EUROPA League
ARSENAL: WHO GOES? WHO STAYS?
Ahead of next season, FA Cup winners and aspirants at the Europa Cup, Arsenal are in the process of rebuilding the squad to make it stronger for the challenges ahead.
Mikel Arteta faces some tough decisions as he looks to rebuild Arsenal’s squad.
The Gunners concluded an eventful season by winning the FA Cup but there is still much more work to do to improve the squad if the club are to push on further.
Mikel Arteta faces some difficult decisions as he assesses the options that he has at his disposal. The Arsenal boss must sell players this summer to generate funds for his first-choice transfer targets.
British newspaper, Daily Mail, looks at which players Arteta should keep and who should be sold.
GOALKEEPERS
- Bernd Leno
Leno’s position as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper is no longer secure after Emiliano Martinez’s superb performances.
However, Leno is closing in on a return from injury and it will be a positive to have some competition in the goalkeeping department.
VERDICT: STAY
- Emiliano Martinez
After a decade at the club, Martinez finally got his time in the spotlight as he produced some excellent performances towards the end of the campaign.
Martinez, who has also been tipped to feature for Argentina, will hope that he will be able to establish himself as Arsenal’s number one shot-stopper.
Emiliano Martinez will hope to be Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper after some superb displays
VERDICT: STAY
- Matt Macey
Macey has been at Arsenal for nearly seven years but has only played twice for the club.
In addition, he wasn’t especially convincing during his loan spell at Plymouth Argyle in 2018-19.
VERDICT: GO
DEFENDERS
- Hector Bellerin
One of Arsenal’s longest-serving players, Bellerin can get caught out at times defensively but is capable of offering a threat going forwards.
If a suitable offer came in then perhaps Arsenal should accept it if they can identify a right-back to replace him.
VERDICT: JURY’S OUT
If Arsenal receive a suitable offer for Hector Bellerin then they should consider accepting it
- Kieran Tierney
There have been some difficult moments for Tierney in his first season in north London, with injuries affecting him.
However, he has established himself as a fan favourite and towards the end of the season was particularly impressive as a left-sided centre-back following Arteta’s switch of formation.
VERDICT: STAY
- Sokratis
The experienced defender didn’t play a single minute in the Premier League after the restart and it is clear that he has fallen down the pecking order.
Reports indicate that he has no intention of leaving the club but Arsenal should look to move Sokratis on if possible.
VERDICT: GO
- Rob Holding
Since suffering a serious injury against Manchester United in late 2018, Holding hasn’t looked quite the same player.
The centre-back is far from composed in possession and his positioning leaves much to be desired. Perhaps it is time for Arsenal to sell him.
VERDICT: GO
Rob Holding is a player Arsenal should consider selling as he has struggled since his injury
- Cedric
The right-back had to be patient for his chance after his move from Southampton as he missed many games through injury.
Cedric scored a fine goal on his debut against Norwich, and, although there are question marks about his defensive capabilities, he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
VERDICT: STAY
- Shkodran Mustafi
Although he has had some encouraging performances since Arteta’s arrival, there is always a mistake just around the corner when Mustafi is in action.
If Arsenal have ambitions of getting into the top four then they cannot rely on Mustafi – it is no coincidence that they haven’t qualified for the Champions League since he joined the club. He is poised to miss the start of the new season through injury, which will make it difficult to sell him.
VERDICT: GO
- Calum Chambers
The centre-back hasn’t played since December after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
He is set to miss the start of next season and it doesn’t seem likely that the club would look to sell an injured player.
VERDICT: STAY
- Pablo Mari
Mari has made just three appearances since joining Arsenal in January but has already had his switch from Flamengo made permanent.
Although he doesn’t appear to be the answer to Arsenal’s defensive struggles, he deserves opportunities to prove his worth.
VERDICT: STAY
- David Luiz
You never know what you are going to get with Luiz, who can produce an outstanding performance in one game and an awful one in the next.
The 33-year-old has, however, been a key figure in the dressing room and is set to stay for another year, although he shouldn’t be used as regularly as he was this campaign.
VERDICT: STAY
- David Luiz will be staying at Arsenal for another year but he shouldn’t be used as prominently
- Sead Kolasinac
The left-back has never been especially convincing defensively and is a liability when deployed as a centre-back in a three-man defence.
Arsenal should look to sell Kolasinac and bring in another left-back to provide depth in that department.
VERDICT: GO
MIDFIELDERS
- Mesut Ozil
Ozil has been frozen out under Arteta and hasn’t played at all since the restart, despite having some good performances prior to the break.
