Shkodran Mustafi has been linked with a move to Anfield (Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta says that talks are ongoing with Shkodran Mustafi about his Arsenal future, with Liverpool credited with an interest in the out-of-favour centre-back.
The 28-year-old has made just three Premier League appearances so far this season, all coming from the bench, and with his contract expiring in the summer there is a chance that he will move on before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Reports suggest that Premier League champions Liverpool are interested in the German defender to aid their injury crisis at centre-back.
The Reds are without Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez for the majority of the season, while Joel Matip and Fabinho are also out injured at the moment.
Jurgen Klopp is considering bringing in his fellow German, with the possibility that he could be available on a free transfer with his contract cancelled, and Arteta confirms that discussions are ongoing.
‘Well there are some conversations going on at the moment,’ said Arteta. ‘I spoke with all the players about their own situation because they are all aware of the minutes they’re playing and they want to improve their situation.
‘I am willing to help them, some of them, and the club is willing to help them and we are going to try a solution at the end but I don’t know if that’s going to be the case or not.’
Arsenal are thought to be open to Mustafi leaving and removing his substantial salary from their wage bill, while Liverpool see the experienced defender as an appealing short-term option.
Speaking about his hunt for a new centre-back, Klopp said: ‘We see the situation. We lost probably two of the best centre-halves in the whole market in a period of six or seven weeks. For the whole season. That’s massive.
‘And then the winter transfer market opens and everyone says, “Now you can do something”. We try. We see the situation. We don’t close our eyes.’
Bruno Fernandes was furious after Manchester United’s draw to Arsenal (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes couldn’t hide his disgust as Manchester United dropped further points in the title race following a draw with Arsenal at the Emirates on Saturday.
United had the better opportunities in north London but they failed to score past the Gunners for a third consecutive match.
The draw was particularly costly as it followed a shock 2-1 defeat to Sheffield United just 72 hours earlier and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side now trail leaders Manchester City by three points having played a game more.
Fernandes, 26, has inspired United to greater heights since his £47million arrival from Sporting Lisbon 12 months ago but he cut a frustrated figure at the Emirates and he clashed with compatriot Cedric in the first half.
The Portuguese playmaker was then fortunate to stay on the field as he stamped on Granit Xhaka’s ankle.
But it was more dropped points that really angered Fernandes and the midfielder was visibly furious at the full-time whistle.
While the remaining 21 players on the field made their way to one another to shake hands, Fernandes instantly made his way for the tunnel and was seen throwing his hands in the air as he departed the field.
Fernandes threw his hands in the air on the full-time whistle (Picture: DAZN)
Fernandes walked straight through the path of Solskjaer and Arteta (Picture: DAZN)
Fernandes headed down the tunnel as the remaining players embraced one another (Picture: DAZN)
Fernandes walked directly through the path of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Mikel Arteta, who were making their way to one another after the 0-0 draw.
The former Sporting Lisbon star has transformed United’s mentality since his arrival but he’s been particularly tetchy in recent weeks as he’s suffered – from his own high standards – a slump in form.
Fernandes was furious when he was taken off in the 89th minute in a 2-1 win against Fulham earlier this month, while Solskjaer admitted the midfielder was far from pleased after he was informed that he would be ‘rested’ for the FA Cup clash against Liverpool.
United take on Southampton in mid-week, where Solskjaer’s side need to get back to winning ways if they have any chance of ending their eight-year wait for the title.
Solskjaer is likely to freshen up the side, with Mason Greenwood, Eric Bailly and Nemanja Matic in line to come into the starting XI.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer endured a frustrating time on Saturday night (Picture: Getty Images)
Luke Shaw feels Manchester United wasted an opportunity to beat Arsenal on Saturday with a ‘sloppy’ performance in north London.
The Gunners and the Red Devils played out a goalless draw at the Emirates in a game to forget for those watching on.
United stay second in the table with the point, but are three points behind Manchester City, with the league leaders holding a game in hand over their local rivals.
United dominated possession, but could not convert that into a win and Shaw was left frustrated after the match.
‘[It’s] two points dropped I feel,’ said Shaw. ‘I felt we were in control, Arsenal had a spell but we were comfortable and had countless massive chances we haven’t taken. It would have been a brilliant result winning here, we have to be winning these games.
‘The chances we had, I don’t think it’s acceptable to come away with a point – I haven’t been in the changing room yet but I’m sure the lads will be disappointed.
