Editorial: The frustrating tale of Arsenal

They were meant to be Champions this season as the Manchester clubs and Chelsea flattered. The title charges of Spurs and Leicester City were meant to fizzle out. Everything was written in the stars for the red half of North London to reclaim a title they last won in 2004. But at Arsenal, nothing is ever straight forward. 

As the referee blew the whistle to signify full time after another disappointing 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, the boos from the home crowd rang out spontaneously. They had just witnessed another match thrown away -another opportunity missed. 

Arsenal have been here many times. The tension in the crowd as Arsenal held a slender 1-0 lead in the final quarter of the match was palpable. They have, over the years, lost games they were expected to win or fail to win a game like today's when they were comfortable for long spells. This Arsenal has a soft underbelly, one which is characteristic and pathologic at the same time. 

Even more perplexing is that in this frustrating side, there is a team somewhere in there capable of fighting when their back is against the wall - like that creditable draw at Tottenham. They can also offer a false illusion of hope like how they took the Manchester clubs to the cleaners at the Emirates. 

But then of course, there is the true drama. Champions and tittle contenders win games at home to Palace. They win games at home to Swansea especially when they have got the lead. But this Arsenal side is incapable of doing this and is unlikely to win the league unless this vulnerability is addressed. 

The league will not return to Arsenal this season and now they must worry about the other teams breathing down their neck as the season comes to a close. Fourth place is now far from certain. But one thing is certain, we never know which Arsenal will turn up in last five matches of the season. 

Rashford the hero as Man United sinks City

Manchester City's poor run of form in the English Premier League continued after they were beaten at the Etihad by their city rivals, Manchester United. 

Schoolboy Marcus Rashford scored the decisive strike in the first half. The United academy graduate's 16th-minute strike was enough as United ground out a much-needed victory. It was Rashford's fifth goal on his eighth appearance for the club.

Manchester City's afternoon went from bad to worse after injuries to Raheem Sterling and Joe Hart in either half to injuries. David de Gea was never really troubled throughout the game. Sergio Aguero's header against the post was actually the closest City came to equalizing.  

The result sees United maintain their quest for Champions League qualification and a perfect response to their midweek exit from the Europa League at the hands of Liverpool. 

City remain 15 points adrift of leaders Leicester with just eight games to play and surely will be looking over their shoulders as the race for the top four heats up. Man United are now level on points with fifth-placed West Ham and just a point off their city rivals.

Manchester City must now hope their poor form does not continue. The announcement of Pep Guardiola as the next manager has coincided with their bad results. They must find a way to arrest the slide or the current Bayern Munich boss will have the Europa League to contend with. 

Alex Iwobi stars as Arsenal defeats Everton

Arsenal kept their slim hopes of winning the English Premier League title with a convincing win over Everton at the Goodison Park. 

Arsenal have had a difficult week which included eliminated from the Champions League and FA Cup by Barcelona and Watford respectively. 

Alex Iwobi was handed his first league start of his Arsenal career and he justified his manager's faith with an excellent display. His link up with Welbeck in particular caused the Toffees plenty of problems. 

Danny Welbeck finished off a flowing passing move when he went round Joel Robles in the 7th minute to give Arsenal the lead. 

Lukaku, fresh from his impressive display against Chelsea last weekend, never really got going with the Arsenal defence doing a good job of keeping him quiet. 

Alex Iwobi was having a good half and his half got even better when he finished off a long pass from Hector Bellerin in the 42nd minute. 

Arsenal remained relatively untroubled in the second half as they held on to secure a convincing and comfortable 2-0 victory. 

Premier League Unveils new logo ahead of next season

The Premier League has revealed its new visual identity for the 2016/17 season. 

When the next season kicks off, it will be known as 'the Premier League, with no title sponsor.  

The move came as part of an agreement between Premier League clubs in July 2015 to move away from a title sponsorship. 

“From next season we will move away from title sponsorship and the competition will be known simply as the Premier League, a decision which provided the opportunity to consider how we wanted to present ourselves as an organisation and competition," said Premier League managing director, Richard Masters.

Premier league took to their official Twitter account to make the announcement.

New logo

This is what the old logo looks like.

What do you think?

Chelsea’s renaissance continues with win over Crystal Palace

Chelsea are now unbeaten in four games

Chelsea continued their recovery from a poor start to the season with a three-nil win at Selhurst Park over Crystal Palace. Goals from Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa were enough for Chelsea as they moved further up the table.

Guus Hiddink got his first win of his second spell in a game Chelsea showed signs of returning to their previous good form in the 3-0 win. Costa laid on Oscar for the 29^th minute opener.

Willian continued his fine form in a dismal Chelsea season when he offered another excellent display which was capped by a long range finish in the second half.

Costa then got in on the act on his return from suspension in a game in which Palace lost their usual drive and verve. Chelsea are now unbeaten in four matches since Jose Mourinho’s departure while Palace lost for the first time since November.

Premier League star found dead in a river

Steve Gohouri played for Wigan in the Premier League

34-year old Steve Gohouri, who played for Wigan Athletic between 2010 and 2012 has been found dead. He was reported missing two weeks ago.

