Arsenal fans slate "useless" Jack Wilshere following Europa League defeat

Just weeks after praising Jack Wilshere for his impressive performances in the Europa League, Arsenal fans have changed their minds and condemned the Englishman following Arsenal’s defeat to Koln in the Europa League.

Despite clinching top spot in their Europa league group thanks to BATE Borisov holding Red Star Belgrade to a draw, it was a hugely disappointing night in Germany.

Arsene Wenger’s team failed to establish a rhythm and were undone by a Koln side who sit bottom of the Bundesliga with just two points from 12 games.

One player in particular who underperformed on the night was Jack Wilshere, who is slowly making his way back into the Arsenal team following injury troubles.

Despite previous positive performances in the Europa League, the 25-year-old was very poor on the night and his performance summed up the entire lacklustre performance from the Gunners.

After the game, Arsenal fans were quick to condemn the midfielder, who is valued at £13.5million by Transfermarkt, and insist he may not be good enough for the club…

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Three Rangers selection dilemmas Graeme Murty must get right to make it three-in-a-row

After a dramatic week behind-the-scenes at Ibrox, Saturday’s encounter is an important one for Rangers. A win over Ross County would be just the thing to put the Derek McInnes saga behind them and concentrate on what is an exceptionally busy December.

Graeme Murty at least knows he will be in charge until the new year at the earliest and that allows him to plan in advance for six matches that will go a long way to determining just what the Light Blues can hope to achieve in the Scottish Premiership this season.

After picking up two exceptional wins over Aberdeen over the past couple of weeks, the club find themselves second in the table and on the brink of reaching an important milestone that has plagued them throughout 2017. Rangers haven’t won three matches in a row since last December, a record that fans believe has become a psychological block stopping them from winning consistently.

To pick up this vital win though, Murty must get things right and he has some important questions to consider when selecting Saturday’s team. These are the THREE dilemmas facing the interim boss…

Risking Bruno Alves or trusting David Bates?

Bruno Alves has had a frustrating time of it recently at Rangers. After serving a suspension and being benched in the wake of Pedro Caixinha’s departure, he had back issues that kept him out of action in the following two matches.

He returned for the Light Blues’ phenomenal 3-0 victory over Aberdeen at Ibrox but then suffered a knee injury in the build-up to the next encounter at Pittodrie.

Graeme Murty confirmed he returned to training this week, but selecting him for the match against Ross County could be seen as a risk when he’s picking up a number of niggling injuries.

The positives of course is that he’s a much more dependable and composed option than the alternatives. With Ross McCrorie moving into midfield, Murty would likely have to call upon David Bates to fill in for the Portuguese, a player who doesn’t have extensive first team experience. The 21-year-old was impressive away to the Dons, but can he cope with the pressure of playing at Ibrox in a game that they simply need to win?

Who should replace Ryan Jack?

Ryan Jack will serve a three-match suspension this month after picking up a red card in Sunday’s away win against Aberdeen and Graeme Murty must get his replacement in the starting eleven spot on.

The interim manager has opted to field a diamond midfield recently and changing that shape seems unnecessary despite Ryan Jack’s injury. But with Graeme Dorrans still sitting on the sidelines through injury, who should he turn to?

The outstanding candidate to replace Jack is Jamie Barjonas, a player who has started just one match this season and hasn’t featured at all since October. Despite a lack of opportunities, the 18-year-old has bags of potential and has impressed supporters with his energetic displays when he has featured.

With Jack out, Saturday presents a great opportunity for the youngster on Saturday and if he performs well, he’ll know that the prospect of getting starts in the coming weeks is on the cards due to the three-match suspension.

That motivation could be crucial in what will be a tough match against the Highlanders and Murty must place his faith in him.

Is it time to re-introduce Alfredo Morelos?

After a free-scoring start to his Rangers career, Alfredo Morelos’ impact on Scottish football hasn’t been quite as explosive as many predicted. He hasn’t managed to find the net since way back in September and increasingly poor performances led to many fans calling for him to be dropped for the games against Aberdeen.

