So, it wasn’t the day everyone in Hereford had hoped for, but it was still the most remarkable of trips, and few went back to the Cider Country with frowns on their faces.
It was the big one, the final game of a ground-breaking first season for newly emerged phoenix club, Hereford FC, who have followed in the footsteps of FC United and FC Halifax Town in starting from scratch to appease previous wrongdoings. It was the FA Vase final, and with the stage set at Wembley, and over 20,000 from Hereford making the trip, the writing was on the wall for Peter Beadle to bring home his fourth trophy of the season.
But it didn’t quite happen on the day. Rob Purdie (whose affinity with Hereford never seems to end) got the Bulls off to a flier in the second minute, blasting home from 25 yards. But it proved one game too many for a young Hereford team, with Morpeth equalising just after half time and then scoring three second half goals to lose the vase to Morpeth, with few arguing they didn’t deserve the result on the day.
But credit to Hereford FC. They showed dignity and fight throughout and even lined up to create a guard of honour for their North East rivals’ trophy presentation. Everything about the day oozed class, with new friendships born and a brand-new generation of young Hereford supporters who one day may cheer their team back into the football league, brought truly aboard. After all, look at what AFC Wimbledon have achieved in such a short space of time.
It’s the stuff of dreams and even the veteran Bulls fans who were in attendance smiled on as the goals continued to go in, knowing that it’s taken 92 years to see their beloved whites, albeit under a new name, on the Wembley turf.
It was about the occasion, the whole season. It’s easy to say that when the result doesn’t go your way, but it really felt like that as Hereford struggled to find their league winning form on the day.
The result may have not been what was hoped for, but if you look at the season as a whole, you can’t say they’ve let down their supporters. Midland Premier League winners, Polymac Packaging Cup winners and Herefordshire County Cup champions are on the honours list this year and considering they didn’t even have a starting XI this time last season, you have to applaud Hereford’s efforts.
The support has been fantastic and it’s a story we definitely haven’t heard the last of. Ronnie Radford will always be a hero in Herefordshire, but there’s a new squad of players looking to bring the Bulls back to the Football League and they would be level-pegging if they managed to succeed.
Hereford FC have got a big season ahead and it may prove more challenging than originally thought, but you can’t knock the efforts of the players, coaching staff and supporters who have created this new, exciting club.
It’ll be the first summer transfer window this year for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.
The German has had time now, since being appointed in October, to assess his squad and decide who is staying and whose Anfield career is coming to an end. Klopp has seen plenty of improvements in his team from the likes of Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren and Divock Origi and the fact the club have reached two finals speaks volumes for how the players are adopting his tactics.
There will be changes, however, as Liverpool go in search of better league form – finishing only eighth suggests there isn’t the depth needed in the squad to compete on all fronts just yet.
The German coming in from Dortmund means there will be a number of his former players linked with a move to Merseyside this summer as well as some of the usual names being set for a move to Anfield.
Here at FootballFanCast we’ve had a look at the rumours to bring you TEN players bound to be linked with Liverpool this coming transfer window…
Mario Gotze
With the potential to be one of the most protracted transfer sagas of this summer, Mario Gotze to Liverpool refuses to go away. It makes sense, of course, to link an unhappy Gotze with a move to the club where his former manager, whom he achieved so much with, works, and if Liverpool can offer him the chance to progress his career, which is stagnating at Bayern Munich, it could be a done deal.
Loris Karius
Liverpool searching for a goalkeeper is widely expected given Simon Mignolet’s struggles and Adam Bogdan seemingly not good enough. Karius is the latest ‘keeper to be linked with a move to Anfield and the current Mainz stopper has had a good season. The young German is a great shot stopper but the key point about him is his ability to command his area, something Liverpool’s defence is currently without.
Yacine Brahimi
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Brahimi has been part of the Porto side that has underwhelmed this year in the Portuguese Premeira Liga, but that won’t put of clubs of the Reds’ calibre. Brahimi is part of a promising Algerian national side that boasts the likes of Riyad Mahrez and given his favoured position is down the flanks, an area Liverpool lack options, it’s a potential deal that makes sense.
Neven Subotic
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Similar to Gotze, the Serbian centre half was a big Klopp player, but has seen very little playing action this season for his club. Still at Dortmund, Subotic was a key part of the Bundesliga winning sides under Liverpool’s manager and may want to try and see if he can help do the same on Merseyside. Dortmund might want to keep him due to Mats Hummels joining Bayern Munich, but it could be a little too late to reconcile with the defender.
