Arsene Wenger: Jack Wilshere will want to stay at Arsenal if the finances are right

Wilshere's Arsenal contract expires at the end of the season

Arsene Wenger says convincing Jack Wilshere to extend his Arsenal contract is a matter of getting the finances right for both parties.

Wilshere’s deal expires at the end of the season but, in contrast to team-mates Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, he has made clear his desire to remain at the club.

However despite both Wenger and Wilshere being keen to extend the midfielder’s 16-year spell at the Gunners there has been no progress on talks that the Arsenal manager had been promising would take place throughout the past year.

Wenger admitted he still has not spoken to the 25-year-old but insists that, if the price is right, Wilshere will stay.

“I will sit down with him, yes,” Wenger said. “I believe that, if we can meet a point of agreement financially, he will want to stay.”

Speaking to Standard Sport last month Wilshere insisted he wanted to stay, though the likes of West Ham stand ready to steal him away should he fail to reach an agreement with Arsenal.

“I’ve been here 10 years, I love this club and feel like I have a special relationship with the fans,” Wilshere told Standard Sport. “Of course I want to stay.”

Neymar: I had Ronaldo’s 2002 World Cup hairstyle

https://images.performgroup.com/di/library/GOAL/70/24/roneymaldo_vyqlkwwhg7bh182wardzmd2y0.jpg?t=-1735109136&quality=90&w=0&h=1260
The 25-year-old attacker was interviewed by former Barcelona team-mate Gerard Pique and admitted that he copied the Brazil hero’s odd hair cut.

Brazil legend Ronaldo’s incredible exploits at the 2002 World Cup may have inspired a generation of youngsters to try to copy his silky football skills, but Neymar tried to emulate his hero in a different way.

The former Real Madrid and Inter star guided the Selecao to a fifth world title in the tournament in South Korea and Japan with eight goals, further enhancing his stature as one of the best players to play the game.

And while he was famous for his majestic dribbling and finishing abilities, the striker’s bizarre hairstyle at the tournament als

Having shaved off all but the front of his hair, it was a look that was not expected to catch on, but for a youngster like Neymar, it was a must-have.

The current Brazil hero revealed to his former Barcelona team-mate Gerard Pique that he was so in awe of the two-time Ballon d’Or winner that he had to get his hair cut the same way.

Reflecting on his early World Cup memories while being interviewed by the Spain defender for The Players’ Tribune ,  he said: “Although I was two years old, I think my first memory was on the TV. Watching on TV and Romario scoring the goals, the one Romario scored against Holland. Bebeto crosses and he takes it first time and it’s a Golazo.

“That’s the first and the second is from 2002. I watched the whole tournament. And remember everything. I remember Ronaldo. The haircut of Ronaldo was good. I had it.”

The excited Pique then replied: “Oh man, I would love to see that. Do you have a photo?”

But the 25-year-old disappoints, adding: “No, I don’t have one but I’ll search for it. My mum has one for sure.

“All of us [had that hair cut], we were all looking like Ronaldo.”

 

Juventus to offer Croatian winger Marko Pjaca on loan to persuade Liverpool to sell Emre Can

Juventus have upped the stakes in an effort to persuade Liverpool to sell Emre Can to them next month by offering Marko Pjaca in part exchange.

The Old Lady want to send the Croatian winger to Anfield on loan, report Tuttosport.

The Germany international has refused to sign a new contract and can pen a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs next month to join on a free transfer next summer.

Jurgen Klopp may still harbour hope of an extension for his compatriot, though failure to show signs of a compromise may push the Reds into negotiating to receive something, rather than losing the player for nothing.

Pjaca, who was a Manchester United target before joining Juve from Dinamo Zagreb, could prove to be a nice consolation.

Liverpool are fourth in the Premier League table with a slim, one-point advantage over Tottenham in the battle to finish inside the top four.

Aaron Ramsey strikes deal for most expensive house in Wales with Arsenal star securing £1m discount

 

 

Aaron Ramsey may finish 2017 injured for Arsenal , but the Gunners star can celebrate owning the most expensive house in Wales over the last 12 months.

Ramsey even secured a massive £1.4m discount with the final price announced at £3.1m, down from the original market value of £4.5m.

