Alan Shearer tells Emery to forget Premier League title, reveals what should be his target

Newcastle United legend, Alan Shearer, has told Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, to focus on finishing among the top four in the Premier League this season.

He also said the Spaniard should try to win the domestic cup in his first season in charge.

Shearer, a Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer and regular pundit said the former PSG manager should quash any hope of winning the Premier League title this season.

Emery took over at the Emirates from Arsene Wenger, who left Arsenal after 22 years in charge.

Arsenal had stagnated under Wenger and finished last season in sixth place – their lowest finish since 1995.

Arsenal did reach the League Cup final but were beaten 3-0 at Wembley by Premier League champions, Manchester City.

“It’s been a difficult start to the season for Arsenal. I don’t see them being anywhere near contending for the league title, that is there for everyone to see,” Shearer told Coral.

“They have some decent players but it isn’t going to be enough to push the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

“Their aim has to be to try and break back into the top four and maybe challenge for one of the cup competitions.

“It is never easy when a new manager comes in to replace someone who has been there as long as Wenger was.

“It is going to take a long time for everyone at the club to adjust to a new way of doing things.

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Unai Emery provides update on Arsenal players ahead of Chelsea clash

Arsenal boss, Unai Emery has provided update on some of his players ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on Saturday.

Emery’s side is facing a defensive crisis at left-back, with Sead Kolasinac and Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the sidelines due to injury, while Spain international, Nacho Monreal is still battling with fitness.

The Gunners head to the game at Stamford Bridge against the Blues after losing 2-0 to Manchester City last weekend in their EPL opener at Emirates Stadium.

Emery, however, disclosed that Monreal and Lichtsteiner are the two players in contention for the defensive role against Chelsea.

”The first injury with Kolasinac was important because I think he was playing well in pre-season. But we needed to play with another player like Ainsley [once Kolasinac was injured]. His performance can improve, he can get better in his career in the team,” Emery told Arsenal’s official website.

”Maybe not especially at left back, but he was playing well in the first 25 minutes on Sunday. After this injury, I tried with Lichtsteiner, who is a player with experience. He can play at left back but his position in the team is more at right back.

”This week Nacho Monreal is working every day, training every day with us. The two options we have now are Nacho Monreal and Lichtsteiner to continue in this position,” he said.

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Transfer: Arsenal goalkeeper arrives in Napoli for transfer deal

Arsenal goalkeeper, Daniel Ospina, has arrived in Naples to seal a loan move to Serie A side, Napoli.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Colombia international is expected to undergo routine medicals on Thursday, before putting pen to paper.

Ospina had made only 11 appearances for the Emirates club in the last three seasons.

The shot-stopper was left out of Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday.

Petr Cech started in goal, while summer arrival Bernd Leno was on the bench.

Goals from Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva, ensured that City defeated Unai Emery’s men at the Emirates Stadium.

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Atletico knock out Real Madrid to claim 2018 UEFA Super Cup

Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, beat city rivals Real Madrid 4-2, to win the UEFA Super Cup at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia.

Diego Costa put Atletico ahead in the first minute of the game, lashing past Keylor Navas from a narrow angle.

Karim Benzema levelled before the break, heading in Gareth Bale’s cross.

Real took the lead for the first time in the game, after Sergio Ramos calmly slotted his penalty in the 63rd minute. But Costa struck again with 10 minutes left, to level the game.

In extra time, Saul Niguez and Koke scored for Diego Simeone’s men, to take it beyond the game out of Real’s hands.

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Ramos hits back at Klopp over comments on Mohamed Salah’s tackle

Madrid captain, Sergio Ramos has slammed Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp over comments made after the UEFA Champions League final in May this year.

Forward, Mohamed Salah was forced off with a shoulder injury following a challenge from Ramos, and the Los Blancos went on to win the Reds by a 3-1 score line in Kiev.

Klopp was unhappy with the tackle, claiming that Ramos had been ‘brutal and ruthless’.

Ramos, however, has taken his opportunity to respond to Klopp’s comment.

“It’s not the first final he’s lost, [maybe] he wants to use that as an excuse for losing,” Ramos was quoted by Sportmole saying at a pre-UEFA Super Cup press conference in Tallinn.

“Some of us have been operating at a very high level for many years, not sure Klopp can say the same.”

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Transfer: Barcelona director speaks on LaLiga club signing Pogba

Barcelona director, Ariedo Braida, has said the club is not likely to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United, with Rafinha set to stay at the Camp Nou for now.

