Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: Why I'm concerned with Granit Xhaka ahead of Tottenham clash

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger says Granit Xhaka needs to work on his discipline ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham.

By Lewis Winter        

Arsenal take on Mauricio Pochettino's unbeaten Tottenham in the Premier League at the Emirates this Sunday.
The Gunners could be without Santi Cazorla, who is still suffering with an achilles injury.
That means Granit Xhaka could start the blockbuster clash.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Granit Xhaka needs to be careful in the derby against Tottenham

Arsenal star Granit Xhaka could start the Premier League clash against Tottenham

The Swiss midfielder has a poor disciplinary record and has already been sent off for Arsenal against Swansea.
And Wenger wants him to work on that side of his game.
"I've no specific idea what I'll do (with the starting XI) but i am concerned (with his discipline) yes," he said.

Arsenal star Santi Cazorla could miss the north London derby so Granit Xhaka could deputise

"Discipline is important and we want to be effective in the situations we face in a derby.
"I think he's quite a composed and calm guy, sometimes on the field the reaction is a bit impulsive.
"He needs to work on that and his control in the game."

Energy Drinks Linked to Liver Damage

According to recent information published in BMJ Case Reports, a previously-healthy 50-year-old man developed acute hepatitis after consuming four or five energy drinks a day for three weeks. The liver damage occurred as a result of excessive vitamin B3 (niacin) levels.

The man, who developed the energy drink habit while work long hours in construction, first experienced malaise and appetite loss and then nausea and vomiting. He sought medical attention when he developed yellowed skin and dark-colored urine—classic signs of hepatitis. A medical exam and diagnostic tests revealed upper abdominal tenderness and elevated liver enzymes. Liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.

The man didn’t report any other changes in diet or alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drug use—suggesting the energy drinks as the cause for the liver inflammation. Each bottle of energy drink contained 40 milligrams of niacin—200 percent of the daily recommended value. Previous studies have also linked hepatitis to energy drinks. The man cited in this study is currently managing his symptoms and has been advised to avoid energy drinks and similar products that contain niacin.

Image Credt: Thinkstock

Sourced from: Health Central

Copenhagen 0 Leicester 0: Foxes edge closer to Champions League knockout stages

KASPER SCHMEICHEL came to Leicester’s rescue with a brilliant save just seconds from the end.

By Dave Armitage

Claudio Ranieri's Leicester were left frustrated by Copenhagen

The Foxes survived a massive scare to put themselves within a point of the Champions League knockout stages.

They got the job done – but only just – and now a draw from either of the remaining two games will see them over the line.

But it was hard graft and it certainly wasn’t pretty. How different things might have looked had Schmeichel not come to the rescue and Copenhagen cocked up with just 10 seconds of normal time remaining.

Schmeichel made a superb save to keep out Andreas Cornelius’s close range header but Federico Santander failed to rattle home the loose ball.

Yes, it was a tight angle, but he only had to hit the target from no more than two yards out and he would have nicked it.

It was Schmeichel, who has a home just two minutes from the ground, who ended up coming to the rescue with that last gasp save.

When the Leicester players came to Copenhagen in fancy dress for their Christmas party, Schmeichel came as Mr Incredible.

Leicester star Jamie Vardy could not find a way past Copenhagen

How apt that proved to be – he’d denied Copenhagen with a superb last minute stop in the first tie last month.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri said: “That was a crucial save by Kasper. It was very, very good and really important. He’s fantastic.”

“The pitch was horrible for both sides. It was slippy. Taking all that into account, I’m pleased with a point and another clean sheet.

“We need one point and it’s important that we try and get it against Bruges so we can go to Porto for the last game with no need to worry.”

It was pretty dour stuff for the most part with neither keeper having to cope with anything more than routine stuff.

Leicester failed to test Copenhagen keeper Robin Olsen, though a Danny Drinkwater cross which skidded across the face of the goal deserved better.

Leicester had four players booked for fouls – Drinkwater, Robert Huth, Luis Hernandez and Wes Morgan.

The players walked out to an impressive sight in Copenhagen

Schmeichel might well have been booked as well for taking his time over his business but the referee settled for a warning.

