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Emmanuel Petit urges Arsenal to sign a striker to ‘win trophies

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Arsenal has narrowly missed out on securing the Premier League title in recent seasons, finishing as runners-up to Manchester City following a decline in performance at critical points during the campaign.

Mikel Arteta retains the confidence of the board and is optimistic that this season will bring success for him and his team, bolstered by the acquisitions of Mikel Merino and Riccardo Calafiori.

It has been over twenty years since Arsene Wenger last guided the Gunners to the pinnacle of English football, and since that time, their collection of trophies has largely been confined to the FA Cup.

Emmanuel Petit, a World Cup champion with France and a Premier League victor with Arsenal, has urged the club to pursue a top-tier striker to enhance their chances of winning silverware.

Arsenal remains in need of an additional striker. Although Kai Havertz has made a strong impression in his match against Wolves, he would benefit from the presence of another attacking threat. He is thriving within the team, supported by a positive environment and camaraderie. Nevertheless, Arsenal must secure trophies this season, necessitating the acquisition of a striker to achieve that goal.

Arsenal is just one striker away from clinching the league title. The club has been associated with several high-caliber strikers during this summer’s transfer window, including Victor Osimhen. However, the asking price for the Napoli forward has posed a significant challenge.

Indeed, for Arsenal to mount a serious challenge against Manchester City for the Premier League title, they may need to secure a new striker. The Citizens boast one of the most prolific goal-scorers in the world, Erling Haaland, while the Gunners are currently lacking a reliable option due to Gabriel Jesus’s ongoing fitness issues.

While Kai Havertz has performed admirably since transitioning to a central role in 2024, it is unrealistic to expect him to consistently net 20-25 goals each season.

It remains uncertain whether Arsenal will heed Petit’s counsel before the transfer deadline, but it is clear that the Gunners would greatly benefit from the addition of a top striker in the coming days.

Last Updated on August 29, 2024 by News Time

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Peller Announces Engagement to Jarvis

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TikTok Star Peller Rings in 2024 with Engagement to Jarvis

Popular TikToker Peller has ended 2024 on a romantic note, announcing his engagement to long-rumored partner Jarvis.

In an Instagram video, Peller shared the magical moment of his proposal. The clip shows the couple at an upscale restaurant, with Jarvis initially looking shocked and hesitant, but the support of close friends and loved ones eventually swayed her decision.

In a heartwarming conclusion, Jarvis said yes, and the night ended with a tender moment between the couple. Along with the video, Peller shared his joy in the caption, hinting that wedding plans are already underway for 2025.

“Congratulations to me, she said yes and she kissed me”

 

Last Updated on December 14, 2024 by News Time

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Man Utd’s patience with error-prone £48m star is running out

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Andre Onana is under scrutiny after a series of errors as Ruben Amorim begins reshaping his Manchester United squad.

With the transfer window closed until January, managers across Europe are keeping their recruitment plans under wraps. When fresh signings are out of reach, why stir the pot and fuel unnecessary debate? In the case of Manchester United, however, there are plenty of discussions to be had regarding potential reinforcements.

The Red Devils seem to be in a constant state of flux, with every positive step forward often followed by a couple in the opposite direction.

The Red Devils can ill afford this inconsistency with a derby looming. It will come as little surprise to United fans that their side are 15/4 outsiders in the Man City vs Man United odds, with local bragging rights expected to stay on the blue side of the divide.

Arguing for an away win is tough, with football tips favoring a City side that has also been struggling recently. For United to upset the odds, they will need to be defensively solid at the Etihad Stadium. The last time the Red Devils kept a clean sheet against their noisy neighbors was back in March 2021.

Andre Onana was beaten three times in both home and away fixtures last season, and the Cameroonian goalkeeper has once again become a talking point. At a time when United need to be at their most solid, unfortunate defensive leaks continue to surface.

Fault was found with Onana early in his time at Old Trafford, but Erik ten Hag, a coach he knew well from their time at Ajax, gave him leeway. However, with the arrival of Ruben Amorim, a new chapter has begun. Under Amorim, slates have been wiped clean, and few in the United camp hold prior credit with the Portuguese manager.

Onana is among those who need to prove their worth again, with the jury still out. Costly mistakes will be noted ahead of future transfer windows. Following more questionable goalkeeping in a Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest, Amorim said of the No. 1: “He saved us a lot of times, so we have to find a way to turn it around and score two goals to help our keeper for the way he, for example, saved us.

 

Last Updated on December 14, 2024 by News Time

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Man City vs Man Utd: Preview, H2H, Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

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Over 20 years since their first Manchester derby win in 2002, Manchester City aim for their 57th victory in the 171st derby against Manchester United this Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s recent success made Manchester City favorites to retain the title, but a seven-match winless streak has seen them lose ground to Liverpool and face a battle to stay in the top four.

The 2024-25 Premier League season has been challenging for Manchester City. Trailing league leaders Liverpool by eight points in their pursuit of a fifth consecutive title, City endured a four-game losing streak in the league after an unbeaten start. However, they’ve earned four points from their last two matches.

City appeared to have regained their form with a dominant 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest last week.

