ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: GUNNERS SHORTLISTED THESE THREE UNSETTLED BARCELONA PLAYERS AS THE SPANISH GIANTS LOOKING TO OVERHAUL THEIR SQUAD

Barcelona has started preparing for life after their La Masia Golden Era. Messi, Busquets and Pique are the only pieces left in the magical puzzle. All of them have passed the 30 age mark and must be replaced sooner or later.

We all saw how much the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo affected Real Madrid. The Spanish club was left out from all three competitions in a single week. Bartomeu doesn't want the same fate to happen on his beloved club.

According to the report from Mirror, the Catalan Giants are ready to offload 11 players to raise fund for new transfers in summer. Arsenal is closely observing the situation and might end up in hijacking 3 players from the Spanish side.

Arsenal had a disappointing January transfer window as the only arrival was Denis Suarez from Barcelona on a loan move. Despite having major concerns over the defence and lack of squad depth, the management blocked Emery from signing any players on a permanent basis due to a limited wage budget. The fans are furious and are hoping for a fruitful summer transfer window up ahead.

Let us look at three players of Barcelona which Arsenal are interested to sign in this summer:

   
          # RAFINHA

The 26-year-old Brazilian might leave Camp Nou in summer and Emirates could be his possible destination. Rafinha is capable of playing as a centre midfielder or as a winger. He went to Inter on a loan move last year and played an instrumental role for the Italian side.

The Brazilian scored against Inter on UCL group stage on his return to Barcelona. Injuries had a huge impact on his career. Rafinha could have been one of the big stars in world football without random injuries. He suffered a Cruciate Ligament Rupture on last November and has been sidelined till the month of May.

He made his debut for Barcelona way back in 2011 but made only 86 appearances since then. His contract with Barcelona will expire in the summer of 2020. The Brazilian has a decent left leg with accurate passing and dribbling.

Last year, Arsenal were linked with a move for Rafinha. The Brazilian can be the replacement for departing Aaron Ramsey. Just like Ramsey, Rafinha is able to push forward and score crucial goals for the team. He is only 26 and has years to play in his prime. Interestingly, there is one thing that has a connection between Ramsey and Rafinha, i.e., Injuries!



         # SAMUEL UMTITI

Umtiti was rock solid for Barcelona in defence ever since his arrival from Olympique Lyon. His partnership with Pique helped the Spanish side to win the domestic double last season.

His Barcelona life was very smooth till the last November. The French man suffered a knee injury which caused him 83 days out of the pitch. He joined the team recently and had never been the same which he used to be.

Umtiti struggled against Villarreal where Barcelona conceded 4 goals. Last minute heroics from Messi and Suarez helped them secure a point. Fans started pointing fingers on the French man and his future at Barca is uncertain while rumours linking De Ligt to Spain is also on the air.

Meanwhile, his fellow French International Clement Lenglet became a regular starter for the Spanish side. It looks like Valverde is more impressed at the former Sevilla man.
Umtiti will not be happy to become a backup option for Lenglet and it is the best time for Emery to make a move in summer.

Arsenal's open-book defence seriously needs some fine addition. Depending upon the Veteran Koscielny and error-prone Mustafi is nearly suicidal. The 25-year-old World Cup Winner can be the solution for Emery if they could grab his signature before it's too late. Umtiti could also potentially reunite with his former teammate Lacazette.




           # IVAN RAKITIC

Ivan Rakitic, one of the most underrated complete midfielder in the modern football, is third in our list. There are rumours suggesting that this is the final season for the Croatian in Barca's colours. Barcelona already sealed the deal of De Jong from Ajax who plays in a similar position as of Rakitic.

The criticism faced by 31-year-old through social media is too much. His defensive style of play earned him "the backpass merchant" title. True football fans know how much his presence makes the difference for the team.