With the former Germany international into the final year of his contract, Arsenal should be looking to sell him as he clearly isn’t part of Arteta’s plans. Mesut Ozil has been frozen out by Arteta and it appears unlikely that he has a future at the club
VERDICT: GO
- Lucas Torreira
When Arsenal signed Torreira two years ago there was much hope that he could be the solution for them in defensive midfield.
The Uruguayan has had some encouraging performances since then but hasn’t been consistent and injuries haven’t helped him either. Torreira should stay as part of the squad but he isn’t guaranteed a place in the starting lineup.
Although Torreira has lacked consistency he can still be a useful member of the Arsenal squad
VERDICT: STAY
- Ainsley Maitland-Niles
There have been times in recent months when Maitland-Niles looked almost certain to depart Arsenal this summer, but the situation has now changed.
Although he prefers to play in midfield, the academy product has shown that he is willing to help out in defensive positions if required and his versatility is an asset.
VERDICT: STAY
- Joe Willock
Willock featured prominently in his first season since being promoted to the first-team – he made 44 appearances in total.
The midfielder has potential but could do with a loan spell ,which would hopefully help him to perform with greater consistency.
VERDICT: STAY
- Matteo Guendouzi
Although he has vast potential, Guendouzi is another who has fallen out of favour under Arteta, with his attitude being called into question.
Guendouzi has been training individually in recent weeks and although he could go on to be a success elsewhere, it looks as if his time at Arsenal could be coming to an end.
VERDICT: GO
- Granit Xhaka
Many have praised Xhaka for turning his Arsenal career around when he appeared to be close to leaving earlier in the campaign.
However, he can still lose the ball at crucial moments and is prone to switching off defensively. Arsenal need a more consistent performer at the base of their midfield. Xhaka has received praise of late but his performances still lack consistency and he should go
VERDICT: GO
- Bukayo Saka
Although he didn’t feature in the FA Cup final, Saka enjoyed a superb breakthrough campaign and was rewarded with the iconic No 7 shirt.
The talented youngster has demonstrated his versatility, too, and will look to push on even further next campaign.
VERDICT: STAY
- Nicolas Pepe
There have been times when Pepe has found it difficult to make an impact following his £72million switch from Lille.
However, it is clear that the winger has much quality and he showed that at various points during the season. Now it is hoped that he can produce performances of that ilk on a regular basis.
VERDICT: STAY
Nicolas Pepe showed flashes of brilliance in his first season and will now look to push on more
Reiss Nelson
Another academy product in the first-team squad, Nelson is the definition of a confidence player.
When he has belief in himself Nelson can perform very well and he will hope to feature prominently next season.
VERDICT: STAY
FORWARDS
- Alexandre Lacazette
Lacazette didn’t have his most prolific season in front of goal as he found the net 12 times and struggled on some occasions.
When at his best the Frenchman is capable of making a major impact but if Arsenal have the opportunity to bring in a superior striker then they may look to sell Lacazette. However, Arsenal certainly won’t want to lose both Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the same transfer window.
VERDICT: JURY’S OUT
Lacazette is another player that Arsenal could sell if they are to receive a significant offer
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The forward showed his value to Arsenal with his brace in the FA Cup final success against Chelsea but there remains much uncertainty regarding whether he will still be at the club next season.
Arsenal should certainly do their utmost to keep Aubameyang but if he doesn’t sign a new contract they could reinvest the money from his sale into improving the squad. Arsenal should try to keep Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but a sale would raise useful funds
VERDICT: JURY’S OUT
- Eddie Nketiah
Nketiah had an interesting campaign, which ended with him winning both the Championship (following his loan spell at Leeds) and the FA Cup.
The hard-working forward certainly fits into Arteta’s style of play and he will look to make further progress.
VERDICT: STAY
- Gabriel Martinelli
Martinelli made a tremendous impact in his first season at the club but the youngster set to be out until around December due to injury.
Therefore, it appears unlikely that he will play a prominent part for much of next season, but he is a very talented player for the future.
VERDICT: STAY
EUROPA League
Ajax and Panathinaikos set UEFA record with 34 penalty kicks
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It took Ajax 34 penalties to beat Panathinaikos 13-12 in a marathon shootout on Thursday, setting a UEFA competition record after their Europa League third qualifying round tie ended 1-1 over two legs and extra time.
Ajax, who won 1-0 at Panathinaikos last week, conceded in the 89th minute in Amsterdam, leading to the shootout that broke the previous record of 32 attempts at the European U-21 Championship semi-final in 2007 where Netherlands beat England 13-12.
