Wenger lebih ummmph berbanding Emery

SEBAIK pengadil meniupkan wisel penamat perlawanan, pengurus Arsenal, Unai Emery serta-merta mendapat perhatian ahli lembaga pengarah kelab itu yang mementingkan statistik.

Mereka membandingkan rekod 48 perlawanan pertama Arsene Wenger dengan 48 perlawanan pembukaan Unai Emery sebelum hierarki terbabit menyatakan: “Statistik kami lebih baik di bawah Wenger.”

Dalam tempoh itu, Arsenal tidak sabar membawa masuk pengendali baru biarpun angka menunjukkan 93 gol berbanding Emery, 88 dan 18 rekod bersih berbanding 10 dicapai oleh Emery.

Kelmarin, Arsenal melepaskan dua gol ketika menentang Crystal Palace ketika seri 2-2 di Emirates.

Emery sepatutnya menjadi peningkatan terhadap Wenger, seorang jurulatih memiliki set kemahiran benua Eropah dan bercita-cita untuk membentuk masa depan Arsenal yang lebih moden.

Bagaimanapun, sehingga setakat ini, mereka masih berada di takuk lama.

Apapun, itulah pandangan daripada pihak pengurusan atasan yang turut merasai kemarahan penyokong pasukan dari utara London itu.

Josh Kroenke berada di London menyaksikan aset bapanya bernilai £1.8 (RM9.7 bilion) melepaskan dua gol menentang skuad Palace yang mempamer semangat juang tinggi.

Liga Juara-Juara (UCL) menjanjikan pulangan lumayan andai mara ke peringkat saingan kumpulan yang masih menjadi sasaran utama kelab itu.

Untuk melakukannya mereka perlu kembali membuatkan Arsenal selaku pencabar kejuaraan Liga Perdana dan UCL. 

Jose Mourinho spearheads top managers summit in absence of Sir Alex Ferguson along with old rivals Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez

• Jose Mourinho was one of 12 elite managers at UEFA summit where talks are held to improve the game
• The Nyon event at UEFA HQ was attended by Mourinho's old managerial rivals including Rafa Benitez
• Despite not having a club, former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was also present in Switzerland
• But his successor at the Emirates Stadium Unai Emery failed to attend, despite being invited

Jose Mourinho has been calling for respect in the last couple of weeks so it is probably little surprise to see him spearhead a list of Europe's elite coaches in a forum hosted by UEFA. Mourinho was furious with a journalist during a post-match press conference following Manchester United's dismal 3-0 Premier League defeat by Tottenham Hotspur last month, calling for more 'respect' after ranting that he had won more Premier League titles than all the managers in the top flight put together.  But joined by old rivals Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez, the United boss was part of a group of managers discussing the major issues in the game

Jose Mourinho has been calling for respect in the last couple of weeks so it is probably little surprise to see him now spearhead a list of Europe's elite coaches in a forum hosted by UEFA.

Mourinho was furious with a journalist during a post-match press conference following Manchester United's dismal 3-0 Premier League defeat by Tottenham Hotspur last month, calling for more 'respect' after ranting that he had won more Premier League titles than all the managers in the top flight put together. 

But joined by old rivals Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez, the United boss was part of 12 managers discussing the major issues in the game.

Wenger (centre) shares a discussion along with UEFA preseident Aleksander Ceferin (left) and Thomas Tuche

The coaches forum in Nyon at UEFA's HQ on Tuesday was held with the purpose of to discuss and make proposals to the governing body that may be of overall benefit to the European game.

Managers can be invited to attend the event but must fit the criteria of having taken charge of 100 Champions League matches, been part of last season's last-16 or been in charge of one of last season's final four in the Europa League.

Mourinho's relationship with Wenger has been sour since the Portuguese came to the Premier League in 2004, hitting a low in the last few years when he called the former Arsenal boss a specialist in failure.

Simeone (left), Ancelotti (centre left) and Benitez (centre right) all arrive in Nyon ready to attend the UEFA forum

The two had previously battled for the title while Mourinho was at Chelsea, who also developed a rivalry with Benitez during the Spaniard's time as Liverpool boss as their respective sides repeatedly clashed in the Champions League.

But the trio put their differences to one side at the annual event now in its 20th year

Among those invited to this year's event was Unai Emery but despite being confirmed to appear at the summit he was nowhere to be seen in the group photo that featured his Emirates predecessor.