The opening 45 minutes were probably as poor a half as Ranieri’s men have turned in for a long time.

Morgan made a great block to thwart Verbic and five minutes after the interval Christian Fuchs did well to get himself in the way of a stinging drive from Peter Ankersen.

In the 68th minute Copenhagen squandered another great opportunity when Verbic was left unmarked at the far post but blazed his shot way over.

Copenhagen boss Stale Solbakken could hardly believe his side hadn’t won the game.

Solbakken said: “We’ve played 180 minutes against Leicester and they’ve created two chances.

“I’m very proud of my team and I couldn’t ask any more. We had the better chnaces and Schmeichelk has made great saves at the end of both matches.”

            

   

COPENHAGEN (4-4-2): Olsen; Ankersen, Jorgensen, Johansson, Augustinsson; Verbic (Kusk 83), Kvist, Delaney, Jensen (Toutouh 65); Santander, Cornelius.

Subs: Andersen, Hogli, Antonsson, Gregus, Kusk, Pavlovic, Toutouh.

LEICESTER (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel; Hernandez, Huth, Morgan, Fuchs; Mahrez, Amartey; Drinkwater, Schlupp (Okazaki 71),Vardy; Musa.

Subs: Zieler, King, Albrighton, Simpson, Gray, Ulloa.

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany).

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Jose Mourinho opens up about his Man United future

JOSE MOURINHO has revealed he had the opportunity to manage in Turkey over a decade ago.

By Alex Wood       

And speaking ahead of his side's clash with Fenerbahce tomorrow night, the Manchester United boss claims he wouldn't rule out a move in the future.
"It’s the first time that I got an invitation to leave Porto and coach abroad it was a Turkish club back in 2002/3.
"It didn’t happen. Since then, 13/14 years of football it never happened again.
"Now I’m where I want to be - so happy to be. In the minimum, I want to stay until the end of my contract.
"After that, who knows? I’m a football man, very young so.
"I love passion for the game and in Turkey there is huge passion for the game so why not?"
Despite the Red Devils' comfortable 4-1 victory over the Turkish giants at Old Trafford last month, Mourinho insists the Premier League giants won't be complacent tomorrow.

Man United boss Jose Mourinho discusses his Old Trafford future

Dick Advocaat's Fenerbahce take on Manchester United tonight

"I don’t think Fenerbahce had a bad game.
"For more than half an hour, they were solid and the game was not easy for us.
"The last period of the first half we play for that because we were playing well.
"We had a little moment where we scored two goals in a few minutes and then the game is different.

Man United boss Jose Mourinho and Fenerbahce chief Dick Advocaat

"The fact that Fenerbahce has back to back victories is not a surprise. I think it’s a normal situation in the Turkish league.
"Some clubs outside of Istanbul are coming and fighting for the top positions but I think the three traditional clubs are very strong.
"They have very good players and very experienced managers like Dick Advocaat. He plays players with experience of the highest level, the experience of international competitions.
"It’s normal that Fenerbahce is recovering position in the Turkish league and is coming close to the top two teams."

Arsenal star threatened with jail: Key man being investigated over alleged wrongdoing

ARSENAL star Alexis Sanchez is reportedly in trouble with the taxman - and has been threatened with a jail spell.

By Rhys Turrell        

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is being investigated by Spanish tax authorities

Reports from Spain claim an investigation has been opened into Sanchez over allegedly withholding taxes during his time at Barcelona.

Barcelona-based newspaper El Periodico reported last night that authorities have accused Sanchez of not paying €983,443 [£888,736] during his time at the Nou Camp between 2011 until 2014.

The Chilean international is alleged to have not declared the income made from image rights in 2012 (€587,677) and 2013 (€395,766).

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez played for Barcelona between 2011 and 2014

Prosecutor Miguel Angel Perez de Gregorio claims he “simulated” the transfer of those rights to an offshore company called Numidia Trading, based in Malta.

If found guilty Sanchez could be given a prison sentence.

The Chilean international is the latest Barcelona star to be caught up in a tax case.

Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez poses after signing for the club in 2014

His former team-mates Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano have also come under the eye of Spanish investigators.
Argentine superstar Messi was sentence to 21 months in jail and handed a fine earlier this year while his countryman Mascherano accepted a year in jail and a fine.

Neither have served time behind bars though as under Spanish law any prison sentence under two years can be suspended.
Sanchez moved from Barcelona to Arsenal in 2014 for £35m.
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Rio Ferdinand: Five big changes Manchester United can make to improve their form

RIO FERDINAND has spelt out five ways Jose Mourinho can turn Manchester United’s form around.

By Rhys Turrell                                 

 
Rio Ferdinand has laid down a blueprint for success at Manchester United

Mourinho’s men have struggled in the Premier League in recent weeks.

Despite beating Manchester City in the EFL Cup and Fenerbahce in the Europa League, Man United haven’t scored in three consecutive top flight matches.

And writing in the Evening Standard, Ferdinand has spelt out how Mourinho can kick-start their season.

The former Old Trafford star wants his pal Michael Carrick back in the XI - after seeing him relegated to benchwarmer role this term.

Michael Carrick should be in Man United's team - Rio Ferdinand

Carrick played alongside Ferdinand at West Ham and United.

And the former centre-back is no doubt about his quality.

“For me, Carrick has to play more,” he wrote.

“He can feed the attacking players quicker and more precisely than anyone else in that squad.”

Man United star Chris Smalling needs to improve, according to Rio Ferdinand

Ferdinand also wants Chris Smalling to step up and become a dominant force in the heart of defence.
The ex-United man tutored Smalling in his early days in Manchester and says it’s now time to deliver.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic ending his goal drought is Ferdinand’s third key point for Mourinho to address.
The Swede is on a run of just one goal in 10 - and missed two sitters against Burnley on Saturday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has struggled for Manchester United

Ferdinand is backing the veteran striker to call on his experience to get him through his sticky patch.
Getting Henrikh Mkhitaryan involved is Ferdinand’s next top tip.
“I don’t know what’s happened to Mkhitaryan. Does anyone know where he is?” he joked.
“By all accounts he is fit and training well but you don’t see him in a Manchester United shirt.

  
Rio Ferdinand want Henrikh Mkhitaryan in Manchester United's team

“They paid Borussia Dortmund £26m to get him in the summer and for that money, I would actually like to see him play football!”
Ferdinand’s fifth point is a simple one - United must take their chances.
“Manchester United had 37 shots in the 0-0 draw against Burnley last weekend, which was the most they’ve had in a league game since the 2003/04 season,” he wrote.
“They simply must be more clinical.
“Do that on Thursday and this side should get past Fenerbahce in the Europa League easily.”

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino issues plea to fans ahead of Champions League clash

MAURICIO POCHETTINO has urged Tottenham fans to turn Wembley into White Hart Lane.

By Paul Brown                                 

The Spurs boss wants the home fans in the 90,000 crowd to recreate the roar of the Lane against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League tomorrow night.
Tottenham lost their opener in the national stadium to Monaco in September with some blaming the change of venue.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino sees his side take on Bayer Leverkusen at Wembley

Pochettino said: “It’s true that White Hart Lane is our home and it’s difficult for our opponents to come there and take a positive result.
“It’s a big motivation for the opposition to come to England and play at Wembley. It was for me as a player.
“But we must use it to inspire us too. When you have 90,000 fans behind you, it has to be a problem for our opponent.

Mauricio Pochettino has told Tottenham fans to turn Wembley into White Hart Lane tomorrow

Tottenham take on Bayer Leverkusen at Wembley in the Champions League

“Against Monaco, it was all new for us, the changing room was different, the place of the families, the supporters. It was all new.
“It’s our responsibility to create that atmosphere at Wembley.”
Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Lloris; Trippier, Dier, Vertonghen, Davies; Wanyama, Alli; Sissoko, Eriksen, Son; Janssen.
Bayer Leverkusen (4-4-2): Leno; Jedvadj, Tah, Topraks, Henrichs; Mehmedi, Aranguiz, Kampl, Calhanoglu; Kiessling, Hernandez.
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (SWEDEN)
TV: 7.45pm

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