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Premier League strugglers Southampton face a tough task on Sunday as they travel to the Emirates Stadium to take on Arsenal. 

A win would see the Saints escape the relegation zone, and given they beat the Gunners at St Mary’s Stadium earlier in the campaign Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will know that they have what it takes to get a result.

However, the threat that Unai Emery’s side pose cannot be underestimated.

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On the chalkboard 

The north London club have plenty of star quality to call upon in the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Aaron Ramsey. However, Alex Iwobi is another danger man who Hasenhuttl can’t afford to forget about.

The 22-year-old winger has been a regular starter this season, forming a key part of Emery’s plans for his team. The 21-cap Nigeria international may not have the individual talent of some of Arsenal’s other aforementioned stars, but he serves a vital function in the Gunner’s team.

Emery generally takes a fairly conservative tactical approach, preferring not to overload his side with attacking players. As such, a small forward contingent generally sits ahead of a bulkier defensive unit. Iwobi is often tasked with linking these two separate elements of the Arsenal team. The academy product’s power, dribbling ability, pace and ability to drive forward with the ball make him well-suited to this role.

The man to target

By targeting Iwobi, Southampton can aim to limit his ability to influence the match. As a result of this, Arsenal’s attacking aces could struggle to get into the game themselves.

Hasenhuttl must charge Mario Lemina, or someone else with the diligence and mobility to consistently track Iwobi, with upsetting the Arsenal man’s rhythm throughout the game. Failure to make Iwobi toil could see the likes of Lacazette and Aubameyang thrive. 

أعلن المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي أستون فيلا، دين سميث، عن تشكيل اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة ستوك سيتي في دور الـ16 من بطولة كأس الرابطة الأندية الإنجليزية.

وتنطلق المباراة بين الفريقين في تمام الساعة الثامنة مساءً بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “فيلا بارك” بقيادة الحكم، روبرت جونز.

وشهد تشكيل أستون فيلا تواجد أحمد المحمدي كأساسي بحسب ما أعلن الحساب الرسمي للنادي على موقع “تويتر”، ولكن استبعد سميث تريزيجيه من قائمة المباراة.

اقرأ أيضًا | شوبير: نجلي يتعرض للهجوم بسببي.. الشناوي رفض المشاركة من أجله وتريزيجيه دعمه

تشكيل أستون فيلا أمام ستوك سيتي

حراسة المرمى: ستير.

الدفاع: تايلور، هاوس، المحمدي، جولبر.

الوسط: ناكامبا، رامسي، لانسبري.

الهجوم: تراوري، الغازي، ديفيز.

وعلى مقاعد البدلاء: كالينتش، كاش، كونسا، هورايهاني، لويز، جوتا، ويتكنز.

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Morgan Schneiderlin’s resurgence at Everton could potentially alter Marco Silva’s summer transfer plans, but should save the Toffees a whole load of cash.

What’s the word, then?

Well, since signing from Manchester United in a deal potentially rising to £24m, the Frenchman has failed to convince the Goodison Park faithful that he has been worth the money.

He has been booed by the club’s supporters following an alleged training ground row, and has seen his confidence become shot under both Ronald Koeman and Silva, the latter of whom is convinced by his quality and is keen to help him rediscover his mojo.

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Recently, however, the former Southampton man has two successive starts against both Cardiff and Liverpool – the fact that he was trusted to start the Merseyside derby speaks volumes of how his fortunes with the Toffees are starting to change.

Transfer plans ripped up

Everton were reportedly in for Lyon midfielder Lucas Tousart back in the summer, and again in January, but were rejected twice by the defensive midfielder who they are obviously intent on landing – one would assume that they will make another move for him in the summer.

However, what Silva and the Toffees perhaps weren’t banking on is Schneiderlin to turn his Toffees career around impressively in such a short space of time, a factor which could potentially see the club bin their plans to sign Tousart or in fact another defensive midfield option.

Idrissa Gueye has also performed admirably since his attempts to force a move to Paris Saint-Germain in January failed.

