Walcott: Arsenal better than Barcelona in 2015

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNNLBS7HqnG_b9vnRlaI2ejnYoWFuxIHoUkjOV0PBV2GQgzlUlBFrMhAspCqGNCorbO1HsxZ2J6wJF9VYg0nK6eZ0DQozZWyRuaeO9FR5xd73QmPFFZl2I8qmbvt3rKGzZLVoaut4eik/s1600/Theo-Walcott-Arsenal-014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNNLBS7HqnG_b9vnRlaI2ejnYoWFuxIHoUkjOV0PBV2GQgzlUlBFrMhAspCqGNCorbO1HsxZ2J6wJF9VYg0nK6eZ0DQozZWyRuaeO9FR5xd73QmPFFZl2I8qmbvt3rKGzZLVoaut4eik/s1600/Theo-Walcott-Arsenal-014.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <div class="articleSummary"> <br /></div> <div class="articleSummary"> <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></span></b></div> <div class="articleSummary"> <b><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: #cc0000;">Theo Walcott says Arsenal have been the best team in Europe in 2015, better even than standout side Barcelona.</span></span></b><br /> <br /> The Gunners have embarked on a superb run of form since the turn of the year, and have not suffered a Premier League defeat since February 7, when they were beaten 2-1 by north London rivals Tottenham.<br /> <br /> The form of Arsene Wenger’s side had led to talk of a title challenge from the Emirates but the club’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea on Sunday means the Blues now need just two wins to be crowned champions.<br /> <br /> Walcott, though, insists Arsenal have been the finest team in the continent this year, and says they could have lifted the Premier League title had key players not suffered any fitness issues.<br /> <br /> “I’d say so,” he told Arsenal’s official website when asked if the club were at their best. “There’s a lot of competition for places so everyone seems to lift a gear and play extremely well.<br /> <br /> “It makes it a bit more difficult for people to get into the team. I think, especially this season, not many people thought we’d be second and challenging for the Premier League.<br /> <br /> “In this calendar year, we’ve been the best team in Europe. It’s the strongest the squad has been and everyone is staying fit as well. There aren’t many injuries in the squad, which is important. If we had an injury-free season, I think we could lift the title.”</div>

Walcott: Arsenal better than Barcelona in 2015

Theo Walcott says Arsenal have been the best team in Europe in 2015, better even than standout side Barcelona. The Gunners have emb...

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Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes the Manchester to win "every single trophy" next season.

<br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvF2LTA3aDZmiHxMntcvUFmAx7gD2F-53FbDAvJ3XvX3En9NkaY_-BCnMcHow-XYQE4cgFW-gRcNrM8GoxTrkPP9RuK98018PE6vnNx_NoEZ37tq8bYeS2oxIOgVm0y9Ezl32-QHHu6sQ/s1600/Roberto_3015611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvF2LTA3aDZmiHxMntcvUFmAx7gD2F-53FbDAvJ3XvX3En9NkaY_-BCnMcHow-XYQE4cgFW-gRcNrM8GoxTrkPP9RuK98018PE6vnNx_NoEZ37tq8bYeS2oxIOgVm0y9Ezl32-QHHu6sQ/s1600/Roberto_3015611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Roberto Martinez believes the Manchester United squad is strong enough to win "every single trophy" next season.<br /><br />The Spaniard welcomes Louis van Gaal's side to Goodison Park on Sunday, with United looking to overcome an inconsistent start to the season by securing a second-placed finish.<br /><br />United suffered early exits in both the League Cup and FA Cup this term, plus a first campaign without European football in almost 30 years, but Martinez is confident they will challenge on all fronts next season.<br /><br />"They are strong in every department. This squad is starting to show what they are capable of," the Spaniard told reporters.<br /><br />"You are looking at a new manager who arrived in this league and it takes time. But I think Louis van Gaal will be ready to challenge next season for every single trophy."

Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes the Manchester to win "every single trophy" next season.

Roberto Martinez believes the Manchester United squad is strong enough to win "every single trophy" next season. The Span...

