consolation with 15 minutes to go but any hopes of a comeback were dashed when Marcelo’s cross was headed down by Rodrygo for Benzema to nod in for his second of the game. The win puts Los Blancos top with Atletico Madrid ...

Problems continue Despite Barcelona’s impressive victory in Turin, their league woes continued. The Blaugrana went to face a Deportivo Alaves side who themselves were having a poor La Liga campaign. Both sides started the day on 7 points, however Alaves had played two games for than the Catalans. An early goal from the Basque side, Luis Rioja nipped in and stole the ball from backup keeper Neto after the Brazilian keeper was caught with the ball under his feet. Alaves looked like they might be holding firm until Jota was given a second yellow for a high foot into Gerard Pique’s chest. Just a minute later, Antoine Griezmann levelled the score and Barcelona’s victory appeared an inevitability. However, Alaves keeper Pacheco was in inspired form. Saving from Lionel Messi, Sergino Dest and Miralem Pjanic. The Basque side held on despite the man advantage and Barcelona were left lamenting another toothless performance. ‘Not a matter of attitude’ Koeman picked up on the issues his sid...

Across the Atlantic Alphonso Davies has become one of the most exciting young talents in European football. Moving from Vancouver Whitecaps as left-sided midfield player, the Canadian international has found his natural habitat at left-back. The movement of North American talent to Europe and in particular the Bundesliga is nothing new. One of the United States most successful players Landon Donovan began his senior career at Bayer Leverkusen but made his name in the States. However, the more recent talent, including Davies, have been taking the level of quality to a different plain. Davies compatriot Jonathan David made a move from the Belgian league to Lille to replace Victor Osimhen. Christian Pulisic developed at Borrusia Dortmund before making the move across the channel to Chelsea where he resides as one of Frank Lampard’s key attackers. Dortmund’s latest American prodigy is Jordi Reyna, the 17-year-old has already made 19 league appearances. Gradually become part of Lucien F...

Shelvey out? Newcastle have had a varied beginning to the Premier League season. Steve Bruce’s side currently sit 14th after 5 games, 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. Newcastle had a successful transfer window bringing in Bournemouth pair Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser, Norwich City’s Jamal Lewis and Burnley’s Jeff Hendrick. Bruce has maintained a strong loyalty to players who were already at the club. Jonjo Shelvey has played every league game this season. The former Liverpool midfielder signed a new deal earlier in 2020 which will keep the England international at the club until 2023. However, Bruce could be without the integral 28-year-old after Shelvey has been suffering with a groin injury. Speaking ahead of Newcastles trip to Wolves Bruce said, “He’s had a sore groin now for the past two, three weeks – and tried to play with it. It’s come to the stage where he’s not going to be able to, but I’ve got nothing but the hugest respect for Jonjo.” He’s a very, very good player, and ...

Fuming Inter Milan are furious that new signing Achraf Hakimi was unable to play against Borussia Monchengladbach. The Italian club were informed by UEFA that the Moroccan international had tested positive for coronavirus. However, the club claim the former Real Madrid wing-back was asymptomatic and, further to that, tested negative a day after the game. “Inter Milan announces that Achraf Hakimi tested negative for the test carried out yesterday after the positive results found by the UEFA checks before the match against Borussia Monchengladbach,” the statement read. “The player, completely asymptomatic, was subjected to an additional test today to assess his actual situation.” Hakimi will now have blood tests to see the viral-load level in his blood. However, the club are supposedly so angry with UEFA for the situation that they could even pursue legal action. Hakimi joined Inter Milan from Real Madrid for a €40 million fee having spent two seasons on loan with Borussia D...

No place for it Barcelona’s La Masia academy has struggled to produce the swathes of talent it had previously been known for. The likes of Xavi, Iniesta, Buquests and Pedro have long since moved on. However, a young bright spark has been that of 17-year-old Ansu Fati. Already in the Spanish senior national team, the winger looks to be the new prodigy of Barcelona. Fati scored and assisted in Barca’s 5-1 Champions League win over Ferencvaros. Despite this, his performances was marred by racist remarks from ABC’s Salvador Sostres. In his match report, the ABC reporter said, ‘Ansu was close to scoring with a kick of a pure striker, perfectly turning his body.’ ‘Ansu when running has something similar to a gazelle, he looks like a young and black street seller, the one you could see running in the Paseo de Gracia shouting “water, water” when the policemen arrive.’ ‘Postcards of a jungle in the heart of the city. Now it doesn’t happen anymore because of Ada Colau [Mayor of Barcelona]...

Barca down Ferencvaros Barcelona got their Champions League campaign underway on Tuesday, no doubt keen to avenge their rather embarrassing exit from the competition last time out at the hands of Bayern Munich. This season, the Spanish powerhouse have been placed in Group C, along with Juventus, Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvaros. It would be the latter of that trio who Barcelona welcomed to the Camp Nou on Tuesday. The Blaugrana headed into the tie clear as favourites for the victory and when 90 minutes were up, a win was exactly what Barca had achieved. Strikes from Lionel Messi and Ansu Fati in the first 45 saw the hosts go in at the break with a comfortable lead. Philippe Coutinho, Pedri and Ousmane Dembele were then all on target in the second half as the La Liga giants cruised to a 5-1 victory. Highlights: Barcelona 5-Ferencvaros 1 Ansu Fati set a Champions League record Following the clash with Ferencvaros, several pieces of news concerning Ronald Koeman’s side have broken. ...

