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Out of nowhere, Bayern are back on level terms.
Gabriel us caught out on the left when confronted with a lack of options, allowing Leroy Sane to take charge.
The former Manchester City ace quickly sparks a move that sees Leon Goretzka bursting towards the penalty area.
Rather than shooting, the German midfielders slips a delightful little pass through for Serge Gnabry to slide in and scoop through David Raya to equalise.
Silence descends on the Emirates.
Photo Credit: FCBayernEN/ x
Arsenal have an early goal!
The Gunners did the dirty work by intensely pressing the Bayern defence up the right flank, and when the ball spilt loose, sublime style took over.
A wonderfully-smart pass from Ben White into both the box and Bukayo Saka’s path was brilliant, and the manner in which the forward let it run across him before stroking a left-footer into far corner was even better.
Photo Credit: ChampionsLeague/ x
Newcastle United have reportedly rekindled interest in Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale ahead of a potential summer move.
Ramsdale is keen to play regular Premier League football again after being reduced to an understudy role following the arrival of David Raya from Brentford. Ramsdale is assessing his options and Newcastle are among those interested as they look to bolster their squad.
Chelsea have equalled reportedly expressed their desire to sign Ramsdale.
Newcastle have Martin Dubravka as their current number one with Nick Pope expected to make his comeback from a dislocated shoulder at the end of April. Dubravka is 35 while Pope turns 32 this month and Newcastle want a younger option as they plan the next phase of their recruitment.
Manager Eddie Howe is a big admirer of Ramsdale after signing him at Bournemouth from Sheffield United. He also gave the keeper a second chance after he slept in and missed the bus for a Carabao Cup tie against Chelsea.
Ramsdale was fined and sent on loan to AFC Wimbledon but gave credit to Howe for the manner in which he managed the situation and described it as ‘a penny dropping moment’ in his career.
Ramsdale was bought back by Sheffield United for £18.5million before being sold on to Arsenal in 2021 for £30m.
Despite an outstanding first season for Ramsdale, Mikel Arteta brought in Raya from Brentford to increase competition and for his better distribution which has so far worked out with Arsenal once again challenging for the title.
Mindful Ramsdale is preparing to move on, Arsenal have also been looking at Columbus Crew goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, as have the likes of Manchester United, for the summer.
Much could depend on their asking price for Ramsdale but Newcastle have posted their interest and will be in the market to strengthen the goalkeeping position.
Thomas Partey has turned down a call-up to the Ghanaian national team as he continues to manage his workload after an extensive injury lay-off.
Partey started all three opening games of the Premier League season for Arsenal but has been hampered by various injuries since then.
The 30-year-old suffered a groin injury before having to undergo surgery on a serious thigh problem in November.
The midfielder was scheduled to return in early February but suffered a setback with the same injury.
Partey returned for his first minutes as a substitute in the 6-0 thumping of Sheffield United in early March but has played just 276 minutes of league football this season.
The Black Stars had called up the Arsenal player for their upcoming friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda but Partey is understood, according to the Metro, to have recused himself from national team selection as he attempts to reach full fitness.
He is not the only Gunners player to be staying in north London over the international break, with Takehiro Tomiyasu, who has not played a minute for Arsenal since last month’s Asian Cup, not called up to the Japan squad.
David Raya was the hero as Arsenal reached the last eight of the Champions League via a penalty shootout.
In a nervy game in north London, in which the Gunners trailed 1-0 after the first leg, Leandro Trossard’s superbly worked goal brought them back on level terms.
Arsenal dominated possession and chances during the 90 minutes and thought they had done enough to earn a victory but Martin Odegaard’s goal was controversially ruled out for a foul by Kai Havertz in the build up.
The game went into extra-time but neither side seemed willing to commit men forward – before the game headed to a shootout.
David Raya, the villain in the first leg, was the hero as he made two brilliant save down to his left – to deny Wendell and Galeno – with all the Arsenal takers hit the target to progress into the last eight.
The Gunners are now into the Champions League draw later this week.
Photo Credit: ChampionsLeague/ X
Arsenal left it late to defeat Brentford in a thrilling London derby at the Emirates.
Kai Havertz’s 86th minute header from a sumptuous Ben White cross sent the home fans delirious.
Earlier, the Gunners looked on course to secure a comfortable win when Declan Rice headed them into a 19th-minute lead.
But an Aaron Ramsdale howler after he slammed the ball against Yoane Wissa into his own net let the visitors back in.
However, they weren’t to be undone and managed to secure all three points thanks to the ex-Chelsea star’s late strike.
GK: Aaron Ramsdale – 7/10 – Several superb saves in the second half helped Arsenal to three vital points. Thankfully his error just before half time will not be what fans remember this loyal Gunners servant for in what could well be his final game in Arsenal colours.
RB: Ben White – 9/10 – Two assists for the Gunners Love Island Maldini as Benny Blanco has been christened. Another superb performance
CB: William Saliba – 8/10 – Kept Ivan Toney quiet
CB: Gabriel Magalhaes – 7.5/10 – Dangerous going forward and solid at the back
LB: Jakub Kiwior – 6.5/10 – Progressing nicely after a shaky start to his Arsenal career
CM: Jorginho – 8/10 – Quietly effective and hugely efficient in the heart of battle
CM: Declan Rice – 8.5/10 – Another goal for Arsenal’s world class midfielder – with another outstanding performance on and off the ball, in and out of possession, in attack or defence.
