Arsenal know what they have to do, the question is: Can they do it? On Wednesday, the Gunners will face Olympiakos aware that their Champions League fate rests on the outcome of one fixture.
They are 90 minutes away from progression to the last 16, or early elimination and the consolation prize of a Europa League berth. Not since 1998/99, their first dalliance with a rebranded competition for European football’s elite, have they crashed out at the first hurdle – with the experiment of playing home games at Wembley backfiring on them somewhat.
Arsene Wenger believes if his team manages to get better of Bayern Munich for the second time in the ongoing season, they would send a strong message to the Football fraternity that they’re growing into a really strong side.
Arsenal defeated Bayern Munich by 2-0 in a Champions League affair at home the previous month.
Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil got onto the score sheet in that game, and it is this form by Ozil that has led to him being strongly tipped for a move to Barcelona by the Transfer Rumours website.
That win, however, was not enough for the Gunners to be able to move up from the last position in Group F. They are still there with only 3 points in their kitty in as many games.
However, their position can improve significantly if they manage to repeat that Emirates feat at Allianz Arena on the coming Wednesday.
Ahead of that potential cracker, Wenger was quoted saying to the media, “Bayern is and always has been a tough team to beat. They are strong in all departments, but, if we sneak past them this time around too, it would be a message to everybody out there that the Gunners are making strides.”
Following the hugely entertaining snooker shootout between West Ham United duo Andy Carroll and on loan gunner Carl Jenkinson, their attempts to emulate baize stars Judd Trump and reigning world champion Stuart Bingham have raised a few sporting eyebrows.
In the video from online bookmaker Betway, Jenkinson beats Carroll in a surprising high standard game with both players making some great pots. The loser had to clean the other players boots which is a relatively tame wager compared to some sporting stars but all the same Jenkinson will of have the bragging rights all week.
The video was produced to celebrate West Ham sponsors Betway launching their sponsorship of the UK Snooker Championships in York taking place at the moment.
Since the Hammers duo squared-off on the snooker table, it’s got many people thinking which other football face-offs would be most entertaining throughout various different sports, including boxing, golf and even darts! Gunner’s duo Walcott and Cazorla star in this run down of potential off the pitch face offs.
With many of today’s Premier League footballers possessing such an array of talents, even beyond the pitch, here are 10 sporting meetings that would be truly amusing between some of the current top-flight division stars.
Jamie Vardy v Theo Walcott: 100 metre sprint
Officially the two quickest players in the Premier League this season, both Vardy and Walcott have captivated the top tier with their incredible pace, but who wins over 100 metres?
Leicester City have rallied to an amazing top four position at this early stage of the campaign, thanks massively to Vardy’s goals and devastating speed in attack. Such is his swiftness going forward, England boss Roy Hodgson selected the Foxes speed-demon for his Three Lions squad.
Within that same international lies Arsenal’s Walcott, who has proved he is truly one of the fastest stars in top-flight history, and what a rapid rivalry this would be over 100 metres. Watch your back Usain Bolt.
Dimitri Payet v Michael Carrick: Golf
Fore! With their pinpoint accuracy on the pitch, both Hammers midfielder Payet and Manchester United maestro Carrick would make for an intriguing match-up on the golf course.
The latter Old Trafford playmaker is already known for his astute golfing ability away from football, having competed at many club events against teammates and coaching staff, but could he output Frenchman Payet?
West Ham’s star man has burst onto the top tier scene this season with his clinical passing range helping Slaven Bilic’s men, and his deadly skills should be easily transferable on to the green for a golfing showdown with Carrick.
Peter Crouch v Fraser Forster: Basketball
Both Crouch and Forster are undoubtedly two of the Premier League’s tallest stars, meaning a basketball one-on-one would prove quite entertaining.
Although, Southampton and England international stopper Forster possesses great handling abilities, which would surely leave Stoke City targetman Crouch defeated on the court floor.
There may be no need for emulating high-flying legend Michael Jordan’s jumping exploits here, with both capable of simply dunking for fun from a standing position!
Diego Costa v Lee Cattermole: MMA
It’s safe to say that neither of these two Premier League hard men would throw the towel in during a bout, with both players seemingly always up for a fight, and it’s an MMA meeting that would sell itself!
