Arsenal vs Benfica Player Ratings Arsenal have set the tone for the upcoming season with a ruthless 5-1 win over the Portuguese champions Benfica in an Emirates Cup match. Let’s see how the Gunners fared today against the Europa league finalists, Martinez: Well, third choice goalkeeper, not a clean sheet but a decent performance from the back. 7 … Read more
Eyebrows were raised in the summer when one of Mourinho’s first signings upon his return to Chelsea was Marco van Ginkel. The youngster from Vitesse Arnheim is without doubt an excellent prospect, but it was difficult to envision where exactly he would fit into a Chelsea squad already full of central midfielders. But having suffered … Read more
Arsenal have been crying out for offensive reinforcements after they were left with only one recognized striker in Olivier Giroud after Theo Walcott and Niklas Bendtner’s injury. With the title race heating up, manager Arsene Wenger will look add depth to the squad lest they falter in what is likely to be the closest title … Read more
Benfica’s defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic has re-signed for Premier League title hopefuls Chelsea. The Club’s official website reports that Matic has signed a five-and-a-half-year contract. Here are three reasons why Matic is a good signing for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea. 1. World class defensive midfielder The 25-year-old Serbian is a defensive midfielder who thrives on disrupting … Read more
The Europa League (formally known as the ‘UEFA League’, which began in 1971) was reinvented in 2009. Originally in the group stages, teams would play each other once, now you have to face each other at home and away. Michel Platini in 2008 had this to say about the new format being presented: “I am … Read more
With the January Transfer Window imminent in just about a month and a half’s time, Manchester United surely can’t falter in the second half of the campaign. United’s best run of form have been in October, as they are yet to settle down properly under the new management. If the Red Devils hope to get … Read more
Rodrigo SL Benfica star Rodrigo has been attracting interest from the likes of Broussia Dortmund, Juventus, Napoli and Shakhtar Donetsk in recent months due to his skill, pace and balance. Capable of playing as a lone striker, part of an attacking trident, and can drop back and play as a classic no.10. The versatility he … Read more
It is has been a quiet summer at Arsenal, even by Arsene Wenger’s patient standards, the sole signing of French youth international Yaya Sanogo has been an extremely sedate approach to this season’s transfer market. It hasn’t been enough to placate the fans who were expecting a spending spree as the long-awaited sponsorship money trickled … Read more
The so-called fluent loan transfer of Pepe Reina from Liverpool to Napoli has suddenly faced a storm. Pepe Reina has accused the Merseyside club for forcing him to join Serie A side Napoli. Reina has three years of contract left with Liverpool. Joining the Premier League club from Villareal in 2005, Reina bagged the Premier … Read more
The Ivory Coast striker has burst onto the shopping list of some Premier League clubs after a few potent years in Holland with Vitesse Arnhem. The 24 year old has developed into one of the most clinical front-men in Europe with Vitesse, so it is no surprise to see a whole pack of clubs chasing … Read more