The stunning five-bedroom mansion will surely sit alongside his FA Cup triumph with the Gunners as the highlight of 2017.

An avid golfer, Ramsey has a three-hole course to practice on, a tennis court and a five-star hotel standard outdoor pool with the luxury of a hot tub and sauna.

A midweek stay is not out of the question either, as Ramsey will be able to fly in for training at Arsenal’s Colney training ground in an hour due to the property’s helicopter pad.

With Wales’ failure to qualify for the World Cup in Russia next summer, Ramsey now has the perfect hideaway to recover.

 

Anthony Joshua congratulates Prince Harry on engagement to Meghan Markle as heavyweight champion cheekily asks: ‘Need a best man?’

Prince Harry (left) posed with Anthony Joshua and the boxer shared the picture on Instagram

Anthony Joshua dropped in on Prince Harry as the royal guest edited the Radio 4 Today programme.

The heavyweight champion wished him the best of luck with his temporary role and also congratulated him on everything this year, including his engagement to Meghan Markle.

And perhaps the royal is reassessing his options for best man as Joshua jokingly threw his hat in the ring ahead of the wedding next May

The IBF, IBO and WBA king shared a picture from his visit to the studio, adding a caption which read: ‘Back to work this morning! Congrats on everything this year & no pressure on the R4 guest edit! P.S. Need a best man?’

Joshua and Prince Harry were pictured chatting alongside presenter Gary Richardson.

They also performed the trademark ‘clenched fist’ pose at the BBC offices.

The 33-year-old prince has taken the helm of the popular radio show temorarily and is guest editing from 6am to 9am.

During his interview on the show, Joshua spoke about the challenge of aligning his responsibility of being a role model with performing in the ring.

He said: ‘Winning is the easy part. Taking on the responsibility of being a champion is the hard part.

‘It’s important to be real – we do make mistakes, we aren’t perfect but we are trying,’ he added.

Joshua is preparing for what he hopes with be another stellar year in the ring after reaching new levels of stardom in 2017.

He stopped Wladimir Klitschko back in April in front of a packed out Wembley Stadium and speculation abounds the identity of his next opponent.

A fight with Tyson Fury would no doubt capture the public’s attention but AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn has said the ‘Gypsy King’s’ demands render the all-British clash ‘unmakeable’.

WBO champion Joseph Parker is a more likely opponent and Hearn is looking to finalise terms with the New Zealander over the festive period.

Another unbeaten year could see the 2012 Olympic Champion solidify his boxing royalty to mirror Prince Harry’s elevated status.

 

George Weah is elected president of Liberia as former Chelsea and Manchester City star celebrates landslide victory

Former AC Milan, Manchester City and Chelsea striker George Weah has been elected president of Liberia.

Weah – the first African to win the Ballon D’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year – won comprehensively, clinching 12 of the 15 counties in the West African country.

His opponent Joseph Boakai, who has been vice-president for the last 12 years, only had two counties vote for him.

Jubilant Weah took to Twitter to confirm the victory.

The former Chelsea man is not known for his political nous but his clout as a footballing icon garners him significant support amongst the youth of Liberia, where 60% of the population is under the age of 30.

Weah topped the first round of voting in October but didn’t secure the 50% needed to win outright. The runoff was delayed twice after allegations of voting fraud and irregularities but Weah’s popularity won out in the end.

He will take over from Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who beat Weah in an election back in 2005. Weah’s lack of education was seen as the main reason for his loss.

The 51 year-old former striker was signed by Chelsea in 2000 on loan and had an immediate impact, scoring a header on his debut in a derby game against Tottenham.

He scored five goals in 14 matches for the club, starting the 2000 FA Cup final against Aston Villa as they beat the Midlanders 1-0.

He also played under Arsene Wenger at Monaco, calling him a “father figure” and attributing his considerable success to the Frenchman.

Moving to Europe in 1988 he went on to spend 14 remarkable years playing for Monaco, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan before short stints at Chelsea and Manchester City, finishing his European career in Marseille.

It was during his five years at the Rossoneri from 1995 to 2000 that he confirmed his reputation as one of the world’s most fearsome strikers, winning the Ballon d’Or in 1995 and FIFA World Player of the Year in 1996.