The same thing happened in the World Cup too. Everyone praised the heroics of Luka Modric for Croatia. But the lubricant which unleashed Modric was Rakitic. The presence of Rakitic at the back helped Modric to go forward and attack. 

Rakitic is an asset for any team. He is capable of adjusting his style of play according to the need of the team. If the coach wants him to defend, he can defend. If the coach wants him to attack, he can attack. His work rate and commitment cannot be matched. He can be the man to fill the void left out by Aaron Ramsey at Emirates.

Recently, Rakitic himself claimed he has no intentions to leave the club until they ask him to do so. But according to reports from Spain, as part of the future project, Barcelona are willing to hear offers for the Croatian.



Emery will have enough money to spend on transfers in summer, unlike the January transfer window. They need more squad strength to match for the Premier League Title. All three players in the list can be the ideal options for the Gunners. After all, it is Barca's quality!

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DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: MOST UNDERRATED POSITION IN FOOTBALL

        "You watch the game, you don't see 
Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game."

It's a famous quote by the Spanish Coach Vicente del Bosque on Sergio Busquets of Barcelona. Busquets has played 338 games so far for the Catalan Giants in the defensive midfield position. I am sure that you haven't seen him on news headlines following Barca's victory except for some rare occasions.

Defensive midfielders are those who act as a link between defence and attack. Their position is slightly above the centre back at the heart of the midfield. Their job is to block the counter attacks and keep the ball possession more.

The main reason for the lack of praise is because defensive midfielders don't have a primary objective. They are not 100% on attack or 100% on defence.

Life of a defensive midfielder is also tough especially if you are in an attacking-minded team. Fans just want to keep on attacking and scoring goals.

Just take the example of Ivan Rakitic of Barcelona. We can see a lot of fans blaming him too much on social media. For them, he is just an average "backpass merchant" with zero creativity.

The same thing happened in the World Cup too. Everyone praised the heroics of Luka Modric for Croatia. But the lubricant which unleashed Modric was Rakitic. The presence of Rakitic at the back helped Modric to go forward and attack.

There will be times when your team is behind. Usually, centre backs are forced to play up front to score goals in the last minutes. Then those voids are filled by defensive midfielders. They are true silent warriors.

Football coaches are aware of the importance of defensive midfielder in the team. Having a trustworthy player for the job, they will take risks on substitution. They can bring an attacking player for a centre back as the last chance for goals.

France won the World Cup 2018. Griezmann was the star man on almost all headlines. Following their victory, a video song became viral on social media. It was a chant about N'Golo Kanté:

  N’Golo Kante,

“Pala Lalala,

“He’s short, he’s nice,

"He stopped Leo Messi,

“But we all know he’s a cheater,

“N’Golo Kante”

KANTE SONG: YOUTUBE VIDEO

Kante was instrumental for the French squad on their successful World Cup run. That short-shy guy was always there at the back with a smile. Every time they lose the ball, we can see Kante accelerating towards the opponents. He may not be your hero; But on every title his team wins, there will be his name- written on tackles and hard work.

An ideal defensive midfielder must be mentally and physically strong. From initiating the attack to blocking the counters, their role in football is irreplaceable. They act as a screen in front of the defence and often assigned to mark the opponent's number 10.

I am not exaggerating anyone. Just place your eyes on any of the defensive midfielders for some minutes during a match. You can see the amount of work that they are taking in a match by yourself. At least give credits where it is due and don't appreciate those who insult players on social media. #TheBeautifulGame

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ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: GUNNERS EYEING ON A £8M DEAL FOR HIGHLY RATED BRAZILIAN WONDER-KID

"Save something for the future". To ensure the smooth run and success of a football club, it's super essential to look fast forward towards the future. The top flights in Europe are always on the hunt for young talents. They want to make sure that the potential of the lads are maximised.

Arsenal are not behind on scouting youngsters. As per reports from Brazilian outlet UOL, Gunners are interested in the signature of Gabriel Martinelli. It looks like they are keen on bringing the future star to Emirates very soon.