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Manchester City v West Ham preview

<h1 itemprop="headline"> <span><span>Pellegrini calls for unity after derby defeat</span></span></h1> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeXzy0vT8HrKAdcz6VDc19BzaVYW-x2VxkfqoqMIibtmTm3tAk-XnB3BbLxycgrVWsjb3wI8HjEtvyCcbgvG6cl1EInIlZQv4I7rEiYeure3bCTEvI3V0i4gcUAkTjP5RGj8CmjM0TFI/s1600/Manuel-Pellegrini11-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMeXzy0vT8HrKAdcz6VDc19BzaVYW-x2VxkfqoqMIibtmTm3tAk-XnB3BbLxycgrVWsjb3wI8HjEtvyCcbgvG6cl1EInIlZQv4I7rEiYeure3bCTEvI3V0i4gcUAkTjP5RGj8CmjM0TFI/s1600/Manuel-Pellegrini11-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> Under-pressure Manuel Pellegrini has called for Manchester City to show unity in their clash with West Ham amid an injury crisis and an alarming slump in form.<br /> <br /> The Premier League champions have lost six of their last eight games in all competitions and have fallen out of the title race as a result.<br /> <br /> Pellegrini's men sit 12 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea following a 4-2 defeat to Manchester United last Sunday, a result that only served to increase the speculation over the Chilean's future at the club.<br /> <br /> Whilst facing rumours suggesting that he will be replaced by Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season, Pellegrini is also contending with a mounting injury list at City.<br /> <br /> Captain Vincent Kompany is in danger of missing the rest of the season with a muscle injury, while Gael Clichy (groin), Stevan Jovetic, Wilfried Bony and James Milner have all been ruled out.<br /> <br /> Belgian defender Dedryck Boyata could be in contention to feature after being declared fit following a knee injury.<br /> <br /> "It's more important than ever to have the fans, the players and the staff together as one. We are one club,” said Pellegrini.<br /> <br /> "My pressure is always the same, to win every game for this team to play in the way I like the team to play.<br /> <br /> "Last year there was more pressure when we were fighting for the title. The pressure is for us to recover our normal performance and that's not the same as fighting for the title."<br /> <br /> West Ham, meanwhile, will be without Diafra Sakho due to a thigh injury sustained in the 1-1 draw with Stoke City last weekend, joining James Tomkins (shoulder) and Andy Carroll (knee) on the sidelines.<br /> <br /> After witnessing City's dip in form, West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is keen for his players to put City under further pressure.<br /> <br /> "I'm very surprised that Manchester City have lost four away games on the trot," Allardyce said. "I think that's a huge shock across the football world based on the amount of talent they have. Like ourselves, they can't seem to find a way to win recently.<br /> <br /> "I watched them against Crystal Palace and I thought they defended brilliantly after they scored but generally Manchester City are exceptionally good at breaking down defences.<br /> <br /> "Hopefully we can test their nerve, at home they are usually very good so we know how tough it'll be."

Manchester City v West Ham preview

Pellegrini calls for unity after derby defeat Under-pressure Manuel Pellegrini has called for Manchester City to show unity in their...

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Did Chelsea or Manchester United get the better deal?