CM: Martin Odegaard – 8/10 – Alwasy prompted his colleagues to attack with his silky skills, creativity and vision
RW: Bukayo Saka – 8/10 – Lively as ever
CF: Kai Havertz – 8.5/10 – As the song goes: Kai Havertz scored again…’ to make it four in four for the Gunners at a crucial time of the season
LW: Leandro Trossard – 6.5/10 – Not as effective as he would have liked but not for want of trying
Substitutes
SUB: Gabriel Jesus (70′ for Jorginho) – 7/10
SUB: Reiss Nelson (79′ for Trossard) – 7.5/10
SUB: Oleksandr Zinchenko (79′ for Kiwior) – 7/10
SUB: Thomas Partey (90′ for Odegaard) – N/A
Subs not used: Karl Hein (GK),
Cedric Soares,
Emile Smith Rowe,
Fabio Vieira,
Eddie Nketiah
Photo Credit: premierleague/ X
Kai Havertz spared Aaron Ramsdale’s blushes as Arsenal earned a statement win over Brentford which puts them top of the Premier League before title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City meet on Sunday.
Arsenal, looking to lead the table for the first time since December, went in front through Declan Rice’s flicked header.
The home side continued to dominate possession and Havertz skewed wide their best opportunity to go further ahead.
But, out of nowhere, the good work in an assured first-half performance was undone by Ramsdale’s error.
The England keeper, playing because David Raya was ineligible against his parent club, dallied over a clearance and allowed a sliding Yoane Wissa to score.
Arsenal pushed for a second-half winner without much luck until Havertz popped up in space to head in Ben White’s cross.
Havertz, who Brentford argued should have been shown a second yellow card for diving before he scored, netted in his fourth consecutive Premier League game to put Arsenal a point clear of Liverpool and two ahead of Manchester City.
It led to joyous celebrations at Emirates Stadium, although the Gunners know their title rivals have the chance to go back above them at Anfield on Sunday.
Photo Credit: premierleague/ X
Arsenal are reportedly one of the teams interested in star defender Ousmane Diomande who has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea.
Mikel Arteta’s side has been nothing short of phenomenal since the turn of the year but despite their relentless goalscoring form, it is their defence which has been the backbone of their stellar performances.
The Gunners boast the best defensive record in the league conceding just 23 league goals so far with only three of them coming in their last seven games.
There is an argument to say that William Saliba and Gabriel are the best defensive partnership in all of Europe but Arteta is reportedly keen on bolstering their defensive line further.
According to a report from Team Talk, the North London club are interested in Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande and could make a move for the defender if Chelsea pulls out of the running.
After it was revealed that the Blues suffered a £90 million loss in last year’s accounts, questions have been asked about their ability to meet financial fair play rules.
With a plethora of young defenders already at the club, Chelsea may pull out of the running depending on sales in the upcoming summer window.
The 20-year-old centre-back is considered one of the most promising young defenders in Europe with Newcastle and Juventus also linked with the player.
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong admitted he ‘knows’ where Chelsea and Arsenal target Victor Osimhen will play next season.
The Napoli star is widely expected to leave the Campania capital in the coming summer transfer window, with his new contract containing a €120-130m release clause. He’s already hinted that he’s decided his next step when speaking to the press last month.
The Napoli project has collapsed over the last six months, but Osimhen has still managed to shine despite the difficulties, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists across 20 appearances this term. At the recent Africa Cup of Nations, he scored once and provided three assists.
Speaking to Sky Sport via TMW, Troost-Ekong first discussed the struggles of his former clubs Salernitana and Udinese this season.
“I always follow Serie A, it’s a great league. This weekend with Salernitana-Udinese will be special for me, also because it was also the last match I played in my last season. The points would certainly be more useful to Salernitana than to Udinese.”
He remembered his time at Tottenham with Harry Kane.
“We started together 14 years ago and after training he always stayed on the pitch to try something else: shots, penalties, work with the goalkeepers.
“He always wanted to grow, and this ultimately led him to reach the top of the top. He is an example of the desire to improve and work harder.”
Finally, Troost-Ekong was asked if he knew where Osimhen would play next year.
“I really can’t tell you anything, but I know!”
Chelsea are not happy with the performances of their summer signing Robert Sanchez and they are ready to replace him with Giorgi Mamardashvili, according to a report by HITC.
The Blues are ready to sanction the departure of Sanchez and then push for the signatures of the Valencia shot-stopper.
Chelsea have reportedly not rule out Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale despite their interest in Mamardashvili.
The London club were looking to reinforce their goalkeeping position in the last summer transfer window and that is why they ended up signing two shot-stopper before the start of the 2023/24 season.
Sanchez arrived from Brighton for a fee of £25 million to be their number one in goal. While he has been doing a decent job, the Blues are not really convinced that he can be their number one going forward.
As a result, they are ready to sanction his departure just a year after signing him. The Blues even acquired the services of Djordje Petrovic in the summer. The 24-year-old Serbian was used as a cover for Sanchez while he was out injured. But, the Blues don’t think he can be their number one.
The Blues have been on the lookout for a new goalkeeper of late and they seemed to have found an ideal candidate in Giorgi Mamardashvili. The 23-year-old Valencia shot-stopper has been putting in some impressive performances in goal in the recent past.
His consistent performances and huge potential have attracted Chelsea’s interest. His contract with the Spanish club runs until the summer of 2027 and Valencia are the ones in control, the Blues are still willing to battle it out for his signature.