SOURCE: Football.london

The talented youngster started his career at Corinthians before moving to Ituano in 2015. He has been in red hot form in the state championship, netting four goals and producing three.

Martinelli is comfortable to play in different attacking positions. Blessed with immense pace and skill, he can produce wonders in the winger role. Sooner or later, he will reach a breakthrough point in his career.

The youngster has the potential to become the "next big thing" from Brazilian football following the likes of Vinicius Junior, Gabriel Jesus, Neymar. All of them have made a move from Brazil to Europe at their teenage which resulted in a positive impact on their career.

Martinelli had trials at Barcelona and Manchester United on previous occasions. English clubs like Crystal Palace and Watford are also interested in getting services from the Brazilian forward. At the moment, Arsenal is in pole position for the move.

Even though he has offers from Brazilian clubs like Flamengo and Santos, it's unlikely that a deal is done between them. They don't have the financial power or support to challenge against European powerhouses.

January transfer window was an utterly disappointing one for the Gunners. Despite having injury concerns and lack of squad depth, Emery couldn't land any player on a permanent basis to Emirates. Gunners had a limited wage budget and their transfer activity was settled on the loan deal of Denis Suarez from Barcelona.

According to rules of Premier League, Martinelli cannot play for the London side until he becomes 18, which is in June. The youngster is close to obtaining an Italian passport and is likely to make a move away from Brazil in the summer.

It's not right to compare Premier League with the Brazilian League. The atmosphere is more intense, the level of play is high, quality of the entire system is also on another level in Premier League. There is no other league with such competition and hardness.

Life may become hard for youngsters at the initial stage. It's really important for any player to cope up with the new surroundings and situations in his new club. The key mantra for victory is to "never give up".

Martinelli has the talent with him. Emirates can be the perfect platform to nourish him further. He can be that perfect winger for the Gunners which fans were mourning for some time. Good luck for his future!

Arsenal will go head to head with Wolves fighting for the top four position in Premier League next. #COYG

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ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: ROBERT PIRES WANTS THE GUNNERS TO SIGN THE UNSETTLED FRENCH YOUNGSTER TO REPLACE DEPARTING AARON RAMSEY

Finally, it is time for Aaron Ramsey to say goodbye to Emirates. After having 258 appearances for the London side, the Welsh Superstar is all set to join Juventus on summer.

Ramsey is one of the best box-to-box midfielders at the moment. Fate was never favourable for him. Ramsey and injuries were like friends. But every time he gets suffered from injury, he bounced back with more determination. He scored many crucial goals for the Gunners and the final one was against Tottenham on last Saturday.

Now the question is who will replace him? According to the report from Mirror.com, Arsenal Legend Robert Pires is hopeful to see French International Adrien Rabiot as the replacement for Ramsey.

 "Arsenal have the advantage of Emery having already worked with him at PSG, which should hopefully sway Rabiot to join Arsenal.

"He would be worth a big fee on the transfer market so the fact he’s free makes it a no brainer.

"If Emery can secure Rabiot then I think he’ll be able to fill the hole that will be left by Ramsey's departure."

The 23-year-old central midfielder began his career at Creteil-Lusitanos in short-term. He signed his first professional contract for Paris Saint-Germain on 2 July 2012. He has a record of 24 goals in 227 appearances for the French side.

Rabiot is no longer the first choice for PSG. The French International is out of the contract within three months and is desperately waiting to leave the French Champions.

Rabiot had been linked with a move to Barcelona recently. But the Catalan Giants ends up in sealing De Jong from Ajax. Due to frustration, the youngster fired his own mother from the agent role.

In three months, Rabiot would be available for free in the transfer market. With a lot of fruitful years to come, signing the youngster for free is definitely a bonus for any team. Considering the departure of Aaron Ramsey, it is the right time for Emery to make a move.

