New manager Unai Emery will have a literal baptism by fire after the Premier League fixtures for the 2018/19 season were announced earlier today.
The former PSG gaffer could probably not have asked for a tougher start to his Gunners career with Man City (home) and Chelsea (away) being their first two fixtures. Their third one could also be a potential banana skin, with Manuel Pellegrini’s West Ham visiting the Emirates.
If reports in L’Equipe are to believed, Atletico Madrid have agreed a fee with AS Monaco for the transfer of Thomas Lemar. The versatile 22 year old was a target for Arsenal last season and was even linked with Liverpool after their move for Nabil Fekir broke down, but may end up going to Spain after a transfer fee (rumoured to be around the 85 million euro mark was agreed)
If Lemar does move to Atleti, it could well very end up affecting the future of Continue reading
Talented youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles has committed his long term future to Arsenal after inking a long term extension. The details of the contract were not revealed but sources have it to be a five year deal, making him the first player to a pen an extension after the appointment of Unai Emery as coach. AMN also revealed that he had held discussions with the Spanish gaffer before putting pen to paper.
Maitland-Niles will also wear the No.15 jersey (he previously wore No.30). He is said to prefer a role in central midfield, but has been used in various defensive roles by Arsenal, and to his credit, has acquitted himself admirably. With the signing of Lichtsteiner and the departure of Jack Wilshere, AMN is likely to get more minutes in his preferred playing position in 2018/19. Continue reading
Brighton and Hove Albion assured themselves of a spot in the 2018/19 Premier League season after Pascal Gross’ second half goal gave them victory over Manchester United at the American Express Stadium.
Gross has been as integral to Brighton this season as Mo Salah has been to Liverpool’s and it was his header, awarded despite the best efforts of Marcos Rojo on the line, that separated the two teams at the final whistle. It was also Brighton’s first win in seven games at home and confirmed their top flight status for another season.
For United it was a disappointing performances with the likes of Rashford and Martial well below par despite starting this game. It didn’t feel like they were playing for the right to be in a Cup final side- there was one fantastic chance in the first half when all Rashford had to do was to square it to the unmarked Martial, but the youngster chose to go for glory himself and Albion were able to shut him down. David de Gea also made a fantastic save from a speculative Glen Murray effort.
