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Arteta delighted with how his young stars have handed the pressure (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta admits he initially had concerns over handing his Arsenal youngsters such prominent roles in his side.
The Gunners lost their first three games of the season but head into 2022 in fourth place with their young starlets playing a hugely influential role in that improvement.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have been among the club’s best players this season with Gabriel Martinelli back in the side and scoring amid Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s current exile.
With Martin Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu (all 23) and Ben White (24) all playing prominent roles in the side with 18-year-old Charlie Patino on the fringes, Arteta’s young side are now chasing down Champions League qualification for the first time in a number of years.
When asked if he felt it was a gamble to place so much faith in his youngsters, Arteta told a press conference: ‘You always question that but when you make the decision to go through that route, you want them to get some consistency.
Smith Rowe and Saka have been influential this season (Picture: Getty)
‘Because they have never done it at that level.
‘And we had a lot of them.
‘But they have proven that they can do it and they have been really demanding with themselves and at the same time they have handled difficult situations in a great way.’
Arsenal host Manchester City in their first game of 2022 on Saturday morning.
United have struggled at the back throughout the 2021-22 season, keeping just four clean sheets in the Premier League and conceding 26 goals – the worst total in the top eight and more than double the number league leaders Manchester City have shipped.
Summer signing Raphael Varane has started just six games in the league due to injury with club captain Harry Maguire struggling to find his form.
United kept two clean sheets in their first two games under Ralf Rangnick but that familiar fragility returned against Newcastle United and Burnley this week.
Ferdinand marshalled United’s backline from 2002 to 2014 and formed one of the Premier League’s best ever centre-half pairings alongside Nemanja Vidic.
United are undefeated under Rangnick (Picture: Getty)
And when asked if would consider coming back to the club to help the club’s current crop on the training pitch, he suggested he would jump at the chance.
‘Of course! I probably would,’ Ferdinand told Vibe with Five.
‘We’ll have to see what the deal looks like!
‘But when United come calling, it’s like it is as a player, when United come calling it’s definitely a conversation you sit down and take seriously.’
United remain undefeated under interim boss Rangnick having picked up three wins and two draws in his five games in charge.
They host Wolves in their first game of 2022 on Monday night.
Saka only signed a new deal last summer with his current contract running until 2024 but his performances for club and country have unsurprisingly got clubs showing interest.
According to the Transfer Window Podcast, Saka and his representatives are ‘interested’ in the prospect of a move to Liverpool, who could offer immediate Champions League football and the chance to win major trophies.
Arsenal have history of allowing some of their top players to run down their contracts and former Gunner Campbell has urged the club not to allow that to happen with the 20-year-old, who could go on to become a club legend.
‘When you get young players who just come out and do really, really well, you’ve got to protect them, you’ve got to secure them,’ Campbell told talkSPORT.
Bukayo Saka is currently under contract until 2024 (Picture: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
‘They’re the lifeblood for the fans, for their country, England, and especially Arsenal.
‘You can’t allow top, top players to run their contracts down and move on because you’re taking too long.
‘It’s happened before but that was all about big, big money, it took a long time to secure their contracts – why?
‘When a club takes so long to secure the future of a player, if you wait too long, they’re going to get offers from other teams around.
‘Sometimes you can agree a price but if you wait six months [to get the deal signed] the price might now be different, it could be more.
‘So you’re thinking, why didn’t you secure that price six months ago, when you would have paid less money, secured the player and everyone would be happy, instead of trying to drag it out and trying to be clever with negotiations?’
An impressive display for Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United (Picture: Getty)
Manchester United delivered their most impressive performance to date under Ralf Rangnick in a convincing 3-1 win over Burnley.
Goals from Scott McTominay and Cristiano Ronaldo, along with a Ben Mee own goal, were enough to secure maximum points at Old Trafford.
Rangnick had called for a response from his players following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Monday and certainly got a reaction in the opening 45 minutes.
Victory for United sends them into sixth in the table as they remain unbeaten in the five matches since the German took charge.
Metro.co.uk picks out three players who particularly impressed and one area of concern Rangnick will need to look at following the win over the Clarets.
Scott McTominay
McTominay scored his first league goal in 28 Premier League appearances with a brilliant curled finish from the edge of the box to set United on their way this evening.