The stars aligned with their hopes and although he wasn’t dropped outright, he did miss the first match against the Dons with a hip injury and failed to prove his fitness to start at Pittodrie, spending the entire game on the bench. That time out of the team may have served him well and he’ll have a point to prove if he returns to Saturday’s starting eleven.

It’s not a formality he’ll play;Josh Windass has added a fresh look to the Rangers attack and Kenny Miller is reliable and always a leader on the pitch. The time appears to be right though for the Colombian to come back and show just why everyone was so excited about him in the early stages of the season.

Ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender slams Klopp, compares Liverpool boss to Pochettino

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Graham Roberts has hit out at Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and suggested that Mauricio Pochettino conducts himself in a much better manner.The German was visibly frustrated after being held to a 1-1 draw by Everton at Anfield on Sunday, despite his Reds dominating the match.In his post-match interview withÂSky Sports, Klopp debated with reporter Pat Davison about the referee’s decision to award a penalty to Everton after Dejan Lovren nudged Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the box.The journalist claimed that he believed it was soft but justified and the Liverpool manager reacted by suggesting that the reporter has no knowledge of football.The interview caused a stir on social media, with Roberts hitting out at the former Borussia Dortmund boss and highlighting the differences between the German and Spurs manager Pochettino.The retired defender suggested that Tottenham’s leader is a “proper†manager because of the way he conducts himself off the pitch.According to Roberts, Klopp’s recent interview shows that Liverpool coach is not up to the Argentine’s standard.

Three key questions Guardiola must answer ahead of Spurs clash

After last week’s Manchester derby, the Premier League title looks like it should be Manchester City’s to lose, but less than a week after such a high, the league leaders host Tottenham Hotspur, and Mauricio Pochettino’s side have proved to be something of a bogey team for the Blues in recent years.

Last season, Spurs took four points off City. They won hands down at White Hart Lane, precipitating a run where Pep Guardiola’s side lost their early-season lustre; and they drew 2-2 at the Etihad in a game where the home team was unlucky not to get all three points.

In that sense, Spurs bookended City’s poor run of form over last winter, one that saw them spend the season well off the pace in the title race. Before the first Tottenham game, City seemed untouchable, since the second one in February, however, Guardiola’s side have only lost one league game – away to eventual champions Chelsea last season.

And yet, City haven’t played Spurs yet. It was the north London side who turned a seemingly-unstoppable Guardiola side into a floundering mess for the next few weeks. It looks unlikely that even a defeat this weekend would precipitate a similar collapse, but there are some questions the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager needs to answer before this weekend’s tie.

How to protect Otamendi and Mangala

For all the money spent and all the overhauling of the Manchester City squad since Guardiola’s arrival, the question posed of the Catalan this weekend is the same one posed week-in and week-out to Manuel Pellegrini before him. There has been a significant improvement in Nicolas Otamendi, but Eliaquim Mangala isn’t fancied by his manager, and it’s clear that he’s City’s weak link.

An unstable centre-back pairing could make sure the Blues’ impressive attack has to think twice about risky balls that could lead to counter-attacks, and so even if City have the lion’s share of the possession they could still be blunted by the fact they haven’t been able to add any depth to the back-line beyond Mangala.

Who starts up front?

Last weekend, Gabriel Jesus was given the nod over Sergio Aguero, probably because Guardiola needed the Brazilian’s work-rate to harry United when they won the ball and ensuring their pacey players weren’t easily set away on the counter.

This weekend, Spurs will pose a similar threat, if not an even greater one. And even though Jesus hasn’t scored in six games in all competitions, whilst Aguero scored in midweek, the Brazilian might still get the nod on Saturday.

How to cope with Spurs’ pace?

Perhaps Tottenham’s biggest threat comes from City’s biggest weakness right now: the defence. Injuries may yet take their toll on a City side who have lost their two best centre-backs as well as their only recognised left-back. And with the pace, athleticism and technique of Serge Aurier, stand-in full-back Fabian Delph will need to be on the top of his game.