George Weah of AC Milan

The Liberian powerhouse was known for his work-rate, instinctive ability and athletic attributes and was seen, along with Ronaldo and Romario , as a modern breed of striker who could finish and run with the ball effectively.

A highly decorated professional, he won African Footballer of the Year three times, the Serie A twice, Ligue 1 once and a smorgasbord of domestic cups in France and Italy.

Back in October, Arsenal boss Wenger mistakenly congratulated Weah on the presidential victory.

“I would like to congratulate one of my former players, who became president of Liberia,” the Frenchman said in his pre-Watford press conference on October 12.

“It is not often that you have a former player who becomes a president of a country.

“Well done George and I would say just for him to keep his enthusiasm and his desire to learn and to win.”

 

Crystal Palace vs Arsenal : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Crystal Palace
  • Christian Benteke returns from suspension for the home side and should slot in up front, but Roy Hodgson looks set to be without five injured players on Thursday night.
Arsenal
  • Shkodran Mustafi is expected to replace Nacho Monreal in defence after he was forced off at half-time in Friday’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool, while Sead Kolasinac should also return at left-back.
  • Arsenal have had four full days to recover for this match against Crystal Palace, which should mean few changes from Arsene Wenger.
  • Danny Welbeck may rotate with Alex Iwobi in the front line, but Olivier Giroud is still sidelined.

Match Facts

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Crystal Palace‘s last 6 home games (Premier League).

Crystal Palacehavescored at least 2 goals in their last 6 home matches (Premier League).

Crystal Palaceareundefeated in their last 8 matches (Premier League).

Crystal Palacehave seen over 2.5 goals in their last 3 home matches against Arsenal in all competitions.

There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Arsenal‘s last 3 away games (Premier League).

Prediction

  • Crystal Palace’s unbeaten run extended to eight games at the weekend but Roy Hodgson would have been disappointed only to have got a point at home to bottom side Swansea. The Eagles could be back in the bottom three by the time this match starts.
  • Arsenal did well to come back from 2-0 down against Liverpool to draw 3-3 on Friday but questions must be asked why they went 2-0 down at home in the first place. Defensive mistakes continue to stifle progress for Arsene Wenger’s side. They could be four points adrift of the top four by the time this game starts.
  • Arsenal have struggled at Selhurst Park in recent games and were thrashed 3-0 on their last visit. This is by no means an easy game for Arsenal despite what the league table might suggest. Everyone else would have played by this match and that will bring additional pressures to both teams. An entertaining game should be in the offing.

Prediction:

Crystal Palace logo Crystal Palace

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3

Arsenal Arsenal logo

Newcastle United vs Manchester City : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

Newcastle United
  • Jonjo Shelvey returns from suspension but may have to settle for a place on the bench here.
  • Paul Dummett was an unused substitute against West Ham on Saturday but will lack match fitness to start here.
  • Aleksandar Mitrovic and Jesus Gamez are the only injury concerns for the home side.
  • Mikel Merino and Isaac Hayden were both left out of the squad in the 3-2 win away to West Ham and will push for recalls here.
Manchester City
  • Pep Guardiola will make changes to the side that comfortably beat Bournemouth on Saturday.
  • Vincent Kompany may not be risked given the sharp turnaround between matches, while Gabriel Jesus is expected to replace Sergio Aguero in attack.
  • David Silva returned after a two-game absence and will retain his place, while Kevin De Bruyne may be given a rest.
  • Bernardo Silva, Danilo and Ilkay Gündogan will push for starts on Wednesday night.
  • Eliaquim Mangala was fit enough to make the bench at the weekend and should start on Wednesday night.

Match Facts

Man City have won their last 17 matches (Premier League).

Man City have scored at least 2 goals in their last 12 matches (Premier League).

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Man City‘s last 7 games (Premier League).

Man City are undefeated in 20 of their last 21 matches against Newcastle in all competitions.

Newcastlehavelost their last 4 home matches (Premier League).

Man City have been winning at both half time and full time in their last 3 matches (Premier League).