Imagine Chelsea’s ‘Dirty Diego’ contesting Sunderland’s ‘Bonecrusher’ Cattermole in the octagon, with the ferocious pair having dealt with their previous opponents with more than just their fists previously.
Costa, fighting from the blue corner, and Cattermole, emerging from the red corner, would make for an all-action match-up, with the latter known for his aggressive challenges, but he would need to be alert for those crafty, backhand tactics from his Brazilian-born opposition.
Although, if Costa was to face defeat at the hands of Wearside foe, his coach Jose Mourinho is always on hand to point the blame elsewhere!
Robin van Persie v Daley Blind: Darts
These two international teammates, and former Man Utd allies, have proved they can mix it with the big boys of darts before, with esteemed friends such as Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld.
Both have been seen practising their throw with these darting sensations, though it’s potentially Fenberbahce frontman Van Persie who would edge out his compatriot on the oche, with his prolific precision.
However, based on their recent Netherlands form and fortunes, there’s unlikely to be many roars of 180 in this Dutch darts duel!
Adnan Januzaj v Ashley Young: Diving
Next up are two players who would make Tom Daley proud! Both Old Trafford pair Young and Januzaj have been known to hit the ground quite often, despite a lack of contact.
The prancing pair could therefore put their skills to better use in the pool, perhaps enjoying a close diving encounter.
With Januzaj currently offloaded on loan to Borussia Dortmund, it’s Young who is currently providing the theatrics in England, and his elegant technique in the fall, coupled with a perfect sense of timing, would surely see him emerge victorious.
Jason Puncheon v Eden Hazard: Rugby namely conversions
During the course of this current campaign, there have been saved penalties and other spot-kicks that were narrowly missed; then there was Hazard and Puncheon’s efforts from 12 yards.
The pair forgot midway through their run-ups that they were in fact playing football, therefore needing to keep the ball below the crossbar. Nevertheless, their penalty attempts fitted in well during a time when the Rugby World Cup was in progress.
With their spot-kicks reaching new heights, in more than ways than one, both would endure a close rugby penalty shootout against each other, following their obvious labours to show off their other sporting talents this season.
Wayne Rooney v Phil Bardsley: Boxing
Let’s get ready to rumble, again! Last season, video footage emerged of Man Utd and England skipper Rooney being floored by a strong hook from Sunderland defender Bardsley at the former player’s home.
After such a vicious knockout, we all want to see a rematch between the pair of Premier League punchers. Could Wayne ‘Lights Out’ Rooney finally overcome previous conqueror Phil ‘Bulldozer’ Bardsley?
It’s a boxing meeting we would love to see, though Bardsley would enter the ring as an overwhelming favourite for another Rooney rumbling, with the Three Lions captain having showcased a lack of clinical instinct so far this current season.
Santi Cazorla v Juan Mata: Horse racing
To be a truly great jockey, you need a superb sense of balance, and a low centre of gravity always helps, which makes both Spain international playmakers Cazorla and Mata perfect for a match-up as jockeys.
The Grand National would be a much more exciting race with two of the smaller, more compact Premier League stars leading their horses towards victory.
Whether it’s on the flat course or fences, this Spanish duo could be involved in a thrilling ride, but which one of these top-flight craftsman would be the front-runner and who would be trailing behind the pack?
Wilfried Bony v Kurt Zouma: Weight lifting
Chelsea centre back Zouma and Manchester City targetman Bony are two of the strongest players in the top tier, possessing sublime strength which has seen them bulldoze their way past opponents in the past.
In a true contest of strength, which Premier League powerhouse would out-lift the other? Both are known for their unwavering ability to hold off opposing players, but in this goliath weight lifting battle, we may witness Bony prove his Hercules-like strength!
Olivier Giroud admits he needs to be mentally resilient and that he shouldn’t get demoralized with the fact that he has had to be a bench warmer for the Gunners for a little while.
Giroud has always been a frequent starter for Arsenal since the time he landed at Emirates, and even in the ongoing season, when it started, Giroud was the first choice for the Arsenal boss Wenger.