The Scot came in for criticism for his display against Newcastle with Jonjo Shelvey dominating the match in the middle of the park but tonight was a different story.
Scott McTominay was awarded the man of the match (Picture: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
With Bruno Fernandes suspended, McTominay was allowed to get further forward and helped start several of United’s attacks.
Solid defensively and never stopped running he brought discipline to the team tonight and it’s the level Rangnick expects of his midfielders looking to control the game.
Luke Shaw
Shaw was handed his first league start under Rangnick in one of six changes tonight with Alex Telles on the bench.
The England international returned with a bang, solid down the left flank and showing the threat he possesses going forward.
Regular link-ups with Jadon Sancho down the wing caused Burnley problems and it was the sort of performance that could now see him keep his place in Rangnick’s starting XI.
Cristiano Ronaldo
A goal and an assist for the Portuguese saw him deliver the goods once again for United this evening.
Gary Neville called out Ronaldo for his ‘whinging’ in United’s draw with Newcastle this week and it seems the five-time Ballon d’Or winner listened.
Ronaldo of course showed his frustrations throughout but more so with his own game than calling out his team-mates.
The 36-year-old posed a constant threat to Burnley’s backline with his reading of the game helping to create space for his team-mates to push forward.
Eric Bailly
Following Raphael Varane’s return against Newcastle and a disappointing display which saw him at fault for the home side’s opener, Bailly was handed a rare start tonight.
Bailly looked a tad nervy throughout alongside Harry Maguire and both centre-backs should have done better for the goal.
Eric Bailly hobbled off with an injury in the second half (Picture: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
A poor touch from Bailly gifted Burnley possession and just seconds later Aaron Lennon capitalised on the mistake to end United’s clean sheet hopes.
The Ivorian’s night was made even more miserable when he was taken off in the second half with an injury as Varane came on.
Bailly will be off to the Africa Cup of Nations next month if fit with Varane returning to partner Maguire, but Rangnick will likely have concerns the Frenchman may not be fully fit to last a hectic run of games.
With no other recognised centre-backs on the bench as Victor Lindelof is recovering from coronavirus, it’s certainly an area United are short in and could look to address in the January transfer window.
Striker Romelu Lukaku, who returned to Chelsea for a club record £97.5m in August, says he was "not happy" with his role under Blues boss Thomas Tuchel earlier this season.
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Romelu Lukaku’s latest comments won’t go down well with Chelsea fans (Picture: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Romelu Lukaku insists he is not happy with the situation at Chelsea and has revealed he plans to return to Inter Milan in the near future.
The Belgian only returned to Chelsea in the summer for a club-record £97.5m fee and immediately hit the ground running with a goal on his debut at Arsenal.
He’s now scored three goals in his last four matches but before that went on a 10-match goalless run and missed a month with an ankle injury with his second spell at Stamford Bridge far from settled.
With injuries and Covid-19 impacting Thomas Tuchel’s squad this season, the German has opted for Timo Werner to lead the line on occasions while also experimenting with Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic up top.
Lukaku has now sensationally suggested Tuchel has changed the system from the one he signed for and insists he wants a return to Inter while still at his ‘top level.’
‘Physically I am fine. But I’m not happy with the situation at Chelsea,’ he told Sky Italy.
Romelu Lukaku has scored seven goals for Chelsea this season (Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP via Getty Images)
‘Tuchel has chosen to play with another system – I won’t give up, I’ll be professional.
‘I am not happy with the situation but I am professional – and I can’t give up now.
‘I think everything that happened last summer was not supposed to happen like this… how I left Inter, the way I left the club, how I communicated with Inter fans – this bothers me because it was not the right time.
‘Now it’s the right time to share my feelings. I have always said that I have Inter in my heart: I know I will return to Inter, I really hope so.
‘I am in love with Italy, this is the right moment to talk and let people know what really happened.
‘I really hope from bottom of my heart to return to Inter not at the end of my career, but when I’m still at top level to win more together.
‘I want apologise to the Inter fan, timing of my words was wrong: what you did for me will remain forever.’
Lukaku scored 47 league goals in 72 league appearances for Inter and fired them to Serie A glory last season.
Borussia Dortmund to put together deal to persuade Haaland to stay, Man City still keen on Kane and Haaland, Newcastle close in on Trippier signing, plus more.
