Europa League final: Petit makes shocking prediction on Chelsea, Arsenal clash

SPORTS

Europa League final: Petit makes shocking prediction on Chelsea, Arsenal clash

 

Arsenal legend, Emmanuel Petit, has backed Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea to beat Unai Emery’s men when both sides clash in Wednesday’s Europa League final in Baku.

Chelsea reached the Europa League final after defeating Frankfurt in semi-final encounter, while Arsenal dumped Napoli out of the competition.

But Petit believes Chelsea are ‘in a good place’ to win the Europa League ahead of Arsenal.

“I’ve been critical of Sarri in the past, particularly about some tactical decisions that I didn’t understand. But you have to give him the time to do what he wants to do with the team,” Petit told Paddy Power.

“If they win the Europa League, they’ll have a European trophy, which alongside their earlier Champions League qualification, translates to a good year for Chelsea.

“With all that in mind, there’s a lot to be happy about for the club. If you compare this season to the previous, he has probably achieved what the club asked him to do.

“Most of the time when watching Chelsea, I get bored very easily, but the important thing is to win games and win trophies, and they’re in a good place to do that.”

SHARE THIS STORY

Europa League final: Arsenal kick against choice of Baku for Chelsea clash

SPORTS

Europa League final: Arsenal kick against choice of Baku for Chelsea clash

 

Arsenal have described UEFA’s decision to host the Europa League final in Baku, Azerbaijani capital, as “unacceptable”.

Fans are struggling with the logistics and cost of attending the game on May 29.

Arsenal and Chelsea were given 6,000 tickets each by European football’s governing body for the match at the 68,700-capacity Olympic Stadium, more than 4,500 kilometres (2,800 miles) from the English capital.

UEFA cited Baku’s limited airport capacity as one reason for not reserving more tickets for travelling fans.

“We are bitterly disappointed by the fact that due to transport limitations UEFA can only make a maximum of 6,000 tickets available to Arsenal for a stadium with a capacity of well over 60,000.

“Time will tell if it is even possible for 6,000 Arsenal fans to attend the match, given how extreme the travel challenges are.

“On behalf of our fans, we would like to understand the criteria by which venues are selected for finals, and also how supporter requirements are taken into account as part of this,” added Arsenal’s statement.

“Moving forward, we would urge UEFA to ensure that supporter logistics and requirements are a key part of any future decisions for final venues as what has happened this season is unacceptable, and cannot be repeated.

“We would be happy to join any future discussions to avoid this situation happening again,” Arsenal said in a strongly worded statement.

SHARE THIS STORY

Europa League: Diego Costa Included In The Atletico Madrid's Squad To Face Arsenal

​SPORTS NEWS

Europa League: Diego Costa Included In The Atletico Madrid's Squad To Face Arsenal

Atletico Madrid striker, Diego Costa, has been included in the travelling squad for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg at Arsenal.

Costa was not expected to feature, as he is believed to be nursing a hamstring problem.

The former Chelsea player, has not played since limping out of Atletico’s Europa League quarterfinal with Sporting Lisbon on April 12.

Last weekend, manager Diego Simeone said that the aim was to get the 29-year-old fit for the second leg against Arsenal in Madrid on May 3.

However, on Tuesday evening, Atletico named him in their travelling squad for the game, with the list also confirming that other injured players Juanfran Torres and Filipe Luis were remaining behind in the Spanish capital.

Youngsters Alex Dos Santos [goalkeeper], Sergi [left-back] and Roberto Olabe [midfielder] also make the trip to London.

                                                  

Please Share This Post

Europa League: Arsene Wenger Speaks On Arsenal 4-1 Win Over CSKA, Injured Players

​SPORTS NEWS

Europa League: Arsene Wenger Speaks On Arsenal 4-1 Win Over CSKA, Injured Players

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, has given updates on injuries to some of his key players, after their 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow on Thursday.

Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Lacazette both scored twice, as the Gunners took a commanding lead in their Europa League quarter-final tie.

But the win came at a cost. Goalkeeper David Ospina was ruled out before the game, while midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan was replaced by Alex Iwobi in the second half.

“The scan today was reassuring. He will be out for 2-3 weeks,” Wenger said about Ospina.

On Mkhitaryan, he added: “He has a knee problem. We don’t know how bad it is but he’ll certainly be out for Sunday.”

The second leg comes up next Thursday in Russia.

Please Share This Post

Transfer: Neymar's Father Reacts To His Return To Barca, Real Madrid Rumours

​SPORTS NEWS

Transfer: Neymar's Father Reacts To His Return To Barca, Real Madrid Rumours

Neymar “has a future” at Paris Saint-Germain, the Brazil international’s father said on Tuesday, amid reports of an exit from the French club.

PSG chairman and CEO Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Antero Henrique, visited Neymar this week in Brazil, as he continues to recover from surgery on a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

They both met with the player and his father, Neymar Sr, who also acts as his agent.

While they were there, Neymar Sr and Al-Khelaifi moved to silence rumours about a possible Real Madrid move or a return to Barca.

“Neymar already has a future at PSG,” Neymar Sr said at a press conference.

“Neymar already has a present at PSG.”

Al-Khelaifi added: “Neymar is happy, highly motivated and excited to come back as soon as possible. He is doing his best to come back as soon as possible – he is in good shape.”

Please Share This Post

Laliga: Zidane Praises Neymar, Says He Will Do Well In Real Madrid

SPORTS NEWS

Laliga: Zidane Praises Neymar, Says He Will Do Well In Real Madrid

 

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, has praised Neymar, saying he could fit into any team including the LaLiga giants.

Neymar, who joined Paris Saint-Germain last summer in a €222million transfer from Barcelona, has been linked to Madrid in recent months.

On Friday, Mundo Deportivo reported that he was seekinga return to Barcelona this summer.

“Neymar would fit in at every club because he is very good just as other players,” Zidane told a news conference on Friday.

“I’m not going to talk about a player that is not mine.

“They [PSG] paid €222m, that’s what it is. When I was bought [by Real Madrid] they paid €72m or something like that and I thought it was crazy. Ten years later it’s €222m… in 10 years time or even earlier than that, they might spend €400m.”

Please Share This Post

BREAKING NEWS Europa League: Arsenal Bellerin, Lacazette, Monreal Will Be Out In Today's Match - Arsene Wenger Confirmed

BREAKING NEWS

Europa League: Arsenal Bellerin, Lacazette, Monreal Will Be Out In Today's Match - Arsene Wenger Confirmed

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger has confirmed that the club will be without three first-team players when they face AC Milan in the Europa League at the San Siro stadium on Thursday night.

The three players, according to Wenger are: Hector Bellerin, Alexandre Lacazette and Nacho Monreal.

The Frenchman has been forced to leave the trio back in London rather than travelling with them to Italy for the game, as they look to overcome their respective problems.

Bellerin and Lacazette have been ruled out due to knee injuries, while Monreal is out with a back problem.

Wenger told reporters: “Bellerin is injured. He has an inflammation of his left knee.

“He had a scan yesterday which showed inflammation. He tried but couldn’t absorb the training session so we left him at home. It doesn’t look a long-term problem.

“Lacazette is still struggling, He is not ready.

“We had to leave Monreal behind as well because he’s not ready. “He started a little session today but he’s not ready.”

Meanwhile, striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is also unavailable due to being cup-tied, with Danny Welbeck likely to lead the attack line.

Please Share This Post