Javier Pastore
Pastore secured a big money move to PSG but could be set to move again this year. The Argentine is a quick thinking attacking midfielder and would add extra threat to Liverpool’s attacking play with the likes of Philipe Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge in the side. His wages may prove a stumbling block, but Pastore has plenty of years left and would be a statement of intent from the Reds.
Alexandre Lacazette
Many thought Lacazette would sign at Anfield last summer, but that never came to fruition. The Frenchman has had another stellar year in Ligue 1 for Lyon and it’s anyone’s guess as to how he is only a reserve for Didier Deschamps’ French EURO 2016 squad. He is an out and out striker and would guarantee goals if Liverpool still have doubts over Daniel Sturridge’s fitness.
Marco Reus
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As soon as Klopp went to Liverpool there was a huge clamour from the Liverpool fans to sign Marco Reus. A prime example of what the German can do in terms of improving players, Reus went from a largely unknown quantity to one of Dortmund’s best players. He does all the things a world class player should do and perhaps after seeing his side be dumped out of the Europa League by Klopp’s new charges, he fancies being part of that too.
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Callum Wilson
Britain Soccer Football – AFC Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion – Barclays Premier League – Vitality Stadium – 15/16 – 7/5/16Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson applauds the fans after the gameReuters / Toby MelvilleEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representa
Callum Wilson was set for a barnstorming season, leading the scoring charts in the early stages of 2015/16. Cruelly for him and Bournemouth he was robbed of that chance by a lengthy injury, but now back it seems as though other clubs in the league haven’t forgotten his exploits, including Liverpool. Could be a cheaper option to many strikers out there but Bournemouth will try everything to resist any bids.
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Piotr Zielinski
The young Empoli midfielder (who has been on loan from Udinese) is being heavily linked with the Reds and it might just be a matter of time until this one is confirmed. Zielinski brings a lot of running and dynamism to the centre of the pitch and this is obviously a hallmark of a Jurgen Klopp player. The thinking is if Zielinski already has this base then Klopp can surely mould him into an even better player.
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Ilkay Gundogan
Gundogan dislocated his knee towards the end of this season, so there may be some concerns over his future fitness. He is, however, one of the best midfielders about and would dictate the tempo in Liverpool’s team. Gundogan is pivotal to Klopp’s style, knitting it all together, and if the German can persuade his former player to do that again for the Reds they’d be a impressive unit.
After failing to mount a serious title challenge for the second season in a row, Manchester City have gone for the jugular option – appointing arguably the greatest manager of his generation in former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola.
The Spaniard will be expected to not only bring his impeccable record of silverware to the Etihad stadium but also the tiki-taka philosophy that has continually accompanied it, which means a huge rebuilding job for the club who had the oldest squad in the Premier League last season.
But time is of the essence and City’s money-mad owners will be incredibly disappointed if Guardiola doesn’t transition the level of dominance we’ve come to expect of him to the Etihad – regardless of how competitive the Premier League has become.
So what are City’s chances of demolishing the rest of the division? A look at their FIVE key fixtures for the 2016/17 campaign should give us some insight.
MANCHESTER CITY VS CHELSEA – December 3rd
Manchester City may have got the better of Chelsea last season but the Blues have been their biggest competitors over the last few years. Antonio Conte looks set to bring in a sturdy philosophy that could counteract Guardiola’s.
MANCHESTER CITY VS ARSENAL – December 17th
Another potential title rival who City need to perform better against, winning just one of their last seven against Arsenal. Whilst a defeat at the Emirates is acceptable, losing at home is certainly not.
LIVERPOOL VS MANCHESTER CITY – December 31st
Liverpool well and truly had City’s number last season, beating them twice in the Premier League with an aggregate scoreline of 7-1. The Citizens need to overturn their fortunes against the Reds and claim at least a point at Anfield.
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MANCHESTER CITY VS MANCHESTER UNITED – February 25th
Just when it seemed the Manchester derby had maximised in its intensity, the Jose Mourinho-Pep Guardiola rivalry has added a whole new dynamic to the mix. Both clubs are likely to be in the race for next season’s title and winning this fixture could resultantly have a huge impact on their chances.