Wenger is without a club after leaving the Gunners following 22 years at the club but he looked in high spirits at the event, sharing discussions along with Borussia Dortmund chief Thomas Tuchel and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

The meeting, that ran between 1pm and 5.50pm BST, started with all the coaches sending their best wishes to Sir Alex Ferguson, who is a UEFA Coaching ambassador.

The former Manchester United boss is on the mend following recent emergency surgery after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

Helping discuss talks with the managers from UEFA was the president Ceferin as well as competitions director Giorgio Marchetti and chief refereeing officer Roberto Rosetti.

Also on the agenda for the managers was the subject of transfer windows, with  the coaches wanting the European summer transfer window to close on the same day across the continent before their league seasons start. 

Though trading in most European leagues ended on August 31, English clubs could not buy players after August 9 and the Italian deadline was August 17.

English leagues switched this year aiming to avoid disrupting team plans after leagues kicked off.

Marchetti says the coaches were in agreement that: 'There should be one window ending at the same time and that window should not overlap with competitions.'

A FIFA panel is currently drafting recommendations about changes to the transfer market and trading periods. 

Mourinho mahu ikut jejak Wenger

PENGURUS Manchester United, Jose Mourinho percaya beliau mampu menyamai rekod pengurus Arsenal, Arsene Wenger yang membimbing pasukan sehingga lewat usia 60-an.

Mourinho akan bertemu seteru utamanya itu untuk kali terakhir apabila Gunners mengunjungi Old Trafford, hari ini.

Rekod paling lama Mourinho sebagai pengurus adalah ketika membimbing Chelsea, iaitu selama tiga tahun tiga bulan dengan selebihnya tiga tahun di Real Madrid, dua tahun masing-masing di Porto dan Inter Milan dan kali kedua di Stamford Bridge.

Wenger pula pada usia 68 tahun akan mengundur diri hujung musim ini selepas hampir 22 tahun membimbing Gunners.

Ditanya adakah beliau mampu menandingi rekod pengendali dari Perancis itu, Mourinho berkata: “Sudah tentu. Saya terpaksa menukar kelab kerana anda (media) tidak membenarkan saya terlalu lama di sini.

“Saya berasakan mampu melakukannya tetapi berdepan konsep baru media, sosial media, pengkritik serta cara orang ramai meluahkan perasaan mereka, agak memberi tekanan bukan saja kepada pengurus, malah untuk kelab juga.

“Adalah agak sukar untuk seseorang itu bertahan lama terutama sekiranya jika tiada kejayaan.”

Bagaimanapun pengendali dari Portugal itu berasakan beliau mampu kekal lebih lama di United berbanding kelab-kelab yang pernah dibimbingnya sebelum ini.

“Di kelab lain, saya sudah memikirkan mengenai apa pula seterusnya?

“Untuk ketika ini, saya tidak mahu melakukan perkara lain selain membimbing United,” katanya.

Alexis Sanchez thanks 'football master' Arsene Wenger after United win

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Alexis Sanchez expressed his gratitude to Arsene Wenger, calling the Arsenal manager a "football master" the day after he announced he would end his mammoth 22-year reign at the club at the end of the season.

The Chilean moved to north London from Barcelona in July 2014 and went on to establish himself as one of the Gunners' key players before leaving for Manchester United earlier this year.

Sanchez, who scored 80 goals in 165 appearances for Arsenal, revealed he has been in recent contact with Wenger and described the Frenchman in glowing terms on Saturday evening.

Speaking after United's 2-1 FA Cup semifinal victory over Tottenham at Wembley, Sanchez told reporters: "I texted him yesterday to wish him the best. I could not say anything on social media but I texted him and he replied to me saying thank you to me.

"It's sad because he is a historical football legend, I always said he is a gentleman and a football master, he taught me a lot about respect and to be professional.

"I'm just so thankful to him.''

Meanwhile, Wenger revealed that even though he was leaving at the end of the season, he expected under-fire defender Shkodran Mustafi to enjoy a long career at the Emirates Stadium.

The first match since Wenger's announcement comes at home to West Ham on Sunday, with the Premier League a much bigger priority for the struggling Hammers than it is for Arsenal -- who have all-but missed out on the top four for a second season in succession.