So, with the pair bang in form and in the prime years of their career, Silva should perhaps focus on recruiting in another area which needs some investment, such as the right-back position, and trust his current options to do the job in the defensive midfield areas.

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Millwall were brutally dumped out of the FA Cup by Brighton on Sunday, with the Lions blowing a 2-0 lead and bowing out after penalties in heartbreaking fashion.

To a man, Neil Harris’ side were diligent in their defending and aggressive on the attack – the boss will surely be immensely proud of his side’s effort, although he doesn’t sound happy with Shane Ferguson one bit.

What did he say?

Well, speaking about his side’s defiant performance at The Den, Harris said:

“In extra-time, you have to lift yourself and go again, and I said to the boys that we started with nothing, and we were now 90 minutes further down the line. We dug in and decided to play with the 5-4-1 to get through to penalties, and then it becomes a lottery. The one major disappointment I do have is Shane Ferguson’s red card – it’s not acceptable on a football pitch.”

Ferguson frozen out?

With mere minutes of extra-time remaining, Millwall looked set to head to penalties with their heads held high after a fantastic showing against Premier League opposition, although Ferguson unfortunately lost his.

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The 27-year-old inexplicably stamped on Seagulls defender Lewis Dunk, raking the England international’s ankle with his studs – an action which led to his deserved dismissal at the death.

The Northern-Irishman was made to watch the ensuing drama off-field and put a dampener on a great afternoon for everyone involved with and at Millwall, whose fans and players did the club proud.

Harris’ scathing comments, highlighting Ferguson’s moment of madness as the “one major disappointment” despite ‘keeper Dave Martin’s 90th minute howler, perhaps indicate that the Lions number 11 will have some explaining to do this week. It will surely take a lot for him to make it up to his boss and he could spend some time warming the bench.

West Ham United have frustrated their fans this year with another disappointing season that has come to nothing, and we’re beginning to wonder if there’s some players in the squad who have lost faith in the club’s future.

Manuel Pellegrini’s arrival should have indicated the start of a new era for West Ham, with all his experience of Premier League success as Manchester City manager, but he’s had relatively little of it.

Yes, it’s been an improvement on a bitterly disappointing season under ineffective David Moyes, but just about anything would have beaten the misery of his rule.

Fans could probably let slip inconsistencies in the Premier League whilst Pellegrini figures out the formula; but their whimpering and pathetic performances in the domestic cups are unforgivable, and it is blatantly obvious that some of those resulted from the efforts of certain individuals.

So, who are these wantaway players?

Pedro Obiang

Whether he likes it or not Pedro Obiang could be one of those heading out of the door come summer.

With Declan Rice tied down to the club, West Ham will be keen on finding a solid partner to help create a formidable midfield partnership, and Obiang simply does not make the cut.

Obiang was already close to leaving with Fiorentina reportedly interested in taking the player back to Italy this January, but West Ham rejected the bid as they couldn’t find a replacement, so it is only a matter of time before he is moved on (source: Sky Sports).

Andy Carroll

The big forward’s time at West Ham is surely coming to an end now with a far more accomplished array of strikers ahead of him in the selection.

According to Chronicle Live, the club made his services available for the cut price of £2m in January in the hopes of tempting bids from fellow Premier League sides. To no avail.

There comes a point when footballers have to reflect on the time they have left in the game, and Carroll, 30, will certainly be weighing up his future options.

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ dreamlike campaign in the Premier League is majorly due to the contribution of their newest additions.

While Rui Patricio and co are helping them maintain impressive defensive stability, it’s Raul Jimenez’s excellent work up front to have won them many crucial points.

The Portuguese forward’s lit up the Molineux multiple times this season, with his clinical work up front helping Nuno Espirito Santos’ side overpower Premier League oppositions. Jimenez is currently Wolves top-scorer this season with 11 Premier League goals, while he’s also been a creative outlet for them with six assists as well!

He’s been a clinical outlet for Wolves, showing impressive strikers’ instincts in often wandering into promising positions and always being a viable option for midfielders to pass forward to. Jimenez’s fantastic link-up play’s allowed him to provide so many assists, while he’s also created 9 big chances for his side (stats via Premier League).

