FA Cup
FA CUP WINNER AND HERO, AUBAMEYANG HAILED AS ‘GOAT’
Expectedly, it was celebration galore at the camp of FA Cup winning Arsenal on Saturday night.
Cup winner and skipper, Pierre-Emerick Aubamenyang once again stepped up the fore for Mikel Arteta’s men with a match-winning brace, and the talisman was soon christened the club’s Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) by his team-mates.
Nicolas Pepe will avoid a post-party hangover, however, after being caught on camera enjoying a Fanta while the rest of the Gunners stars basked in their Wembley success.
The squad will unsurprisingly enjoy the victory for many hours to come after securing Arsenal’s 14th FA Cup triumph.
Their trophy lift was arguably an underwhelming affair without the presence of supporters inside the national stadium, but each and every player appeared determined to mark the moment in a series of hilarious social media posts.
Alexandre Lacazette was even filmed celebrating with his shirt only partly on, but didn’t appear to mind as those around him continued to bounce around and sing on their journey.
But it was his strike partner Aubameyang who appeared the heart and soul of the jamboree.
The 31-year-old frontman, whose future at the club remains unclear, handed fans a glimpse at how their idols were celebrating on Instagram.
A series of lengthy posts to his story showed boisterous players packed into the aisle of their coach while others cracked open bottles of champagne around them.
After the game, boss Arteta once again called on his star striker to remain at the club, hoping that the FA Cup win would tempt him to stay to try and win more silverware.
Arteta seemed confident, however, Aubameyang remained silent on the matter after the game, instead preferring to enjoy the victorious moment with his team-mates.
Former Gunner Ian Wright was hopeful on the BBC that Aubameyang would be staying after Arteta’s assertions, while over on BT Sport, Rio Ferdinand thought the opposite, saying: ‘I think he’s gone.’
The raucous stars belted out songs and danced the night away after leaving Wembley with the coveted FA Cup trophy safely in tow.
The actual piece of silverware, Arteta’s first at the helm of the club, was later spotted on the team bus, wisely with a seat-belt on, amid the boisterous celebrations.
And the tight bond between the head coach and his players was shown once again shortly after the cup had been hoisted into the air.
Arteta, who is no stranger to success after a three-year spell as Pep Guardiola’s right-hand man at Manchester City, was filmed heading down the tunnel and into the dressing room while clutching the trophy.
His arrival was greeted with a shower of champagne and the then-soaked Arteta joyously let loose by hopping around in the centre of the room.
The manager later tweeted: ‘Thank you everyone for being so supportive. We knew that there were expectations and this trophy is for you. There is still a long way to go of improving on many things, but I’m very proud of the fantastic players and the staff. Again, thank you so much for the support and belief.’
Emiliano Martinez, who had an emotional day, bursting into tears during his post-match interview, was pictured hugging the trophy tightly on the journey home.
The goalkeeper has been at the club for 10 years, but has only recently been given the nod for a starting position.
However, Chelsea fans were fuming as they believe he had handled the ball outside the penalty area in the second half. It appeared to be a very close call, and he was given the benefit of the doubt by the referees.
Arsenal players will have a few weeks off now to prepare for the new season, and it seems they are already making the most of not having to train every day, as Lucas Torreira and Martinez were spotted grabbing a late-night McDonalds takeaway.
Despite the all-London showdown taking place behind closed doors, it transpired to be one certain to live long in the memory.
Christian Pulisic had opened the scoring after just five minutes with a clever dink, but Aubameyang once again underlined his importance to Arsenal with two goals.
His first came from the penalty spot after Cesar Azpilicueta’s foul inside the box, and the effort that handed Arteta’s side the silverware was breathtaking.
Pepe picked out his team-mate on the left-hand side of the box, and Aubameyang duly chipped over Willy Caballero and into the far corner.
Despite the sublime goals, VAR came under fire again amidst Mateo Kovacic’s red card drama. Frank Lampard was extremely unhappy with the soft second yellow card, however it could not be checked as VAR is only used in straight red card incidents.
‘What kind of rule is that? There’s always been this one that you couldn’t challenge two yellows,’ the Chelsea boss fumed in an interview with beIN Sports. ‘Someone’s sitting there really stubbornly sticking to their guns on that one.’
Chelsea’s day went from bad to worse, as injuries plagued the team as well. Cesar Azpilicueta went off in tears, Christian Pulisic had to be carried down the tunnel, and Pedro departed on oxygen after injuring his shoulder.
It will make Chelsea’s upcoming Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich all the more hard, as the Blues try to brush off their bitter defeat.