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MANCHESTER CITY VS SPURS – January 21st
Spurs ran absolute riot against City last season and appear to be a club on the rise under Mauricio Pochettino. Beating the Lilywhites next term will push City towards the Premier League’s summit, but losing could compel them to another season of setting for top four.
Optimism and hope are always high at the beginning of any season.
New players come in, deadwood float away, youngsters are gearing up for first team opportunities and any bad memories are erased as the fans and the club look forward rather than back.
In West Ham’s case, last season was widely unexpected. Pundits were saying that the club should be careful what they wish for as Big Sam left, predicting a struggle, while Slaven Bilic made us all take note of just how wrong pundits can be.
West Ham excelled. The Hammers upset the big boys more than once and trounced all over unwanted records. Despite a slight slip towards the end, they qualified for Europe.
Now the money into the game has increased and it’s availability is more accessible, Bilic and his peers will be judged increasingly harsher by their respective bosses.
More will be expected and questioned when things do not go according to plan.
With Europe in mind, Slaven Bilic has had to build a squad with depth and quality. It’s arguable as to whether the club has gone about its transfer dealings in the right way, and time will tell if these new faces gel and live up to the expectations of them.
This season will be tougher for Bilic. Improvement is demanded from a board willing to back their manager and who, as supporters of the club they run, want only the best for West Ham as they look to build for a successful future.
In Europe, West Ham must qualify for the group stages. At the moment, it is evenly poised with the return tie in London and although the performance was below par – before fans start clambering for the negatives – let’s bear in mind that it is the early stages of a new season, the humidity in Romania was very high, the missing players and that this time last year, performances were not so very different before the squad turned it around.
Anything but a run in the group stages will be a failure. Progression beyond the groups is only something to dream about for Hammers fans just now. One step at a time.
In the cups, the Hammers almost made the semi-finals in the FA Cup and a step closer will be required, as will a decent run in the elusive League Cup. Bilic wants silverware and West Ham have a chance to do well.
The league is a different proposition. Only four teams can qualify for the Champions League, so there will be some disappointed faces come May. With the recruitment of top managers and top players, the inconsistent so called “bigger clubs” of last year will be forgotten as each one beckons a new era.
Clubs like West Ham will have a say in who wins the Premier League, but for Bilic and his squad to capture seventh or better will be a mammoth task and should be applauded if they achieve it. Seventh again will not be a failure, but already the Hammers boss is mindful of European games. Historically, these games have hampered league stability for other clubs.
This will be a testing season for Slaven Bilic and his West Ham team. Expect a few more grey hairs on Mr. Bilic in May next year.
Arsenal’s good result away to PSG in midweek somewhat masks the fact that they were battered for the first half of the game and should never have been able to nick a point in the first place.
What’s worrying for Arsene Wenger is presumably the fact that his best performer on the night was probably David Ospina, his goalkeeper.
That’s not so much worrying in the traditional way that hailing your keeper as the best player is worrying. It’s not worrying because they had to rely on him so much, but it’s worrying because their best player is probably not going to be the one who starts most matches.
It might just be that Ospina is Arsenal’s Champions League goalkeeper, but surely Petr Cech will come back into goal against Hull City. And if he does, will that mean that Arsenal’s team will be bereft of form players?
Will Olivier Giroud start up front, or will it be Alexis Sanchez, will Granit Xhaka be used from the start of an Arsenal match? He was given the full 90 against Watford, but then not played against PSG.
Here is an XI Arsenal need to use to beat high-flying Hull City…
Petr Cech
Petr Cech will surely come back into goal for Arsenal’s game away to Hull City.
No one has won the Premier League’s golden glove award more times than Cech, and his presence behind the back four makes everyone feel just that little bit better.
It’s all about confidence as a defender, and if you’re confident in the man behind you, it’s easier to stay in position and make sure you don’t make a mistake.
Hector Bellerin
Arsenal’s young right back is starting to look like one of the most promising players in world football.
Frighteningly quick and real handful going forward, Bellerin is a modern full back par excellence. It might even be that Bellerin suits a slightly more advanced role at some point in the future, though he’s not bad in defence either.
Against Hull, it will be Bellerin’s help going forward that might allow Arsenal to find space behind the full back and between the centre back and the full back. His pace is always an asset, but his ability to become an extra option in attack could be the key to Arsenal breaking down what has become quite a solid defence at the KCOM stadium.
Shkodran Mustafi
A lot of money was spent on Shkodran Mustafi, and it’ll take time for the German defender to really show that it was worth it. So far, though, he does look like the solid presence alongside Laurent Koscielny that Arsenal have been crying out for for so long.