That is largely down to their abysmal away form, with defeat at Newcastle last weekend leaving the Gunners with just three league wins on the road all season and no points taken away from the Emirates since the turn of the year.

Mustafi was at fault for Newcastle's opener and has made several mistakes this season that have seen his credentials as a top-level player questioned -- despite the fact he is a fully-fledged Germany international.

"His confidence is lower,'' Wenger replied when asked if there was a problem. "He has played many games and most of the mistakes he made have been post-Europa League games because he was a bit jaded.

"On that front that is part of the fatigue factor which would be the explanation why he had some less good games.

"We are in a job where we can't demand that people, when you make mistakes, say that it's absolutely wonderful. That's part of Arsenal. Like me when I lose games, I have to accept that.''

Mustafi joined for a fee in excess of £30 million in 2016 but reportedly came close to leaving for Serie A last summer before the decision was taken to retain his services.

Wenger insists the 25-year-old was never likely to leave and backed him to be at the club for the foreseeable future.

"I think so, yes,'' he replied when asked if he felt Mustafi would be an Arsenal player in the long term.

"He wasn't close [to leaving]. He is a young defender who has had ups and downs. I believe overall he has potential. He is one of the guys who is committed and goes for the challenges.

"He is not one guy who hides from the responsibility, so overall he will be a promising defender for the future. Experience helps.

"In this job, goalkeeper and central defender is a job for old people or older people. So overall that plays a part of course.''

Wenger lepaskan jawatan di Arsenal

 LONDON - Pengurus pasukan Arsenal, Arsene Wenger mengesahkan bakal melepaskan jawatan yang disandangnya selama lebih 22 tahun berkuat kuasa pada penghujung musim ini.

Sebagai rekod, pengurus berusia 69 tahun itu menyertai The Gunners pada tahun 1996 selepas membimbing kelab berpangkalan di Jepun, Nagoya Grampus Height. 

Jelasnya, hasrat untuk melepaskan jawatan telah difikir sejak sekian lama dan setelah berbincang dengan pihak pengurusan kelab, kedua-dua pihak bersetuju dengan keputusan ini.

"Saya sangat beruntung kerana menjadi sebahagian besar daripada kejayaan pasukan ini untuk tempoh yang panjang. Saya berterima kasih dengan pihak pengurusan, barisan pemain dan khususnya penyokong yang sentiasa memberi sokongan penuh buat kami.

"Meskipun kita sudah tidak lagi bersama, saya akan tetap menyokong pasukan ini sehingga ke akhir hayat," kata pengendali kelahiran Perancis itu.

Wenger telah membantu Arsenal menjulang tiga trofi Liga Perdana England (EPL) dan tujuh trofi Piala FA England sepanjang 22 tahun khidmatnya di Stadium Highbury sebelum berhijrah ke Stadium Emirates. - Agensi

UEL : Arsene Wenger hails Arsenal's adaptability after they overcome a 4G surface and freezing conditions to beat Ostersunds 3-0 in Sweden

• Arsenal beat Ostersunds 3-0 at the Jamtkraft Arena in their Europa League clash
• Arsene Wenger named a strong Arsenal team for the first leg of their last-32 tie
• Wenger hailed his Gunners side for how they adapted to the unfamiliar 4G pitch
• Ostersunds' English boss Graham Potter admitted Arsenal were the better team

Wenger got out of the group stages by largely utilising his fringe players and young prospects but, now sitting eight points off the top four, winning the Europa League arguably presents the Gunners with their best shot of returning to the Champions League.

That explains why the likes of Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were included here and it was the former who rounded off a straightforward win after a Nacho Monreal effort and a Sotirios Papagiannopoulos own goal had set Arsenal on their way, with Ostersunds missing a last-gasp penalty.

'I think we adapted quite well to the pitch,' Wenger said after the game.

'They (Ostersunds) were maybe a bit cautious at the start and we took advantage of it. I feel that at 2-0 at half-time, it was important for us not to concede a goal and win the second half.

'I felt there was more to score one or two more in the second half but we were in control and once we went 2-0 up... overall we won in a comfortable way.

Mesut Ozil (left), Sead Kolasinac (centre) and Shkodran Mustafi (right) walk through the snow

'The risk at the start was that I didn't know how tough the pitch would be for our players. But overall we have no game over the weekend, so it was an easier decision.

'The only risk was the injuries. I'm happy we had no problems and the pitch was quite good.'