Aside from the Ivorian wing-back, City will have to watch out for Heung-Min Son, whose form is sky-high, and will surely make life difficult for Guardiola’s makeshift defence.

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West Ham target Steven Nzonzi would be ten times better than Cheikhou Kouyate

According to reports by French media outlet Le 10 Sport, West Ham United have joined a number of their Premier League rivals in the race to sign Sevilla midfielder Steven Nzonzi, rated at £27m by Transfermarkt, and the Frenchman would be a much-needed addition to the midfield given Cheikhou Kouyate’s struggles last term.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Le 10 Sport report that the Irons, as well as fellow top flight clubs Everton and Arsenal, are all keen on the France international, although they are yet to submit an offer for the 29-year-old.

The 6ft 5in is still away with his country at the 2018 World Cup – where they face Belgium for a spot in the final on Tuesday night – and his future could become clearer when the tournament finishes after the weekend.

It is certainly no surprise that Manuel Pellegrini wants to strengthen in the middle of the park given the struggles of the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate and captain Mark Noble at times last term, and if they do get the former Stoke City man it could well lead to a completely new-look midfield after Jack Wilshere completed his move to the London Stadium on Monday.

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Would Nzonzi be a good signing for West Ham?

He certainly would be, and he would be ten times better than Kouyate for the east London outfit.

The Frenchman has proven in recent years with Sevilla that he is something of all-round midfielder rather than just a defensive one, and while he brings that physical presence and ability to win the ball back, he can also bring it forward and pick out key passes, too.

The Irons, whose fans are loving a link to a £4.5m-rated star, were dominated in the centre of the park on far too many occasions last season, and there is no doubt that Nzonzi would bring some much-needed strength and steel to help West Ham push for European qualification again.

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Man United losing Shaw for free would be all because of poor Mourinho treatment

Luke Shaw has threatened to leave Manchester United for free next summer if his level of gametime doesn’t improve next season, according to the Manchester Evening News.

What’s the story, then?

The Manchester Evening News report that Shaw has just the one year left on his current deal at Old Trafford but is still desperate to make his United career a success.

They say that he has set a time limit on doing exactly that and if he doesn’t establish himself as first-choice this season, he is prepared to leave the club on a free transfer when his contract expires.

They report that Shaw is encouraged by Jose Mourinho’s refusal to sign a new left-back this summer but the proof will come when it becomes clear whether he has dislodged Ashley Young as first-choice left-back.

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Mourinho’s treatment would be to blame for losing a huge asset

Manchester United need a long-term left-back and they have on their books the most talented English option.

It is Mourinho who has not only failed to make that work but also alienated Shaw with his bizarre treatment of the player, which borders on bullying.

Since Mourinho’s arrival, United have made a point of selling their unwanted players for a high fee and the failure to do so with 6ft 1in Shaw would be completely the manager’s fault.

A major, young English talent like Shaw should recoup United a fee in the region of £20m, so losing him for free would be a disaster.

Monaco attacker would give Arsenal a star of the future

Arsenal’s summer transfer business has been superb this year, and the Gunners look set to embark on a surprisingly good season.

Aside from on the wing, Arsenal have addressed their weaknesses. The defence has improved, Petr Cech has a replacement, while Torreira is being heralded as a potential steal.

The Gunners have added quality to their squad and might finally exceed expectations under Unai Emery.

In terms of the future, it always pays to be on the hun for future stars and according to RMC via Get French Football News, Arsenal may just be about to sign one. According to the publication, Arsenal are competing with Manchester City for AS Monaco striker, Nabil Alioui.

The Breakdown

The two Premier League clubs are apparently in talks with the youngster’s entourage. The forward has not signed a professional deal with Monaco and with that in mind, Arsenal are looking to take him from the famed talent spotters.

While on the face of it, it may seem that Arsenal should look to strengthen their current squad, rather than their youth ranks, if a star talent is available, you should always take him.

Furthermore, Arsenal are well stocked for strikers at the moment with Lacazette, Aubameyang, and Lucas Perez but will eventually need replacements.