Mustafi is also fantastic in the air, and from set pieces he may also find himself rising above everyone else. In games where you know the opposition are going to defend for their lives, it might be a leap from Mustafi that makes the difference.
Laurent Koscielny
Arsenal’s best defender is surely now to be considered one of the best in the league. And maybe this season, with some protection in front of him in the defensive midfield position, alongside him in Mustafi and behind in in Petr Cech, Koscielny can show just how good he is. As good as he is, defending is all about the team as a unit, in the end.
Nacho Monreal
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Nacho Monreal is Arsenal’s undisputed left back these days. In a similar vein to Hector Bellerin, Monreal is good going forward and reliable defensively, but he’s also burst onto the scene and done enough to keep his place.
Another player who can give Arsenal an out ball in attacking positions, the full backs may be very important against Hull City, who – as we saw earlier this season against Manchester United – will defend for their lives all game. Width and extra attacking options will be vital.
Granit Xhaka
Although Arsene Wenger appears not to have been totally convinced by the Swiss international so far, Xhaka is clearly the steel in Arsenal’s midfield that they’ve been crying out for since Patrick Vieira left the club.
Xhaka is not just a defensive midfielder, though. He’s the man who brings the ball out of the defence and starts the team’s attacks. Something that could be vitally important to Arsenal’s recycling of play against Hull.
Santi Cazorla
If the game against PSG was too fractured, too intense and too much for Santi Cazorla at times, the sort of game where he really comes to the fore is the likes of Hull City away.
That sounds a little mean on the Spaniard, but it’s not supposed to be. Cazorla is a wonderfully creative midfielder, especially when used deep as he has been under Arsene Wenger recently.
Hull is a tough fixture precisely because they will be a side that is well-drilled and hard to break down. For the big teams, it’s a potential banana skin, but when you have a creator like Cazorla in the team, it does get a bit easier.
Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott didn’t travel to France to play against PSG, but Arsene Wenger has said that his spell on the sidelines is likely to be a short one. It’s entirely possible he plays against Hull City, then
That could be a good thing, too, as Walcott’s pace and good form could be the difference between breaking down a stubborn defence and being left ruing a missed chance, as has happened to Arsenal so often in the past when they’ve failed to break teams down.
Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil didn’t really do much against PSG in midweek, but the one time he was asked to pick out a good pass, it led to a goal.
Playing some nice football down the left, Ozil’s cut-back for Alex Iwobi was the key to breaking down PSG’s defence, after the Nigerian’s blocked shot came back to Alexis Sanchez who smashed it home.
It’s that sort of ability to come alive all of a sudden and change a game that Arsenal may need this weekend.
Alexis Sanchez
Played up front on his own against PSG, you could see that Alexis Sanchez wasn’t at his best playing that role. He looked isolated and couldn’t really get himself involved in the game – on top of that, he often dropped deep, leaving the PSG defenders with nothing to mark. A sin for a striker.
When Olivier Giroud came onto the pitch, however, Sanchez was given the opportunity to roam behind the striker, a position where he clearly felt more comfortable, and it was his late run into the box that got him a goal.
Olivier Giroud
When you have all the money in the world, perhaps your starting striker shouldn’t be Olivier Giroud.
You do get the feeling, though, that the big Frenchman is more important to this Arsenal team than people seem to think.
It’s not that he scores heaps of goals – and that, of course, is a problem for a striker – but it’s more the link up play he facilitates. During the PSG game, with Sanchez dropping too deep to allow Arsenal to have any sort of presence in the middle, Arsenal’s attacks often came to nothing.
Giroud came on and suddenly Marquinhos and Thaigo Silva needed to make tackles and mark a man. It’s that sort of presence that should be visible from the start against Hull. If it’s not working, plan B should be Sanchez or Lucas Perez up front. But start with Giroud and see if he can work the Hull defenders first.
Pep Guardiola has a lot of questions to answer ahead of Saturday’s clash with Everton at the Etihad Stadium. Against Tottenham, the Spaniard suffered an experience he’s not previously felt in England when Mauricio Pochettino’s side ran out 2-0 winners – ensuring Pep was on the losing side for the first time.
Ahead of Manchester City’s visit from Everton, Guardiola must address key issues as his side go in search of their first victory in three games – after previously winning ten on the bounce.