Liverpool is also in the race for Rabiot. The Reds have a clear advantage over the Gunners on a financial basis. Arsenal is undergoing a tough time with transfers. Emery has admitted that they cannot sign any players on a permanent basis.

The good sign for the Gunners is the fact that Emery had already worked with Rabiot during his spell at France. His relationship with the midfielder would make a possible reunion at the Emirates.

Also, Rabiot will get more gameplay time at Arsenal than crowded Liverpool. Future of Ozil is still hanging on the air. Ramsey is on his way out. Rabiot can make an instant impact at the Emirates considering the current circumstances.

The final decision is up to the club and the player. Within three months, Rabiot has the opportunity to choose his future. Emery can bring the best out from him if he joins the Gunners. #COYG

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ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: STAR STRIKER ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE COULD MAKE A MOVE AWAY FROM THE EMIRATES, SAYS CHARLES WATTS

Bad news coming for the Arsenal fans. According to a report from Charles Watts of Football.London, there is a possibility for the Gunners to sell Alexandre Lacazette this summer.

The 27-year-old Frenchman joined Arsenal from Lyon in 2017 for a fee of around £52 million. Since then, Laca had a consistent performance for the London side. He scored 24 goals and provided 6 assists in 57 appearances so far for the club.

Watt's report states:

      ‘As popular a player as Alexandre Lacazette is, the French striker could be moved on in the summer, depending on what offers may arrive.’

'Emery is not overly keen on pairing Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang together and the former has found himself either on the bench at times this season or being replaced during the second half.’

‘At 27, Lacazette’s transfer value is high and it’s far more likely that he would be the man sold, should Arsenal decide to cash in on one of their two star strikers.’

There are two major reasons for the sudden rumour. First one is the limited wage budget available to Unai Emery. Despite having a poor performance following the 22 match unbeaten streak, Arsenal failed to bring any player in the January transfer window on a permanent basis. They only signed Denis Suarez from Barcelona which was of course, a loan deal. 

Emery himself admitted that the club doesn't have much budget for transfers during a press conference. So they are forced to offload key players as Laca joining the list with Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey.  

The second one is Unai Emery and his tactics. The former PSG coach replaced Arsene Wenger with huge expectations on his shoulders. The Spaniard started well in his new club and it reflected in the results. 

But his recent squad selection and tactics have raised some serious questions among fans especially the absence of Mesut Ozil on the pitch. Seriously, how can a club pay £350,000 per week for sitting at home playing Fortnite?

It's the same thing that happened to Lacazette. Emery seems to prioritize the Gabon International Aubameyang over Lacazette. The French striker has started 18 League matches while Auba has started 25 League matches. The difference is crystal clear. 

Even if Emery allows Laca to start, he does not finish the full time whistle most of the times. He often being sacrificed as a substitute to Aaron Ramsey in the second half. Lack of game time is definitely frustrating for any player and it is not apt to bash upon Laca's decision if he decides to leave in summer.

In my opinion, as a player, I will choose Laca over Auba any day. Auba has an upper advantage in terms of goal ratio which makes him the ideal candidate for the striker position. But Lacazette brings something more than just goals when he is on the pitch. He is capable of holding the ball and creating spaces for wingers and midfielders.

Lacazette delivers goals in much needed times in spectacular manner(not just tap-ins). Also, Aubameyang gets more freedom when playing alongside with Lacazette. The French striker drag defenders to him thus creating chances for Auba. 

Those who analyse football by stats alone may consider Auba as more valuable and better than Laca because he has that higher goal ratio. But Lacazette's hard work and commitment on the pitch can never be matched. After all, football is not about goals only. He has that quality in his goals while Auba has more quantity.

