Latest news with #Arenal
Spectator
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Spectator
Great football writers are different
Brian Glanville, who died this week at the age of 93, was a unique voice in the crowded and often hysterical field of football writing and a uniquely important one. His historical reach was unparalleled. He published his first book (a ghosted autobiography of Arenal striker Cliff Bastin) at the age of 16 and attended 13 World Cups, starting with the 1958 tournament in Sweden. His lean, elegant, novelistic style, informed by his parallel career as a fiction writer, could be found nowhere else in the UK. As Patrick Barclay put it, 'most football writers fall into two categories: those who have been influenced by Brian Glanville and those who should have been'. Glanville was simply different. For one thing, he was, to not put too fine a point on it, a 'toff'. In an industry dominated by tough, plain-speaking and working-class journalists, that stuck out like a top hat at a miner's gala. This was important for me, as a rather serious and sensitive (opera loving!) middle class teenager in the gritty urban environment of the west of Scotland. Football culture, dominated by Celtic and Rangers, tended to be on the rough side and it was tempting to head to the genteel environs of the cricket or rugby club. Perhaps
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arteta hints that key Arenal players could face Brentford this weekend
Arteta hints that key Arenal players could face Brentford this weekend Mikel Arteta has shared the latest injury news on Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka as Arsenal prepare to welcome Brentford to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow. The Gunners are riding high after a memorable 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League, one of the best nights ever at the Emirates. Advertisement There were worries late for Arteta in that game when Saka and Rice limped off. However, Arteta has now eased concerns with a reassuring update. Arteta gives updates on Saka and Rice's injuries 'With Dec and Bukayo, they're both fit,' Arteta said. 'It was just a matter of two kicks, and they recovered well, so they are available tomorrow. 'Ricky's (Calafiori) is progressing really well. I think to give you a timeline is difficult because he needs to step up, especially having more people around and how then he reacts after that, but he's in a good place.' Arteta also spoke about Kai Havertz, who has been out of the squad since February with a hamstring injury. Advertisement Havertz recently shared a video of his recovery, raising hopes of a possible return. Arteta confirmed there might be enough time left for Havertz to play again this season, although nothing is certain. 'So, we have some extra days then,' Arteta added. 'Let's see. Every injury isn't the same. Hopefully we can have him, but let's wait, I think. 'Once you get to the last stage of that rehab is when you can understand better how close or far away you are to making that next step.' When asked if he would consider resting some key players with the second leg of the European tie coming up, Arteta said he would assess the squad's condition. Advertisement 'We'll look now at how the players have recovered because it's not only about this game – it's about the schedule that we have in the next few weeks as well,' Arteta said. 'Whoever plays will be very competitive.' Arsenal will be eager to keep up the momentum and secure another vital win at home. After that, Arteta will hope Saka and Rice continue their heroics in the second leg of the Madrid clash.
The Independent
09-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
This is our way – Enzo Maresca defends Chelsea style after narrow Leicester win
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca defended his team's display in their narrow 1-0 win over struggling Leicester, reminding critics that Premier League football is 'not PlayStation'. Stamford Bridge witnessed another unconvincing performance as the league's second-bottom side held out comfortably until the hour mark when the unlikely figure of Marc Cucurella blasted in from 30 yards to get lacklustre Chelsea out of jail. Earlier there had been the familiar sound of jeers from home supporters as they watched their side hog the ball but do little with it that was dynamic or creative. Maresca has previously defended the team's style under his leadership, which prioritises possession over quick transitions, and the patience of fans was tested again here as chances to hit Leicester on the counter-attack were passed up in favour of slowing the pace of the match. 'People have to understand this is our way, our style, and this is the way we are going to play,' said Maresca, who pumped the air in delight at the final whistle. 'When a team creates the number of chances we created today you have to be happy. It's not easy. Leicester until minute 83 were 0-0 against Arenal. The same thing happened against City. 'If you think football is just PlayStation and you win easy? No way. Every game is difficult. The way the players have done today is fantastic. 'Our Champions League target will be also with our fans to support us. When we play at home we need them behind the players.' Further frustration for Chelsea came with a penalty from Cole Palmer in the first half that was saved by goalkeeper Mads Hermansen. It means Palmer, who was taken off in the second half having not trained for two days due to suffering from fever and diarrhoea, has now gone eight matches without scoring. 'Yesterday he didn't train,' said Maresca. 'During the night he didn't feel well, but this morning he woke up and said to me 'I want be on the pitch because I want to help this club to play Champions League.' 'In the last 48 hours he was very bad with fever and with this bad feeling. But this morning he asked to play and this shows that the players want to bring this club to where it belongs.' Cucurella's thunderbolt was enough to lift Chelsea above Manchester City and back into the top four ahead of back-to-back London derbies against Arsenal and Tottenham. For Leicester their predicament appears increasingly hopeless, beaten for the 12th time in 13 league matches and six points adrift of safety. Boss Ruud van Nistelrooy said: 'I get good at this after games. A good performance on and off the ball, everything was there and I think the players deserved more. 'We came away with a penalty save to go into half-time at 0-0. It's the kind of luck you need sometimes to turn things around. 'Lots of positives again but we have to take the blow of taking nothing.'