The towering striker’s used his physical prowess to easily adapt to English football’s conditions and proved himself as a fantastic loan deal for the cunning Wolves. While he’s thrived off having clever midfielders like Ruben Neves & Joao Moutinho to deliver balls for him, Jimenez’s predatorial instincts and hunger for goals make him a dangerous outlet for any opposition.

While Benfica might resist when it comes to permanently releasing him, Wolves should put their best offer possible to quickly snap him up.

Jimenez will be key for them to keep up their rise and aim an ambitious top six finish in the Premier League next season.

وصف مدرب فريق توتنهام جوزيه مورينيو فوزهم الكبير اليوم أمام مانشستر يونايتد، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، بالتاريخي.

وفاز الديوك على الشياطين الحمر، في الأولد ترافورد، بستة أهداف مقابل هدف في الجولة الرابعة. أهداف مانشستر يونايتد وتوتنهام

وقال مورينيو، في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “بي بي سي” العالمية: “إنه انتصار تاريخي لتوتنهام، تاريخي لأولادي ولا يمكنني إنكار أنه تاريخي بالنسبة لي”.

وأضاف: “لقد فزت عدة مرات في هذا الملعب، معظمها مع مانشستر يونايتد ولكن أيضًا مع تشيلسي وريال مدريد والآن توتنهام، مانشستر يونايتد لا يخسر الكثير من المباريات، الخسارة بستة أهداف بالطبع لا تحدث كل يوم”.

وواصل: “انتصار تاريخي لكن في النهاية ثلاث نقاط وثلاث نقاط مهمة للغاية لأننا خسرنا خمس نقاط على أرضنا، إنه انتصار للثقة، الفريق واثق للغاية، كان من الممكن أن نُدمر عندما استقبلنا هدفًا في الدقيقة الأولى، أشعر بسعادة كبيرة، إنه لشرف كبير لنا أن نحظى بهذا السجل الفريد في هذا الملعب”.

وتابع: “كنا الفريق الأفضل، لم يتمكن مانشستر يونايتد من إيقافنا عندما كنا 11 لاعبًا أمام 11 لاعبًا، كنا نسيطر بالفعل ونصنع الفرص، كان الأداء رائعًا جدًا”.

واستكمل: “إذا نجح الفريق، فإن هيكل النادي الخاص بي نجح في ذلك لأنه جعلنا ننجح في الحصول على هذا الفريق، جئنا إلى هنا بلاعبين جدد مع إصابة بعض اللاعبين و البعض في المدرجات، يمكننا خوض المسابقات”.

وأردف: “كانت الرسالة هذا الأسبوع أنه سويًا ومع هذا الفريق يمكننا تحقيق ذلك”.

وأشاد مورينيو بأداء اللاعب ديلي آلي الذي شارك في مباراة اليوم بعد غياب في اللقاءات الماضية وهو ما أدى إلى انتشار التكهنات حول مستقبله.

وعن ذلك، قال البرتغالي: “لم يتوقف أبدًا عن إثبات نفسه، لقد قلت دائمًا إنني لم أواجه أي مشكلة معه، مؤدب جدًا، ومتعلم جدًا، ويتصرف دائمًا بشكل جيد، إنه يتدرب جيدًا، وأحيانًا أريد أشياء مختلفة منه على أرض الملعب”.

وأوضح: “هذا يتعلق أكثر به صفاته كلاعب أكثر من غيرها من الأشياء، إنه لاعب رائع كما يعلم الجميع، لدينا فريق جيد للغاية، سيكون من الصعب على الجميع اللعب، لقد نجحنا في لعب أسبوع مجنون بأربع مباريات وتمكنا من لعب كل أربع مباريات مع لاعبين ذوي جودة واليوم لدينا أشخاص جدد”.

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On Monday, West Ham United’s official Twitter account posted an image of Winston Reid training alongside his teammates.

However, not everyone was pleased to see the central defender back in action.