>Last Sunday’s 3-0 hammering of Manchester United may have surprised even the most optimistic of Arsenal fans, but regardless of that what it has done is leave us sitting nicely in second place in the Premier League, with Manchester City only two points ahead.
The international break may have come at a rather annoying time, as you can be sure the players and manager would have been revved up ready to go at Watford this weekend, using the momentum built on last Sunday’s win – instead the Gunners have to wait until Saturday, October 18th, to get their chance to take down Watford and potentially go top.
Arsene Wenger has accused Diego Costa of foul play in the recent 2-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
It was yet another poor result for Wenger against José Mourinho, but the result left a bad taste in the Frenchman’s mouth due to the refereeing decisions that largely went against his team. Arsenal were reduced to 9 men by the end of the game and they had played for the entire second half without defender Gabriel, who was sent off due to his involvement in a fight with Costa. The Chelsea striker, though, received only a yellow card for his actions.
Replays showed that Gabriel deliberately stuck his studs into Costa and this earned him a red card. The Chelsea striker, meanwhile, was seen having his hands on defender Laurent Koscielny at the start of the incident. Wenger admitted that Gabriel received a red card largely because of his naivety. Costa used it to his advantage and dragged the defender into a battle that ultimately resulted in the red card. Wenger says that even if an opponent spits during the game, players should not take the bait and instead focus on remaining on the pitch.
The supporters of the Arsenal Football Club have not enjoyed the way the club management has gone about transfer activities this summer. There has been no big player brought in which has taken the supporters by surprise and has angered them too.
The association of the supporters wrote to board of directors of the club yesterday emphasizing the point that such a policy should be reviewed.
The words of the association were, “We are pleased that Arsenal is one of the most financially stable clubs in Europe, but, we are a little bit disappointed as well with the fact that not enough investments were put in transfer market this time around to strengthen the squad.”
Celtic go into the midweek match against Kilmarnock knowing that they can extend their lead in the Scottish Premier League to a very healthy eight points with the victory.
Currently, their lead over Aberdeen is only five points although the opposition have played a game more. Despite this comfortable position, Celtic boss Ronny Deila says that it would be unwise to dismiss Aberdeen out of the title race just yet. The club are on course to winning a treble this campaign. Apart from the league title, Celtic also have their focus on the Scottish cup. They will be up against Inverness in the semi-finals of the competition.
Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes has been trying to use mind games in the last few days. He was first to suggest that Celtic are almost certainties for the title despite his team closing the gap to 5 points. Since there are only two matches left for Celtic, they can seal the title with at least one win from the two matches. Their final game of the league campaign sees them take on Dundee United away from home. Celtic have already sealed the League Cup and this took a lot of pressure of a from manager Ronny Deila, who is at Celtic in his first season.
Arsenal made history on Saturday, winning the FA Cup for a record 12th time. They began their 2012/13 campaign one cup win behind rivals Manchester United, but after successful cup runs in two consecutive seasons, they now boast unmatched success in the competition.
This past week has revealed a darker side to football, with the events in Zurich dominating the media. Saturday’s cup final helped to reinstall faith in the beautiful game with an honest display of passion from the fans, players and managers. Just less than 90,000 supporters descended on Wembley Stadium to witness Arsenal completely outclass Aston Villa in what turned out to be one of the most one-sided cup finals in recent years.
Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck has stated that his move to the gunners has been a crucial reason behind his good form for the England national team. Since the move to the Emirates stadium, Welbeck has been playing more consistently. Even though he has been shifted out wide after the return of Olivier Giroud, the fact that he has been a regular starter has helped him improve his match sharpness. This was clearly evident in the recent friendly matches against Lithuania and Italy. Welbeck scored in the 4-0 win over Lithuania and it helped him become the top scoring qualification stages with six goals from just five games.
Reflecting on this good run of form, Welbeck says that he is not surprised with the fact that he is scoring more regularly. After a mediocre start to his Arsenal career, Welbeck continues to be the foil for Giroud. He has scored only eight goals in 28 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions, which is a record that does not screen of quality. However, most of Welbeck’s goals have come in crucial matches and he has been an excellent signing at just £16 million. Recently, he scored against his former club Manchester United in the 2-1 victory for the gunners.