The Ivorian attended his current fourth division German side TSV Steinbach’s Christmas party on December 11 and was due to travel to Paris to meet up with his family. German police confirmed that his body have been found at River Rhine on New Year’s Eve. Dusseldorf Police confirmed there was no violence from a third party.

The official Wigan Athletic twitter account posted a message saying: “We are saddened to hear reports of our former defender Steve Gohouri passing away. Our thoughts are with his family."

Steve Gohouri was born in Ivory Coast but grew up in France and was part of the youth system at PSG. The defender was part of the Ivory Coast 2010 World Cup squad.

Ighalo dismisses Madrid link

Odion Ighalo, Nigerian and Watford striker

Watford striker, Odion Ighlo, has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Spanish side, Atletico Madrid.

The Nigerian international’s terrific form this season has seen him attract interest from the Spanish capital after his impressive start to his debut season in the Premier League. “I want to finish the season strongly with Watford and prove that we have a good bunch of players here. When the focus is on a strong finish, transfer talk won’t get to you”, the striker said.

Ighalo has scored 14 goals this season and has formed a terrifying strike partnership with Troy Deeney. His goals have lifted his side to the top-half of the table. He added that he was keen to get the disappointment of the Tottenham result out of the way with a good result in the next game against Manchester City. “We didn’t get the result we deserved against Tottenham but we want to put it right against Man City – that’s what is in front of me right now,” Ighalo told the BBC.

English Premier League Results

Arsenal climbed to the top of the table with a two-nil win over Bournemouth in a game that saw Petr Cech break the PL clean sheet record. Manchester United and Chelsea played out a goalless draw. It was goals galore at Goodison Park where Stoke won a seven-goal thriller.

The results in full are as follows:

Crystal Palace                   0-0                    Swansea City

Everton                             3-4                    Stoke

Norwich City                    2-0                    Aston Villa

Watford                             1-2                   Tottenham

West Brom                        1-0                   Newcastle

Arsenal                             2-0                    Bournemouth 

Manchester United            0-0                   Chelsea

West Ham                          2-1                   Southampton 

Premier League Fixtures

The Premier League returns today with under-pressure Louis Van Gaal entertaining Chelsea. Arsenal will look to put aside any Boxing Day hangover from the heavy defeat at St. Mary's when they welcome Bournemouth. Leicester City host Manchester City tomorrow in what will be a fascinating game of contrasting styles. The full fixtures are as follows:

December 28

Crystal Palace                   Vs               Swansea City 

Everton                             Vs               Stoke City

Norwich City                    Vs              Aston Villa

Watford                             Vs               Tottenham

West Brom.                       Vs              Newcastle United

Arsenal                              Vs             Bournemouth

Manchester United          Vs             Chelsea 

West Ham.                        Vs            Southampton

December 29

Leicester City                   Vs             Manchester City

December 30

Sunderland                        Vs             Liverpool

Louis Van Gaal blast media during short presser

Louis Van Gaal, who has been under intense pressure over Manchester United’s poor performance, blasted the media for fueling the speculation regarding his future. He stated he was only in the press conference because the Premier league rules meant it was compulsory for him to attend prior to the game against Stoke City.

When asked about comments made by Arsene Wenger during his press conference earlier in the day, a visibly angry LVG asked: “Has anyone in this room not a feeling that they should apologise to me? Nobody has that feeling? That’s what I am wondering.” Arsene Wenger had said earlier today that the speculation surrounding the United manager was disrespectful. 

The confused journalist then asked what the media had done wrong. In a press conference that lasted less than five minutes, the Dutch manager said he heard in the media that he had been sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho.

He seemed to suggest that there was a long way to go in the season and reminded those present that four weeks ago his team was in first place and in four weeks time, they could be top again. He ended the press conference by stating: “I only say now I am focused on Stoke City, I have helped my players, I wish you a Merry Christmas, and maybe also a Happy new year when I see you. Enjoy the wine and the mince pies. Goodbye.”

If Man United’s form continues against Stoke City, the pressure on the manager will build up even further considering that Jose Mourinho is available following his departure from Chelsea.

Everton lined up for American takeover

Everton could join a growing list of Premier League club owned by American owner as the club is currently subject to a £200million takeover bid. There has been advanced talk with former owner of San Diego Padres baseball team. The increase in tv money has made the Premier League one of the biggest and most lucrative investment in world sports.

An American group of investors is understood to have been in discussion with the Premier League club over a takeover. Fans have grown increasingly frustrated due to the lack of investment by the club and there is genuine optimism that this deal will sail through. Club chairman Bill Kenwright is said to be willing to share his stakes at the club to the US investors as the club are in need of investments to carry out their stadium plans as well as continue their annual expenditure on improving the squad. The chairman had always insisted he will only sell the club to a buyer who has the best interest of the club at heart.

The consortium which is led by John Moores and Charles Noell had previously shown an interest in purchasing Swansea but had to shift their focus to Everton after that deal could not be completed. The club fans are desperate for this deal to be completed so that they can really kick on to the next level with an upgrade of Goodison Park becoming an absolute necessity. The two top clubs could come under American ownership in the coming months if the deal sails through as Liverpool is currently owned by Tom Werner.

Coincidentally, Tom Werner was former owner of San Diego Padres baseball team which he sold to John Moores.

Goodison Park