<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSn_7hv_4y9NEvMk6JoFv89vuma0FWP5_LKbboTstogbm075XMIpGhbQHUuxlHlZ_Dql7HL9jfyCfMvJlERjLGn9yU8YlAKL5M9cQXy1pE8JEkFPVvaKbvGqO_4Gh0AaBTh9-UkJVpRQ/s1600/Cesc-Fabregas-Chelsea-Arsenal-sister-515056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSn_7hv_4y9NEvMk6JoFv89vuma0FWP5_LKbboTstogbm075XMIpGhbQHUuxlHlZ_Dql7HL9jfyCfMvJlERjLGn9yU8YlAKL5M9cQXy1pE8JEkFPVvaKbvGqO_4Gh0AaBTh9-UkJVpRQ/s1600/Cesc-Fabregas-Chelsea-Arsenal-sister-515056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> There were 88 minutes on the clock and no goals in the game when, with unerring accuracy, Cesc <br /><br />But if all roads led to Stamford Bridge on Saturday, he could have been lining up in the colours of the opposition. Manchester United spent the summer of 2013 pursuing him. In a transfer window where they displayed an embarrassing inability to buy, they wanted Ander Herrera too. They got neither. Now potential team-mates are opponents. United, presumably aware he was bound for Chelsea, ruled themselves out of the reckoning to get Fabregas last summer. They renewed their interest in Herrera instead. Now he is the Spaniard in the centre of United’s midfield. <br /><br /><br /><br />Perhaps it summed up United’s economics that they paid more - £28.8 million – for the uncapped Herrera than Chelsea spent on Fabregas, a World Cup winner who is closing in on a century of appearances for Spain. There may only be three years between them, but if United bought potential, Chelsea purchased the finished article. Jose Mourinho is rarely a gambler and Fabregas was a risk-free signing. It was why, despite Herrera’s heartening recent revival, the league leaders secured the better deal. They knew precisely what they were getting.<br /><br />Fabregas was immediately installed in a pivotal role in the team whereas Herrera’s battle to convince Louis van Gaal lasted most of the season. His re-emergence has come in the last two months. Mourinho knew his 4-2-3-1 formation and preferred personnel before the campaign kicked off. Van Gaal has conducted umpteen experiments before finding the system and the starters.<br /><br />But after enduring his own mid-season break, when he only began one league game in four months, it is little wonder Herrera is the fresher of the pair. He has chipped in with four goals in his last 10 matches. Fabregas has only one assist in three months.<br /><br />He no longer seems certain to break his old Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry’s Premier League record of 20 in a season. That winner at QPR was something of a rarity: after 70 goals in his previous five seasons, he has only mustered four this time. He has become a supplier, whereas Herrera is a scorer; he has seven goals from just 28 attempts in the most productive season of his career. He has been far more clinical than many a striker.  <br /><br />Catalan and Basque, youthful veteran and late developer, they are opposites. Fabregas has been overworked, Herrera underworked. The Chelsea creator peaked in first half of the season, the United technician in the last few weeks. Form suggests Herrera might get the better of their duel on Saturday.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://u.goal.com/1224600/1224612.jpg" width="100%" /><br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://u.goal.com/837400/837432.jpg" width="100%" /><br /><br />Mourinho might be tempted to recalibrate his team to avoid pitting Fabregas into a direct contest with Marouane Fellaini, the renascent destroyer who has tormented Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City in recent weeks. The Belgian is a third veteran of the 2013 fiasco, a player who was burdened with the pressure of being the sole signing after Fabregas, Herrera and many another eluded United. Perhaps it is no coincidence that Fellaini has performed better after the subsequent influx of expensive players.<br /><br />But that illustrates Fabregas’ achievements at Chelsea. Players of his pedigree are not permitted to blend into the background. Quiet failure is not an option. He and Diego Costa were the flagship signings, the men charged with powering them to the title. They have done, too.<br /><br />They have offered incision from different departments of the side. Fabregas can unlock a defence with a pass from deep, something Chelsea’s central midfielders rarely did last season. He has brought the set-piece expertise to find the heads of their battalion of six-footers from free kicks and corners. He did not need time to acclimatise to new surroundings. He slotted straight in.<br /><br />As Mourinho pointed out, Fabregas has fewer assists of late because he tended to supply Costa and the striker has been suspended, injured and out of sorts for swathes of 2015. But his late intervention at QPR extended Chelsea’s lead at the Premier League summit to seven points, and with a game in hand. His job for the season is almost done. Keep Herrera and United at bay and it will be a step nearer a successful conclusion.<br /><br />And while Herrera is helping ensure United reach their goal for the season, of a top-four finish, and is offering them hope for the future, the chances are that they will come third. That was Chelsea’s fate last season. It didn’t satisfy Mourinho. He went and bought Fabregas. He has had a transformative impact. He ranks as one of the signings of the season. And, as Chelsea’s accountants can note with glee, he was cheaper than Herrera.<br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSn_7hv_4y9NEvMk6JoFv89vuma0FWP5_LKbboTstogbm075XMIpGhbQHUuxlHlZ_Dql7HL9jfyCfMvJlERjLGn9yU8YlAKL5M9cQXy1pE8JEkFPVvaKbvGqO_4Gh0AaBTh9-UkJVpRQ/s1600/Cesc-Fabregas-Chelsea-Arsenal-sister-515056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSn_7hv_4y9NEvMk6JoFv89vuma0FWP5_LKbboTstogbm075XMIpGhbQHUuxlHlZ_Dql7HL9jfyCfMvJlERjLGn9yU8YlAKL5M9cQXy1pE8JEkFPVvaKbvGqO_4Gh0AaBTh9-UkJVpRQ/s1600/Cesc-Fabregas-Chelsea-Arsenal-sister-515056.jpg" /></a></div> Fabregas steered his shot into the bottom corner of the QPR net last week. In an instant, one point became three. That is Fabregas, the difference-maker. Chelsea have gone from third to first with him in the team.