Reid has not yet featured for West Ham this season, having suffered a serious knee injury against Swansea City in March 2018.

The defender was forced to undergo surgery to correct the problem, but the 30-year-old is now back with his teammates.

It seems likely that the 24-time New Zealand international will be available to return to the field over the next few weeks, but it would be fair to say that not all of the West Ham fans are that excited.

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Indeed, whilst a number were pleased to see Reid in training, others were less enthused.

Reid has made 223 appearances for West Ham since joining the club from FC Midtjylland, scoring 10 times in the process.

A selection of the Twitter reaction from the London team’s fans can be seen below:

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Liverpool are a club who pride themselves on their ability to bring through the next generation of young talent, and recent quotes from U18 boss Barry Lewtas hints that another success story is looming.

What’s the word?

The Reds are set to face Bury U18’s in the FA Youth Cup quarter final this evening and Lewtas is facing a selection dilemma with his centre-forwards in such relentless form.

Bobby Duncan and Paul Glatzel have scored 24 goals apiece so far this season, but the fact Fidel O’Rourke stepped into the side in place of Glatzel last time out and impressed with the captain’s armband speaks volumes about the depth of talent Liverpool have coming through.

Ahead of the game this evening, Lewtas delivered his verdict on squad selection and Fidel’s impact against Blackburn, per Liverpool Echo.

“With the schedule we’ve got, we can’t just flog the same lads over this period. We have to take boys out at certain times and use the fact that we’ve got a very good squad.

“It’s an exciting time. They’ve put themselves in a position where there’s something riding on every game.

“Fidel came in against Blackburn and did ever so well. His first goal was fantastic and the second was a real striker’s goal with the tap in.”

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Another success story to add to the collection?

The likes of Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez are a few high-profile examples of players who have made a seamless transition from the youth ranks and into the first-team in recent years.

Liverpool Echo journalist James Pearce recently hinted that he expects Adam Lewis to make the breakthrough in place of Alberto Moreno, but the competition for places at centre-forward in the U18 squad could catalyse the development of one of the aforementioned goal-hungry attackers.

Duncan and Glatzel’s stunning records in front of goal this season naturally point towards a future role in the first-team and, with O’Rourke breathing down their necks for a starting berth, promotion into the U23 squad and beyond could be just around the corner for the most outstanding teenager.

Lewtas’ selection dilemma and admission that this is an “exciting time” prove that it may not be too long before another teenage prodigy establishes himself in the senior squad.

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Arsenal’s on-loan winger Reiss Nelson has been included in the England Under-21 squad while on loan at Hoffenheim, per the FA.

The 19-year-old has enjoyed a productive season in the Bundesliga, scoring six goals and laying on one assist in 17 domestic appearances.

What’s the word?

Nelson is named as one of seven attacking players by manager Aidy Boothroyd, alongside the likes of Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi and Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

He has struggled in recent weeks in Germany, however, and was recently dropped from the squad to face Nurnberg.

Hoffenheim boss Julian Nagelsmann said, as reported by the Daily Mail, that it was an “educational measure” to leave him out, suggesting that there was no injury involved in his absence.

German outlet Sport1 add that there were “obviously disciplinary reasons” behind him being dropped.

Nevertheless, he will be eligible to play against Poland and Germany in the upcoming international friendlies.

Nelson has made a total of 16 senior appearances for Arsenal and is scheduled to return to the Emirates at the end of the season.

He has won a total of four caps for the Under-21s, scoring two goals.

Shock call-up

This is surprising for a number of reasons, not least due to the axe wielded by Nagelsmann earlier this week.

If Nelson has disciplinary issues at his club, he should not be called up by his country.

That is an indisputable fact and yet there Nelson is, preparing to meet up with the Young Lions.

He has been in good form when he has played in 2018-19 but he has yet to prove his discipline and does not warrant his selection.

Nagelsmann is attempting to educate the youngster and England calling him up undermines those efforts and may well limit the potential of a player widely regarded as a wonderkid.

If the issues that are occurring in Germany are not resolved due to this news, then what is usually a huge boost for young players could end up seriously harming his development.