Lacazette is on his prime at the moment. He is consistent and versatile. Transferring him now seems to be illogical to me. I hope he stays and proves his doubters wrong. #COYG

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ARSENAL NEWS: CLUB BOARD MEMBERS STUNNED AFTER A DISAPPOINTING PERFORMANCE AGAINST BATE

In recent weeks, Unai Emery keeps surprising Arsenal fans with his starting eleven and game tactics. This time, it was against BATE in Europa League and the Spanish coach had a bitter result again. The "not so famous side" from Belarus defeated the Premier League top flight club 1-0.

SOURCE: THE MIRROR

Adding fuel to fire, several big names on the Gunners Board were watching the encounter against Bate from the stands. The list includes the honourable trio of Head of football Raul Sanllehi, Managing Director Vinai Venkatesham and Chief Contract Negotiator Huss Fahmy.

The trio of board members travelled with the squad all the way to Belarus expecting a clean victory for the London side. They started the match with all smiles which gradually turned into annoying faces towards the final minutes of the game. Deep frustration forced them for an early exit before the final whistle.

After the 22 matches unbeaten dream run, Arsenal had never been the same. The London side is in the fifth position behind the "Motivated Manchester United " with 50 points. The battle for the top 4 spots had become much more competitive and tough especially after the rebirth of the Red Devils under Ole.

Last time when they faced BATE, the Gunners thrashed Belarus side with a one-sided scoreline of 6-0 under Legendary Arsene Wenger. The shocking result revealed that Emery still has a long way to go for replacing the French manager.

Emery placed the duo of Xhaka-Guendouzi in the central midfield. Although both of them are incredibly hardworking, they clearly lack creativity in their play.

It is ironic to say that your team is lacking creativity in midfield when you have a player like Mesut Ozil on the bench.

Addition of Denis Suarez from Barcelona and return of Mkhitaryan from injury would be a slight relief to Emery. Ramsey to Juventus is a done deal. As things stand, Ozil is likely to follow Ramsey's path in the next transfer window.

Champions League qualification is the primary target for Emery. He has two ways in front of him. Either go for Europa League Title or fight for a top four position in Premier League. Both are not too far away and can be achieved with proper gameplay and mindset.

After being knocked out from the FA Cup by Manchester United, the only title available for Emery is the Europa League. Emery has the time to fully concentrate on the second leg next week and hopes he could regain the lost good impression from the trio.

Lacazette is not available for the second leg at Emirates due to the red card. The French striker was all alone and didn't get many effective passes. Frustration haunted him till the end which resulted in the red card. Personally, I respect him as a player for his dedication and hard work on the field.

It is better for Emery to prioritise Europa League Title to qualify for next year's Champions League. Maybe Arsenal can overturn the deposit at Emirates in the second leg against BATE. But the question still remains: Is that all Arsenal can do?
#COYG

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MANCHESTER UNITED VS PSG: RED DEVILS HAVE A HEFTY TASK IN FRONT TO QUALIFY

11 games unbeaten run, terrific form and coordination, the absence of Neymar-Cavani duo....... Red Devils had the ball on their court before the match. But the French Champions showed them the difference between form and class. PSG defeated Manchester United 2-0 and have a huge advantage ahead of the second leg at Parc des Princes.

SOURCE: PSG FANS FACEBOOK PAGE

Even in the absence of key players, PSG exhibited their experience on big stages. Red Devils had extreme pressure upon them due to overwhelmed expectations. They couldn't cope up with the French side in the second half.

At times, the referee decisions also seemed to be a bit harsh. United ended the match with 10 men on the field as their playmaker Paul Pogba was sent off during the final moments of the game. The former most expensive player would be surely missed on the away leg if there are any chances of bouncing back.

Thomas Tuchel, unlike former coach Unai Emery, had a well-balanced game plan against Manchester United. The German coach succeeded at keeping good coordination and harmony among players. He showed the guts to play Marquinhos and Dani Alves in midfield with the little Italian maestro Verratti.

SOURCE: PSG FANS FACEBOOK PAGE

Marquinhos had a very good game in that deep midfield position as a support to the defence. He was always there to man-mark Pogba and had him in his pocket. The Brazilian was able to cut out all the creative moves and didn't give any spaces to attack.