If Manchester United’s thrilling and surprise FA Cup victory over Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday was manager Erik ten Hag’s final game as their manager, then what a send-off it was.
Teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored to lead United to a 2-1 upset of the holders and Premier League champions as speculation swirled about Ten Hag’s future.
Although the 54-year-old Dutchman told ITV he had no doubt he would be back and has said he has received the backing of the club’s owners all season, he was less confident in his post-game press conference.
“I don’t think about this,” Ten Hag said when asked about his future. “I’m in a project and we are exactly where we want to be. We’re constructing a team. When I took over it was a mess at United, and we are on our way to construct a team for the future.
“The team is developing, the team is winning and the team also plays to an identity. What you need to play is to be available, you need a strong squad in top football, and especially when you play in England, the Premier League is so competitive.”
Garnacho and Mainoo were two of United’s bright sparks in a disappointing season in which they finished a worst-ever eighth in the Premier League era.
The 19-year-olds were in fine form at a sun-drenched Wembley and after the final whistle defender Lisandro Martinez hoisted a grinning Ten Hag into the air to celebrate.
“We are delighted for the manager,” midfielder Scott McTominay said.
UNBEATEN RUN
Ten Hag, who kissed the trophy before lifting it in front of the United fans, became the first manager to beat Pep Guardiola’s City in a major domestic final and ended their 35-game unbeaten run in open play.
“It is a glorious feeling to win the FA Cup final at Wembley,” said United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.
“Manchester United clearly were not the favourites to win today but they played with total commitment and skill and overcame one of the great teams in football. We are all very proud of the players and the staff who work tirelessly to support them.”
In Ten Hag’s two seasons in charge, United have played in three Wembley finals and lifted two trophies (they won last season’s League Cup). If sacking after such a positive finale seems implausible, however, there is precedent.
Louis Van Gaal was fired two days after United’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Crystal Palace in 2016 after the team finished fifth in the Premier League.
“We have to keep going, and I’m not satisfied with it, we have to do better and if they don’t want me anymore, then I go anywhere else to win trophies, because that is what I did my whole career,” Ten Hag said. “That is what they always tell me.”
Guardiola had kind words for United’s manager.
“(United) have to take a decision. So, I don’t know but of course he’s a lovely person, an extraordinary manager,” Guardiola said.
Ten Hag’s press conference ended abruptly when a reporter pointed out that eighth in the Premier League was not good enough for United.
“Sorry to say this, but you don’t have any knowledge about football, about managing a football team,” Ten Hag said. “When you don’t have the players available, then you can’t perform, so simple as that.
“And if that is the opinion, it is no problem. Then I go anywhere else and I go and keep winning trophies.”
-Reuters
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has issued a defiant response in the wake of reports claiming that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club hierarchy have already decided to sack him.
According to UK publication, Mirror, Erik ten Hag has warned the Manchester United hierarchy he will ‘go and win trophies somewhere else’ if he isn’t wanted.
The Dutchman’s position is understood to be in major jeopardy after overseeing the club’s worst league campaign in over 30 years, although he did end the season with a flourish by beating Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Reports on Friday, however, suggested that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club’s top brass have already decided to replace the former Ajax chief – and that even winning the FA Cup would not be enough for Ten Hag to save his job.
But in the aftermath of United’s big win at Wembley, a defiant Ten Hag fired back when he was quizzed over the latest reports relating to his future.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Ten Hag said of rumours the club will sack him: “If they don’t want me any more, I go somewhere else and win trophies, that’s what I’ve done my whole career.”
It’s been outlined this week that the club have been sounding out potential replacements for Ten Hag with other clubs, notably Chelsea, in the market for a new manager this summer.
Sky Sports claimed that former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna’s representatives have already held talks with the club after the Northern Irishman guided Ipswich Town to successive promotions.
Manchester United have won the FA Cup after a 2-1 win against city rivals, Manchester City.
The two Manchester clubs have reached the final of England’s oldest cup competition again and City were hoping to retain the trophy after winning last year’s final.
Pep Guardiola’s side had won the last three meetings between City and United and the Reds approached the FA Cup final as underdogs again – but the game didn’t go as most predicted.
Against all odds, United claimed a stunning victory against City thanks to first-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo, which proved enough for the win.
United were outstanding and looked like a different team after a dismal season. Erik ten Hag’s tactics worked perfectly and City only started to threaten late in the second half.
Jeremy Doku provided City with a glimmer of hope in the dying moments of the match by finding the bottom corner, but it wasn’t enough and the Blues slumped to a defeat.
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