Luke Shaw was disappointed not to come away with three points from the Arsenal clash (Picture: Getty Images)
‘At times we were too slow. Second half we were sloppy and gave the ball away. We didn’t look like we wanted to play. We created the chances and failed to score again and it cost us two points.
‘We dropped points in midweek and again here. If we want to be in the title race we have to be winning these games. I don’t know what more to say.’
While Shaw was left wanting more, United goalkeeper David De Gea picked out the left-back as the team’s star performer, not just on Saturday but in recent weeks.
‘He’s a big weapon for us,’ said the Spaniard. ‘I think the last few games he’s played he’s been playing really well.
‘He’s a very important player for us and when he’s fit and playing at 100 per cent I think he makes this team better.’
Jurgen Klopp is looking to build momentum at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images)
West Ham host Liverpool on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League with David Moyes looking to keep up his side’s excellent recent form.
The Hammers have been something of a surprise package this season, winning their last six matches in all competitions and going into this match fifth in the Premier League.
Liverpool are only one place and two points above them so there is no lack of motivation for Moyes’ men who can leapfrog the champions.
The Reds returned to winning ways last time out with a good performance against Tottenham, but after a sticky spell prior to that, they have lost significant ground in the title race.
Subscribers can stream the action on Sky Go or the Sky Sports app, while non-subscribers can stream through a Sky Sports Pass on Now TV.
West Ham vs Liverpool team news
West Ham are fairly clear of injuries, with only Arthur Masuaku missing out with a long-term knee injury.
Liverpool are still struggling with their own long-term fitness problems as Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and Naby Keita all remain out.
Joel Matip is injured again, while Fabinho is not expected to return in time, leaving Jurgen Klopp very short at centre-back. Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and Jordan Henderson appear to be the options in central defence.
West Ham vs Liverpool odds
17/5 West Ham
3/1 Draw
3/4 Liverpool
Odds courtesy of Betfair
West Ham vs Liverpool head-to-head in last five meetings
31 Oct 2020: Liverpool 2-1 West Ham – Premier League
24 Feb 2020: Liverpool 3-2 West Ham – Premier League
29 Jan 2020: West Ham 0-2 Liverpool – Premier League
04 Feb 2019: West Ham 1-1 Liverpool – Premier League
12 Aug 2018: Liverpool 4-0 West Ham – Premier League
Hakim Ziyech was a surprise absentee from the Chelsea squad to face Burnley, but new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel insists he needed a break.
Ziyech started Tuchel’s first game in charge against Wolverhampton Wanderers in midweek but was left out of the squad in its entirety for Sunday’s match at Stamford Bridge.
The summer signing from Ajax has struggled to find full fitness since arriving in west London and has only started eight Premier League matches this season.
And Tuchel cited fatigue and risk of injury as the reason for leaving him out against the Clarets.
‘Hakim has been in a bit of overload since five weeks so he has a bit of a risk of getting injured if he plays more than say 30 minutes,’ Tuchel said.
‘For that we decided to take a break now to go out of the risk zone. We decided this yesterday.’
Tuchel explained the move (Picture: Getty Images)
Zieych’s exclusion wasn’t the only surprising move from Tuchel.
£50million summer signing Ben Chilwell was dropped to the bench, with Marcos Alonso – who looked set to leave the club before Frank Lampard was sacked – restored to the starting line-up.
There were four changes in total, with Kai Havertz and Olivier Giroud joining Ziyech and Chilwell in dropping out of the starting XI.
Timo Werner, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Alonso were restored to the side.
Jack Lisowski is into his second consecutive final (Picture: Getty Images)
Jack Lisowski is into his second consecutive ranking event final at the German Masters this weekend, as all the hard work on his game, his mentality and his fearless approach is elevating him towards snooker’s elite.
Jackpot has long been one of the brightest young talents in the sport, but now looks like he is evolving from having great potential to being a reliable winner and it is no fluke.
The 29-year-old did not get past the second round of a tournament from the World Championship in the summer until the UK Championship in December as he struggled to adapt to the ‘new normal’ of life in the pandemic and snooker behind closed doors.
He admits he allowed himself to wallow in the malaise of lockdown and restrictions last year, but has taken on the challenge of changing his mindset and thinking more positively, something that is clearly working for him.
Asked if he has coped well with the state of the world since March, Lisowski told Metro.co.uk: ‘Not really, no. I think I’ve really struggled.