Newcastlehave seen under 2.5 goals in their last 4 home matches against Man City in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Newcastle moved out of the bottom three courtesy of a 3-2 win away to West Ham on Saturday. Before that, they had lost eight of their last nine. That should give Rafa Benitez’s side some confidence ahead of this daunting fixture.
  • Manchester City are storming their way to the title and have now won their last 17 Premier League matches in a row. They have kept clean sheets in four of their last six visits to St. James’ Park, to increase their chances of winning even further.
  • With changes expected from both managers, it’s hard to predict outcomes during the hectic festive period, but it would be a shock if City didn’t pick up all three points and close in on Bayern Munich’s record of 19 straight wins in Europe’s top five league history.
Prediction:

Newcastle United logo Newcastle United

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Manchester City Manchester City logo

AC Milan vs Inter : Match Preview & Prediction

Team News

AC Milan
  • Gennaro Gattuso will make a change to his usual 4-3-3 starting lineup despite recent poor performances.
  • Suso is available in the cup after missing the last Serie A game due to suspension.
  • Patrick Cutrone is expected to start ahead of both Nikola Kalinic and André Silva in attack.
Inter
  • Luciano Spalletti will rotate here with Miranda and Danilo D’Ambrosio not at full fitness, while others, including Borja Valero, may benefit from a rest.
  • João Cancelo might get a rare chance to start at left-back, with Yuto Nagatomo on the opposite flank.
  • João Mario is set to play behind the lone striker, who will be, with no doubt, Mauro Icardi.

Match Facts

AC Milanhave seen over 2.5 goals in their last 4 matches against Inter in all competitions.

AC Milan have scored at least 2 goals in their last 4 matches against Inter in all competitions.

There have been over 2.5 goals scored in AC Milan‘s last 3 games (Coppa Italia).

AC Milanareundefeated in 9 of their last 10 matches (Coppa Italia).

Inter have scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 matches against AC Milan in all competitions.

Prediction

  • Milan have lost two Serie A games in a row and have been overtaken by Atalanta and Fiorentina in the table. They are still in the running for European qualification, but their main goal now should be to do well in the cups since their primary target of a top-4 finish has been already missed.
  • After a tremendous start to the season, Inter have started to slow and possibly find their place just behind the two title contenders Napoli and Juventus, but their campaign overall should be considered a success given the pre-season predictions.
  • While the two sides both seem to be on a poor run of form, Inter will be more satisfied with their achievements so far. Their one-goal victory in the league derby was closer than it could have been and the Nerazzurri are favourites to beat their rivals again to get back on track.
  • Of course, if Milan fans were to pick any game for their team to turn things around this season, in would be a knock-out derby against Inter, which could either help or put additional pressure on the Rossoneri.
Prediction:

AC Milan logo AC Milan

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Inter Inter logo

Who is George Weah?

The wider world was ultimately proven to be premature in offering its congratulations to George Weah on becoming president of Liberia on October 10.

The AC Milan legend had indeed garnered the most votes in the first round of voting but he nonetheless failed to meet the required amount to secure election, rendering the abundance of good luck messages on social media inconsequential.

As a result, Weath now faces a run-off against the current vice-president, the Unity Party candidate Joseph Boakai, on December 26.

The world at large may recognise Weah as an inspirational figure who has made the transition from sporting to political life, but the perception of Liberia’s most famous son is not so clear-cut in his homeland.

The dethroned ex-president of Liberia is serving 50 years in a British prison for war crimes committed during the civil war in Sierra Leone.

Weah has also earned the backing of defeated presidential candidate Prince Johnson, who was aligned with Taylor during the early days of the bloody civil war, as well as being responsible for the gruesome murder of ex-president Samuel Doe.

Weah’s Congress for Democratic Change party has entered into an alliance with Taylor’s National Patriotic Party.

“They are our natural partner,” Taylor’s ex-wife and NPP senator Jewel Howard Taylor was quoted as saying in November 2016. She is now serving as Weah’s running mate in the presidential race.

“The CDC was created out of the NPP and so the alliance with the CDC is a natural alliance.”

Some members of Taylor’s party suspended their membership, while several CDC partisans left because of the link with an allegedly ruthless warlord.

“The way Mr Taylor ruled and tortured us during those days, I doubt anyone who suffered will ever forget those painful memories,” noted entertainer Kekura Kamara – aka Balawala – who was a member of the Weah PR team during the iconic forward’s playing days.

