The prospect of the Frenchman hanging around at Arsenal presents a number of challenges for everyone – not least the media and the fans struggling to keep any perspectiveRumours that Arsène Wenger may reveal a two-year contract extension are likely to cause a spike in cotton futures, as London bedding retailers expect a run on sheets. For many without a stake in either the linen industry or Arsenal football club, the prospect of Wenger sticking around presents different challenges. What may we expect in the weeks, months – and indeed years – ahead? Related: Wenger says contract talks with Sánchez and Özil are on hold at Arsenal Related: Arsenal require major surgery whether Arsène Wenger stays or goes | Jonathan...
The Dortmund coach renewed a tired club with a way of working ‘never seen before’ – it is understandable why he is being linked with a move to north LondonAfter a disappointing Saturday afternoon, at least the funders of one of those aeroplanes hired to fly over The Hawthorns might have been pleased by news emerging from Germany the following day, as it was claimed that Arsenal had made Thomas Tuchel an offer to succeed Arsène Wenger. Even if the Bild story has been flatly denied by Arsenal and seems like a deal highly unlikely to come to fruition right now, the Borussia Dortmund coach’s name is beginning to be more and more consistently linked with the Gunners. It’s viewed...
Wenger seems determined to stay but teasing fans about his Arsenal future following defeat at West Brom leaves him open to accusations of self-indulgenceArsène knows. But he’s not telling. At least not publicly. A manager who for years has guaranteed stability is now cultivating uncertainty. That is pathetic in both senses of the word, achingly sad but also inadequate.Wenger revealed after his team’s miserable defeat at West Bromwich Albion that he has made up his mind about whether to accept the new contract that he was offered months ago by the club to which he has been so integral for more than two decades that it has become, in its contemporary form, his life’s work. Whatever he has decided has...
Everton and Romelu Lukaku get to shift their attention to the pitch, Liverpool face off with Manchester City, and Spurs look to push on without Harry KaneEverton-owned strikers will provide two causes for regret at Goodison Park on Saturday. Hull City miss Oumar Niasse, the on-loan centre-forward whose goals against Swansea City last week have made escaping the drop a realistic proposition, as he is ineligible to face the club that froze him out within months of arriving from Lokomotiv Moscow. That is poor timing as Marco Silva looks to create some momentum but Everton have concerns of their own. Romelu Lukaku and his family are hardly known for reticence but his clearly voiced concerns about the club’s ambition, hot...
Gruelling festive fixture lists may not be good preparation for playing Champions League football in February but Tottenham were already out by ChristmasEnglish football may be about to plunge into one of its regular periods of introspection now that Leicester City are left as the only standard-bearers for the Premier League in the Champions League quarter-finals, though the rest of Europe will not find anything too surprising in this week’s developments. Related: Monaco’s Tiemoué Bakayoko condemns Manchester City to away-goal defeat Related: Arsène Wenger has been living on borrowed time at Arsenal for too long | Richard Williams Continue reading...