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Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel says he was "very disappointed" VAR did not award his side a "clear penalty" in their 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
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Thomas Tuchel has offered an update on Reece James’ injury (Pictures: Amazon/Getty)
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed Reece James suffered a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s Premier League draw with Brighton.
England international James was supported by two members of Chelsea’s medical staff as he made his way off the pitch midway through the first half at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night.
Shortly after James was replaced by Marcos Alonso, Blues summer signing Romelu Lukaku rose well from a corner to head the hosts in front.
But Brighton created a number of chances and finally broke Chelsea’s resistance in injury-time thanks to Danny Welbeck’s superb header.
Not only have Chelsea now drawn three of their last four league games, but the squad is struggling with injuries and Covid-19 absentees.
Asked about James’ injury after the 1-1 draw, Tuchel said: ‘No prognosis. It’s a hamstring injury. We have no more full-backs, everyone is injured.’
Gus Poyet, speaking to Amazon Prime, admitted Chelsea’s growing injury crisis is a ‘big problem’ for Tuchel.
James hobbled off midway through the first half at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)
He said: ‘It’s a big problem because already we can see that Tuchel is trying to find players to play in certain positions.’
Brighton hero Welbeck, meanwhile, insisted his equaliser was ‘well deserved’ given the Seagulls’ performance in west London.
‘It’s a well deserved point. It was a good technical performance as well as a physical one,’ the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker said.
‘To get a point here is big for us. I was outside warming up at half time so I don’t now what the manager said at half-time. But we created a lot of chances and we’re happy to come away with a point.’
Romelu Lukaku scored on his first start Premier League start for two months (Picture: Getty)
Gus Poyet singled out ‘excellent’ Romelu Lukaku for praise after Chelsea dropped more points in the Premier League title race, drawing 1-1 with Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
£97.5m summer signing Lukaku, making his first Premier League start in two months, put Thomas Tuchel’s side ahead in the 28th minute with a fine header.
But Chelsea wasted chances through Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Mount and were made to pay for their wastefulness when Danny Welbeck scored an injury-time equaliser to earn Brighton a well-deserved point.
Welbeck’s late goal means Chelsea have now drawn three of their last four Premier League fixtures and drop more ground in the title race.
But the return of Lukaku and his assured performance may provide some solace for Blues fans, with former Chelsea stars Poyet and Eniola Aluko both hailing the Belgium international during the Brighton fixture.
Speaking at half-time, Poyet told Amazon Prime: ‘It’s great to see a striker of that quality.
‘He was winning the ball in the air, the way he linked the play, his first touch. He played for the rest of the team.
Gus Poyet said Blues goalscorer Lukaku was ‘excellent’ against Brighton (Picture: Amazon Prime)
‘If [Mason] Mount and [Callum] Hudson-Odoi were in a better mood today they would be winning 2-0 or 3-0. But because of the other players they are not winning by more.
‘Lukaku was excellent. Holding the ball, playing for the rest, unfortunately his team-mates didn’t do the right thing in those moments.’
Ex-England forward Aluko added: ‘Every single touch he had led to a positive action, a shot at goal or a counter-attack.
‘He’s so influential. Everything has been positive from Lukaku. That’s why they paid the massive fee for him.
‘He was the missing piece from last season and they needed a player like Lukaku. He could be the difference for them to win the league this season.’
European champions Chelsea emerged as the early pacesetters in the Premier League this season but have suffered a dip in form in recent weeks, losing to West Ham and drawing to Everton, Wolves and now Brighton.
Liverpool are interested in signing Bukayo Saka from Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is ‘interested’ in the possibility of joining Liverpool as Jurgen Klopp eyes a sensational move for the England international.
Saka has quickly developed into one of the most exciting players in the Premier League over the past three seasons, amassing more than 100 appearances for Arsenal and playing 14 games for England.
Due to Saka’s form for club and country, Liverpool have placed the forward on a shortlist of transfer targets as they look to bolster Klopp’s attacking options.
Arsenal are desperate to keep hold of the England star (Pictures: Getty)
Klopp will look to freshen up his attack if some of the current superstars do leave Anfield and reportedly views Saka as an ideal candidate to come in and hit the ground running.
Saka’s current contract with Arsenal does not expire until 2024 and the Gunners will be desperate to keep hold of the talented youngster.