However, City dropped more points last Saturday, drawing 2-2 with Crystal Palace, further hindering their title defense. Defensively, they’ve struggled, conceding 21 goals in nine matches since November—more than any other club in Europe’s top five leagues during this period.

Currently eight points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand, City risk falling out of the top four with another defeat.

Despite their struggles, City fans have hope, as their Premier League head-to-head record against United shows six consecutive wins.

Meanwhile, their city rivals, United, are in a tougher situation, with a brief resurgence under new manager Ruben Amorim quickly fading. Despite entering the season with lower expectations, United’s current 13th-place position led to Erik ten Hag’s dismissal. Amorim began with an unbeaten three-match streak but has struggled to maintain that momentum.

Amorim’s early tenure as United manager started promisingly, with an unbeaten run that included a draw against Ipswich

Town and an emphatic victory over Everton.

However, Amorim’s honeymoon period in the Premier League ended with back-to-back defeats—2-0 at Arsenal and a disappointing 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. These results have left United in 13th place with just 19 points, their lowest tally after 15 games since the 1986-87 season.

United have also struggled in this fixture, losing their last three Premier League matches against City and conceding 13 goals. However, Amorim could be the key to turning things around, having previously led Sporting to a 4-1 victory over the Cityzens in the Champions League this season.

Man City vs. Man Utd match details

  • Date: Sunday, December 15, 2024
  • Location: Manchester, England
  • Venue: Etihad Stadium
  • Kick-off time: 04:30 PM GMT
  • Referee: Anthony Taylor
  • Assistants: Gary Beswick, Adam Nunn
  •  Fourth official: Tim Robinson
  •  VAR: Stuart Attwell
  • Assistant VAR: Simon Bennett
  • Tickets: Fans can buy Manchester city at the club exchange or through a trusted reseller like Seatsnet.com.

Match stats and head-to-head

• There have been 171 Manchester derbies, with United leading the head-to-head 67 wins to City’s 56, and 48 matches ending in a draw.

• A total of 18 goals have been scored in the last three games between these two sides at the Etihad Stadium.

• City have kept only one clean sheet in their last ten games, with the sole clean sheet coming in the 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

• Erling Haaland has recorded six goals and three assists in his last four games against United, setting the record for the most goal contributions by any City player against the Red Devils in the Premier League.

• The Cityzens have conceded at least two goals in nine of their last ten matches, including four in one game against Ruben Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon side.

• Bernardo Silva has a habit of getting carded in big games, with 34% of his 67 yellow cards coming against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, and United. He has already been yellow-carded six times this season, including twice in his last four Premier League games.

• With an average of 8.85 corners per game, City have won more corners than any other team in the Premier League this season.

• United have opened the scoring in their last three games against City in all competitions.

• Despite their poor run of form, no team has recovered more points from losing positions than City’s 14 points this season.

• A loss to City on Sunday would be the first time United’s head coach, Amorim, has ever lost three consecutive top-flight games in his managerial career. The Portuguese coach will be hoping to secure back-to-back managerial wins over the Cityzens.

• City’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace in their last Premier League game was the first time they avoided defeat after going behind twice, a feat last achieved in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in October 2021.

• Palace’s fourth-minute opener was the seventh goal City have conceded in the opening 15 minutes of a league match this season, the joint most in the competition alongside West Ham United.

• No team in the Premier League has scored more goals from outside the box this season than City, with 22 goals.

• United have failed to win any of their last five away matches in the Premier League. They’ve won only two of their last 13 away games, with their only away win this season coming in a 3-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s in September.

Team news

Rico Lewis will miss Sunday’s clash due to suspension after receiving two yellow cards in the 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace.

Manuel Akanji and John Stones have not fully recovered from their respective injuries, and their participation will depend on late fitness tests.

Rodri and Oscar Bobb remain long-term absentees with ACL and leg injuries, respectively. Nathan Ake is expected to return early next year as he continues his rehabilitation from a thigh injury.

On a positive note for Pep Guardiola, Mateo Kovacic returned to the bench in their defeat to Juventus and will be in contention for a starting spot against United.

For United, there’s good news on the injury front, as Tyrell Malacia and Leny Yoro are back in the squad and vying for starting spots.

Jonny Evans is also nearing a return, and it remains to be seen if he’ll be involved this weekend.

Luke Shaw is United’s only injury concern, having suffered a setback upon his return to the squad. The England international is currently sidelined with a calf injury, and the club is taking a cautious approach to ensure his full recovery.

Predicted starting lineup

Man Utd predicted starting lineup:

Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Malacia; Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes; Antony, Mount, Rashford; Hojlund.

Prediction

Ten losses in ten games would typically be a sackable offence, but unless you’re Pep Guardiola, having won four consecutive league titles, it’s seen as just a rough patch, and the idea of sacking him remains unconsidered.

As the saying goes, “Only those who dare fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” Guardiola’s plan for Sunday could be to either suffer another defeat to Amorim or kickstart a winning run to secure great success this season. The final whistle will reveal all.

We’re predicting a 3-2 win for City

 

Last Updated on December 14, 2024 by News Time

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