Thiago Silva was the unsung hero(as always) yesterday. The 34-year-old veteran centre back had done his job with ease. He was wonderful on air and gave Rashford no chance. His leadership quality and commitment to the game are on the next level.

SOURCE: PSG FANS FACEBOOK PAGE

When it comes to the attacking perspective, Di Maria was the main man. Old Trafford welcomed him back with booes and insults. The Argentine silenced the entire stadium with his performance on the pitch. He set up both goals for the French side on the second half.

SOURCE: PSG FANS FACEBOOK PAGE

Ole started the game with the young front trio of Martial-Rashford-Lingard. They have the capability to cause problems on opposition box especially during counter attacks with their blistering pace. Ole was forced to substitute both Martial and Lingard on the last minutes of the first half due to injury which was an unexpected turn of events.

Sanchez and Mata came on the second half as substitutes but both were not much effective. Sanchez was running like a headless chicken with no aim and pace all over the left wing. He was not even the shadow of old Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.

Things will not be so easy for Ole in the second leg. Absence of Pogba in that midfield is like a plane without an engine. Also, it is not sure whether Martial-Lingard duo would make up before the second leg.

PSG will have the home ground advantage. Their star striker Edinson Cavani will be back in action after the hip injury. So things are not favourable for Manchester United. PSG is likely to qualify for the second round at the moment unless a miracle happens at France.

Can the Red Devils make a comeback like Barcelona? Wait till March 7 for the second leg of the Champions League RO16. #REDDEVILS #PSG #CHAMPIONSLEAGUE

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ARSENE WENGER: THREE POSSIBLE DESTINATIONS FOR THE FORMER ARSENAL COACH

Ever since the Legendary Arsene Wenger left Emirates on 2018, fans and football pundits started to burn their heads for guessing his next adventure. But he was calm and was not ready for a sudden change. Wenger used this interval period for setting up his mind after such a hefty time in London.

Wenger spent 22 years of his managerial career at London. It is quite unbelievable for a football fan especially if you are new to the field. In the modern era, clubs don't hesitate much to sack managers due to bad results. They don't care whether you belong to the "Super Manager's List". We already saw how things went at Old Trafford recently.

The French man holds the record for the most Premier League matches managed for a single club between 1996 and 2018. Out of 828 matches, Arsenal won 476 and lost 153 under Wenger. 199 matches went draw.

Wenger received the "Manager of the Season" award three times and the "Manager of the Month" award 15 times during his reign at England. Arsenal became the Champions of England 3 times under the French International including the splendid 38 games unbeaten "invincible" 2003-04 season. He also won seven FA Cup titles which are also a record.

According to reports from The Express, Wenger is all ready for another exciting chapter in his football career. Here, we look at his top 3 possible destinations:



             1) REAL MADRID



Three UCL titles in a row; Zinedine Zidane transformed Los Blancos into the "Champion Club". Despite his lack of experience in the managerial field, Zizou brought 9 titles to Bernabeu in a very short period. The French man cemented his name as one of the greatest player as well as the manager for the Spanish Giants.

The sudden departure of Zidane and Ronaldo were shocking to the football world. To replace such a successful coach was too tough. Real Madrid announced the appointment of Lopetegui. The former Spain National Team coach couldn't live up to the expectations. Following the defeat against Barcelona, he resigned from his job.

The Argentine Solari came as the replacement. Even though he had tough outcomes at the beginning, Los Blancos are back on track at the moment. They defeated Atletico Madrid last night and are only behind Barcelona for the title.

A club like Real Madrid deserves an experienced and proven coach like Arsene Wenger. Solari still doesn't have that big stage winning magic wand with him. There are ups and downs so far. Wenger is the right man who can bring that stability at Bernabeu.