The manner of this victory, with Ostersund unable to register a goal as Arsenal's captain on the night David Ospina kept out Tom Petttersson's weak stoppage-time penalty, means the pressure is off the Gunners in next week's return leg at the Emirates Stadium.

That will suit Wenger as Arsenal have the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City three days later and the Frenchman admits he is likely to shuffle his pack.

'We'll try to win the game again,' he said. 'Maybe we'll rotate the players who did not play tonight and rest one or two who played tonight.'

Ostersunds, who beat the likes of Galatasaray, PAOK and Hertha Berlin to get this far, were surprisingly defensive in the opening quarter of the contest.

Their English manager, Graham Potter, bemoaned the start but was pleased that his players rallied to trouble Arsenal for periods of the tie.

Graham Potter conceded that Arsenal were the better team and deserved to win the match

'Arsenal are rightly one of the favourites. They've left a few players at home and it shows the strength of their squad. They still had World Cup winners on the pitch, talent all over and technically good level. They are clearly the best team we've faced.'

Mesut Ozil needs to take more risks in front of goal - Arsene Wenger

LONDON -- Arsene Wenger has urged Mesut Ozil to take more risks in front of goal following his wonder-strike that handed Arsenal a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday.

Ozil scored a difficult left-foot volley in the 23rd minute -- the kind of effort that usually ends up high in the stands -- which was enough to earn three points. It was only his third goal of the season but another reminder that the playmaker, who is much more known for his assists, can be a lethal finisher as well.

Wenger described the volley as "superb," adding that it's the kind of thing he wants to see more of from Ozil.

"You know he can deliver it, and it's important for him to take the risk to do what he did," Wenger told a news conference.

"Because usually he's a guy who, 99 percent of the time in these positions he controls the ball and gives it to somebody else. So I'm happy that he took the gamble to finish. And happy as well that he scored a very important goal."

Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Jack Wilshere, Alexandre Lacazette, Hector Bellerin and Alex Iwobi all missed good chances to kill off the game, which allowed the visitors to put Arsenal under pressure for the last 10 minutes, but Newcastle's finishing also let them down.

Arsenal: Cech 6 – Bellerin 6, Koscielny 6, Monreal 5, Maitland-Niles 6.5 – Ozil 8, Xhaka 4, Wilshere 7 – Iwobi 5 (Welbeck 5), Lacazette 6 (Giroud 5), Sanchez 6 (Coquelin 5).

Newcastle United: Elliot 7 – Yedlin 6, Lascelles 6.5, Lejeune 5, Manquillo 5.5 – Murphy 7 (Gayle 5), Merino 6 (Diame 5), Hayden 5, Atsu 6 (Ritchie 5) – Joselu 7, Perez 6.

Man of the match: Ozil.

Referee: Stuart Attwell. 

Ozil will be a huge loss to Arsenal if he leaves. Goals like the one he scored on Saturday are the kind of moments that stave off outright rebellion. Arsenal may not have a chance of winning the league but if they can watch Ozil every week, it is a decent consolation.

Some curmudgeons (a bad-tempered or surly person) still damn Ozil because he does not throw himself into tackles but he remains a delight to watch, a feast of exquisite technique and clever vision, a player whose mind works at a faster speed than many of his rivals. And many of his teammates.

Keputusan EPL 28/10/2017 : SPURS tanpa Kane tumbang di Old Trafford | Arsene Wenger 800 d Arsenal

Anthony Martial has been involved in 5 goals in his last 5 #PL games at Old Trafford (3 goals, 2 assists)

Man City have made the best-ever start to a #PL season after 10 games, collecting 28 points (W9 D1) with a goal difference of +29

EPL : ARSENAL 2 -0 Brighton And Hove Albion (BHAFC)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger celebrated the 21st anniversary of his arrival at the club with a routine victory over Brighton.

Nacho Monreal put the Gunners ahead early on when he shot through a crowded penalty area after Brighton had failed to clear a free-kick.

A well worked Brighton free-kick resulted in Solly March striking the post from 20 yards shortly afterwards.

But Arsenal added a second goal after half-time when a slick passing move on the counter-attack was emphatically finished off by Alex Iwobi.