‘When the World Championship got moved, I wasn’t down, but I lost a lot of motivation, we couldn’t even practice for a month or so. Then it was horrible playing there with no crowd, it’s bizarre, it’s really different.
‘But I’ve got used to it now. I’ve found a way to use it to my advantage and I think it suits me not having a crowd. My concentration is something I’m still working on and obviously a crowd doesn’t help with that, I can keep my adrenaline down. When I got to the Grand Prix final I was much calmer, there wasn’t so much going on around me, it felt like a normal game.
‘I’ve turned my lockdown around, I struggled at the start, for six months maybe I was unmotivated. Practicing, going to tournaments, It didn’t feel right. But I’ve accepted it now and tried to be stronger and it’s been a really good two months for me since the UK Championships.’
Part of the new positive attitude is appreciating that, while playing every event in Milton Keynes with no crowd is not perfect, just being able to continue with a snooker career is a privilege in these times.
‘It is cool to be practicing, moving around, even just going to Milton Keynes, we’re lucky and privileged, while everyone else is isolating or locked down,’ said Lisowski.
‘It’s a crazy time in the world. My mum works at a car dealership and she’s not working at the minute, my dad’s working from home, so we’re lucky to be out working playing snooker tournaments.
‘It is definitely a challenge for mental health and a challenge for so many people. You’ve got to find a way to self-motivate, that’s the challenge. Look at the top players now, Judd [Trump], [Mark] Selby, [Neil] Robertson, they’ve excelled, they’re some of the mentally strongest players and there’s something in that.’
Lisowski’s struggles over the last year will be recognisable for millions across the world, with the restrictions on our freedoms almost impossible not to have an impact on your mind.
Jackpot has taken matters into his own hands and chosen to change his outlook after a difficult time.
‘It was like a lockdown syndrome, I felt trapped in my house,’ he explained. ‘Luckily in the first lockdown it was sunny so I could sit outside, it felt chilled out but then after a few weeks all the fun goes.
‘When you’ve watched every single thing on Netflix going, it hits you. It was scary and it is scary because no one knows what’s happening still.
‘I do feel lucky I’m still playing. I was feeling sorry for myself in lockdown, when the tournaments were getting cancelled in China, I used to love them, other tournaments were getting cancelled, the World Championship got delayed, no crowd, but you just need to suck it up, take a bad year on the chin but don’t let it break you.
‘I started just mentally trying to turn the situation around. I kept feeling sorry for myself in games and I realised that wasn’t the way to go, it wasn’t going to help me. It sounds stupid, but I just tried to be stronger mentally, keep the belief and not let little things get to me.
‘I read an amazing book by David Goggins. He was in the US Navy SEALS and now he’s a runner who will run 100 miles in a day. His thing is that he’s not a superman he’s just got discipline and is so mentally strong. I just thought, “cor, that’s the exact opposite of me, I go 1-0 down in a game and just feel sorry for myself.”
‘I can start thinking about anything, Covid, everything being a dark time, but that’s just a loser mentality. I think at the moment everyone could get something from this guy, I think he could help a lot of people, especially now.
‘I read that it’s the greatest challenge to mental health since WWII, which may well be true. I’m no expert, I’m just rolling with the punches and hopefully got out of that Covid mentality that was just getting me down, flip it and come out stronger.’
What does Jack Lisowski think about clashing with Judd Trump in consecutive ranking finals?
Lisowski’s work on his mentality is admirable, and he has also tweaked his technique, which is clearly yielding great results on the table.
Still searching for his first ranking title as he goes into Sunday’s final against Judd Trump, Lisowski now feels that his game is as solid under pressure as it ever has been.
‘I changed something in my technique, my alignment on my shots, I’m not moving so much,’ Jack explained. ‘I’ve started hitting a few shots and really feeling solid under pressure, which I’ve never really had in my career before.
‘I finally feel like I can do it more under pressure, it’s just happened since the UK Championship. I feel like my game is good and everything is coming together, even though Covid is wrecking everything else.
‘I’m just really enjoying my snooker again, the tweak on my technique is exciting, I can see the shots better, I’m not steering the shot, not moving when I hit the shot.
‘One evening I played a shot and thought, “I move so much, I steer”, Judd moves on his shot but he always moves the same way, while I was moving up, down, left, right, but it feels like I’ve sorted that now.
