Premier League
TODAY’S NORTH LONDON DERBY; SPURS VS. ARSENAL IS MORE THAN JUST BRAGGING RIGHTS
The North London Derby has been on for decades. But today’s clash of Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal is just more than mere bragging rights for the two neighbouring clubs. It could be crucial in deciding which team qualifies for the Europa League.
It is the first North London derby for Tottenham manager, Jose Mourinho, who according, to AFP reports, has said that the Premier League is not a match that will decide “big things”, but he knows the importance of bragging rights for fans.
With Spurs in ninth place on 49 points before yesterday’s round of fixtures and Arsenal one place and one point better off, both clubs are not where they would like to be, although Europa League qualification is still possible.
Mourinho is used to battling for silverware and, while there is no medal for finishing as the top club in north London, today’s home clash could prove crucial in deciding that issue.
“This moment we are both in a very similar situation,” he said.
“It’s not that incredible emotion where we are fighting for something really big, more than just to finish above the other one.
“It’s not a match that will decide big things. Both of us, realistically, are not fighting for a Champions League position. But it’s a big match for the table, and on top of that, there is a rivalry.”
Spurs have finished above Arsenal in each of the past three seasons but it could be different this term.
With four games remaining, the Gunners have been more impressive than Tottenham since the Premier League’s restart last month following the Covid-enforced hiatus, especially in an attacking sense.
Spurs have kept three clean sheets in their last four games, but have scored only five goals in five games, compared to Arsenal’s 10.
“To defend better, to concede less, to keep some clean sheets is obviously important but we want to be attack-minded,” Mourinho said of his team, who held Bournemouth to a 0-0 draw on Thursday but did not have a single shot on target.
“We arrive in very dangerous positions, we have good percentages of ball possession, spend the majority of the time in the opponents’ half – but no sharpness, no objective, always one more touch, not clear aggressive, sharp, killer decisions to go direct to goal.”
Mourinho also said Dele Alli would miss the game, as the player is still struggling with a hamstring injury while Eric Dier is suspended.
Looking ahead, he is confident that he can deliver trophies at Spurs if he is given time like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
Mourinho, who took over from the sacked Mauricio Pochettino in November, pointed to Klopp – who joined Liverpool in 2015 and guided them to the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and Club World Cup last year, before ending their 30-year wait for an English league crown this season.
Spurs have not won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup.
“How long it took for Jurgen and Liverpool? Four years, four seasons,” he insisted. “I’m focused on my three-year contract. I believe that in my three-year contract we can win trophies.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also believes that Mourinho could be the right man to end Tottenham’s title drought, saying: “They have had some ups and downs, but you can clearly see what he wants to bring to the club.
“He makes sure he wins, he has won in every single club he has been, I am sure he’ll be successful.”
Arteta also said that form is irrelevant in the derby today, despite his side playing well of late.
While Spurs have eight points in five games since the season’s restart, Arsenal have won 10 points in four matches.
“A derby has a completely different context to what is happening with the current form,” he said.
“I’m expecting a really tough game. We’re going to have to do everything really, really well.”
Eddie Nketiah is suspended for today, while Pablo Mari, Gabriel Martinelli, Bernd Leno and Calum Chambers are injured.
– AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS
Thomas Partey, who formerly played for English Premier League soccer club Arsenal, has been charged with rape and sexual assault, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Friday.
Partey, a Ghana international, was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, with the charges relating to three women and the offences reported to have taken place between 2021 and 2022, the statement said.
Partey’s management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
He is due to appear at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Aug. 5.
Partey, 32, was signed by Arsenal from Atletico Madrid for 50 million euros ($59 million) in October 2020 and became a key member of Arsenal’s first team.
He was first arrested in July 2022, though he was not named at the time and continued to play for Arsenal while investigations were ongoing.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Five players including England forward Marcus Rashford and Argentina winger Alejandro Garnacho have informed Manchester United that they wish to explore a future away from the Premier League side, a club source said on Friday.
Brazilian midfielder Antony, Dutch defender Tyrell Malacia and England international Jadon Sancho are also looking to leave the club, the source added.
Rashford, who has made more than 400 senior appearances for United, has fallen out of favour with manager Ruben Amorim, played for Aston Villa on loan while United had their worst-ever Premier League campaign, finishing 15th in the standings.
Amorim had called Rashford’s work rate into question, saying he would rather put a goalkeeper coach on the bench than a player not giving their all.
Rashford said he was feeling fitter and better since joining Villa, where he scored two goals in 10 league appearances.
United also failed to qualify for the Champions League as they lost the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Garnacho, who was a late substitute in the final, voiced his displeasure on social media after the loss.
“Up until the final, I played every round helping the team, and today I play 20 minutes, I don’t know,” he wrote in a post . “The final will influence (my decision), but the whole season, the situation of the club.”
Sancho was on loan at Chelsea, where he made 31 league appearances last season. Antony, who joined United from Ajax Amsterdam in 2022 for a reported initial transfer fee of more than $100 million, scored five goals in 17 LaLiga appearances on loan at Real Betis.
Malacia joined Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on loan in February.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes turned down the opportunity to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal in order to keep playing “at the highest level”, he said on Tuesday.
The Portuguese midfielder admitted that he had considered the move, which media reports said was worth four times his current salary, after being contacted by Al-Hilal’s president.
“There was that possibility, the president of Al-Hilal called me a month ago to ask me about it,” Fernandes, who is preparing to face Germany with Portugal, told reporters on Tuesday.
“It was a big offer, very ambitious. There was a waiting period for me to think about the future.”
Fernandes ultimately decided to stay at United and said he was motivated by his desire to continue playing at the top level and encouraged by his family and the club’s coach Ruben Amorim.
“I would be willing to do it if Manchester United thought so,” Fernandes added. “I spoke to the coach Ruben Amorim who really tried to talk me out of it. The club said they would not be willing to sell me, only if I wanted to leave.
“I spoke to my wife and family, and she asked me what my personal goals were in my career.
“It would have been easy to move there but I want to keep myself at the highest level, playing in the big competitions and I feel capable of it. I am happy with my decision.”
The 30-year-old Fernandes scored 19 goals and provided 19 assists in 57 appearances across all competitions for United last season, winning the club’s Player of the Year award for the fourth time.
However, it was a season to forget for the team, as they finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league finish in half a century, and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- OBITUARY3 days ago
BREAKING: Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead
- Nigerian Football2 days ago
Football Agent John Shittu Demands Retraction and ₦250 Million Damages from Samson Siasia Over Bribery Allegation
- WAFCON1 week ago
Super Falcons Land in Morocco, Eye Historic ‘La Decima’ Women’s AFCON Title
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Kwara United Clinch Historic First Title as President Federation Cup Final Goes to Penalties for the 18th time
- FEDERATION CUP1 week ago
Rivers Angels Crowned 2025 Female Federation Cup Champions After Penalty Shootout Thriller
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Peter Rufai looked lean when I last saw him, says mourning NFF President, Gusau
- OBITUARY2 days ago
Family issues statement on Peter Rufai
- IMMEMORIAL2 days ago
Peter Rufai’s Death Adds to Long List of July Tragedies in Nigerian Football