The win ensures Wenger's side are a point behind north London rivals Tottenham in the chasing pack behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Man of the match - Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

Even when he is not at his brilliant best, Alexis Sanchez still manages to appear head and shoulders above his contemporaries. Sanchez created twice as many chances (six) and had twice as many shots (eight) as any other Arsenal player. Arsenal fans will be desperate he stays in January.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "In this job you only look for the next game. When you look back you see the distance you have made. Overall, football changed a lot in this 21 years.

"We kept the clean sheet and of course got three points. We have played more fluent than today but playing Monday, Thursday and today, it was important to get three points. We eased off in concentration and decision-making and then it becomes a bit harder.

Brighton boss Chris Hughton: "It was a spirited performance. I can't accuse the lads of not giving everything.

Gunners earn comfortable win in the Emirates Cup

Theo Walcott hit a brace for Arsenal to help see off Benfica 5-2 in the Emirates Cup on Saturday.

The Gunners went behind to an early goal from Franco Cervi, but Walcott put them in front by volleying home a cross from new signing Sead Kolasinac in the 24th minute and then scoring into an open net in the 33rd.

Benfica levelled through Eduardo Salvio before the break, but Walcott helped restore the Gunners' lead for good as his cross for Olivier Giroud was steered into the Benfica net by Lisandro for an own goal.

Arsenal then added some polish to the win as Giroud acrobatically volleyed in a perfect cross from 17-year-old Reiss Nelson and Alex Iwobi hammered home a hard strike into the roof of the net.

Alexandre Lacazette was given a rousing reception as he replaced Walcott for the final 15 minutes. He's expected to start on Sunday against Sevilla, who beat beat RB Leipzig 1-0 in the cup's opener thanks to a penalty from Wissam Ben Yedder.         

Alex Iwobi ensured victory and a healthy goal bonus for the Gunners with his powerful effort that made it 5-2

Sead Kolasinac makes Arsenal 'more dangerous going forward' - Wenger

Arsene Wenger says new signing Sead Kolasinac has the physical attributes to succeed in English football and that the left-back can make Arsenal more dangerous going forward.

Arsenal announced the arrival of Kolasinac on Tuesday, with the Bosnia-Herzegovina international joining on a free transfer from Bundesliga club Schalke.

Wenger said he has been following Kolasinac "for a long time" and that the defender will add to his defensive options next season as he can play in both a back four and back three formation.

"He's very compact as a player, very strong and determined in the challenges. He's good in the air as well, so overall I believe he has all the attributes to adapt to English football. The game here is very demanding physically on the commitment front and he has the ingredients to adapt to that."

Kolasinac provided five assists last season, the most of any defender in the Bundesliga, and Wenger said one of his strongest attributes was his ability to join in the attack.

"What he will give us is the fact that he's a player who can give assists, who can go forward, who can contribute good crosses," Wenger added.

"It's very important that we have that as well, because we have Kieran Gibbs, we have Nacho Monreal and we have him. But Nacho plays a lot now in central defence and in a three-man system I see him in there. 

So overall, I think [Kolasinac] can contribute a lot to help us to be more dangerous going forward."

ARSENAL juara FA Emirates Cup 2016/17

Arsenal duo Per Mertesacker and Alexis Sanchez dedicated their Emirates FA Cup win over Chelsea to boss Arsene Wenger.

Goals from Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey were enough to secure a deserved 2-1 victory over their London rivals at Wembley to help Wenger become the most successful manager in FA Cup history.

And stand-in captain Mertesacker, who has spent most of the last year out injured was quick to praise the Frenchman.

"Not bad is it?" he said.

"That's everything there is to say, because a lot has been said about the manager but the team gave the right answer today.

"We didn't care about what was said in the press or media, we just focused on ourselves and we had a brilliant game today."

And with Laurent Koscielny suspended, Gabriel Jesus suspended and then Kieran Gibbs falling ill before the game, the experienced German was only too happy to step in and put in a vintage display.

"The manager said nothing special, I think this team trusts me, which is more important than anything else," he explained.

"With the support of the team, anything is possible, even for myself, I haven't played a lot but I was still able to do that for my team."

Sanchez set the Gunners on their way with an early opening goal after just four minutes.

And his performance set the tone throughout the day, earning him the official man-of-the-match award.

"I'm so happy with the win and to win The FA Cup," said the Chilean star.

"And I'm so happy for the players and the manager."

7 - Arsene Wenger has won the FA Cup seven times, more than any other manager in history. Legend.