The game against Tottenham showed up a number of weaknesses in this Manchester City side with problem areas requiring the gaffer’s attention in the next couple of transfer windows.
Guardiola has proven his worth time and again by coming back from defeats in impressive style and it’s now more than six years since he suffered consecutive defeats in management.
Here are four questions Guardiola must find solutions to before Ronald Koeman’s Everton come to town.
Which full-backs can do the job?
A stalwart and the heartbeat of Manchester City in recent times, Pablo Zabaleta looks set to come into the fold this weekend once again after injury to Bacary Sagna on international duty.
Against Tottenham, Manchester City were crippled by Spurs’ fast paced wingers. If Guardiola is to secure another three points this Saturday, he must make sure his full-backs return to form.
How can City return to winning ways?
After ten successive wins, Guardiola’s side haven’t won in two games – drawing 3-3 at Celtic and losing 2-0 at White Hart Lane. Ahead of the challenge with Everton, Guardiola will attempt to have his side return to winning ways once more.
Everton will prove a difficult task for Manchester City this Saturday. However, if Guardiola is to silence his critics, he must secure another home victory for the Blues. Koeman’s team will prove no pushovers as the Evertonians have enjoyed their best ever start to a Premier League season.
Who’s fit enough to start?
Not many people like the international break. However, Manchester City fans were delighted there would be no Premier League football for a fortnight after losing 2-0 away to Spurs.
Key players suffered major injuries prior to the break including Kevin De Bruyne, who was ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury. City have not won a game since De Bruyne’s injury and Guardiola must prove that his side are not over-reliant on the Belgian.
Sergio Aguero also suffered a knock whilst playing for Argentina, so City may face Everton without their talisman also.
How can City keep a clean sheet?
As superb as Manchester City have been this season, they have still only managed to keep one clean sheet in seven league games.
The form of John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi cannot be disputed, however, but the jury’s still out on Claudio Bravo. The Chile international will be keen to keep just his second clean sheet of the season this Saturday.
City don’t possess poor defenders but for whatever reason, Guardiola struggles to ensure his team remain solid at the back.
According to reports from London Evening Standard and The Daily Mail, Juventus have opened contract talks with Chelsea and Manchester City transfer target Leonardo Bonucci.
A bit of background?
If we had a pound for every time Bonucci’s name has been mentioned in the rumour columns since the end of last season, Football FanCast would probably have enough to buy N’Golo Kante – or at the very least, Idrissa Gueye.
Indeed, the Italian defender’s commanding performances at Euro 2016, off the back of winning a fifth consecutive Serie A title with Juventus, had him billed as a prime defensive target for Chelsea and Manchester City during the summer transfer window.
Neither club could prize the 29-year-old away from Turin but he’s continued to be linked. Earlier this week, The Telegraph, who describe Bonucci as ‘the best defender in the world’ claimed Chelsea are prepared to shell out a staggering £60million fee – a world-record sum for a defender – to sign Bonucci in January.
The Express, meanwhile, reported in September that Vincent Kompany’s continued injury problems could force City to swoop for the Azzurri star during the next transfer window.
So what’s the latest?
Seemingly responding to The Telegraph’s story, London Evening Standard yesterday reported that Juventus had opened contract talks with the 6 foot 3 centre-back, knowing a new deal would essentially rule out a January move to the Premier League. It’s claimed the Old Lady have already offered a package that would take his wages to over £100k per week including bonuses.
The Daily Mail largely corroborate that information – including the fact both Premier League clubs are capable of paying Bonucci far more. But not to be outdone by LES, their spin on the story centres around the defender’s family situation being a bigger stumbling block than the potential new contract.
Indeed, the Italian is keen to stay in his homeland because his two-year-old son is incredibly ill, to the extent that he had to undergo surgery in July. Speaking at the press conference ahead of Italy’s World Cup Qualifier with Spain yesterday evening, a 1-1 draw, Bonucci told reporters; “What happened made me stronger. I want to thank my son and my wife because we have faced a difficult time and we will continue fighting it.”
So it seems any move on the Premier League will depend on Bonucci’s family situation – which makes him deciding to stay at Juventus, and pick up a pay rise in the process, all the more likely.
Southampton have established themselves as a production line for young talent and fans at St Mary’s have been given a fresh reason to get excited, following a superb debut from teenager Josh Sims.