On Sunday, Barca president, Josep Maria Bartomeu left the door open to a move for Pogba, while vice president Jordi Mestre told ESPN FC that the club would be open to any “big opportunities” between now and the end of August.

“I don’t think we’re going to move for Pogba, but he’s a great player,” Braida told Radio Sportiva.

Rafinha’s future could be linked to whether or not Barca make any more summer signings.

“Rafinha, quite probably, will stay at Barcelona.

“He’s someone with a lot of quality, a player that can decide games with the way he handles the ball – he can go far.

“Last year, he came back from a bad injury, but when he recovered he did great things [on loan] at Inter. He’s a player who has impressive technical skills and he suits Barca very well,” Braida added.

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Pogba will leave Manchester United this month – Allan Shearer

Newcastle United legend, Alan Shearer has admitted that Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba will leave the club this month.

Shearer said he will “not be surprised” if Pogba, who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, left Old Trafford this summer.

While the English transfer window closed last Thursday, players from the Premier League can still be sold until the end of August.

The legendary Premier League striker told The Sun UK, “I’ve read this week about Pogba wanting to leave before the European transfer deadline at the end of the month and in truth that wouldn’t surprise me.

“We saw the best of Pogba in the World Cup. Didier Deschamps managed to get top performances out of him in the games he played in the summer and he played very, very well.

“He has to replicate that for United but it’s also Mourinho’s job to get the best out of him. ‘Pogba did his bit on Friday in the 2-1 opening win over Leicester.

“He played well, scored the penalty – showing real confidence – but now he has to do that every single week.”

Shortly after Manchester United’s victory over Leicester at Old Trafford, Pogba posted a cryptic message on Instagram. He said: “I’ll always give my best to the fans and my teammates no matter what’s going on.”

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Real Madrid announce squad against Atletico Madrid [Full list]

Real Madrid have announced their squad for Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash against Atletico Madrid.

A total of 29 players will travel for the game, which will be played at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, Estonia.

Luka Modric has been included, despite heavy links with Serie A side Inter Milan.

New signings Vinicius Junior, Thibaut Courtois and Alvaro Odriozola also make the cut in a strong squad to take on Diego Simeone’s men.

One player not travelling is 19-year-old Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard, who looks set to go on loan again.

REAL MADRID SQUAD LIST

Goalkeepers: Navas, Casilla, Luca, Lunin and Courtois.

Defenders: Carvajal, Vallejo, Ramos, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo, Odriozola, Reguilón, Javi Sánchez and S. López.

Midfielders: Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, M. Llorente, Asensio, Isco, Ceballos and F. Valverde.

Forwards: Benzema, Bale, Lucas Vázquez, B. Mayoral, Raúl de Tomás and Vinicius.

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U-20 WWCup: Falconets Draw 1-1 With China, Qualified for Quarter-Finals

Nigeria’s Falconets have qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2018 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France reports Completesportsnigeria.com.

Paul Danjuma’s side played out a 1-1 draw with China in their final group game played at the Dinan-Lehon Sltadium.

It was the seventh time the Falconets have reached the quarter-finals of the tournament.

An individual effort from Zhang Linyan gave China the lead in the 41st minute after she skipped past two Falconets defenders before sending the goalkeeper,Chiamaka Nnadozie the wrong way.

Rasheedat Ajibade tapped in a cross in additional time to send the Falconets through to the final eight of the tournament.

Falconets’ Peace Efih was denied a goal from close range after her shot was saved by Xu Huan in the opening stages of the game.

China also had two good chances in the first half with Shen Mengyu denied by the crossbar with a shot and Wang Linlin headed wide a cross from Zhao Yujie.

In the second half, the Chinese team were more solid in defending denying the Nigerian side a chance at goal.

The Chinese team also came close to adding a second in the 85th minute when Yujie’s shot was parried.

Opeyemi Sunday also cleared out a goal bound header in additional time of the game.

In the other group game, Germany defeated Haiti 3-2 to seal top spot in group D

Germany won the group with nine points while Nigeria finished second with four points from three games and a superior goals difference over China who came third. Fourth placed Haiti recorded no points after three games.

The Falconets will face the winner in Group C, Spain on the 16th of August.

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Hits out at Mourinho , Martial breaks silence on absence from US tour,

Manchester United forward, Anthony Martial, has defended his decision to leave their US camp, for the birth of his second child.

He made it clear that family comes first.

Martial left America over a week ago, against the wishes of manager Jose Mourinho, to fly to Paris.