‘I’ve been hitting some good shots under pressure the last two tournaments which I’ve not really done before. I’m just trying it out and surprising myself. Against Selby [Grand Prix semi-finals] when I needed to make that clearance at 5-4 up the pots just kept going in, so I’ll just keep it going.’
Lisowski is stepping up into the elite of the game (Picture: Getty Images)
Lisowski is looking to pick up his first ranking title on Sunday in his fifth final and he will be taking the same attacking style of play into the clash with Trump that he has employed for his whole career so far.
The stylish, swashbuckling 29-year-old has come in for criticism from some pundits for his shot choices in the past but, while he knows he can improve his safety play, he has no intention of dialling down his attacking instincts.
‘It’s the way I like to watch snooker and it’s the way I like to play,’ he said. ‘But it’s tough to play like that, it’s fractions and they don’t always go in. Sometimes when you’re playing a long shot, you can miss it my a millimetre, and that can make it look like the wrong shot, or it can go in and give you confidence.
‘It’s risk-reward and high-risk snooker but I enjoy it because I feel I can control the game. If I play well I feel like I will win a high percentage of the time and if I don’t I’ll probably lose. I know what I’m getting with each game rather than it being in the hands of my opponents.’
Jack admits that criticism from pundits and commentators was bothering him to the point that it was impacting his game, but ignoring the naysayers is all part of his ever-improving mentality.
‘I think it had affected my game,’ he said. ‘Even playing right-handed, I get criticised for that. I missed a really bad pink two or three years ago in China. I just needed the pink to win the frame and I played it right-handed because it was a bit of a stretch with the rest.
‘Everyone was asking what I was doing playing right-handed so I went back to the academy where I was playing and did a line-up right-handed and I made a 147 on my third go. No one can do that with a rest, it’s not possible, so I’m going to keep going for my right-handed shots. I got criticism in the Grand Prix but I haven’t really practiced it so I’m going to do more right-handed in my daily routine.
‘I know what works for me and I’m a bit erratic at times but I feel I’m the best judge of my game and I’m going to play the way I want to play.
‘Eventually my safety’s going to get better so I can get away with things a bit more. I never claim to be some amazing player, I think my criticism is a bit much sometimes because I don’t claim to be a world beater. I know that when I’m on it I can give anyone a run for their money, but sometimes I feel like people want me to play well all the time. I don’t think that’s possible, I think I’m doing well being number 14 in the world with what I’m doing.
‘Maybe they think I look good because I play quite fast and don’t look like I put a pint of blood into every shot, but the only reason I play like that, if I put a pint of blood into every shot I’d end up missing. I play fast and attacking because I play better that way.
‘When it goes in it looks really good but it’s impossible to do that all the time. Maybe they think I’m better than I am? At some point I’ll string it all together and win a tournament. If I’d have won the Grand Prix it would have been such an amazing achievement for me.’
Illustrative of Lisowski’s love of style and flair is how highly he rates highlight reels and covets a place in the Shot of the Tournament discussion.
‘That’s one of my favourite things, the shot highlights at the end of the tournament,’ said Jack. ‘I potted one of the best shots I ever hit, I think the 2018 World Championship against [Stuart] Bingham, it won Shot of the Tournament and afterwards I felt so good, even though I didn’t win the event, obviously.
‘They don’t go in of you don’t go for them. It’s hard because you need to be in a certain mindset, they don’t work if you’re not confident, but that’s the challenge for me now to learn when they’re not going in, what to do about that.
‘That’s my 10 year challenge, 10 years I’ve been a pro, and I’m still working on that one.
‘It’s one of the toughest sports ever, it’s a mental challenge, no two games are the same. Sometimes I wake up and just think, “today is not going to be my day, I can feel shaky, it’s just little things, I can miss my breakfast…I think I’m just sensitive, to be honest.
Lisowski has long been one of the most exciting talents in snooker (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Just a little thing can happen. Too much sugar, not eat enough, not get enough sleep and I don’t feel right. You just want to feel relaxed and sometimes I feel nervous or tired, it’s hard to explain.
‘When you’re playing snooker you try to be a machine, suppress all your emotion and adrenaline, stay disciplined and that’s just the opposite of me, I’m bad at that, but I’m learning to do it better. I feel like I’m trying to play to my strengths, not worry too much about the careless things I do and my lack of safety, I’m just trying to play to my potting and break-building.’
Lisowski faces the toughest challenge in the sport on Sunday, a clash with the world number one with a ranking title on the line.