Eddie Nketiah seems the next in line from the youth academy to take the step up but as we have seen with Chuba Akpom and Stephy Mavididi, it not certain that a youth striker can take the right steps to become a first-team pro.

With that in mind, a move for the talented Alioui – who played a large part in the England under-19’s defeat to France – seems wise.

Thoughts Gunners?

Revealed: 57% of Newcastle fans would prefer club to sign Ings than Rondon

With the Aleksandr Mitrovic saga reportedly close to coming to an end with a fee finally agreed with newly-promoted Fulham, Newcastle United fans can potentially finally look forward to the prospect of their club spending some money this summer.

Sky Sports report that Salomon Rondon, of recently-relegated West Brom, is Rafa Benitez’s top striking target now that an eight-figure sum has been agreed for the sale of the Serbian forward the former Real Madrid manager simply didn’t fancy at all.

However, Rondon is not the only striker of Premier League pedigree that could be on the move this summer and Crystal Palace have been linked with a £20m swoop for Liverpool outcast Danny Ings.

So, we asked Newcastle fans which of the available hitmen they would prefer to see at their club by the time the transfer window slams shut.

57 per cent of them would rather see Reds man Ings arrive in the north east this summer, as shown by the full poll results below…

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Adnan Januzaj is exactly the kind of gamble Newcastle United need to take

Tensions are starting to reach boiling point at St. James Park with less than a week remaining in the transfer window.

Rafael Benitez managed to guide the Magpies to a tenth-place finish in their first season back in the Premier League despite little investment in the playing squad from owner Mike Ashley. The Spaniard had surely hoped for an increased budget after a strong campaign, but Benitez has been left empty-handed yet again. With Ashley eager to sell the club, the former Liverpool boss has not been given the funds he needs.

The 4-0 loss to Braga in pre-season highlights the need for reinforcements before the window slams shut. Newcastle face Augsburg on Saturday in their final fixtures before kicking off the new season with a tough fixture against Tottenham. Before then, Benitez must be desperate to bolster his forward line.

One man he should consider is Real Sociedad winger – Adnan Januzaj. Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, the Belgian was tipped for a big future after coming through the ranks at Manchester United. However, his time in England did not go to plan, and he was eventually sold to Sociedad after various failed loan spells. Now, Leicester reportedly want to bring him back to the Premier League, but Newcastle should throw their name into the mix.

Januzaj made 28 appearances in La Liga last season, scoring three and assisting five, as he finally showed what he was capable. He played once at the World Cup with Belgium, scoring a superb goal against England in the group stage to pinch all three points.

Benitez could be the perfect manager to get the best out of the skilful winger. Still only 23-years-old, his best years are ahead of him If he continues to show the same levels of maturity, Januzaj could go on to be a top Premier League forward, even if he did used to play for Sunderland.

Newcastle fans, would you like to see Adnan Januzaj at St. James Park? Comment and let us know!

Everton fans praise Brands as triple swoop edges closer

Loads of Everton fans are heaping praise on Marcel Brands, as it looks like he’s about to save their summer with an incredible triple swoop.

Football fans always get excited when their club makes a signing close to the deadline, and Everton fans could be about to have that feeling times three.

According to The Mirror, the Toffees have not been able to get the deal over the line for Yerry Mina yet, so are pursuing Kurt Zouma.

The Chelsea man could be available on a one-year loan deal, and would be an instant upgrade on the current defensive options at Goodison.

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However, BBC writer Andy West has since claimed that Mina will now choose Everton over Manchester United, moving to Merseyside for a fee of around £35m.

While you might expect it to be one or the other, the Toffees have sold two centre backs this summer, and currently only have two fit centre backs, so a double swoop to reinforce the defence makes perfect sense, especially as one of them is only a loan deal.

Signing both players would be a real statement of intent, and a move for Brazil attacker Bernard is getting closer too.

According to The Times, Everton have agreed a deal with the free agent, and fans are now praising Brands for his transfer work.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

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