But, according to the Transfer Window Podcast, Saka and his representatives are ‘interested’ in the prospect of a move to Liverpool, who could offer immediate Champions League football and the chance to win major trophies.
‘To play in those positions for a big club like us, you need to be producing goals and assists every single game, it’s what we demand from him and he has the capacity to do it and he’s doing it better and better,’ Arteta said.
‘Every single player is important, the senior players are performing and giving a lot of stability and direction to the young players and it’s the right mix.’
Mount is confident over Chelsea’s chances (Picture: Getty Images)
Mason Mount believes Chelsea are in with a ‘big chance’ of winning the Premier League title this season, despite the recent rocky form of Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The Blues started the campaign strongly, but a number of dropped points in past weeks has seen them lose ground on table-toppers Manchester City.
Chelsea managed to bounce back from two successive draws in the league by beating Aston Villa away at Villa Park on Boxing Day.
Jorginho scored twice from the penalty spot to help Chelsea beat Villa (Picture: Getty Images)
Two converted spot-kicks from Jorginho and a header from substitute Romelu Lukaku saw the Blues come from behind to seal a vital victory.
The west London side remain within six points of City and are level on points with Liverpool, who travel to Leicester on Tuesday night.
As the title race heats up with up the 2021/22 campaign at the halfway stage, Mount thinks Chelsea can ‘definitely’ go on to win the league.
‘The title has always been our goal. We want to be up there. More than ever this season, we feel like we have a big chance. We can definitely do it,’ Mount told Chelsea’s website.
‘We have the confidence. But we need to be humble and focused, too. We need to keep doing the basics well.’
Mount has also heaped praise on Chelsea wing-back Reece James, who has registered an impressive four goals and five assists in the league this season.
‘He has been playing brilliantly. I know how he plays and I know how he likes to combine with someone,’ Mount added on his fellow Blues academy graduate.
‘It is us on the right trying to create chances and work off each other. When he moves inside, I go on the outside, when I move inside, he stays wide. It is all about getting the best from each other.’
The Blues are exploring all options as they eye reinforcements at left-back (Pictures: Getty)
Chelsea are casting their net wide as they look to bring in left-back cover for the injured Ben Chilwell in the January transfer window and could even recall one of their loanees, according to reports.
The Blues confirmed on Tuesday that Chilwell had made insufficient progress with the conservative rehab approach they had initially taken with the knee injury sustained against Juventus last month and he will now undergo surgery, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
That leaves Thomas Tuchel – whose side are still competing in five competitions – with just one senior, recognised left-back in the form of Marcos Alonso.
Chilwell’s injury will see Chelsea turn to the transfer market (Picture: Getty)
As such, Chelsea are keen to bring in cover and competition for the Spaniard in the January window and are exploring a host of options.
According to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, top of their list is Everton’s out-of-favour left-back Lucas Digne, who could be available on loan until the end of the season after falling out with Rafa Benitez.
The Frenchman has been one of the Premier League’s outstanding left-backs for several seasons but has missed the last three matches owing to his feud with Benitez.
However, any loan would require a big fee while Digne has other admirers willing to buy him outright – which would be preferable to Everton – with newly flush Newcastle interested in a permanent deal.
The Telegraph report that Barcelona full-back Sergino Dest is another option being considered by Chelsea, though this would be a permanent deal rather than a loan.
Dest has not won over new Barca boss Xavi and the Catalan giants are eager to raise funds and improve their ailing finances in order to bring in new players themselves, with the 21-year-old very much available for sale should the right offer come in.
The American would be a more long-term option for Chelsea than Digne and would provide cover at right-back – with Cesar Azpilicueta likely to leave the club next summer when his contract expires – as well as left-back.
Digne, Dest and Tagliafico are all on Chelsea’s left-back shortlist (Picture: Getty)
Another option being explored, according to Di Marzio, is the possibility of recalling one of the two full-backs Chelsea have sent out on loan.
Emerson Palmieri is currently at Lyon while youngster Ian Maatsen has impressed at Coventry City, with bringing one of those players back to Stamford Bridge potentially the most cost-effective option available to Chelsea.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also thrown another name into the mix, with Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico – who has been linked with the Blues previously – also on Chelsea’s radar.