The world record for the longest shootout was set in May when Israeli third-tier clubs SC Dimona and Shimshon Tel Aviv took 56 penalties to resolve their semi-final promotion playoff tie.
Ajax keeper Remko Pasveer made five saves and scored on his own attempt to help the hosts win the shootout as Dutch international Brian Brobbey missed two penalties.
“Five is quite a lot, yes. I save a penalty every now and then, but I don’t think you often experience something as crazy as this,” Pasveer said.
“Every time I thought we would do it. Brobbey behind the ball, we will do it. But he missed, while he always scores during training.”
Defender Anton Gaaei ultimately delivered the winning penalty for Ajax. The Eredivisie club will now face Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok in the playoff round later this month.
-Reuters
EUROPA League
Manchester United may be denied Europa League slot
![Manchester United Loses Coach To MLS Side Minnesota United -](https://sportsvillagesquare.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Manchester-United-Loses-Coach-To-MLS-Side-Minnesota-United.jpg)
It is not yet certain for Manchester United if the struggling former giants will play in the Europa League despite winning the FA Cup.
The club will discover their Europa League fate after UEFA threaten relegation
They have been left concerned they could be relegated to the Europa Conference League after Nice, who Sir Jim Ratcliffe also owns, qualified for the Europa League
According to British publication, Mirror, Manchester United will be allowed to play in the Europa League after UEFA came to a decision on their future in the competition.
Though they finished eighth in the Premier League, Erik ten Hag’s side won the FA Cup. That win earned them automatic qualification to Europe’s second-tier competition for next season.
But there had been some doubt that they would be allowed to play in the competition after Nice also qualified.
The French side are also owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe through his INEOS chemical company.They finished fifth in Ligue 1 in the season just gone and UEFA rules state that clubs owned by the same company are not allowed to play in the same European competition.
Normally, the team that finished lower in their respective league would be relegated to the Europa Conference League, in this case United.
But according to The Times, both United and Nice will be allowed to play in the Europa league next term. UEFA’s Club Financial Control Board is due to issue a ruling on multi-club ownership issues on Monday.
It is expected that the CFCB will give their approval to United playing alongside Nice, subject to certain conditions. They will also be warned that the upcoming campaign will be viewed as a transitional one and this leeway will not be given in future years.
The CFCB is also set to rule that Nice should be operated via a ‘blind trust’ by a panel approved by UEFA. It is a model that was used by AC Milan and Toulouse this season, with both clubs being owned by Red Bird Capital.
It is reported that a UEFA document on multi-club ownership says a blind trust would be a ‘temporary alternative… granted on an exceptional basis for the 2024-25 Uefa competitions’. It also states that UEFA’s multi-club ownership rule may be changed for future seasons.
INEOS only own 27.7 percent of United, but Ratcliffe has been handed control of the club’s football and business operations by majority owners the Glazer family. The British billionaire previously bought Nice in 2019.
Ratcliffe also owns Swiss Super League side Lausanne-Sport, though they have not qualified for a European competition for next year. The ruling around multi-club ownership also affects Manchester City.
EUROPA League
Hat-trick hero Lookman takes winding road to Europa League triumph
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Atalanta’s Europa League hat-trick hero Ademola Lookman admitted that he had to wait a while for success after years in and out of favour at different clubs but said it was “just the beginning” after he sank Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
The Nigeria forward became the first person to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final in the 3-0 win, which handed the Bergamo club their first major trophy in 61 years and ended the German champions’ remarkable 51-game unbeaten streak.
“Maybe it could have come earlier, but it’s come now,” said the 26-year-old Lookman, who bounced around in England with Everton, Fulham and Leicester City and in Germany with RB Leipzig before settling in Atalanta two seasons ago.
“This is just the beginning. I hope for more nights like this and to just keep getting better and better,” he told a news conference.
Lookman, who was a youth international for England, credited the Atalanta coaching staff and leadership of manager Gian Piero Gasperini for his revival. Since arriving at the club, he has scored 30 goals in 76 matches.
He pointed in particular to Gasperini’s belief in attacking football that has helped him to flourish.
“The first conversations I had with him made me look at football a lot different. It made things simple. It allowed me to play my game in a different light. I’m very grateful to him,” he said.
Asked if he would have imagined such a night in his wildest dreams while starting out as a teenager at Charlton Athletic, Lookman responded: “Probably yeah.”
“I’ve always had the confidence in my ability to create, to score goals, to help my team mates. In the past two years I’ve been able to take my game to a whole new level,” he said.
-Reuters
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