Did Chelsea or Manchester United get the better deal?

There were 88 minutes on the clock and no goals in the game when, with unerring accuracy, Cesc But if all roads led to Stamford Bridge...

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Courtois keeping concentrated in Chelsea mag

<br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQrsTfKDVg8EbS2AyIc2tCGVBht0R9Oeuxk4VVCuWZX0DtQ-PhWb418T9m1iCYwdF8ybb78xi2mT7whyphenhypheniUeyJx0PlTMAQwGBQ13CxmoMrC9pF2wNPrEkfP_ThTGjhkrmus48655PUj7I/s1600/thibaut-courtois-player-ratings-tt-gallery_3221603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQrsTfKDVg8EbS2AyIc2tCGVBht0R9Oeuxk4VVCuWZX0DtQ-PhWb418T9m1iCYwdF8ybb78xi2mT7whyphenhypheniUeyJx0PlTMAQwGBQ13CxmoMrC9pF2wNPrEkfP_ThTGjhkrmus48655PUj7I/s1600/thibaut-courtois-player-ratings-tt-gallery_3221603.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> <br /> <br /> <br /> <div class="text"> Thibaut Courtois is the latest <i>Chelsea</i> cover star, and in the feature interview with the club’s magazine this month he discusses his childhood, life as a goalkeeper at Chelsea and the significance of the collective.<br /> <br /> Following three seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid in La Liga, Courtois has had an excellent first season at Stamford Bridge, impressing Blues supporters with his aerial dominance and shot-stopping ability.<br /> <br /> At the age of just 22, Courtois has already won plenty in the world of football but as he explains to the club magazine – available now in digital and print format – his hunger to keep lifting trophies remains as strong as ever.<br /> <br /> ‘Last season, I was part of a team who lost the Champions League in the last minute, so that’s something I still want to win, and to be able to play for a Premier League title every season is also a big motivation,’ he says.<br /> <br /> ‘To win a European Championship or a World Cup with Belgium is another goal. But, it is true, when I was a young kid I dreamed of playing in finals and it’s nice to have won the Europa League and Super Cup, and won a final against Real Madrid, but hopefully I can achieve much more now.<br /> <br /> ‘Every year I’ve won one trophy, so it’s nice we won the one at Wembley. But, of course, the Premier League would be much bigger so hopefully we can add that this season.<br /> <br /> ‘It’s nice to get individually recognised, but you only do that if your team is doing well. Of course, if the goalkeeper is playing well, then it helps the team also to get trophies – but football is a collective sport, so I would give up all my individual trophies to be able to win a Premier League, Champions League or a World Cup. The team victories and trophies are always more important than the individual ones.’<br /> <br /> With much of the focus of our season so far centred on the attacking play of the team, it is easy to forget the good work done by the defence. We have conceded the second fewest goals in the league and, between Courtois and Petr Cech, kept the second highest amount of clean sheets.<br /> <br /> </div> <div class="parbase textimage section"> <div class="image top" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/04/courtois-keeping-concentrated-in-new-chelsea-magazine/jcr:content/main/textimage_0"> <img alt="courtois-mag-story" class="cq-dd-image img-responsive" src="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/04/courtois-keeping-concentrated-in-new-chelsea-magazine/_jcr_content/main/textimage_0/image.img.jpg/1429006622748.jpg" title="courtois-mag-story" /></div> <div class="text"> Courtois explains what it is like being between the sticks at a club who spend most of the time in the opposition half of the pitch.<br /> <br /> ‘I think it’s true that, if you play for a top team to win championships, the goalkeeper has to interfere less and there are always players who shine more in the team, like the strikers,’ he notes.