Sport nationMartin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka slammed for ‘unprofessional’ moment in Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka had the chance to add to their tallies during Arsenal’s win over Bournemouth at the weekend
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Martin Oedegaard after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on September 30, 2023
Odegaard and Saka slammed for ‘unprofessional’ moment in Bournemouth vs Arsenal (Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol has slammed Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka for for letting Kai Havertz take Arsenal’s second penalty against Bournemouth at the weekend. The Gunners waltzed away from the Vitality Stadium 4-0 victors on Saturday afternoon to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.
Saka opened for the scoring for Arsenal after a quarter of an hour before Odegaard double his side’s lead from 12-yards just before half-time. Then, just moments into the second-half, the north Londoners were awarded another penalty.
Rather than either of the goal-scorers adding to their tally, they handed Havertz the chance to finally score his first goal for the club. The 24-year-old, who signed a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, has struggled to impress since joining Arsenal from Chelsea and, low of confidence, he was given the opportunity to open his account.
Havertz buried his penalty before Ben White scored the Gunners’ fourth and final goal of the afternoon in stoppage time. Speaking on ESPN after the game, Nicol believes that Odegaard and Saka should not have thrown the Germany international under the spotlight like they did.
“If Arsenal’s life depends on it – Saka takes it or Odegaard takes it,” said the former Liverpool defender. “Havertz doesn’t take it. So at 2-0 the game’s not over. It’s a lack of professionalism.
“What happens if he misses it and Bournemouth get two late goals? That’s not what you do. If you’re the coach of a team and allow that things like that to happen, then it spreads into other things. You have to be precise. And orders are orders.
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“Do you think him scoring a goal there is going to make any difference to the way he plays in the middle of the park? No, it’s not. It’s unprofessional.”
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Mikel Arteta revealed that Odegaard and Saka took it upon themselves to offer the second penalty to Havertz. The Spaniard said: “I’m really happy for the win, but I’m even happier to be part of a team that shows the human qualities that they did today.
“Without me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They’ve done it in a really natural way.
“I’m delighted they made that decision. And so thankful as well to our supporters for the way they sung his name and made him feel today. If there’s a player who deserves that it’s Kai Havertz so so happy for him.”
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka slammed for ‘unprofessional’ moment in Bournemouth vs Arsenal
Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka had the chance to add to their tallies during Arsenal’s win over Bournemouth at the weekend
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with teammate Martin Oedegaard after scoring the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on September 30, 2023
Odegaard and Saka slammed for ‘unprofessional’ moment in Bournemouth vs Arsenal (Image: Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol has slammed Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka for for letting Kai Havertz take Arsenal’s second penalty against Bournemouth at the weekend. The Gunners waltzed away from the Vitality Stadium 4-0 victors on Saturday afternoon to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign.
Saka opened for the scoring for Arsenal after a quarter of an hour before Odegaard double his side’s lead from 12-yards just before half-time. Then, just moments into the second-half, the north Londoners were awarded another penalty.
Rather than either of the goal-scorers adding to their tally, they handed Havertz the chance to finally score his first goal for the club. The 24-year-old, who signed a five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium in the summer, has struggled to impress since joining Arsenal from Chelsea and, low of confidence, he was given the opportunity to open his account.
Havertz buried his penalty before Ben White scored the Gunners’ fourth and final goal of the afternoon in stoppage time. Speaking on ESPN after the game, Nicol believes that Odegaard and Saka should not have thrown the Germany international under the spotlight like they did.
“If Arsenal’s life depends on it – Saka takes it or Odegaard takes it,” said the former Liverpool defender. “Havertz doesn’t take it. So at 2-0 the game’s not over. It’s a lack of professionalism.
“What happens if he misses it and Bournemouth get two late goals? That’s not what you do. If you’re the coach of a team and allow that things like that to happen, then it spreads into other things. You have to be precise. And orders are orders.
READ MORE:Arsenal news and transfers LIVE – Victor Osimhen latest, Bukayo Saka injury update, Pedro Neto deal
READ MORE: Liverpool release damning PGMOL statement after Tottenham VAR controversy
“Do you think him scoring a goal there is going to make any difference to the way he plays in the middle of the park? No, it’s not. It’s unprofessional.”
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Mikel Arteta revealed that Odegaard and Saka took it upon themselves to offer the second penalty to Havertz. The Spaniard said: “I’m really happy for the win, but I’m even happier to be part of a team that shows the human qualities that they did today.
“Without me telling them nothing, to show that empathy to a player that has some question marks to resolve externally, they warmed me even more today. They’ve done it in a really natural way.
“I’m delighted they made that decision. And so thankful as well to our supporters for the way they sung his name and made him feel today. If there’s a player who deserves that it’s Kai Havertz so so happy for him.”
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HomeOne Football “I don’t think”- Rio Ferdinand believes the 35-year-old Manchester United star is not long-term answer
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“I don’t think”- Rio Ferdinand believes the 35-year-old Manchester United star is not long-term answer
by Roland Cutinho
September 24, 2023, 11:42 pm
Jonny Evans to be offered one-year contract at Manchester United.
Jonny Evans was offered one-year contract at Manchester United. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand admits the club made a mistake in letting Jonny Evans leave, even if he is not a long-term player
Former Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand believes Jonny Evans is not a long-term solution at the club, as he doubts his position as a starter at Old Trafford.
The Northern Irish defender was roped in by the Red Devils this summer as a mentor to the youngsters and to provide quality senior experience in the squad.
However, due to the unfortunate injury to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez being unavailable against Burnley, Ten Hag opted to use the 35-year-old player in the line-up alongside Victor Lindelof.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Jonny Evans is not a long-term solution for the club
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Jonny Evans is not a long-term solution for the club (Credit – United Stand Twitter)
It is obvious that the fans will be puzzled by the old-school look of United’s back line with some rather surprising names at the back. Even Ferdinand thinks about it the same way, considering the veteran defender to be a respectable player but not a long-term solution.
He also mentioned that it would be difficult for the former Leicester City star to get a place in the Foxes’ starting line-up at the current moment.
While talking to TNT Sports (as quoted by the Manchester Evening News), the United icon said:
“He’s not the long-term answer and he would tell you that himself, he is an honest player. But right now, if you’re an opposition player and you see Evans, no disrespect to him, you’re thinking, ‘He couldn’t get in the Leicester team, and he’s playing here today. I fancy my chances of giving him a right go today’.”
Ferdinand’s words have the truth hidden behind them as Evans would find it difficult to be a direct starter at his age.
The Northern Irish star did prove his doubters wrong by providing an inch-perfect cross for Bruno Fernandes to score against Burnley and also had a goal ruled out in the first half.
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However, there is no guarantee that he will be a starter once Varane and Martinez are fit enough to start games on a regular basis.
Jonny Evans provided an assist for Manchester United against Burnl.
Jonny Evans provided an assist for Manchester United against Burnley (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Lindelof is also ahead of the veteran player in the pecking order, and Harry Maguire’s position remains uncertain at this point. No disrespect to Evans; he has been a loyal servant to the club and also proved his potential with the Foxes last season.
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His signing has helped Ten Hag rotate his players, and the centre-back has also come in handy during times when the manager doesn’t have enough options at the back.
Evan’s presence will also help the youngsters in the squad, and this is one of the reasons the club handed him a one-year contract.
His experience is vital, and he will be aiming to help the Red Devils as much as he can during his tenure at the Theatre of Dreams.
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The fans will hope that Man United’s preferred centre-back pairing will be fit in their upcoming games and not put too much pressure on the veteran star.
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