The 22-year-old has now confirmed in an Instagram post on Wednesday, that he will return to Manchester on Thursday.

“Thank you all for your posts. My little Swan is fine, for the mom it was harder but thanks to God she’s better now.

“Sorry but my family will always come first… Back tomorrow in Manchester,” Martial wrote.

Martial is facing a fine of £180,000, the equivalent of two weeks wages.

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Transfer: Manchester United hold talks with PSG to replacement with Neymar

Manchester United have held talks with Paris Saint Germain about signing Neymar this summer.

According to Independent, UK, Neymar was one deal Jose Mourinho was determined to get done before the transfer window closes.

Mourinho is determined to offload forward, Anthony Martial who is yet to jet back to the club’s pre-season tour at Los Angeles after welcoming his second child in Paris.

And the Independent has now claimed that Neymar is key to Martial’s future.

The Brazilian international remains tipped to leave PSG for Real Madrid despite insisting he will not be on the move this summer.

The forward is Real Madrid’s top choice to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who left for Juventus at the start of the month in a £105million deal.

United have held talks with PSG about taking the 22-year-old off their hands but the Ligue 1 giants have refused.

Should they lose Neymar or Kylian Mbappe, that situation could change.

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Arsenal vs PSG: Emery reveals why Ozil was made captain

Arsenal manager, Unai Emery, has said he handed Mesut Ozil the captain’s armband for their International Champions Cup (ICC) victory over Paris Saint-Germain, because he believes the German can “take the responsibility”.

Ozil, 29, made his first start for the Gunners under Unai Emery this season on Saturday, and opened the scoring as they thrashed the Ligue 1 champions 5-1.

Emery was asked to explain why he named Ozil his skipper after the game.

“We are working together and giving the responsibility to the player.

“I think he can take the responsibility like a captain, but let’s not forget [Laurent] Koscielny because he is captain as well.

“Petr Cech and Aaron [Ramsey] played as captains in friendly matches. I’m thinking maybe of one more player,” he told the Mirror UK.

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Transfer: Wenger lands new job after leaving Arsenal

Arsene Wenger is set to play an advisory role for the Japan national team, after Hajime Moriyasu was announced as head coach on Thursday.

Before his 22 years at Arsenal, Wenger spent 18 months in Japan as coach of Nagoya Grampus from 1995 to 1996.

The 68 year-old, who left the London club in May, was linked with the national team job before the Japan Football Association (JFA) decided to appoint a domestic coach to succeed Akira Nishino.

According to Sports Nippon newspaper, the JFA could still offer Wenger the post of technical director or even a more unofficial advisory role.

“I met Wenger during the World Cup in Russia,” JFA president Kozo Tashima was quoted as saying.

“He is taking a break from football but we talked about Japanese football.”

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Transfer: How Chelsea will benefit from Ronaldo’s move from Real Madrid to Juventus

Chelsea will benefit from Cristiano Ronaldo’s move from Real Madrid to Juventus by signing Gonzalo Higuain.

The Portugal captain joined Juventus from Real Madrid for a fee around £105million last week.

Juventus are now keen on raising funds after splashing out on the former Manchester United star.

Higuain has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Sky Sports reports that there has been contact between the two clubs.

Higuian knows new Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri well having played a season under him at Napoli two years ago.

Speaking on how Chelsea could benefit from Ronaldo’s move, Sports presenter, Keith Downie, said, “Will they (Chelsea) end up benefiting from Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus?”

He added on Sky Sports News “Our colleagues in Italy say there has been initial contact between both Juventus and Chelsea.

“Higuain is expected to leave Juve this summer.

“Higuain played for one highly successful season under Maurizio Sarri

“He finished as the Serie A top scorer of course.”

The Argentine striker scored 23 goals in 50 games for Juventus in all competitions last season.

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Kylian Mbappe Better Than Thierry Henry At 19" - France Coach

France Coach, Didier Deschamps believes Kylian Mbappe at 19 is better than Thierry Henry at 19.

Mbappe proved crucial, scoring in the 4-2 final win against Croatia as France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He scored a total of four goals in the tournament including two important goals which secured a 4-3 win over Argentina in the quarter-finals.

The PSG Star is just 19-year-old but already has achieved so much at the biggest level of football and his national team manager Didier Deschamps believes he's one step ahead of previous greats.

“He knows he does things others don’t. He’s intelligent, he listens,” Deschamps told Le Parisien.

“I tell him when he does things well, but so many people say that.

“I’m also there to tell him what’s not good, even if that represents only five percent of his game. He corrects it and he listens.