<br /> <br /> ‘As a goalkeeper, you might only have to make one or two saves a game – but sometimes really important ones – so, of course, it’s nice that people see it and recognise it.<br /> <br /> ‘The concentration as a goalkeeper needs to be very high. We work on the focus in training and it’s good because, in big teams, one save maybe in minute 88 can be decisive, so it’s very important.’<br /> <br /> <b>Khaki Cup Final remembered</b><br /> <br /> Ahead of the 100^th anniversary of our first ever appearance in an FA Cup final, <i>Chelsea</i> looks back on the only such occasion that took place during the First World War.<br /> </div> </div> <div class="parbase textimage section"> <div class="image top" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/04/courtois-keeping-concentrated-in-new-chelsea-magazine/jcr:content/main/textimage_1"> <img alt="khaki-cup-mag" class="cq-dd-image img-responsive" src="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/04/courtois-keeping-concentrated-in-new-chelsea-magazine/_jcr_content/main/textimage_1/image.img.jpg/1429008230231.jpg" title="khaki-cup-mag" /></div> <div class="text"> Our run to the final is detailed along with the final itself, a sombre occasion played in front of thousands of uniformed servicemen and women at an overcast Old Trafford. Though neither the result nor the performance were memorable, the Khaki Cup Final remains a significant part of our 110-year history and you can find everything out about the special occasion in<i> Chelsea</i>.<br /> <br /> <b>The making of Willian<br /> </b>In the latest ‘Anatomy of a Pro’, Willian charts his rise to the top of the game, along the way recalling watching his country win the 1994 World Cup, working with an important coach at Corinthians and revealing his mindset on matchday.<br /> <br /> </div> </div> <div class="image top" id="cq-textimage-jsp-/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/04/courtois-keeping-concentrated-in-new-chelsea-magazine/jcr:content/main/textimage_2"> <img alt="willian-making-of" class="cq-dd-image img-responsive" src="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/04/courtois-keeping-concentrated-in-new-chelsea-magazine/_jcr_content/main/textimage_2/image.img.jpg/1429007138715.jpg" title="willian-making-of" /></div> <b>What else?<br /> </b>This month’s Photo Album celebrates the 60^th anniversary of our maiden title triumph, while in ‘One of Us’, Sky Sports News presenter Olivia Wayne outlines her love for the Blues.<br /> Kenny Swain was ‘Once a Blue’ and experienced plenty of highs and lows during his time at Stamford Bridge in the mid-1970s. He remembers shunning a career as a PE teacher to pursue a life in the game, playing alongside his best friend Steve Finnieston and an extraordinary tale about his European Cup winners’ medal.<br /> <b>Fan interaction</b><br /> <b><br /> </b>Supporters have plenty of chances to get involved in the latest mag, with the newest position of the Cult XI available for selection up front. You can choose the first striker in the 4-4-2 formation by contacting the magazine via post or email.<br /> <br /> You can also be a part of the magazine’s ‘Message Board’ by sending in a photograph and explaining why the club means so much to you, while there is an opportunity to test your knowledge of the club in this month’s quiz.<br /> <br /> The latest edition of Chelsea, priced £3.25, is available from the Stamford Bridge Megastore and all good newsagents.

Courtois keeping concentrated in Chelsea mag

Thibaut Courtois is the latest Chelsea cover star, and in the feature interview with the club’s magazine this month he discusses...

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