With the financial power offered by the club, Wenger can bring the good old Real Madrid back. Maybe he could fill the void left by Ronaldo just like he found the talent of Thierry Henry.


              2)BAYERN MUNICH


The current German Champions Bayern Munich is also a favourable destination for Arsene Wenger. Despite winning the Bundesliga Title 6 times in a row, the Bavarians are not in a good shape under Niko Kovac. They are 5 points behind their domestic rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Fingers had already started to point at Niko Kovac on his tactical decisions. There are rumours that his relationship with the Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez is not that great. We often find James on the bench which strengthens the opinion.

Also, it is confirmed that the iconic duo of Robben and Ribery are ready to leave Allianz Arena at the end of the season. To replace those two talents is a hefty task.

Wenger would be the man for the job. He is capable of speaking German and his ability to find gems from youth academies makes him an ideal choice for the Bavarians. Bayern can bounce back to their dominance with the help of the French International.


              3)BARCELONA


One of the best teams in the world with tremendous squad depth. But still, the Catalan Giants are failing to deliver their full potential in a consistent manner especially on away matches. Despite winning domestic titles, Valverde couldn't bring the Champions League to Camp Nou.

Barca's philosophy is based on the beauty of football. They love to attack and score more goals in past. Fans often criticize Valverde for his boring and defensive approach towards the game.

From banging goals again and again under Pep to hanging upon one goal lead under Valverde, fans are not at all happy with the new approach. It is interesting to note that Barca is too much Messi dependent. The other players are not stepping up in the absence of the Argentine.

The recent form of Coutinho under Valverde is disappointing. The Brazilian loves to play in a free role as an attacking midfielder. Valverde often uses him as a winger. Phil doesn't have that pace and technique to be a perfect winger.

Camp Nou is eagerly waiting for the Champions League Title. If Valverde fails to do so, then Arsene has the chance to be at the top as the manager. Unlike Valverde, the French International has plenty of experience under his belt and an admirer of attacking football which makes him a suitable candidate.

VERDICT

No doubt that he is one of the best coaches in football and all top teams would be delighted to get his services. It is up to Arsene to make his final decision. Hope let us see him on the pitch very soon.

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ARSENAL VS MANCHESTER CITY: GARY NEVILLE SPOTS THAT ONE POSITIVITY IN A DISASTROUS MATCH

Arsenal suffered another disappointing setback yesterday when they tasted a 3-1 defeat against Manchester City at the Etihad. City showed splendid work rate and had a step ahead of the Gunners on every aspect of the game.

Arsenal went down to the sixth position in two days. Emery is under extreme pressure as the fans are frustrated with his starting lineup and game tactics. The lack of creativity was clear due to the absence of Ozil and Ramsey on the field.

But Gary Neville has pointed out a piece of fire in the Arsenal squad who deserves special credit for his hard work on the field. The chosen one was the 19-year-old French youngster Matteo Guendouzi. Anyone can easily identify Matteo easily due to his unique curl hairstyle. He is like a beautiful butterfly flying all over the pitch.

According to the report from The Mirror, 

"[Emery] is finding out a lot about his players all the time,

For instance, Guendouzi today I thought was fantastic. Nineteen years of age that was a really good performance and he can build around things like that.

He’s done well, He’s coming into a team that is changing.This is a tough place to play football but he’s standing up, that’s the main thing.

He’s trying to match the runs of Manchester City’s midfield which is tough."

Guendouzi started his senior career at French club FC Lorient on 2016. He played nine times in all competitions during his first season in France. Arsenal announced the youngster's signing on 2018.

The club had huge expectations on his talent and set him as an asset to the club. He made his debut against PSG in a friendly match.

Unai Emery is an admirer of the youngster and he often gets his place on the starting lineup along with Xhaka and Torreira. The French future star has the capability to play in a deep central midfield role. He is extremely effective in linking up the defence with the attack.