It takes two The partnership of Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane has been one of the best of the season so far. With the creativity originating from the more unlikely of the two, Son has become a ferocious goal scorer for Tottenham. 4 goals against Southampton which were all set up by Kane was followed by 2 goals against Manchester United. Spurs beat United 6-1 is a commanding display in which Kane scored a brace. Most recently, Son and Kane were at the centre of Tottenham’s 3-0 lead against West Ham. The South Korean scored inside a minute and a second Kane brace in as many games brought the score to a commanding figure. Whilst the Hammers miraculously came back, the blame could not be placed at the pair. With Son’s tally in the Premier League sitting at 7 from 5, it is not beyond the realms of possibility to think a bigger club would make a move for the 28-year-old in the near future. Therefore ensuring Son’s long-term stay at the club should become a priority. Acting fast That pri...

Bad to worse Leicester City’s start to the season has been blighted by injury and a 5-2 win over Manchester City could do little to temper the frustration. Were a devilish deal to trade the win at the Etihad for a fully-fit squad been offered to Brendan Rodgers, he may have been inclined to take it. Ricardo Pereira, Wilfred Ndidi, Caglar Soyuncu and Jamie Vardy all missed the Foxes’ 1-0 home defeat to Aston Villa. Defensively, losing Ben Chilwell to Chelsea was a big blow, but a lack of selection consistency and midfield cover of the defence has led to calamitous displays. West Ham were able to steamroll Leicester. The game, with the Foxes clear favourites, showed how little pressure was being applied to the opposition. Michail Antonio had a comfortable afternoon and was able ease through the match. The addition of Wesley Fofana from St Etienne will look to sure up the back line. However, the latest injury concern could see the Frenchman as simply a replacement. 3 long months R...

Experienced youth Arsenal’s under 23s played out a 3-3 draw against Manchester United in the Premier league 2 on Saturday. It is not out of the ordinary for youth games to occur on the same days of that as the senior sides. However, what was unusual was the level of first team experience on display in the Arsenal ranks. ✅ Here’s how #AFCU23 line-up against @ManUtd this afternoon 👇 #PL2 🏆 pic.twitter.com/umymJYOF1i — Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) October 17, 2020 From the line-up, Emile Smith-Rowe, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Cedric all have several appearances for the first team. Cedric being a 29-year-old Premier League and international veteran of the game. William Saliba was also included in the line-up having been absent for some weeks. Big questions surrounded whether the Frenchman would be sent out on loan. But with the close of the domestic window, Saliba will remain at Arsenal for at least the next three months.  Loans galore Chelsea have made a signi...

Granada 1-0 Sevilla The day of giant-killings in La Liga began with Sevilla recording their first loss of the season away at Granada. Despite having the best of the early chances, Sevilla were the orchestrators of their own downfall. Joan Jordan picked up two yellow cards in as many minutes. His second bizarrely taking place off the ball, seemingly kicking into Angel Montoro. Eventually the numerical advantage told and after a string of chances, mostly set up by Dimitri Foulquier, substitute Yangel Herrera met the Frenchman’s 82nd minute cross to give the home side all 3 points and leave Sevilla in 10th. Granada making another strong start to the season. 3 wins from 5 games, they occupy 4th spot. Gran esfuerzo de todos! Seguiremos trabajando! #VamosMiSevilla pic.twitter.com/DXnx0ICa6i — munir el haddadi (@Munirhaddadi) October 17, 2020 Celta Vigo 0-2 Atletico Madrid A torrid end to the transfer window saw Diego Simeone’s side lose talismanic midfield general Thomas Partey. B...

Reports have emerged this morning that Liverpool are not impressed by the coverage of beIN SPORTS after the club’s 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby. During the game, Virgil van Dijk was subjected to a serious challenge from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The incident left the Dutch defender clutching his knee but was able to walk off the field off play without assistance. Referee. Assistant referee. VAR. Assistant VAR. 4 pairs of eyes. Years of experience…but nobody seems to think it’s a red card.🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/lQW8CGtesT — Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) October 17, 2020 This would have left many to believe the affliction not too serious. However, after beIN SPORTS presenter Richard Keys delivered information to viewers that van Dijk could be out for 7-8 months, panic set in. As such an integral figure for Liverpool, any information breaking regarding an absence would cause hysteria. Liverpool have looked defensively thwarted without Brazilian keeper Aliss...

Progress Despite Arsenal’s loss at Manchester City, it was another example of how the Gunners are making gradual progress under Mikel Arteta. The classic statistic of the games away against the ‘big 6’ will always be highlighted. However, it is how Arsenal have closed the gap to remain competitive in these games that is telling. Arsenal’s record against Manchester City at the Etihad and Liverpool at Anfield is very poor. What is noticeable though is how quickly the games would get away from the Gunners. Often turning the second half into a ‘damage control’ scenario. The match on  Saturday showed that Arsenal are, piece by piece, building something that can challenge the top teams again. With Thomas Partey still to find his way into the setup after just over a day of training, quality is only expected to improve. Chances missed Despite Arsenal having the one of the most expensive front lines in the league, taking key chances has been an issue. Lacazette missed a big opportunit...

Gunning for it Emile Smith-Rowe has gone under the radar at Arsenal. An injury to his right shoulder ahead of the new Premier League season meant the opportunity to get early minutes was stolen away. However, Smith-Rowe has gradually integrated himself back into full training. With Europa League fixtures on the horizon, the opportunity for the 20-year-old to jumpstart his Gunners career could be approaching. Smith Rowe back in full training today, just before the Europa League gets underway – really hoping to see him get some good game time in the group stages. — Charles Watts (@charles_watts) October 16, 2020 Spending time with Huddersfield Town on loan last season revealed that Smith-Rowe was making significant progress in his senior game. Helping the Terriers survive relegation with some commanding displays. 101 spoke to former Huddersfield Town Head of Football Operation David Webb. Webb was integral in signing Smith-Rowe from Arsenal in January. He spoke of how he follo...