He has had it very tough in all four of his previous runs to big finals and things are not getting any easier at the German Masters, but he is now playing the best snooker of his career and is ready to make that step through the gate and into the winners’ enclosure.
‘I’ve lost four finals but I’ve lost to Neil Robertson twice, Selby, now Judd, the best three players in the world, stick Ronnie in, the best four of the last five or 10 years. I’m not far away and I feel like it’s coming now.
‘Everything’s more enjoyable now, even my practice. I played every day over Christmas, I had New Year’s Eve off, played three hours on Christmas Day, I’m on it at the moment.’
He will need to be on it against Trump, as he was in the second session of their Grand Prix final in December, which eventually ended in a 10-7 win for Judd after some stunning snooker from both men.
If he can down his good pal on Sunday, Jack will prove the doubters wrong and prove all his hard work on his mind and his game will have been worthwhile.
William Saliba is yet to make his debut for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal defender William Saliba has admitted he was ‘hurt’ by Mikel Arteta’s decision to overlook him this season.
The French centre-back agreed to join the Gunners in 2019 but he arrived at the Emirates last summer after fulfilling a season-long loan deal with St-Etienne.
Saliba arrived with a promising reputation and Arsenal fans were hopeful that the £27million defender could cure the club’s problems at the back.
However, Saliba was signed under previous manager Unai Emery and it’s clear that Arteta didn’t share the Spaniard’s view that the defender was ready for the first team.
Saliba admits he’s experienced a difficult start at Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Saliba didn’t play a single minute for the first team before he joined Nice on loan earlier this month and his appearances for the U23s’ were far from ideal as the defender sustained injury and was sent off.
Arteta opted to sign Gabriel from Lille last summer, meaning even more competition for Saliba to force his way into the first team.
And the 19-year-old admits he’s been left ‘hurt’ by Arteta’s decision to shun him this term.
‘I really, really, really didn’t think that I would be transferred for €30m, to think that I would arrive, where people were expecting a lot from me, the fans excited about me and you find yourself in the reserves,’ said Saliba.
‘To play zero, zero nothing in the Europa League or the league. I was in the squad once in the league cup. It hurt me, it affected me.
‘I don’t think I left too early. When you feel ready you have to go. I don’t think I left too early. These things happen. I believe in myself.’
Saliba has made four appearances for Nice since moving back from France but his loan expires at the end of the campaign.
The defender admits he didn’t expect to be back in his home country so soon after his move to London but he’s not ruling out a permanent return.
‘I am just focused on doing the absolute most and best possible for the next 6 months. After that, we will see,’ said Saliba.
Maitland-Niles wants to leave Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Leicester are plotting a late transfer bid for Arsenal utiity man Ainsley Maitland-Niles, reports claim.
Maitland-Niles, 23, is desperate to leave the Emirates this month in order to get more playing time ahead of the Euros this summer.
The Arsenal man wants to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s squad – something he feels he can’t do given his lack of playing time at the Emirates.
Maitland-Niles has started just five times in the Premier League this season and has only made one league start this month.
A host of Premier League sides are interested in his services. Southampton, West Brom and Newcastle had all registered their interest.
But Leicester are hoping to win the race to sign him, according to The Mirror.
Leicester boss Rodgers could sign Maitland-Niles (Picture: AFP via Getty)
The Foxes are proposing a six-month loan with an option to make it a permanent transfer in the summer.
Maitland-Niles knows he needs regular first-team football if he’s to earn his spot in Southgate’s squad and Mikel Arteta faces a decision whether to grant him an exit before tomorrow’s deadline.
Southampton are keen on a move but made it clear they are in the market for a full-back, but Maitland-Niles wants his long-term future to be in the centre of the park.
Leicester, however, would be able to offer him the chance to operate in midfield.
Injuries to Dennis Praet and Wilfried Ndidi, along with the potential exit of Hamza Chowdhury, means there are openings in the middle of the pitch.
While Leicester is his favoured choice, Arsenal would prefer him to move to Southampton to get him regular gametime in the full-back role. Maitland-Niles, according to The Athletic, doesn’t share that view.
Arsenal are not so keen, however, on him joining relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion.
They may be unwilling to let him leave full stop. With Kieran Tierney injured and a lack of cover at left-back, Maitland-Niles may be forced to stay.
However, they risk losing him at a cut-price fee in the summer, with his contract expiring a year later, and may view now as the best time to cash in if he won’t commit to a new deal.