“George was a very good footballer,” Kamara said. “He showed that on the field but, as a politician, I doubt that he will make it.”

Kamara insists that the CDC leader is a reactionary and deemed him an unpredictable decision-maker.

Having worked with Weah for several years, Kamara is sure that Weah’s ideology could not now be the same as it was when he first launched his bid for the Liberian presidency back in 2005.

The 1995 World Player of the Year is seeking the country’s highest office for the second time.

On the first occasion, he was beaten to the post by the first and – still – only female Liberian president, the esteemed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Weah went from winning the first-round vote to losing in the run-off to Johnson Sirleaf. This time around, though, he is expected to triumph over Boakai, with whom he has been engaging in a bitter war of words.

Weah ran for vice-president in 2011 and went on to easily win a seat at the senate in 2014 – beating the son of President Sirleaf, Robert, by clinching 78 per cent of the votes in Montserrado County, which holds the country’s capital, Monrovia.

His political rallies are never short of fans. One supporter, James Pewee – decorated with a Weah t-shirt, a scarf around his neck and a CDC flag in his hand – says his Judgement Day will arrive when Mr Weah is finally pronounced as President of Liberia.

“I just love Weah,” he says. “He loves this country and he has the country at heart.”

“I don’t know what the world thinks but I know Mr Weah has proven to be formidable politician in Liberia,” Musa Shannon, the vice-president of the Liberian FA and a former team-mate of Weah, told Goal.

“He contested the presidency of Liberia [in 2005] and also won the senatorial seat of the largest County – Montserrado – by a landslide. He is the standard-bearer of the most consistent opposition party. I think that would classify him a popular politician.”

Today, as well as being a member of the Liberian Parliament and senator of the country’s biggest county, Weah is also the serving Chair of the Committee on Youth and Sports, and a member of the regional ECOWAS Parliament.

He is banking on his fame and popularity to win, travelling extensively and drawing massive crowds on the campaign trail. He has talked about reconciliation after the decades of civil strife, pointing to his time as a former UN peace ambassador working on disarming child soldiers as evidence of his suitability to the role of peace-maker.

He has, however, received criticism for doing little to impact the sporting sector, given the country has not qualified for a major football competition in 15 years.

Weah’s campaign has little of the trappings of what would be expected in Liberia and he has yet to adequately explain his manifesto.

As in 2005, several of Weah’s famous Lone Star team mates have again refused to support him and some even actively campaigned against him.

Speaking at a news conference on October 10 on behalf of several former team-mates of Weah’s under the banner ‘Soccer Legends’, ex-defender Dionysius Sebwe explained that their stance was “one of conscience devoid of any prejudice; it’s a decision to support the strong foundation of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration.”

They also declared support for vice-president Boakai and, at the same, recognised his competence, quality and leadership ability to maintain Liberia’s democratic gains.

Mulbah Reeves, a videographer, told Goal his admiration for Weah dates back to his playing days.

“He was an excellent player, he never had disparity in his game at country and club level,” he says. “His discipline levels were excellent, one reason I think he succeeded.”

Reeves, however, does not support Weah’s bid for the presidency, arguing that football was his true vocation and he should never have moved into the political sphere.

Weah’s former team-mate Shannon thinks that, as a competitive person, Weah would have the requisite leadership skills to be his own man if elected, despite being allegedly surrounded by Taylor’s people.

“He was Liberia’s best player, he led most of us to become better players, so I think he would run his regime.

“The whole country holds Mr Weah in high regard; he is our all-time best football player, he was a leader, he always wanted to win.”

He said the mark left by Weah on the global stage, which has been reflected in Liberian national pride, can never be forgotten – no matter who is supporting his political ideology.

Another former Lone Star player who didn’t go the way of his rebellious colleagues this time, defender Terrance Dickson, said Weah was a philanthropist who empowers everyone – including some of those who may not have supported him.

“Though I didn’t benefit personally from Mr Weah during our playing days like he did for others, his goodwill towards everyone has created admiration for him everywhere he goes,” Dickson explains.

“Mr Weah is good man, he loves his country, he loves his people, he has sacrificed for the country. He is the leader Liberia needs now.”