The 19-year-old took just 41 seconds to shine on his Premier League debut, setting up Charlie Austin for the only goal of the game and giving Southampton all three points in their clash with Everton.
Sims ended up winning the Man of the Match award for the game, which is a tremendous achievement after five years working his way through the Saints’ illustrious youth academy before making his debut in yesterday’s win.
Naturally, Sims was delighted with his performance and took to social media after the game to celebrate his accomplishments.
Sims, who has earned a wealth of experience with England’s U17 and U18 sides, will now be looking to kick-on and earn further opportunities in the Southampton first-team and things look promising, with the youngster earning a wealth of plaudits for his performance.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League dream may be over this season but avoiding defeat at home to CSKA Moscow will see them progress into the Europa League Round of 32 after Christmas.
That may seem like a consolation prize compared to the bright lights of Europe’s premier competition but there’s still plenty on offer for Mauricio Pochettino’s team on the continent this season.
Often seen as a distraction by teams in the Premier League, the competition is taken more seriously in Spain, Portugal, Germany and France – six of the last ten winners have come from Spain alone.
If the north London side do treat the competition with respect, they’ll be among the favourites. Not many clubs have the player-base and budget on the level of Spurs.
Here are our THREE reasons why Spurs should make the Europa League a priority this season…
First European trophy in over 30 years
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Spurs haven’t tasted European success since 1984 when finals in the competition were still two-legged affairs. For a club of Spurs’ size, that’s a long time to wait for success on the continent and Pochettino’s side are well placed to try and create history themselves given their talent.
Tottenham have actually won the tournament twice with some legendary names like Alan Mullery, Alan Gilzean, Gary Mabbutt and Steve Perryman all picking up the trophy in white.
In 1963, they became the first British side to win a European cup, defeating Atletico Madrid 5-1 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup final.
It’s a legacy that deserves to be taken seriously and we’re sure the current squad would be well remembered for delivering success.
Champions League place up for grabs
With competition at the top of the English Premier League as fierce as ever, winning the Europa League could prove one of Spurs’ best opportunities to return to the Champions League next season.
The four teams above Spurs in the Premier League table are looking very strong and Manchester United’s poor form is unlikely to continue. Qualification through the Premier League suddenly becomes a bit of a lottery.
The Europa League presents Spurs with the chance to effectively be nine games away from a Champions League spot in 2017/18. Doesn’t sound too shabby if you ask us, especially when you consider it would come with a historic trophy.
Big European nights
There’s nothing quite like massive European nights on your home turf, especially in a knockout competition. The lights, the expectation, the atmosphere, the players raising their game. It’s magical stuff.
There are plenty of big names going forward in the Europa League too; Fenerbahce, Olympiacos, Roma, Athletic Bilbao, Fiorentina, Lyon, Besiktas, Borussia Monchengladbach. All are iconic European clubs that would be sure to bring in crowds and capture the interest of Spurs fans across the world.
It may not be the Champions League, but it’s still a smashing tournament and if Pochettino plays his best XIs and inspires them to go out with intent to win, anything could happen under the bright lights of White Hart Lane.
Granit Xhaka arrived at Arsenal for big money in the summer but so far has found things difficult, with glimpses of brilliance accompanied by regular time out of the first-team and poor performances, particularly defensively.
With Santi Cazorla injured, Francis Coquelin hobbling off against Bournemouth and Mohamed Elneny at the African Cup of Nations, Arsenal will need the Swiss international to find his best form in the weeks ahead as the Gunners look to get their campaign back on track.
Arsenal fans themselves with have their hopes for what the former Borussia Monchengladbach can achieve and the midfielder has also highlighted what he’s looking for in 2017, when speaking to the club’s official website.
“I hope to stay fit and healthy of course, that’s most important, and that we’re successful on the pitch. We have a lot of aspiration at the club, including the players, and we work hard every day to realise those aspirations. We hope that we’ll have success to show for those efforts come the end of the year.”
“What would be successful? Well, every club has objectives. We want to achieve those objectives, so we want to show that we have managed to achieve what we set out to do in the summer.”
“It’s always tough to say about something on a personal level. It’s important that I’m able to achieve something with this team, because it’s a team sport after all and that’s most important. My own personal objectives fall in line with that.”
Whilst not highlighting specifics, it’s clear Xhaka is hoping for trophies this season and it seems the FA Cup will once again be their best chance, as Arsenal have fallen behind in the Premier League title race and don’t look good enough to win the Champions League.