Guendouzi has only one goal in his account in 30 appearances so far for the Gunners. You cannot expect scoring more goals from the lad considering his age and his position.

When you are up against the duo of David Silva and De bruyne, you are up against the very best. But despite his young age and lack of experience, Matteo kept his head high and played his part with calm and composure.

The French kid loves to play a free role in the heart of the Gunners midfield. He is good at passing and giving through balls. Physical strength is not his greatest attribute and he often fails at aerial duals with opponents.

If Matteo did successfully stop City's attack to a certain point in the absence of Ozil, Ramsey and Xhaka, I can assure that he is capable of becoming one of the best in his position.

Even though Arsenal are not in a good shape at the moment, when they bounce back Matteo would have a huge role in it.  Hope Emery could build up a team around the youngster in future. All the best Matteo Guendouzi! #COYG

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JASPER CILLESSEN: THE BACKUP KEEPER WHO IS BETTER THAN MOST OF THE MAIN KEEPERS

Jasper Cillessen, the Dutch goalkeeper had a splendid game against Sevilla for a semifinal spot in Copa Del Rey. Cillessen made two crucial saves in the first half including a penalty from Banega which were decisive for the progress of the Catalans. Barcelona won the match with an aggregate score of 6-3 and are looking to add another title to their shelf.

Last night left behind a big question towards the Barcelona board. Does Cillessen actually deserve a bench warmer role in Barcelona? Valverde, Barca's coach always prioritises Ter Stegen ahead of the Dutch International. Cillessen usually starts only on the Spanish Cup matches. But whenever he gets the opportunity, he brings out his best for the club. The match against Sevilla was just another example of him showing his quality and dedication.

Sergi Roberto hailed praises upon Cillessen after the match:

"Cillessen made two key saves, if Banega scored the penalty or Cillessen didn't save the other chance, it would have been a different game. I'm happy for him, he had a brilliant match. And it's great to get through.

"We knew that we had to turn around a difficult result. Not scoring in the first leg meant that we knew if they scored, we needed four. We played a complete game."

Cillessen started his senior career at NEC in 2008. At the end of 2010-11 season, he got the Gelderland Footballer of the Year. Ajax scouted him and announced his signing on 2011. He played a total of 101 matches in front of the sticks for the Dutch club. He won the AFC Ajax Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.

It is obvious that Elite clubs will sign those players who are special in their own respective positions. As a result, Barcelona brought Cillessen to Camp Nou in 2016. The prime objective was to fill the void left by Claudio Bravo who joined Manchester City. Cillessen played 28 games so far for the Catalan giants while most of them are the Spanish Cup matches.

Cillessen is blessed with quick reflexes. He is good in stopping short range shots as well as long rangers. Standing at 185cm, the 29-year-old is also capable of clearing aerial balls well.

After the departure of Bravo, Ter Stegen cemented his place well on the starting lineup. The German is an ideal addition for Barca's possession-based style of play. Considering his recent form and confidence, no one can argue with Valverde to replace the German with Cillessen.

The one thing that separates those two is the ball distribution which MATS has an advantage over Cillessen. Ter Stegen is really good at supplying quality long balls and in maintaining possession. Cillessen is not that great in long balls and it is considered as one of his weakness. Yesterday, Barca conceded a goal against Sevilla due to a poor clearance from Cillessen.

It is not a big deal to give some more playing time for the Dutch keeper. MATS and Cillessen are two great friends on and off the field. I think Ter Stegen would be more than happy to see his friend starting for the team often.

Valverde can use both Cillessen and Ter Stegen alternatively in matches or can assign either one of them in La Liga and the other in UCL. It should be apt for the overall growth of the club and harmony between the players.

The future of Cillessen in Camp Nou is still hanging on the air. Last summer, both Liverpool and Arsenal were interested in the Dutch International. But he opted to stay at the Club. I wish him all the best and hope he gets the playing time which he deserves. #Visca El Barça

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