“In 1998, David Trezeguet and Thierry Henry were his age but didn’t have the same role. Kylian is already grown up.

“I have played with very good players. I have also coached them. But him, it’s not only the quality. In terms of his age…With what he does now and what he should do in the future, I have always said, I’m very happy he’s French.

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PSG ready to sell Neymar to Real Madrid, declare Mbappe “untouchable”

Paris Saint-Germain would be willing to sell Neymar Jr. this summer, especially with Real Madrid keen on the player.

Real have been constantly linked with the Brazilian, since he completed a world-record £198million move to Ligue 1 last summer.

The European champions are in the market for a massive summer transfer, after letting Cristiano Ronaldo depart for Juventus, according to Mundo Deportivo.

President Florentino Perez is under pressure from Real fans to replace the Portuguese star, with Neymar the only candidate seen as worthy enough to break the bank for, although Chelsea’s Eden Hazard is another alternative.

PSG have however made it clear Kylian Mbappe is not for sale, especially after his World Cup winning heroics.

Mbappe, who became the first teenager since Pele to score in a World Cup final, has therefore been made “untouchable” by PSG.

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Chelsea pronounce Zola as Sarri’s assistant manager

Chelsea have confirmed that Gianfranco Zola will be Maurizio Sarri’s assistant manager.

Zola returns to Stamford Bridge, having enjoyed a wonderful seven-year playing career at Chelsea during which he scored 80 goals and won four major trophies.

“For me it is an amazing thing. I am very willing to work hard because it is going to be a difficult challenge but I am pleased to be here, and to work hard with Maurizio to be successful.

“It would be great to be successful with Maurizio and for the club and I will give my best, as I did in the past as a player, so I will give my best in my new position.

“I am very much looking forward to the challenge in general. I would love us to start well and we are all very excited to start this new adventure,” Zola told the club’s official website.

On heading off for the first pre-season game in Perth, Australia, he added: “It is a long way to travel but we are very pleased to go there and entertain our supporters over there. I know they are big fans so it will be a pleasure.”

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Liverpool sign Alisson for world-record £66.9m fee

Liverpool have completed the signing of Alisson Becker for a world-record fee of 75m Euros (£66.9m) on a five-year deal.

The deal is still subjected to the 25-year-old goalkeeper passing his medical at the premier league club.

The Brazilian goalkeeper is scheduled to leave Rome within the hour and will undergo a medical with the Reds in the next few days.

Alisson is set to become the most expensive goalkeeper in history, with Liverpool surpassing 53m euros paid by Juventus to Parma for Gianluigi Buffon in 2001 and the Premier League record of 40m euros Manchester City paid Benfica for Ederson in June 2017.

Alisson will become Jurgen Klopp’s fourth signing of the summer, joining fellow new arrivals Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri at Anfield.

The Brazil international featured at the World Cup in Russia and was part of the side that suffered a 7-6 aggregate defeat to Liverpool in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

He made 49 appearances for Roma last season.

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Transfer: Ahmed Musa set for a move to Saudi Arabia

Super Eagles and Leicester City ace, Ahmed Musa is close to agreeing a big money move to Saudi Arabia Side, Al Nassr Riyad.

The club had ealier announced the signing of Morrocan wide man Nordin Ambrabat, who represented Morocco at the just concluded World Cup in Russia.

Ambrabat played for the English Premier League side, Watford.

Musa initially turned down the chance to move to the Middle East but he was swayed into considering the offer when the club increased his wage to an amount that will possibly make him the highest paid African player.

OwnGoal reports that a fee of around £30m has been mooted as what the club wants to pay Leicester City for his transfer, an amount which many believe the Premier League outfit will gladly accept, considering Musa’s failure to make a mark since his move to the club from CSKA Moscow two years ago.

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World Cup 2018: I expected more from Neymar – Ronaldo

Legendary Brazil striker, Ronaldo De Lima, has said he expected more from Neymar Jr. at this year’s World Cup.

Ronaldo, speaking with Sport TV, wondered if the Paris Saint-Germain star was held back by injury.

Brazil fell 2-1 to Belgium in the quarter-final stage with Neymar, who came into the tournament still recovering from March 3 surgery on his foot, unable to make the difference for his side.

“We expected more from him because he’s the team’s star.

“I don’t know if it was the foot operation or something else, but I felt we was limited by something.

“He’s still young, very talented and has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, but he has to learn,” he said.

Ronaldo himself led Selecao to their most recent title in 2002.

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