Tag Archives: Arsene Wenger

Lifestyle

Emmanuel Macron scores penalty during charity football match

Maravi Post Reporter
Arsene-Wenger-and-Artete

Last updated: 2 hours ago

French President Emmanuel Macron, who has his eye firmly on the goal of elections next year, donned his football boots and marshalled the midfield at a charity match on Thursday. After a kiss from his wife Brigitte, the 43-year-old was all smiles as he took to the pitch in Poissy outside Paris alongside former international defender Marcel Desailly and ex-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Playing central midfield, Macron drew cheers from the crowd with his first touch — and was given plenty of space to turn from overawed opponents who retreated deferentially as he advanced with the ball. The fan of Marseille was also allowed to take a penalty, scoring an equaliser with a less-than-ferocious shot that the political centrist sent straight down the middle. Macron, who played football at university and is a keen tennis player, had spent the day visiting construction sites for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Source: Africanews

Sports

Arsene Wenger speaks highly of Mikel Arteta in Arsenal team

Maravi Post Reporter

LONDON-(MaraviPost)-Former Arsenal coach, Arsene Wenger has spoken highly of Mikel Arteta and how he has improved the Arsenal team since coming on board.

Arteta took over the Gunners in December 2019, after Unai Emery was sacked over abysmal performance.

Emery himself had replaced Wenger in the summer of 2018.

When Arteta arrived, Arsenal was languishing below mid-table, with noises of discontent within the squad.

But the 38-year-old, who spent five years as a player under Wenger, has worked wonders to restore the club’s identity as well as creating a sense of positivity and momentum that convinced captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to sign a new contract last month.

Arteta has already added the FA Cup and the Community Shield to the trophy cabinet at the Emirates.

Wenger has been impressed by the Spaniard’s start but hopes to see an improvement in the club’s Premier League form after they finished eighth last season.

“[Arteta] got the grip back on the team. They finished well, though they had a bad Premier League. Fifty-six points!” Wenger noted in an interview with The UK Times.

Source: www.expressiveinfo.com

Sports

Arsenal sweating on Cech involvement in north London derby

Maravi Post Reporter

Petr Cech is in danger of missing Arsenal’s north London derby clash with Tottenham through injury, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The goalkeeper hobbled off in the second half of the Gunners’ 5-1 demolition of Everton on Saturday, with Colombian David Ospina replacing him.

Cech received a kick to his calf and, while there are no long-term concerns about his condition, Wenger remains unsure if he will be ready for Saturday’s trip to bitter rivals Spurs.

However, Wenger could potentially have both Danny Welbeck (hip) and Nacho Monreal (illness) available for selection once again.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Wenger said: “We should have a similar squad to Everton.

“Maybe Danny Welbeck will be back, but we are not sure with Cech. We had a few problems with Cech and he has not practised. I don’t know if he should be available. Nacho Monreal should be alright, so it should be a similar squad.

“I’ve no problem with that [having to make do without Cech]. Ospina or Cech – I’ll make my decision on Friday (today). I will not take any risks if he’s not 100 per cent because I’ve full confidence in Ospina.”