SPORTS
‘He’s technical’, Alan Smith suggests Arsenal star can be better than Xhaka
Former Arsenal player, Alan Smith, has suggested that summer signing Kai Havertz could be a better player than the club’s former midfielder Granit Xhaka
Smith said that Havertz, who joined Arsenal from Premier League rival Chelsea, is a very technical player when compared to Xhaka.
Recall that Xhaka left Arsenal over the summer transfer window to join Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of €15 million.
The Switzerland international scored seven goals and registered seven assists from 37 Premier League appearances in the 2022-2023 campaign for Arsenal.
However, Havertz, who has seemingly taken up the Xhaka role this season for Mikel Arteta’s side, is yet to find his feet at the North London club.
The Germany international has failed to record a single goal contribution in the Premier League after starting all four of Arsenal’s matches this season.
But Smith has now backed Havertz, saying (via TBR): “I’m not saying it will take Havertz a season but he is just finding his feet in that squad, in that dressing room and in that first XI.
“I think he is a very good player technically, I think he can be a good player for us and I heard Arteta say he wants to be getting himself in the box at the end of things, a bit like Xhaka did last season.”
He added, “I think Havertz can be better than that as he’s got more of an attacking instinct and he is a good finisher when he gets in those positions.”
Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey is set to make a return from injury by the end of January.
Partey has made good progress in his rehabilitation work and will hand the Gunners a timely boost.
The Ghanaian has been plagued with different injuries throughout his time in England and picked up a groin problem at the beginning of the season.
He briefly returned to action in October, but picked up another long-term muscular injury.
Partey was then left out of Ghana’s final squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, The Mirror reports that the 30-year-old has shown progress in his rehabilitation work and could return to the first team ahead of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on January 30.
Chelsea’s stance on sacking their manager, Mauricio Pochettino has been revealed.
Pochettino is under significant pressure as head coach at Stamford Bridge due to the club’s not too impressive display this season.
The Argentine recently watched as Middlesbrough defeated the Blues 1-0 in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie.
His team currently sit in the 10th position on the Premier League table after 20 games this season.
However, according to The Telegraph, Pochettino’s job is safe for now despite their latest defeat to Middlesbrough.
The report added that his position at the west London club is not in jeopardy while Chelsea have a ‘realistic chance’ of qualifying for Europe.
Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has said his side can’t use the difficult weather condition in Abidjan as an excuse ahead of their opening game at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The West Africans arrived Abidjan in buoyant mood on Wednesday morning despite losing 2-0 to Guinea in a friendly two days earlier.
The Eagles had a light training session after setting down at their base, the magnificent Pullman Hotel.
Peseiro stated that his team must focus on the task ahead and not allow any form of distraction.
“We cannot give excuses about the weather; we need to put in our focus, adapt well and do our best ahead of the first match, which is very important for us,” he told NFF TV.
The Super Eagles will open their campaign at the 2023 AFCON finals against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
They will also face hosts, Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.
-
BUSINESS4 months agoBlack Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 6th January 2024
-
BUSINESS4 months agoBlack Market Dollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today 5th January 2024
-
ENTERTAINMENT4 months ago‘She Got To My House, And I Accepted Her Wholly’ – Yemi My Lover Speaks On Relationship With Tope Alabi
-
GIST4 months agoPolice confirm abduction of 10 persons in Jalingo, Taraba State capital
-
GIST4 months agoBoko Haram kills 5 in Yobe
-
GIST4 months agoKwara: FRSC recorded reduced road traffic crashes in 2023 – Sector Commander
-
GIST4 months agoOver 240 people missing after Japan earthquake
-
GIST4 months agoFake doctor arrested for organ trafficking, N21m fraud in Nasarawa